Cranial suture closure and age determination in the Thai population.

Objective: To determine whether the time of cranial suture closure in the Thai population has changed compared to findings in the past or not. Is there any difference between sexes? Also to determine the difference between the time of ectocranium and endocranium closure and their reliability for age determination in the Thai population. Methods: The time of closure of the sagittal, coronal and lambdoid sutures was studied in 166 crania (known age Thai adults, 30 females and 136 males) for which the medicolegal autopsies were performed at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok,during the year 2006, age range between 15 to 83 years old. The sagittal suture was divided into four segments and those of each side of the coronal and lambdoid sutures into three segments. The degree of suture closure was recorded for endocranial and ectocranial sides by our scoring system. The sum of all endocranial suture scores, which were also defined as “Composite scores”, were divided into 7 stages (designated as S0-S6). The graph showing the association between chronological age and endocranial composite scores was plotted. The correlation coefficient, chi-square tests, and independent t test were used for statistical analysis, P value <0.05 was statistically significant. Results: It was found that the Thai new generation’s ectocranial suture closure starts and completes earlier than those in the past while endocranial sagittal suture closure starts and completes at a similar time as found in the past. Endocranial sutures start closing before ectocranial and endocranial closure is more related to age than another and no difference between sexes could be found. Using the closure of each suture separately to determine the age at death, somehow, may not be appropriate while using the sum of suture scores reduces variations. The sum of endocranial suture scores (composite scores) are statistically proven to be most related to age without significant statistical difference between the two sexes. The association between age and the interval of composite scores was shown andsuggested to be the age predicting tool. Conclusion: The time of cranial suture closure is stated as one of indicators of age at death but its progression variesgreatly. According to our study, using composite scores helps in diminishing this variation. The information on suture closure is useful when other criteria are not available or when being used in conjunction with other attributes.

Detection of methamphetamine in urine stains.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the stability of methamphetamine in urine stains on two materials (gauze and filter paper) which were stored for up to 24 weeks in different temperatures and environmental conditions. Methods: One ml of 10 different concentrations of positive methamphetamine urine samples were prepared for study by staining each samples on gauze sponge and filter paper. Each set of urine stains were stored at 0C, 4C, room temperature and outdoor (avoiding water and rain exposure). Urine stains were eluted subsequently at different times as follows: immediately, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks, respectively. Then, elution solvent was analyzed for methamphetamine concentration by TDx analyzer. Results: Methamphetamine concentrations of immediate urine stains on gauze were lower than that of urine in all concentrations. The urine stains on filter paper contained methamphetamine less than urine at a concentration below 5,000 ng/ml. Methamphetamine on gauze and filter paper stored at 0C and 4C did not change for 24 weeks. Being stored at room temperature and outdoor, methamphetamines on gauze and filter paper significantly decreased during 24 weeks. The amount of methamphetamines on gauze and filter paper at outdoor declined faster than at room temperature within the same time frame. Conclusions: Rethamphetamine recovered from urine stains on filter paper was higher than from gauze sponge. The amount of methamphetamine of urine stain on gauze and filter paper were stable when stored at 0C and 4C but at room temperature and outdoor they were continuously declined during 24 weeks.

Primary cerebral neuroblastoma in adult report of a case and review of the literature.

case of a 29 year old man who had a 4 week history of bifrontal headache, but no other focal neurological deficits was reported. The investigation revealed a mass in the right frontal lobe which was proved to be a neuroblastoma. The tumour was totally removed and followed by radiation therapy to the brain. To our knowledge, only 12 cases of primary cerebral neuroblastoma in adults have been reported in literature.

Breast masses: A histological review of 3,560 cases.

A histological review was made of 3,560 cases of breast masses in the Department of Pathology, Siriraj Hospital during the period of January, 1978 to December, 1980. The diagnosis of lesions was based on internationally accepted WHO’s classification of breast tumours. Benign lesions were found in 3,036 cases (85.28 percent) and malignant disease in 524 cases (14.72 percnet). Fibrocystic diseases. Less in order of frequency were fibroadenoma (34.32 percent), female carcinoma (14.18 percent) and gynaecomastia (6.80 percent). In the age group between 10 to 30 years, the most common lesion was fibroadenoma which was found in 50 percent of this group. In the age group between 31 to 50 years, fibrocystic disease was the most frequent disease; it comprised 49 percent of this group. Carcinoma of the female breast was the most common condition in the age group over 50 years; it was comprised 58 percent of the cases. The most common type of carcinoma was invasive ductal carcinoma which comprised 83 percent of the cases. The average age of the patients having fibroadenoma, fibrocystic disease and female carcinoma was 25, 33 and 50 years respectively. Gynaecomastia was the most common lesion in male breast; it comprised 93 percent of breast masses in males. Male breast carcinoma was rare and it occurred at a later age than carcinoma of the female breast.

Calcification in carcinoma of the rectum: A case report.

case of adenocarcinoma of the rectum containing area of calcification is described in which the diagnosis was suspected on the basis of a plain film of pelvis, confirmed by barium enema examination, and proved by surgery.