Primary evaluation of nonoperative management for cervical disc herniation

Participants in this study were 28 patients who were diagnosed with cervical disc herniation by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the Internal Medicine Department of the Military Hospital 108 between July 1997 and July 2001. Mean age of patients was 47.54 years, ranged from 34 to 66. Males: 19, females: 9. It was found that that out of these, 10 patients had 1-segment cervical disc herniation, 15 patients had 2-segment cervical disc herniation, and 3 patients had 3-segment cervical disc herniation. Total of herniated cervical discs was 49 per 28 patients. Good and moderate results of nonoperative management were achieved in 84% of root syndrome sub-group, in 33.3% of myelo-root syndrome sub-group and in 78.57% of total group. Internal management included cervical immobility, analgesics, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin B, muscle dilation, sedation, cervical block and manipulation, and physiotherapy.

Features of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on 115 cases with cervical disc herniation

The study involved 115 patients who was diagnosed with cervical disc herniation by MRI at the Military Hospital 108 and ViÖt - §øc Hospital from January 1997 to July 2001. Among these, 82 patients underwent cervical discectomy and 33 patients were treated by medication. 15 patients were studied retrospectively, and 100 patients were studied prospectively. Mean age of patients was 49.15 years (ranged from 27 to 78). 93 men, 22 women. The results showed that 1-segment disc herniation was most common (53.9%), followed by 2-segment herniation. 3-segment herniation was seen only in 10 cases. 100% of patients in operative group have post-operative diagnosis as same as MRI diagnosis. 87.5% of patients have excellent and good outcome at 1 week after operation. It was suggested that the diagnosis of cervical disc herniation and operative indication was appropriate.

Improvement of equipment for quantifying aromatic oil in medicinal plants

The new apparatus is improved on the base of the apparatus for volatile oils determination of the “Methode I” described in the Vietnamese Pharmacopeia I (1971). It includes in 3 principal parts: a shortneck 0.5-1 liter flask, a cold condenser and a tube adapter, which binds the flask and a condenser. Tube florentin, which is suspensed in the tube adapter, is graduated in 2 parts: the superior part to 0.1ml and the inferior part (smaller) to 0.02ml. The improved apparatus is simple, good closed and permit to determine exactly the volatile oils in the drugs.

Preliminary studies on Amomum species in Ninh Thuan province

Two samples Amomum from NinhThuan were investigated. They were identified as Amomum thyrsoideum Gagnep. and Amomum longiligulare T.L. Wu. The leaf-oils and fruit-oils from two varitae were analysed by GC/MS. 14 compounds were detected in the leaf-oils and 19 in the fruit-oils. The main components in the leaf-oils, from A. thyrsoideum were cis-Ocimene (39.03%) and -Pinene (41.55%), from A. longiligulare were -Pinene (22.50%) and -Pinene (61.77%). The main components of the fruit-oils were camphor (34.29-35.77% and 44.46%) and bornyl acetate (41.22-43.25%, and 26.62%). The fruits from the two varieties are rich on essential oil. The amount of oil were 3.0-3.75%