Gallium-67 scanning for carcinoma of the lung

Gallium-67 citrate scanning was prospectively evaluated in 55 patients who had lung lesions suspected to be primary carcinoma on chest x-ray films and in whom subsequent histologic diagnosis was obtained. Of 47 patients with histologically proved carcinoma of the lung, 44 (94 per cent) had a positive 67Ga scan. No patient with a positive scan had a benign lesion, so that the positive scan accuracy rate was 100 per cent. All 8 patients with a benign lesion and 3 patients with a malignant lesion had negative scans, for a negative scan accurary rate of 72 per cent for benign lesions. These results give statistical validity for the usefulness of the 67Ga scan in diagnosing carcinoma of the lung (p less than 0.001). Tumor cell type had little effect on the sensitivity of 67Ga scan. The 67Ga scan was equally useful in the evaluation of peripheral and central lesions. There was little difference amount T1, T2, and T3 classified lesions in their ability to take up 67Ga. The 67Ga scan was competitive with mediastinoscopy in assessing mediastinal lymph node metastases and provides a noninvasive method of assessing hilar lymph node metastases. There was a good correlation between the clinical staging of patients with lung cancer based on a chest x-ray film and 67Ga scanning and the staging after surgical treatment based on the histology of the resected specimens.     

Association between parachute mitral valve and Down's syndrome. Report of a case

The trisomy 21 form of Down's syndrome is the most common human chromosomal aberration. Congenital heart disease is found in as many as 50 per cent of patients with this disorder. The two most common cardiac lesions in Down's syndrome are septal ventricular defect and endocardial cushion defect. Secundum atrial septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot and isolated patent ductus arteriosus are also observed in these Down's patients. Transposition of great arteries and coarctation of the aorta are rarely seen. Most patients having Down's syndrome with congenital heart disease have a single lesion. However, as many as 30 per cent may have multiple cardiac defects. Parachute mitral valve is a rare congenital mitral defect: a single papillary muscle in the left ventricle is the hallmark of this lesion. A parachute mitral valve is frequently associated with other left heart disorders such as supravalvular mitral ring, abnormal and stenosed mitral valve, subaortic stenosis and coarctation of the aorta, thus constituting either a complete form of Shone's complex (when all 4 components are present) or an incomplete form when there are fewer. The aim of the present report is to describe the connection between Down's syndrome and isolated, non-stenosed parachute mitral valve, which has never been reported before.     

Role of technetium-99m sestamibi in localisation of thyroid cancer metastases

Technetium-99m sestamibi (MIBI) is a routinely used myocardial perfusion imaging agent. We have studied groups of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma, in order to evaluate the usefulness of this agent in localising regional neck and nodal disease and metastases. There are three groups of patients. Group 1 consisted of patients with known nodal disease or metastases (22 patients) and with raised serum thyroglobulin levels (Tg). Group 2 comprised patients with normal I-131 scans and normal Tg levels (nine patients). Non-thyroid malignancies (six patients) comprised an additional group 3. In group 1, the MIBI scan showed 47 sites of metastases, while the I-131 scan revealed 49 sites. The MIBI scan was positive in two patients where the I-131 scan was negative, while in two other patients, the MIBI study was negative whereas the I-131 scan was positive. In group 2, 6/9 patients had no disease, 2/9 had thyroid remnants, and 1/9 had a fresh primary lung tumour, unrelated to the earlier thyroid cancer. All of them had normal MIBI scans. In group 3, two patients with lung cancer and two with breast cancer and metastases had normal MIBI scans. A further two patients with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) had mildly increased MIBI localisation in neck nodes and bone metastases. In summary, Tc-99m sestamibi appears to be as good as I-131 in search for thyroid carcinoma metastatic spread, especially nodal disease and this tracer does not localise well in the primary or metastases of other cancers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evaluation of contrast echocardiography and lung perfusion scan in detecting intrapulmonary vascular dilatation in normoxemic patients with early liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intrapulmonary vascular dilatations (IPVD) are extrahepatic complications occurring in liver transplant candidates, that can result in severe hypoxemia. The aim of this study was to compare the use of two diagnostic modalities, contrast echocardiography and lung perfusion scan, in detecting IPVD in normoxemic patients with early liver cirrhosis. METHODOLOGY: Fifty-six consecutive outpatients with biopsy-proven cirrhosis had contrast-echocardiography, a lung perfusion scan, pulmonary function tests, and arterial blood gas estimations. All patients were grade A or B according to the Child-Pugh classification. Patients with chronic intrinsic lung disease, heart failure or malignancy were excluded from the study. RESULTS: All patients had normal arterial blood-gas analyses. Eight out of 56 patients (14.3%) had a positive contrast echocardiogram, all with a decreased diffusion capacity (DLCO < 75% of the predicted value). An isolated DLCO impairment was observed in 40% of the patients with normal spirometry. None of the patients with echocardiography-proven IPVD had a positive lung perfusion scan (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In normoxemic cirrhotic patients, subclinical pulmonary vasodilatation and gas-exchange abnormalities can occur. Contrast-enhanced echocardiography is the most valuable screening test in detecting IPVD in the early stages of hepatic insufficiency.     

Comparison between morphologic changes seen on high-resolution CT and regional pulmonary perfusion seen on SPECT in patients with cystic fibrosis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between morphologic findings seen on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the lung and regional lung perfusion depicted on single photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) pulmonary perfusion imaging in patients with cystic fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten HRCT and 10 technetium-99 m macroaggregated albumin SPECT pulmonary perfusion imaging studies were performed on eight young adult patients who were considered to be clinically well and have mild to moderate cystic fibrosis. HRCT scans of the chest were evaluated using a CT scoring system which included grading of bronchiectasis, peribronchial thickening, hyperlucency, bullae, collapse/consolidation, and mucus plugging. Each lung was divided into six anatomic zones which were independently scored. A lung perfusion score (between 0 and 100), reflecting the percentage of compromised lung, was estimated for each zone. Axial lung perfusion SPECT images were matched anatomically to HRCT images. Lung function was considered compromised when the counts per pixel were less than 25 % of the count level seen in an area of the same patient's lung which was judged to be normal. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant relationship (P = 0.0001) between HRCT total scores and SPECT lung perfusion scores as well as between hyperlucency scores by HRCT and the SPECT lung perfusion scores. However, the HRCT score was a poor predictor of the lung perfusion score in zones with intermediate HRCT scores, which constituted 106 of 120 zones. CONCLUSION: Morphologic changes depicted by HRCT correlate with decreased lung pefusion on SPECT. However, HRCT changes accurately predict regional lung function only in the most normal and severely diseased lung zones.     

Systemic leakage during isolated limb perfusion for melanoma

A hazard of regional perfusion for melanoma is incomplete isolation, resulting in leakage of the cytostatic drug into the systemic circulation. Data were analysed retrospectively on 438 melphalan perfusions performed for melanoma of the extremities during the period 1978-1990; continuous isotopic measurement of systemic leakage was carried out. The cumulative systemic leakage after 60 min perfusion was 0.9 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval 0.7-1.1 per cent). Systemic leakage of > or = 1 per cent was detected in 12.6 per cent of perfusions, > or = 5 per cent in 6.2 per cent and > or = 10 per cent in 1.4 per cent. In 2.3 per cent of patients, systemic side-effects in the form of mild transient bone marrow depression occurred. Six variables related to the perfusion technique were assessed by multivariate analysis for their influence on systemic leakage. The level of isolation and diameter of the venous cannula emerged as significant factors. In addition, ligation of the internal iliac vein provided optimal isolation during iliac perfusion.     

Design and evaluation of a portable rigid forced-air warming cover for prehospital transport of cold patients

Although villous lesions comprise only about 5 per cent of all adenomas, 40 per cent are premalignant. Complete colonic evaluation and resection of all villous lesions should be performed. The purpose of this study is to examine our experience with transanal excision and low anterior resection as treatment options for large villous adenomas of the rectum. A retrospective review of all cases of villous adenomas of the rectum at this institution from January 1991 to February 1997 was performed. A total of 16 patients were identified; fourteen underwent transanal excision and two underwent low anterior resection. The average lesion size was 5 cm, and 50 per cent extended proximal to 8 cm from the anal verge. Thirty-seven per cent (six patients) had villous lesions containing adenocarcinoma. Thirty-one per cent (five patients) have required treatment for residual disease noted within 6 months of resection. Twelve per cent (two patients) have received treatment for recurrent disease presenting 6 months after resection. The minor complications included two episodes of urinary retention. The serious complications included one perforation and one postoperative hemorrhage for a 12 per cent complication rate. In summary, large villous adenomas of the rectum can be removed by sphincter-preserving techniques with low morbidity and an acceptable recurrence rate.     

Progression of the curve in boys who have idiopathic scoliosis

The prevalence of curve progression was evaluated in 210 boys who had idiopathic scoliosis. A minimum age of eight years, a deformity of at least 10 degrees, and radiographic follow-up of one year or progression of the curve within the first year of follow-up were the criteria for inclusion in the study. Of the 210 patients, sixty-eight (32 per cent) had progression of 10 degrees or more. Four of the five patients who had had an initial curve of 50 degrees or more subsequently had a spinal arthrodesis. The risk of progression was significantly greater for patients who were at an earlier Risser stage (p < 0.002) and for those who were younger (p < 0.005). The risk of progression was also greater for patients who had had a larger curve at the time of presentation; of the sixty-three boys for whom the Risser grade was 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 when they were first seen and who had a curve of 25 degrees or more, twenty (32 per cent) had progression, compared with only two (5 per cent) of the thirty-eight who had a Risser grade of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 and a curve of 24 degrees or less. Of the thirty-four patients for whom the Risser grade was 4 when they were first seen, five (15 per cent) had progression.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Is routine computed tomographic (CT) scanning necessary in suspected basal skull fractures?

The aim of this prospective observational study was to assess the yield of routine fine-cut computed tomographic (CT) scans in patients with suspected basal skull injuries. Over an 8 month period in 1994, 500 consecutive head-injured patients were examined for clinical signs of basal skull fracture and underwent fine-cut (5 mm) CT scans through the skull base in addition to standard (10 mm) cuts through the vault. Clinical signs were present in 144 patients (144/500, 28.8 per cent) of which 75 (75/144, 52 per cent) had corresponding CT evidence of fracture. A further 22 patients (22/500, 4.4 per cent) had no clinical signs but fractures were seen on CT. The presence of cranial nerve injury, cerebrospinal fluid leak, epistaxis, periorbital bruising, and two or more signs, were more likely to be associated with positive CT scans (P < 0.001, chi 2 tests). The incidence of associated mass lesions was 50.5 per cent, of which 55.1 per cent required craniotomy. This was significantly higher than in patients without evidence of skull base fracture (16.6 per cent) (P < 0.001, chi 2 27.165). Six patients, two of whom had meningitis, required surgical repair of the dural defects seen on CT. The diagnostic yield of routine fine-cut CT scans in this sub-type of head injury is 52 per cent, and is of value in detecting associated mass lesions or significant dural defects which may require surgical intervention.     

Value of perfusion lung scan in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: results of the Prospective Investigative Study of Acute Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PISA-PED)

To assess the value of perfusion lung scan in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, we prospectively evaluated 890 consecutive patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. Prior to lung scanning, each patient was assigned a clinical probability of pulmonary embolism (very likely, possible, unlikely). Perfusion scans were independently classified as follows: (1) normal, (2) near-normal, (3) abnormal compatible with pulmonary embolism (PE+: single or multiple wedge-shaped perfusion defects), or (4) abnormal not compatible with pulmonary embolism (PE-: perfusion defects other than wedge-shaped). The study design required pulmonary angiography and clinical and scintigraphic follow-up in all patients with abnormal scans. Of 890 scans, 220 were classified as normal/or near-normal and 670 as abnormal. A definitive diagnosis was established in 563 (84%) patients with abnormal scans. The overall prevalence of pulmonary embolism was 39%. Most patients with angiographically proven pulmonary embolism had PE+ scans (sensitivity: 92%). Conversely, most patients without emboli on angiography had PE- scans (specificity: 87%). A PE+ scan associated with a very likely or possible clinical presentation of pulmonary embolism had positive predictive values of 99 and 92%, respectively. A PE- scan paired with an unlikely clinical presentation had a negative predictive value of 97%. Clinical assessment combined with perfusion-scan evaluation established or excluded pulmonary embolism in the majority of patients with abnormal scans. Our data indicate that accurate diagnosis of pulmonary embolism is possible by perfusion scanning alone, without ventilation imaging. Combining perfusion scanning with clinical assessment helps to restrict the need for angiography to a minority of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.     

Chemotherapy for spinal cord astrocytoma

A combined retrospective and prospective study of 129 beta-thalassaemia major patients seen between 1965 and 1995 in Sabah Hospital, Kuwait has been carried out. The age range at diagnosis was 2 to 84 months, median 9 months. In approximately 80 per cent, the patients were outcomes of first- or second-cousin marriages. Nine (7 per cent) of the patients were HBsAg positive, while 42 (33 per cent) were hepatitis C seropositive. Eleven (9 per cent) patients had had bone marrow transplantation (BMT). There was no BMT-related mortality, but there were three graft rejections and two cases of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).     

The histological response to chemotherapy as a predictor of the oncological outcome of operative treatment of Ewing sarcoma

Seventy-four patients who had a Ewing sarcoma of bone were managed with preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy and operative resection, with or without postoperative irradiation. The primary objectives of the study were to determine the histological response to preoperative chemotherapy in terms of the percentage of tumor necrosis and to assess the relationship between the histological response and the oncological outcome. The minimum duration of follow-up of the surviving patients who were continuously free of disease was five years. Sections of each operative specimen were examined, and the histological response to chemotherapy was graded semiquantitatively. Grade I indicated necrosis of 50 per cent of the tumor or less; grade II, necrosis of more than 50 per cent but less than 90 per cent; grade III, necrosis of 90 to 99 per cent; and grade IV, necrosis of 100 per cent of the tumor. Of the seventy-four tumors, forty-four (59 per cent) were exquisitely sensitive to chemotherapy and had complete (grade-IV) or nearly complete (grade-III) necrosis. In contrast, fourteen tumors (19 per cent) had little or no response to chemotherapy (grade I) and sixteen (22 per cent) had a moderate degree of necrosis (grade II). The histological response to preoperative chemotherapy (p = 0.0001), followed by the size of the tumor (p = 0.001), were the most important predictors of event-free survival. At five years, the rate of event-free survival was zero of fourteen patients who had had a grade-I response, six of sixteen who had had a grade-II response, and thirty-seven (84 per cent) of forty-four who had had a grade-III or IV response. The risk of local recurrence was most strongly associated with the operative margins; there were only four local recurrences (6 per cent) after sixty-seven resections with negative margins. Local recurrence may also have been influenced by the histological response and the use of local radiation. There were no local recurrences after operative treatment of six tumors that had been associated with pathological fracture. The histological response to preoperative chemotherapy and the size of the primary tumor are the most important clinical predictors of the outcome of operative treatment of non-metastatic Ewing sarcoma. These indicators should be used to identify patients who are at high risk for metastasis as such patients may be candidates for more intensive or novel therapies.     

The prognostic factors for early mortality and for total or partial gammagraphic resolution in venous thromboembolic disease

Our objective was to investigate possible factors implicated in either early death from or scintigraphic resolution of pulmonary embolism. To that end we conducted a retrospective study of 116 patients with either a high likelihood of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) diagnosed by scintiscan or with a fair probability of PTE by scintiscan accompanied by a positive phlebograph. The images were taken upon admission, at 7 days, 10 days and 6 months. The factors analyzed were age, sex, trauma, immobility, surgery, obesity, hemiplegia, venous insufficiency, cardiopulmonary disease, neoplasia, chest X-ray and ECG alterations, D(A-a)O2 and size of perfusion defects upon admission and 7 to 10 days later. We performed single-variable analyses and multiple logical regression analyses using perfusion defect at 6 months as the dependent variable. The early mortality rate (13%) was higher in patients with neoplasms, a larger alveolar-arterial index and greater perfusion defects upon admission. Scintiscans became normal in 28%. Multivariate analysis to predict total or partial resolution at 6 months showed that size of perfusion defects at 7 to 10 days was the best predictive factor. A cutoff point was calculated by analyzing the ROC for this factor. Thus, when the defect at 7 to 10 days was equal to or greater than 1 segment, the probability of residual defects remaining after 6 months was twice as great (sensitivity 83%, specificity 57%). In conclusion, early death was more likely in PTE patients with neoplasms, larger defects upon admission and greater alveolar-arterial difference. Scintigrams showed resolution 6 months after admission in 28%. The size of perfusion defects 7 to 10 days after admission was the factor that best predicted total of partial resolution at 6 months.     

Biliary dyskinesia: natural history and surgical results

Patients with biliary dyskinesia have symptoms consistent with biliary colic and an abnormal gallbladder ejection fraction (GEF) in the absence of cholelithiasis. Cholecystokinin hepatobiliary scan quantifies gallbladder function and may assist in selecting patients with acalculous biliary pain who would benefit from cholecystectomy. Seventy-eight patients with an abnormal GEF (< 35%) on cholecystokinin hepatobiliary scan without cholelithiasis were studied retrospectively. Patients were divided into groups based on diagnosis and treatment. In Group I, the patients who underwent cholecystectomy, 80 per cent (35 of 44) had complete symptomatic resolution whereas the remaining 20 per cent (9 of 44) had symptomatic improvement. Pathology reports demonstrated chronic cholecystitis in 95 per cent of specimens. Group II were patients with symptoms attributable to biliary dyskinesia, but did not undergo cholecystectomy. Persistence of symptoms was noted in 75 per cent (18 of 24) of patients whereas 25 per cent (6 of 24) had symptomatic resolution without any treatment. Group III consisted of patients with an abnormal ejection fraction who had improvement of symptoms after treatment for an alternative diagnosis (n = 10). These findings suggest that an abnormal ejection fraction does not always indicate gallbladder disease. Alternative diagnoses must be investigated and treated. Patients with persistent biliary type symptoms in combination with an abnormal GEF in the absence of other attributable causes can expect a favorable response to cholecystectomy.     

On the incidence of renal vein thrombosis in the nephrotic syndrome

Forty-eight patients with nephrotic syndrome were evaluated prospectively; the studies included inferior venacavagrams and ventilation perfusion lung scans. Eleven patients were found to have renal vein thrombosis (RVT). Eight of 21 patients with membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) or membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) has RVT (38%). Clinical, laboratory, and pathological findings were not different among those patients with MGN and MPGN whether RVT was present or not. Patients with diabetic nephropathy or lupus nephritis did not have RVT. There was a high incidence of other thromboembolic phenomena as well as asymptomatic perfusion defects demonstrated by the lung scan, especially in patients with MGN or MPGN. These data suggest the disease process underlying the nephrotic syndrome may play a paramount role in the genesis of RVT or thromboembolic phenomena.     

White blood cell count is a poor predictor of severity of disease in the diagnosis of appendicitis

The white blood cell (WBC) count is considered to be a useful test in the diagnosis of appendicitis. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical features of patients with normal WBC appendicitis and also to determine whether a higher WBC count correlates with a more advanced stage of appendicitis. Patients with pathologically confirmed appendicitis from January 1989 to December 1994 were included in the study (n = 1919). The age, gender, temperature, length of hospital stay, and severity of disease (1 = acute appendicitis; 2 = gangrenous appendicitis; 3 = perforated appendicitis with abscess formation; 4 = appendicitis with diffuse peritonitis) were compared for patients with a normal WBC count (range, 3.8-10.9) versus those who had an elevated WBC count. A normal WBC count was seen in 11 per cent of patients (n = 209). There was no difference in age, temperature, gender, or severity of disease in the patients with a normal WBC count compared with those with an elevated WBC count (P > 0.05). The severity of disease of patients with a normal WBC count were: 1 = 58 per cent; 2 = 13 per cent; 3 = 7 per cent; and 4 = 22 per cent. For patients with an elevated WBC count the scores were: 1 = 57 per cent; 2 = 17 per cent; 3 = 13 per cent; and 4 = 14 per cent. The proportion of gangrenous and perforated appendicitis in the patients with a normal WBC count is the same as in the patients with an elevated WBC count.     

Copper-dependent reciprocal transcriptional regulation of methane monooxygenase genes in Methylococcus capsulatus and Methylosinus trichosporium

PURPOSE: To better understand the dose and time dependence of radiation therapy (RT)-induced regional lung dysfunction as assessed by changes in regional lung perfusion. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients who were to receive RT for tumors in and around the thorax, wherein portions of healthy lung would be incidentally irradiated, were prospectively studied. Regional function was assessed pre- and post-RT with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) lung perfusion scans, obtained following the intravenous administration of approximately 4 mCi of technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin. Pre-RT computed tomography (CT) scans were used to calculate the three-dimensional (3D) dose distribution, reflecting tissue density inhomogeneity corrections. Each SPECT scan was correlated with the pre-RT CT scan, and the 3D dose distribution. Changes in regional lung perfusion were correlated with regional RT dose, at various time intervals following radiation. RESULTS: The data from 20 patients (7 breast cancer, 5 lymphoma, 1 esophagus, 1 sarcoma, and 6 lung cancer) have been analyzed. Patients with gross intrathoracic lung cancers causing obstruction of regional pulmonary arteries were not included. For most patients, there is a statistically significant dose-dependent reduction in regional blood flow at all time points following radiation. While a time dependence is suggested in the high dose range, the limited amount of data prevents meaningful statistical evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation therapy-induced regional lung dysfunction occurs in a dose-dependent manner and develops within 3-6 months following radiation. In contrast to classical "sigmoid" dose-response curves, described mainly for changes following whole lung irradiation, these data suggest a more gradual relationship between regional dysfunction and RT dose. Retraction of irradiated lung with secondary movement of unirradiated lung into the "3D-defined irradiated volume" may have introduced inaccuracies into this analysis. Additional studies are currently underway to assess this possibility and better refine this dose-response curve. Studies are underway to determine if changes in assessments of whole lung function, such as pulmonary function tests, can be predicted by summing the regional changes observed.     

Lung cancer--management and outcome in Glasgow, 1991-92

Current practice and outcome for patients with lung cancer were determined by retrospective case note review of a random sample of all lung cancer cases registered for a calendar year and augmented by review of all surgical and radical radiotherapy cases. A total of 262 patients - 231 patients less than 75 years of age and 31 patients more than 75 years of age - represented 83% of the random sample. Eighty-three per cent of patients were seen within 2 weeks of referral. One-third reported symptoms occurring for less than 1 month and one-third had experienced symptoms for more than 3 months. The median time interval from first hospital contact until the making of a management decision was 18 days. The median interval from first contact to surgery was 63 days, and to starting radical radiotherapy 70 days. Histological confirmation was obtained in 69% of patients. Ten per cent of all lung cancer patients were calculated to have received chemotherapy. Five per cent of the whole cohort had definitive surgery and 64% of these were judged to be free of the disease at 3 years. Overall survival was 9% at 3 years, with no differences relating to cell type or area of residence. Many areas of good practice have been identified, but the lack of tumour staging or performance status data, the low proportion receiving chemotherapy or definitive surgery and the poor outcome after radical radiotherapy indicate the need for prospective audit and feedback of results. The long time interval from management decision to surgery and radiotherapy suggests organizational issues which need attention.     

Hyperlucent lung secondary to homocystinuria

At 23 months of age, one of a pair of monozygotic twins with radiographic unilateral hyperlucent lung was evaluated by radionuclide ventilation/perfusion pulmonary studies, which revealed a ventilation/perfusion mismatch of an entire lung. This twin died, and autopsy revealed pulmonary arterial thrombosis and histological changes compatible with homocystinuria, which was subsequently shown to be present in the surviving twin as well. A ventilation/perfusion lung scan of the surviving twin revealed multiple ventilation/perfusion mismatched defects, suggestive of pulmonary embolism. The presenting manifestation of homocystinuria in these patients was the pulmonary thrombotic disease. Neither twin had any other stigmata of homocystinuria at the time of initial presentation.     

A comparative evaluation of two day hospitals. Goal attainment scaling of behavior therapy vs. milieu therapy

A retrospective anatomical, family, and epidemiological study was made of 143 patients (81 female and 62 male) with diaphragmatic hernia who were born in the south-west of England between 1943 and 1974. Thirty-nine cases were stillborn. Seventy-five per cent of patients had a left-sided diaphragmatic defect, 22% had a right-sided defect, and 3% had a bilateral defect. Fifty per cent of the patients had other congenital malformations, most frequently of the nervous system. No maternal age or birth order effect was noted. Cases of diaphragmatic hernia without other malformations had in general a normal fetal growth rate. Eight per cent of the cases were illegitimate. There were two pairs of twins discordant for diaphragmatic hernia, one pair being dizygotic and the other monozygotic. In no case of diaphragmatic hernia was there a relative affected with a diaphragmatic hernia. The most common type of diaphragmatic defect was a posterolateral hernia (92%), followed in frequency by an eventration of the diaphragm (5%), the least common defect being a retrocostosternal hernia (2%). Diaphragmatic hernia appears to be aetiologically as well as anatomically heterogeneous. In this series there were two cases of trisomy 18, one case of trisomy 21, one case trisomic for a small part of chromosome 20, and two cases with the Pierre Robin syndrome. It seems likely that diaphragmatic hernia is a non-specific consequence of several teratological processes.