Adenocarcinoma of eccrine sweat glands

A man developed left-sided proptosis and orbital edema that progressed during a three-week period. Ten years ago he had a skin lesion of the left lower lid excised and the histopathologic diagnosis then was granular cell myoblastoma. In 1972, the tumor recurred; a biopsy was again performed, but no definite diagnosis was made despite multiple consultations from general and ophthalmic pathologists. Biopsy specimens of the orbit, lids, and preauricular lymph node taken in 1974 showed a poorly differentiated mucus-secreting adenocarcinoma. A comparison of the three biopsy specimens showed cells with similar characteristics. Medical evaluation failed to reveal a primary tumor elsewhere in the body. The tumor most likely arose locally from an eccrine sweat gland. This is the second reported case of an adenocarcinoma of an eccrine sweat gland invading the orbit. The tumor, usually considered radioresistant, was successfully treated with radiotherapy, and the patient has remained free of tumor for 18 months.     

Enflurane metabolism in rats and man

A-patterns have been treated by various techniques, with variable results. A desinsertion of the superior oblique at its insertion temporal to the superior rectus has proved to be a satisfactory treatment. This is combined with horizontal surgery. The results of this surgery in 137 cases are analysed and the complications outlined.     

Relation of mosquito density to bird: mammal feeding ratios of Culex tarsalis in stable traps

Stable traps, each baited with a jackrabbit and either a chicken or a pheasant, collected more than 21,000 mosquitoes in the Sacramento Valley, California, in 1972 and 1973. The focus of interest was the feeding behavior of Culex tarsalis, a primary vector of encephalitis viruses. Generally, feeding success was less and feeding rates on the jackrabbit were greater when larger numbers of mosquitoes were collected, or when a bird was exposed that was less receptive to mosquito feeding. Greater feeding rates on the jackrabbit apparently resulted from decreased feeding on the avian host and from diversion of mosquitoes to the jackrabbit. Figures are given that show how changes in feeding rates on birds affect the probabilities that a mosquito that feeds twice would feel both times on a bird, or on a bird and then on a mammal. Relatively small collections of nine mosquito species other than C. tarsalis revealed distinct species differences in feeding behavior. Aedes malanimon showed a preference for jackrabbit, which is relevant to its role as a vector of western equine encephalitis and California encephalitis viruses.     

Evaluation of gastro-pulmonary aspiration by a radioactive technique: concise communication

Seven selected patients were given 3-5 mCi of Tc-99m sulfur colloid orally at bedtime and the lungs were imaged in the morning. Two showed definite evidence of aspiration and one suggestive evidence. This is a simple, non-invasive method of demonstrating pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents.     

Persistence of Muller's ducts in the male. A family observation (author's transl)

The authors report two cases (in brothers) of the persistence of Muller's ducts (uterus and uterine tubes), whilst both individuals led a normal though infertile sex life. They presented with a bilateral inguinal hernia and a cryptorchidism. The precise diagnosis was made at surgery in the first, whilst the family history led to the diagnosis in the second. Both underwent bilateral orchidopexy, and hysterectomy with excision of the uterine tubes. The caryotypes were normal. Of anatomical interest was the fact that both had vas deferens included within the uterine wall but the there was no continuity between the epididymes and the testes. The latter contained seminiferous ducts, Sertoli cells and spermatogonia but no spermatocyte nor spermatozoa. On the basis of these cases, the authors emphasise their demonstrative nature: the presence of testes resulted by the secretion of testosterone in the induction of normal external genitalia whilst the absence of factor inhibiting Mullers ducts (or tissue resistance to this factor) resulted in the development of the uterine tubes and uterus.