Laparoscopic management of an ectopic pregnancy in a previous Caesarean section scar

A case of laparoscopic management of an ectopic pregnancy in a previous Caesarean section scar is reported. A 30 year old woman was admitted to our hospital for profuse vaginal bleeding 2 weeks after an abortion had been performed. A urine pregnancy test was positive. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a well-encapsulated bulging mass over the lower anterior uterine wall measuring 7x5 cm. Hysteroscopy revealed retained gestational tissue in the lower corpus despite a normal uterine cavity. An incision was made over the most prominent area of the mass by operative laparoscopy. Dark reddish tissue suggestive of the products of conception was removed using grasping forceps. One-layer of continuous endoscopic sutures along the affected uterine wall was made with 1-0 Prolene. Laparoscopy enabled the successful treatment of an unruptured ectopic pregnancy in a previous Caesarean scar and made it possible to preserve the patient's reproductive capability.

Computed tomography findings of bony regeneration after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma with skull base destruction: implications for local control

PURPOSE

To evaluate the response of bony destruction (BD) of the skull base following radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and investigate the implications of bony regeneration (BR) on local control and its related factors.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Ninety patients with NPC with skull base destruction clearly demonstrated on computed tomography (CT) were reviewed. These patients have completed the prescribed treatment and received regular CT follow-up. A total of 338 sets of CT images of the head and neck were reviewed. The tumor response and the appearance of BR in the previous destructive part of the skull base were recorded and analyzed. The tumor response was divided into complete, partial, or no response. BR was defined as recalcification or sclerotic change with partial or complete healing in the previous osteolytic bony defect. Local failure was confirmed either by pathological or merely by imaging studies showing progression of tumor in consecutive radiological pictures.

RESULTS

The distribution of specific sites of bony destruction (BD) in these patients included the sphenoid bone (68%), paracavernous sinus area (48%), petrous apex (47%), clivus (44%), pterygoid plates (20%), and others (7%). The CT showed 57 patients (63%) had BR. All were observed within 1 year after treatment. Sixty-two patients (69%) had complete tumor response after treatment. Analyzed by logistic regression method, tumor response after treatment was found to have a statistically significant correlation with BR (p = 0.0004). Most BR (55/57) was demonstrated in patients with complete tumor response. The 3-year actuarial local control rate was 54 % in these patients. The local control was quite different in the comparison of patients with BR versus those with persistent BD (77% vs. 21%, p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that patients with complete tumor response or with BR on imaging had statistically better local control than those without either of the two findings (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Appearance of BR at previous destructive skull base following radiotherapy for NPC patients could be clearly demonstrated on CT. Bony regeneration significantly correlated with treatment response and local control. Although the underlying significance of BR was unknown, to predict the outcome after treatment, the appearance of BR shown on CT may imply the complete eradication of tumor in this area.

Postoperative radiotherapy for supratentorial malignant gliomas

From January 1988 to December 1996, sixty-five patients with histologically confirmed supratentorial malignant gliomas were treated with postoperative radiation therapy in our department. They were subjected to this analysis according to different clinical and pathologic parameters. The overall 1-year, 2-year survival rate was 57% and 23%, respectively. With univariate analysis, age, postoperative Karnofsky performance status, duration of symptoms, multiplicity of lesions and the extent of surgery were identified as significant prognostic factors. With multivariate analysis, postoperative Karnofsky performance status and the extent of surgery continued to show independent prognostic significance on overall survival.

Laparoscopically assisted full thickness skin graft for reconstruction in congenital agenesis of vagina and uterine cervix

In patients with agenesis of the vagina and cervix but with a functional endometrium, the traditional treatment is hysterectomy with construction of a neovagina. We report successful treatment by laparoscopically assisted full thickness skin graft for reconstruction in a patient with congenital agenesis of the vagina and uterine cervix concomitant with haematometra and ovarian endometrioma in a 12 year old girl. Postoperatively, the vaginal skin graft healed well, and menstruation first appeared 4 weeks later. In our opinion, a combined laparoscopic and vaginal procedure with full thickness skin graft is an efficacious alternative in managing such genital defects.

Recalcitrant bicipital radial bursitis

Three of 12 nonrheumatoid patients with bicipital radial bursitis had recurrent and recalcitrant symptoms and underwent operative treatment. Preoperative computed tomogram showed an anterior distended synovial cyst at the level of the radial tubercle. Magnetic resonance imaging provided a superb demonstration of a bicipital radial bursa which communicated with the elbow joint below the annular ligament. Surgical exploration revealed a valvular mechanism between the distended bursa and the joint cavity. Excision of the distended bursa and closing the capsular defect lead to excellent results. An antecubital cyst resulting from an acute or chronic tear of the anterior capsule at the sacciform recess may communicate with the bicipital radial bursa and become the cause of recurrent and recalcitrant symptoms.

Radiation therapy in primary central nervous system lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) in Chinese individuals has rarely been reported. Therefore, this article presents our experience in managing PCNSL with radiotherapy.

METHODS

A thorough review was made of the medical records of 13 patients diagnosed with PCNSL at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from 1988 through 1997. The clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and results were analyzed as well.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients diagnosed with PCNSL were identified, of which 10 cases originated in the brain whereas three were of spinal origin. Seven of the patients were man and six were women, with a mean age of 54.9 +/- 13.1 years (range 29 to 74 years). Diffuse large cell lymphoma (11 cases) was the most common histology. Limb weakness (11 cases) and headache (7 cases) were the most common complaints at presentation. Nine patients received radiation therapy alone and four patients received radiation therapy plus chemotherapy after surgical resection or biopsy. Follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans 3 to 4 months after the completion of radiotherapy revealed that nine patients (69%) had a complete response and four (31%) had a partial response. Local recurrence occurred in five patients (56%) treated with radiation therapy alone and in one patient (25%) treated with combined modalities. The overall actuarial survival rate was 54% at 2 years and 27% at 5 years.

CONCLUSION

Results in this study indicate that the initial response to radiotherapy is satisfactory. However, a local relapse frequently occurs. Future considerations should focus on new modes of treatment, such as three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy for dose escalation or a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Bilateral pathological femoral neck fractures secondary to ectopic parathyroid adenoma

A rare case of bilateral pathological femoral neck fractures secondary to ectopic parathyroid adenoma is reported. Both hip fractures were treated with closed reduction and internal fixation. The right hip fracture healed uneventfully, whereas the left hip fracture developed non-union that required subtrochanteric osteotomy and internal fixation and eventually healed. Neither hip developed avascular necrosis.

Cell surface markers and circulating cytokines in graft versus host disease

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) remains the major obstacle to the widespread application of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) despite improvement in drug prophylaxis. T cells in the donor bone marrow recognize and react against host alloantigens and thereby initiate GVHD, but the precise mechanisms by which host tissues are damaged remain unclear. In the current study, we determined the cytokine secretion, cell population distribution, and cell surface markers expression by ELISA and flow cytometer, to understand further the pathophysiology of GVHD. Our results demonstrated that there was no significant change in the cell ratio of B-and T- lymphocytes, and helper/suppressor cells during GVHD development when compared to the condition before transplantation. Furthermore, the percentage of natural killer cells, the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) or the HLA-DR antigen on both CD4 and CD8 positive cells presented no significant difference between pre-transplantation and during GVHD. The serum cytokine secretion of IL-1, TNF-alpha, IL-2, ICAM-1, endothelin, TGF-beta showed no difference before BMT and during GVHD. However, when patients in the developing of GVHD, there was significant difference in the serum levels of soluble IL-2R (slL-2R), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF). In addition, with patients who develop GVHD, the mixed lymphocyte reaction also presented a significant difference. This study indicated that some serum cytokines such as sIL-2R, growth factors, and the mixed lymphocyte reaction may be used as parameters for the early detection of the development of GVHD.

Postoperative radiotherapy in early stage carcinoma of the uterine cervix: treatment results and prognostic factors

PURPOSE

The objective was to investigate the effect of pathologic parameters and other variables on treatment outcome for patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IB, IIA cervical carcinoma, as well as to assess the morbidities attributable to radical surgery combined with postoperative radiotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 1980 and June 1994, 179 women with FIGO stage IB, IIA carcinoma of the uterine cervix were treated with radical hysterectomy and postoperative irradiation. The median follow-up of alive patients was 6.8 years. All patients received 44-60 Gy external irradiation. One hundred fifty-nine patients received 3-10 Gy intracavitary brachytherapy. The data were analyzed for overall survival, disease-free survival, pelvic control, and treatment-related complications.

RESULTS

The 5-year overall survival rate, disease-free survival rate, and pelvic control rate for the 179 patients were 72, 74, and 90%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rate was 81% for patients without pelvic lymphadenopathy and 53% for those with pelvic lymphadenopathy (P = 0.0000). Other independent prognostic factors for overall survival included tumor differentiation and the interval between operation and initiation of radiotherapy. For the endpoint of disease-free survival, pelvic lymph node status, tumor differentiation, the duration of interruption of radiotherapy, and the interval between operation and radiotherapy were of independent prognostic significance. As pelvic control was concerned, the 5-year pelvic control rate was 90% and only the duration of interruption of radiotherapy was noted as an independent predictor of pelvic control. Distant metastases were noted in 43 patients (24%); the most common sites were lung (10%), liver (6%), and bone (6%). The overall 5-year intestinal and urinary complication-free rate was 66 and 82%, respectively. The overall incidence of grade 3 or above late rectal and urinary sequelae was 10%. For patients sustaining leg lymphedema after radiotherapy, there was higher incidence of severe leg cellulitis which warranted antibiotics treatment.

CONCLUSION

These prognostic factors should be considered in patient counseling and treatment planning. Based on these factors, a more aggressive treatment to improve survival in these subsets of high-risk patients might be justified. New therapeutic regimens and modalities aimed to overcome treatment failure should be investigated.

In vivo and in vitro studies on the antitumor activities of MCP (Malva crispa L. Powder)

Four short-term in vivo and in vitro tests were used to further confirm the antitumor activities of MCP, a vegetable powder, prepared from Malva crispa L. (i) In the H22 hepatoma-transplanting test, MCP had antitumor action, but MCP residue did not show such action; 5-FU appeared to have more potent antitumor activities and more harmful effects than MCP. (ii) In the micronucleus (MN) test, MCP significantly decreased MN frequency. (iii) In the cancer cell culture systems, the MCP fat-soluble extract revealed inhibitory effects on the growth and proliferation of the human hepatoma and the gastric cancer cells in a dose-response manner. (iv) In the colony formation test, MCP also altered the morphology of human gastric cancer cells. It was suggested that MCP could be consumed not only by healthy subjects for cancer prevention but also by patients with cancer as supplementary treatment in combination with anticarcinogenic drug such as 5-FU, cyclophosphamide (CP).

Finite element analysis of a Gamma nail within a fractured femur

Failures of Gamma nails which treat unstable femoral fractures have been reported. In this paper, a finite element model to include a Gamma nail within a fractured femur was used to investigate the stresses in the Gamma nail. The effects for different types of fracture were investigated. The results show that its use for subtrochanteric fractures will cause higher stresses at the lag screw and upper distal screw insertion holes in the nail than when used for femur neck fractures.

Local vaginal anesthesia during high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of local vaginal lidocaine application for pain relief during high-dose-rate (HDR) intracavitary brachytherapy for patients with cervical cancer, and to investigate sequential changes in serum levels of lidocaine during the procedures.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This prospective study was designed to examine the analgesic effect, physical response, and side effects of local anesthesia during HDR intracavitary brachytherapy. Forty patients were enrolled. All patients received 10-15 MV X-rays to the pelvis with a total dose of 45-59.4 Gy 5-6 weeks before undergoing HDR intracavitary brachytherapy. All patients underwent first intracavitary brachytherapy under general anesthesia. These patients were randomly allocated to receive one of two different treatment protocols as follows: (1) treatment session - control session - treatment session - control session; or (2) control session - treatment session- control session - treatment session. In the treatment sessions, topical anesthesia was administered using 4 ml of 10% lidocaine solution sprayed liberally on the cervix and vagina during intracavitary brachytherapy. In the control sessions, a placebo was administered in the same manner during brachytherapy. The Hensche's applicators for brachytherapy were inserted into the cervix and vagina 5 min after lidocaine application. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess pain and discomfort during brachytherapy. Blood pressure and heart rates were measured to evaluate the physiological response. Another prospective study was then performed to investigate the sequential changes of serum lidocaine levels during the anesthetic procedure. Eleven additional patients with similar disease state and demographic characteristics were enrolled and blood samples were obtained before, and 5, 15, 30, and 45 min after the initiation of lidocaine application.

RESULTS

The mean VAS values recorded during the treatment sessions and control sessions were 49.9 +/- 24.1 versus 60.1 +/- 24.8, respectively. The value of VAS in the treatment session was significantly lower than that of the control session (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found in the changes of blood pressure and heart rate and in the incidence of side effects during these two types of sessions (p > 0.05). In the drug-level study, serum levels of lidocaine reached a peak 5 min after the initiation of local anesthesia. The mean peak concentrations (Cmax) of lidocaine were 0.50 +/- 0.45 microg/ml.

CONCLUSION

Local vaginal anesthesia with 10% lidocaine solution can significantly decrease the degree of painful sensation during HDR intracavitary brachytherapy, and is safe to administer for the procedure for cervical cancer.

Management of small infected tibial defects with antibiotic-impregnated autogenic cancellous bone grafting

Between January of 1991 and December of 1993, 36 patients who had tibia fractures complicated by small infected tibia defects were treated at the authors' service. The group included 30 men and 6 women whose average age was 36.5 years (range, 18-72 years). The average follow-up period was 3.7 years. By using the Cierney-Mader staging classification of chronic osteomyelitis, 26 of 36 patients (72%) were stage 4A and 10 of 36 patients (28%) were stage 4B. Ten patients required muscle transfer. All patients were treated with a two-stage protocol. In the first stage, antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate bead chains were used to obliterate the debrided osseous defect. In the second stage, the beads were removed, and the defects were reconstructed with antibiotic-impregnated autogenic cancellous bone graft. The time between the first and second stage was 2 to 8 weeks for patients without muscle transfer and 8 to 12 weeks for the patients with muscle transfer. The bone defects ranged from 2 to 4 cm. Wound healing and bony union were achieved in all patients. Only two patients had recurrent infections. The infection arrest rate was 94.4%. Minor pin tract infection of the external skeletal fixation was seen in two patients. Two patients developed skin rashes secondary to antibiotic therapy. Radiographs at an average follow-up of 3.7 years showed good consolidation and hypertrophy of grafted bones in all patients. After 3 to 5 years of follow-up, our results suggest that the use of impregnating antibiotics have no adverse effects on autogenic cancellous bone graft incorporation and may help to eliminate infection. This treatment protocol provided rapid recovery from osteomyelitis. The use of antibiotic-impregnated autogenic bone graft seems to be an effective and safe method for the management of small infected tibial defects.

Neurodevelopment of surviving infants at age two years, with a birthweight less than 2000 g and cared for in neonatal intensive care units (NICU)--results from a population based longitudinal study in Taiwan

All surviving infants from nine neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in a southern city and county of Taiwan were followed up and assessed at 2 y of age if they had a birthweight of less than 2000 g and were born between February 1, 1993 and January 31, 1994. The assessments included: neurological, growth and general health. A comparison group of normal birthweight and full-term infants without congenital anomalies, matched by birth month and sex to the NICU survivors was also studied with respect to the same outcome measures. A developmental delay (either a severe neurological deficit or Mental Development Index < 68 or Psychomotor Development Index < 68) was present in 21 (15.4%) of the cases, compared to 3 (2.5%) of the controls (P < 0.0004). Significant correlates of developmental outcome for the cases were birthweight, gestational age, and maternal education. The very low birthweight (VLBW) children (< 1500 g) in our study cohort had a comparatively higher incidence of severe neurological deficits (and cerebral palsy) than that reported by other similar studies in developed countries. The incidence of abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome remained high in the graduates of NICU at 2 y of age, compared to that in normal controls. The findings have important implications in future health policy making regarding postnatal management of the surviving infants of NICU in developing countries such as Taiwan.

Pregnancy in a previous cesarean section scar: case report

An ectopic pregnancy developing in a previous cesarean section scar is an extreme rarity among all ectopic pregnancies. Due to the difficulty of making an accurate diagnosis, this kind of ectopic pregnancy is the most dangerous and life-threatening type. A 30-year-old woman, who was gravida 4, para 3, was admitted to our emergency room with massive vaginal bleeding. She had undergone a cesarean section due to a breech birth 3 months prior to this admission. Ultrasound examination showed a pregnancy located in the low corpus uterus. The possibility of a spontaneous abortion in progress or a cervico-isthmic pregnancy were considered. Due to the massive vaginal bleeding and unstable vital signs of the patient, surgical intervention was decided upon to save the woman's life. We first performed dilatation and curettage. There was no gestational villi and severe vaginal bleeding was noted during this procedure. An emergent exploratory laparotomy was then performed, followed finally by a hysterectomy. Pathologic findings confirmed the diagnosis of a pregnancy in the previous cesarean section scar. Diagnosis, prevention, clinical evaluation and management of these conditions are discussed.

Tumor promoting effect of N-nitroso-N-(2-hexanonyl)-3'-nitrotyramine (a nitrosated Maillard reaction product) in benzo(a)pyrene-initiated mouse skin carcinogenesis

N-nitroso-N-(2-hexanonyl)-3'-nitrotyramine (NO-HNTA) is a product generated in a model browning system in the presence of sodium nitrite. The chemical structure of this compound has been confirmed by UV, mass, nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy in our study. Twenty weeks, twice weekly, topical application of NO-HNTA at the concentration of 10, 50 and 250 mumol to mice previously initiated with benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P) increased their tumor formation by 3.2-, 4.6- and 5.8-fold respectively. Application of the same amount of NO-HNTA not only caused significant induction of hyperplasia but also the activity of epidermal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). Treatment of mouse skin with various amounts of NO-HNTA (10, 50 and 250 mumol) caused production of hydrogen peroxide by 1.38-, 1.95- and 3.26-fold respectively, and induction myeloperoxidase (MPO) by 24-, 63- and 102-fold. These results indicate that the formation of NO-HNTA or its derivatives derived from the reaction of tyrosine and glucose in the presence of sodium nitrite has the potential as a tumor promoter.

Promotional effect of N-nitroso-N-(3-keto-1,2-butanediol)-3'-nitrotyramine (a nitrosated Maillard reaction product) in mouse fibroblast cells

N-Nitroso-N-(3-keto-1,2-butanediol)-3'-nitrotyramine (NO-NTA) is a product of model browning system generated in the presence of sodium nitrite. The chemical structure of this compound has been confirmed by UV, mass and nuclear magnetic resonance, and infrared spectroscopy in our previous study. A two-stage transformation protocol was used to chemically transform the mouse embryo fibroblasts C3H10T1/2 cells. To initiate transformation, the cells were treated with benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) (0.1 mg/ml), and NO-NTA (0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/ml) was employed subsequently to complete the transformation process. Malignant transformed foci were formed in BaP-initiated and NO-NTA promoted C3H10T1/2 cells after 8 wk. Cells treated with NO-NTA alone failed to induce transformation. However, cells initiated with BaP and promoted by cells initiated with BaP and promoted by NO-NTA demonstrated oncogenic properties. Cell lines transformed with NO-NTA-transformed colonies exhibited enhanced growth rate, anchorage independence and tumorigenicity in animals relative to parent cells. These results indicate that NO-NTA is a new tumour promoter and may induce tumour promotion by two-stage oncogenesis. Further studies on the mechanism of action of NO-NTA are now in progress.

Anesthesia for pediatric herniorrhaphy or hydrocelectomy: comparison of propofol/ketamine and thiopentone/halothane

Total intravenous anesthesia has recently become available for ambulatory surgery. It has the advantages of decreased air contamination from volatile anesthetics and decreased exposure of operating room personnel to volatile anesthetics. The purpose of this study was to compare the anesthetic properties of propofol/ketamine (total intravenous) anesthesia and thiopentone/halothane (intravenous and gaseous) anesthesia for herniorrhaphy or hydrocelectomy in children. Sixty children aged 2 to 7 years scheduled for herniorrhaphy or hydrocelectomy were allocated to two groups. The propofol/ketamine group (group 1) received a loading dose of intravenous propofol 3 mg/kg followed by propofol infusion 200 micrograms/kg/minute; additional bolus doses of propofol 1 mg/kg were given as needed or the infusion dose was increased or decreased by 33 micrograms/kg/minute as needed. Ketamine 1 mg/kg was administered intravenously 2 to 3 minutes before herniorrhaphy or hydrocelectomy to reinforce the analgesic and anesthetic effects of propofol. The thiopentone/halothane group (group 2) received intravenous thiopentone 6 mg/kg followed by halothane with 40% oxygen using a mask. Group 2 patients maintained spontaneous breathing with intermittent assistance and group 1 patients maintained spontaneous natural airway breathing during anesthesia. The scores on the postoperative assessment scale were higher in group 2 patients, indicating poorer anesthesia recovery characteristics, but the differences were not significant. Pain on injection was more frequent in group 1 (12/32) than in group 2 (2/28). The incidence of vomiting in group 2 (6/28) was significantly higher than in group 1 (0/32). We conclude that propofol/ketamine allows patients to maintain spontaneous natural airway breathing during anesthesia, and its analgesic and anesthetic effects are comparable to those of thiopentone/halothane. Propofol/ketamine is appropriate for pediatric herniorrhaphy and hydrocelectomy. It can be recommended for pediatric ambulatory surgery.

Injection pain with propofol: the effectiveness of thiopentone on induction

One hundred and twenty-seven children aged 3-6 years were allocated to four groups. All of them received venous cannulation on the dorsum of the hand. On induction, the group L1, L2 and L3 patients received propofol 3 mg/kg mixed with lignocaine 0.15 mg/kg, 0.3 mg/kg, 0.6 mg/kg, respectively. The group T patients received thiopentone 3 mg/kg, then propofol 1.5 mg/kg mixed with lignocaine 0.075 mg/kg. Pain on injection was categorized into two-assessment items (facial expression and limbs withdrawal). The facial expression category were subdivided into none, mild (knit of brows), moderate (grimace), and severe (crying). The withdrawal of limbs was categorized into none, mild (withdrawal of hand), moderate (withdrawal of fore-arm and arm), severe (withdrawal of arm and twisting of body). Patients were monitored using an electrocardiogram, pulse oximeter, autonomic noninvasive blood pressure measuring device and capnography. The patient characteristics did not differ significantly among the four groups. Pain on injection was significantly more frequent in the group L1 patients (81%) compared with the group T (27%) patients. Increasing lignocaine dose reduced the incidence of pain graded as "moderate" or "severe" though there was no significant difference. The incidences of excitatory effect on propofol injection were reduced with increasing lignocaine dose and prior administration of thiopentone but there were no obviously differences among groups. We concluded that thiopentone reduced injection pain on propofol and should be recommended.

Extraperitoneoscopic colposuspension using CO2 distension method

PURPOSE

To validate our experience in extraperitoneoscopic colposuspension for genuine stress incontinence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between March 1995 and July 1996, 48 women who had genuine stress incontinence underwent extraperitoneoscopic colposuspension in our institute. After standard laparascopic surgery preparation, a 10 mm puncture site was made midline just in the cm above the pubic hair line, and the extraperitoneal space was developed with the higher pressure of insufflating CO2. A pair of sutures was inserted at the level of the midurethral and unrethrovesical junction with Cooper's ligament.

RESULTS

All of these patients underwent the same procedures. The average blood loss was less than 50 ml, with a range from 10 to 200 ml. The operative time was from 20 to 90 min, with a mean time of 32 min. There was one bladder injury, 2 cases of voiding difficulties and 2 of detrussor instability in our series and the overall complication rate was 10.4%. So far, 45 of the 48 patients are satisfied with the surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic Burch colposuspension is a practicable surgical procedure for managing stress incontinence. Extraperitoneal space was created easily with the higher pressure of insufflating CO2. An extraperitoneoscopic approach can reduce the necessity of laparscopic suturing. Moreover, it avoids violating the peritonel cavity and reduces the potential risk of postoperative adhesion formation and the discomfort resulting from pneumoperitonium. Thus, extraperitoneal colposuspension affords an alternative to laparoscopic or abdominal retropubic colposuspension in well-selected patients.

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients: two cases report

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) is a rheumatic disorder characterized by digital clubbing, bone pain, and arthralgia. HOA can be idiopathic or secondary to a variety of pulmonary, cardiogenic, or malignant disorders. We present 2 male patients, aged 46 and 42, with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who developed HOA 1-4 years after radiotherapy. Differential diagnosis between HOA and coexisting bone metastasis must be made with caution. We found bone scintigraphy to be the most sensitive tool to distinguish between these 2 disease. Intense symmetrical uptake of radioisotope along the cortex of long bones, so-called parallel tract sign, is typical. Plain radiographs demonstrating prominent periosteal reaction were also effective for this. The rheumatic manifestation of HOA was paraneoplastic and related to pulmonary metastasis. The clinical manifestation of the 2 patients suggested that pulmonary metastasis should be suspected in NPC patients when HOA appears.

A dynamic local bump system for producing synchrotron radiation with an alternating elliptical polarization

To facilitate high-sensitivity soft X-ray magnetic circular dichroism experiments, a dynamic local bump system has been developed at the SRRC storage ring. This system was devised to vary dynamically the vertical slope of the electron beam in a bending magnet, producing, in the electron orbit plane, soft X-rays with an alternating elliptical polarization. The local bump was created by using two pairs of vertical correctors located on each side of the bending magnet. The bump strength coefficient was obtained both from calculated estimation and from measured beam-response matrices. Control electronics for proper bump strength settings were designed to incorporate the existing orbit-corrector function. A corresponding graphic user interface was implemented so that the bump amplitude could be easily adjusted. The performance of this system is presented. Disturbance on the stored electron beam orbit was observed while flipping the corrector polarity during EPBM (elliptical polarization from bending magnets) operation. A local feedback loop, developed to eliminate such disturbance on other beamlines, is also described.

Inhibitory effect of Hibiscus protocatechuic acid on tumor promotion in mouse skin

Hibiscus protocatechuic acid (PCA), a phenolic acid isolated from Hibiscus sabdariffa L., was evaluated for its ability to inhibit the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced promotion in skin tumors of female CD-1 mice. Topical application of PCA (5, 10 or 20 micromol) 5 min prior to TPA (15 nmol) treatment twice weekly for 20 weeks to mice which were initiated with benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) inhibited the incidence of tumors in mice to 81.3, 62.5 and 56.3%, respectively, while all mice in the TPA-treated group developed tumors. The average number of tumors in mice pretreated with PCA was 2-4 and that of mice treated only with TPA was 6.6. The protection effects of PCA were also presented by its significant suppression on the TPA-induced hyperplasia in the skin and edema of mouse ears by 65 and 73% at doses of 10 and 20 micromol, respectively. When it was applied to the dorsal surface of CD-1 mice before TPA application, PCA (5, 10 or 20 micromol) inhibited the induction of epidermal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity by 5 nmol TPA and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity by 6.5 nmol TPA. The same doses of PCA also reduced the formation of hydrogen peroxide in the mouse skin to an inhibition of 61, 84 and 89%, respectively, when compared with that of the TPA-treated group. These results indicate that PCA possesses potential as a cancer chemopreventive agent against tumor promotion.

Minimal access surgery in children: the use of laparoscopy for management of pediatric ovarian teratoma: a case report

This article presents a case of left ovarian teratoma in a young child. Prompt diagnosis was made using real-time ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and laparoscopy. The latter was used for performing tumor enucleation. We recommend that laparoscopy precede laparotomy and be done more routinely in the young patient.

Successful resection of a teratoma of the third ventricle in a 3-year-old boy

Few cases of teratoma in the third ventricle have been reported in detail. We describe a 3-year-old Chinese boy presenting with increased intracranial pressure, headache, and vomiting. Preoperative computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a teratoma in the third ventricle. Complete excision of the tumor was achieved through the interhemispheric transcallosal approach. The patient did well and was without neurologic deficits postoperatively. Although the majority of tumors located in the third ventricle are malignant and can penetrate the brain tissues that constitute the wall of the third ventricle, mature teratomas are an exception and total removal may be possible.