Changes in bone mineralization, architecture and mechanical properties due to long-term (1 year) administration of pamidronate (APD) to adult dogs.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of 1 year of APD administration on bone mineralization and bone mineral chemistry in the dog. Disodium pamidronate (APD) was given orally by gavage to mature beagle dogs at doses of 0, 2.5, 12.5 and 25.0 mg/kg per day (0.1% concentration for 12 months) as part of a long-term toxicity study. The os ilium and a vertebra were used to determine the mineralization profile and, subsequently, each density fraction was analysed chemically. The ribs were used to determine lattice parameters of the apatite crystal size using X-ray diffraction. The sternum was used to determine selected morphometric parameters using image analysis of specimen X-ray films and subsequently to determine mechanical properties using velocity-of-sound techniques. We found that for both the ilium and the vertebrae there was a significant shift of the mineralization profile towards greater density in a dose-related manner. This effect levelled off with the highest dose because the shift in mineralization profile correlated better with the square root of the dose than with the dose. Together with data on crystal size, which show an increase in lattice parameters and a decrease in crystal size with dose, our data lead us to believe that long-term administration of APD leads to an increase in bone mineralization without major changes in bone chemistry of Ca, Mg, and P and with a decrease in bone apatite crystal size. The image analysis shows a dose-related increase in trabecular bone volume and thickness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Mediastinal-pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis. The anatomicoclinical aspects]. / Limfangioleiomiomatoza mediastino-pulmonara. Aspecte anatomoclinice.

The lymphangioleiomyomatosis is a rare disease which has a severe course and prognosis and occurs exclusively in females. The symptomatology is not characteristic and the radiological picture is that of a reticular and micronodular diffuse interstitial process. The morphological examination is the only which elucidates the diagnosis. Two cases are reported, the diagnosis of which was established postmortem. In the first case, the site was predominantly pulmonary; in the second case, in addition to the lung, the mediastinal lymph system was also strongly damaged. The morphological changes are characterized by an abnormal proliferation of muscular tissue at the level of the pulmonary interstitium and of the pulmonary and mediastinal lymphatics. The process develops towards destructive lesions of the bronchiolo-alveolar and vascular structures. The pathogenesis is unknown, but genetic and endocrine factors seem to be involved.

[Mediastinal neurogenic tumors]. / Tumorile neurogene mediastinale.

An analysis is presented of clinical, radiological and evolutive aspects of 106 neurogenic mediastinal tumors operated in the Clinic for Tjhoracic surgery from Bucharest. The predominance is stressed of tumours originating in the nervous sheaths (62%), and the high incidence of tumours of the nervous cells (sympatomas, ganglio-neuroblastomas) in children. An analysis is made of the various surgical aspects. and the post-operative results, mostly favourable in over 90% of the subjects that underwent surgery.

[Surgical treatment of endothoracic goiter]. / Tratamentul chirurgical al gusilor endotoracice.

The authors make an analysis of the experience accumulated in the Clinic for Thoracic Surgery of Bucharest as a result of the surgical treatment of 16 patients endothoracic goiters. The authors stress the fact that these goiters should be differentiated from the "plunging goiter" variety, by their symptomatology, and by the different way of approaching their treatment. The diagnostic difficulties are stressed, especially since the uptake of iodine (radioactive iodine) can be negative in the endothoracic goiter of the functional type. The authors prefer thoracotomy, while the sternotomy is reserved only for the endothoracic goiters in the median area. The immediate results have been good in 15 cases. One patient died as a result of toxi-infectious phenomena.

[Bronchopulmonary carcinosarcomas. Therapeutic indications]. / Carcinosarcoamele bronhopulmonare. Indicatii de tratament.

The authors make an analysis of 11 cases of carcinosarcoma that have underwent surgery in the Clinic of Thoracic Surgery. The authors stress the rarity of these cases in their statistics. Only 11 carcinosarcomas have been identified out of a total of 2.500 cases of bronchopulmonary tumors operated in the Clinic. The difficulty of pre-operatory diagnosis is also stressed. Indications for surgical treatment are mandatory in all cases, even when the expected effects are palliative.

[Treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax due to emphysema]. / Contributii la tratamentul pneumotoraxului spontan generat de emfizem

The authors make an analysis of 455 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax hospitalized and treated in the Clinic for Thoracic Surgery from Bucharest between 1952 and 1974. The therapeutic attitude recommended in such cases is the aspiration drainage through minimal pleurotomy (aspiration being carried out in relation with the parenchymal aerial losses). Introduction through the drainage tube of irritating substances will enhance pleural symphisis. The drainage will be maintained for 7--8 days. In the recidivating pneumothorax, or in cases where recovery is not achieved by aspiration drainage, thoracotomy becomes necessary for performing total pleurectomy and atypical resection of emphysema bubbles from the pulmonary cortical, since these are at the origin of the aerorrhagies (the Coman procedure). With the aid of these surgical techniques very good results have been obtained in all cases of spontaneous pneumothorax.