Administration to humans of ORG 21465, a water soluble steroid i.v. anaesthetic agent.

Ten male volunteers received a 1-min i.v. infusion of a new water soluble steroid anaesthetic agent, ORG 21465. Individuals received doses ranging from 0.8 to 1.8 mg kg-1. All subjects experienced venous pain at the site of injection; those receiving 1.0 mg kg-1 or more became anaesthetized. There was no evidence of histamine release and apnoea did not occur. Excitatory phenomena were observed in all subjects and were dose related; no spikes were seen on the EEG. Pharmacokinetic analysis supported a three-compartment (non-weight-related) model with compartmental volumes V1, V2 and V3 of 4.31, 14.2 and 89.4 litre, respectively. Clearance from the central compartment V1 was 1.55 litre min-1. Inter-compartmental clearances Q1 and Q2 were 2.54 and 1.79 litre min-1. We found that ORG 21465 was an effective anaesthetic in humans. The relationship between sedation, anaesthesia and excitation requires further exploration.

Sputum cytology of giant cell interstitial pneumonia.

The purpose of this case report is to illustrate the cytologic findings from a patient who had clinical, radiologic and morphologic evidence of giant cell interstitial pneumonia. Of additional interest is the fact that this patient had had histologically proven desquamative interstitial pneumonia approximately seven years prior to his current admission. A discussion of the relationship between these two entities is also presented. Furthermore, it is emphasized that the presence of multinucleated giant cells alone is a nonspecific finding. However, with proper correlation with clinical history, radiology and other pertinent laboratory studies, one can often minimize the differential diagnosis. This case report points out the usefulness of such an approach in arriving at a specific diagnosis.