[Magnetic resonance in the study of Wilm's tumor and neuroblastoma]. / La risonanza magnetica nello studio del tumore di Wilms e del neuroblastoma.

Eleven patients suffering from neuroblastoma and Wilms' tumor were examined with MR imaging (25 examinations). The results were compared with those obtained with other diagnostic methods--e.g. CT--to verify MR reliability in locating and staging the lesions. Signal patterns were studied, as recorded on T1- and T2-weighted sequences using various repetition and echo times. An attempt was made to verify the presence of pathognomonic findings and to differentiate tumors from post-therapy fibroses. All findings were subsequently confirmed at biopsy or, in the patients who underwent surgery, by surgical findings. To carry out all the procedures, the patients had to be sedated or to be administered a general anesthetic. When possible, a brain or surface coil was used to obtain a clear, well-defined image in thin-section (7-8 mm) sequences. MR imaging allowed all lesions to be detected and located in the examined population. A large thrombus in the vena cava and local adenopathy were observed in a patients suffering from Wilms' tumor. Spread into the spinal canal was present in 2 cases of neuroblastoma. One of the main advantages of MR imaging is its multiplanarity which usually allows lesion extent to be demonstrated, together with the involved organs. The additional advantages of MR imaging over CT should not be underestimated. MR allows images of the abdomen to be obtained devoid of respiratory artifacts and provides a sharp contrast between pathological and healthy tissue without contrast medium administration. In all the patients who underwent it, MR imaging proved superior to CT in the evaluation of the intraspinal spread of paraspinal lesions. MR also allowed serial follow-up to be carried out, with no risk of subsequent proteximetric problems, thus helping distinguish tumor masses from fibrous tissue in all patients.

School-related behavior in children with cancer.

Ninety-one children with cancer (thirty-seven with leukemia and fifty-four with solid tumors)--school aged (elementary and middle school), residing in Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy), and receiving treatment at the Department of Pediatrics (III), University of Bologna, from August 1973 to April 1987--took part in a study of school behavior as perceived by the teacher. The research was carried out through a 29-item forced-choice questionnaire based on the questionnaire proposed by Deasy-Spinetta for a similar study in the U.S.A. Results revealed that children with cancer have a school behavior scoring at levels significantly lower than controls. There are more difficulties for children attending middle than elementary school, for children on therapy than off therapy, and for children with leukemia than with solid tumors. In conclusion, the main obstacle to school performance seems to be lower attendance, which is mainly due to treatment and clinic visits and probably in part to an overprotection and an excessive concern on the part of physicians and parents.

Modernization of native healers: implications for health care delivery in Ghana.

There are two major categories of traditional healers in contemporary Ghana. The traditionalists still adhere to the basic concepts and methods of traditional healing. A significant proportion of healers have, however, adopted a new approach to healing. These new-style healers are rejecting some of the traditional beliefs about etiology of illness, and are reorganizing their medical practice. They have more education, live in cities, and acquire "modern" medical knowledge through formal training at Traditional Medical Training Centers. This new development has had a significant impact on the contributions of traditional medicine in health care delivery in Ghana.