[Done is done--and gone is gone. Sex reassignment is presently the best cure for transsexuals]. / Bytt är bytt--kommer aldrig igen. Könsbyte för närvarande bästa hjälp för transsexuella.

Sweden was the first country to legislate on sex reassignment procedures in 1972. Patients with gender dysphoria are in Sweden referred to one of six university clinics specialised in the field; all surgery, however, is centralised to the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm. The aetiological strivings regarding transsexualism have to date been inconclusive; however, several lines of evidence speak in favour of an early biological influence on gender identity. The vast majority of studies addressing outcome have provided convincing evidence for the benefit of sex reassignment surgery in carefully selected cases. The current article summarises the state of the art regarding work-up and treatment of transsexuals.

Blood flow and oxygen delivery to human brain during functional activity: theoretical modeling and experimental data.

Coupling of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMRO(2)) in physiologically activated brain states remains the subject of debates. Recently it was suggested that CBF is tightly coupled to oxidative metabolism in a nonlinear fashion. As part of this hypothesis, mathematical models of oxygen delivery to the brain have been described in which disproportionately large increases in CBF are necessary to sustain even small increases in CMRO(2) during activation. We have explored the coupling of CBF and oxygen delivery by using two complementary methods. First, a more complex mathematical model was tested that differs from those recently described in that no assumptions were made regarding tissue oxygen level. Second, [(15)O] water CBF positron emission tomography (PET) studies in nine healthy subjects were conducted during states of visual activation and hypoxia to examine the relationship of CBF and oxygen delivery. In contrast to previous reports, our model showed adequate tissue levels of oxygen could be maintained without the need for increased CBF or oxygen delivery. Similarly, the PET studies demonstrated that the regional increase in CBF during visual activation was not affected by hypoxia. These findings strongly indicate that the increase in CBF associated with physiological activation is regulated by factors other than local requirements in oxygen.

Coenzyme Q10 administration increases antibody titer in hepatitis B vaccinated volunteers--a single blind placebo-controlled and randomized clinical study.

Persons involved in the study, 21 per treatment arm, were consuming ubiquinone (Q10), 90 mg/day, 180 mg/day or placebo, for two weeks prior to hepatitis B vaccination. After 30 days this vaccination was repeated. Q10 was given as soft gelatin capsules containing 30 mg each. The consumption was continued throughout the study conducted for 90 days. Clinical observations and laboratory tests were performed throughout the study and no adverse effects were observed in any of the groups. Already after 30 days the two groups receiving Q10 showed a slightly titer of antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen then the placebo group. This difference escalated and the immunopotentiating effect of Q10 was even more clear-cut in the residual part of the study. In addition, a dose response did also seem to be present when comparing the 90 mg group with the 180 mg group. Statistics revealed that Q10 in the dose 180 mg/day is able to increase antibody response in vivo in humans vaccinated against hepatitis B with up to 57% (p = 0.011).

Clinical characteristics of a total cohort of female and male applicants for sex reassignment: a descriptive study.

The objective of this study was to compare the features of female-to-male transsexuals (F-M) with those of male-to-female transsexuals (M-F) in the cohort of all applicants for sex reassignment over a 20-year period. In an observational, cross-sectional design the cohort was retrospectively identified, consisting of all 233 subjects who applied for sex reassignment in Sweden during the period 1972-1992. The cohort was subdivided into the groups M-F (n=134) and F-M (n=99), and the two groups were compared. M-F were older when applying for sex reassignment surgery than F-M, and more often had a history of marriage and children than their F-M counterparts. M-F also had more heterosexual experience. F-M, on the other hand, more frequently exhibited cross-gender behaviour in childhood than did M-F transsexuals. The present and previous studies strongly support the view that transsexualism manifests itself differently in males and females. Various models for understanding these differences are discussed.

Factors predictive of regret in sex reassignment.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the features and calculate the frequency of sex-reassigned subjects who had applied for reversal to their biological sex, and to compare these with non-regretful subjects. An inception cohort was retrospectively identified consisting of all subjects with gender identity disorder who were approved for sex reassignment in Sweden during the period 1972-1992. The period of time that elapsed between the application and this evaluation ranged from 4 to 24 years. The total cohort consisted of 218 subjects. The results showed that 3.8% of the patients who were sex reassigned during 1972-1992 regretted the measures taken. The cohort was subdivided according to the presence or absence of regret of sex reassignment, and the two groups were compared. The results of logistic regression analysis indicated that two factors predicted regret of sex reassignment, namely lack of support from the patient's family, and the patient belonging to the non-core group of transsexuals. In conclusion, the results show that the outcome of sex reassignment has improved over the years. However, the identified risk factors indicate the need for substantial efforts to support the families and close friends of candidates for sex reassignment.

Prevalence, incidence and sex ratio of transsexualism.

Frequency figures for transsexualism, concerning incidence, prevalence and sex ratio calculated in the 1960s and 1970s, were compared with recent reports. The incidence figures remained constant over time, whereas the prevalence figures tended to increase during the review period. The incidence was found to be of the same magnitude in men and women, while the corresponding ratio for prevalence figures was 3:1. It is suggested that men seeking sex reassignment represent a more heterogeneous group than women, and that the reported male predominance to date is due to a lack of categorical studies of primary/ genuine transsexualism. It would appear that genuine transsexualism is, on the whole, insensitive to societal changes. The fundamental disturbance underlying this psychosexual identity disorder is suggested to be neurobiological in origin.

Incidence and sex ratio of transsexualism in Sweden.

The incidence and sex ratio of transsexualism in Sweden were calculated during the period between 1 July 1972 and 30 June 1992 using a case register kept on file at the Swedish Bureau of Social Welfare. Only cases of primary/genuine transsexualism were considered. The study is unique in that it has been performed in exactly the same way as a previous study by one of the authors (JW) in the 1960s and early 1970s. The data can therefore be reliably compared. The results show that the incidence figures remain constant over time and that the incidence of primary/genuine transsexualism is equally common in men and women. A larger group consisting of all those individuals who had applied for sex reassignment revealed a preponderance of men. Analysis showed that this large group included not only primary/genuine transsexuals but also effeminate homosexuals, transvestites and diagnostically uncertain cases. The importance of describing the exact methods used when calculating epidemiological data is highlighted.

Causes of failed primary exploration and technical aspects of re-operation in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Hypercalcemia was corrected in 62 (90%) of 69 patients after re-operation for primary hyperparathyroidism during a mean follow-up of 6.3 years. Failed primary exploration was mainly due to inadequate visualization of the pathological parathyroid glands, often in association with misleading or absent peroperative histology. Other causes included seeding of parathyroid adenoma tissue, truly recurrent adenomas, and recurrent hyperplasia, especially in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. A considerable number of parathyroid glands missed at the primary operations were subsequently found in essentially normal positions. Ectopic superior glands were most frequently positioned para-esophageally or retro-esophageally, while abnormally placed inferior glands were generally situated within or close to the thymus. Glands in 3 patients were dissected from around the large vessels in the mediastinum. Concomitant thyroid procedures during the primary operation yielded few abnormal parathyroids and made the re-exploration considerably more difficult. We suggest a semilateral approach and caudal identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve to reduce the hazards of difficult parathyroid re-operations. Mediastinal exploration may require total removal of the thymus and careful dissection of the middle mediastinum.

The accuracy of measurements of femoral neck fractures. Conventional radiography versus roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis.

Postoperative displacement of the femoral head center was measured in 60 intracapsular hip fractures at repeated conventional radiographic (CR) and roentgen stereophotogrammetric (RSA) examinations. The measurements of the conventional radiographs (405 pairs) were done on a digitizing table. Totally, 105 pairs of these radiographs (AP and lateral, CR) were measured by 2 observers. Manual measurements were also made on 176 pairs of the conventional radiographs. Conventional radiographs tended to overestimate or underestimate the average displacements up to about 2 mm. Two standard deviations of the differences (RSA-CR) varied from 5.8 to 9.6 mm depending on the direction of the movements. The accuracy of the measurements on conventional radiographs did not differ between the 2 examiners. The digitizing table was found to be more accurate than the manual measurements. The accuracy of conventional radiography can most likely be improved by using a strictly standardized examination technique.

Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type I and systemic lupus erythematosus with complement C4A homozygous null alleles in the same family.

A three generation family from northern Sweden with both trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type I (TRP I) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like syndrome with complement C4 homozygous null alleles is described. Five family members in three generations were affected by the TRP I syndrome, indicating autosomal dominant inheritance. Two members had clinical and laboratory signs of SLE and two other members SLE-like syndrome. All living family members in the first and second generation had homozygous C4A null alleles. In three of the adults the two syndromes occurred simultaneously, probably in this family by coincidence.

Surgical biopsy of non-palpable mammary lesions. Technique and results.

In a randomized controlled trial with mammographic screening for early detection of breast cancer, 314 non-palpable breast lesions were examined by open biopsy between 1978 and 1983. These biopsies were performed after the lesions had been indicated by the hooked wire technique. In 185 cases the findings turned out to be benign while 129 proved to be malignant. Satisfactory initial biopsies were achieved in 95% of the cases. A model for the management of mammary lesions found in such a screening programme is described and some difficulties are discussed.

Effects of repeated mammographic screening on breast cancer stage distribution. Results from a randomised study of 92 934 women in a Swedish county.

A randomised controlled trial of mass screening for breast cancer by single-view mammography was begun in Sweden in 1977. All women aged 40 and older and resident in the counties of Kopparberg and Ostergötland were enrolled. The present report is confined to the Ostergötland study, which started in 1978 and comprised 92 934 women. After randomisation, which was done on the basis of communities rather than individuals, 47 001 women were allocated to the study group and offered repeated mammographic screening; 45 933 were allocated to the control group. As compliance among women over 74 years of age was poor these were excluded from the present report. The yearly incidence of stage II or more advanced breast cancers after the initial screening round up to and including the second was reduced by 40 per cent in the study group compared with the controls. This effect was less marked in the age group 40-49. After 5.5 years average from the date of entry the absolute number of women with stage II-IV disease in the control group exceeded that for the study group by 44, whereas there was a large excess of cancer in situ and stage I cancer in the study group.

Reduction in mortality from breast cancer after mass screening with mammography. Randomised trial from the Breast Cancer Screening Working Group of the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare.

A randomised controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of mass screening with single-view mammography in reducing mortality from breast cancer was started in Sweden in 1977. 162 981 women aged 40 years or more and living in the counties of Kopparberg and Ostergötland were enrolled in the study and divided at random into 2 groups. Each woman in the study group was offered screening every 2 or 3 years depending on age. Women in the control group were not offered screening. This report is confined to the 134 867 women aged 40-74 years at date of entry. The results to the end of 1984 show a 31% reduction in mortality from breast cancer and a 25% reduction in the rate of stage II or more advanced breast cancers in the group invited to screening. 7 years after the start of the study the excess of stage I cancers in the study group largely outweighs the deficit of advanced cancers.

Nonfamilial polycystic kidneys without enlargement.

7 middle-aged males with bilateral, polycystic, nonfamilial kidneys without enlargement are described. The histological examination revealed multiple cysts of varying sizes and changes such as in interstitial nephritis. 6 of the patients had hematuria and/or calculi in the urinary tract. The etiology of the cysts is not clear. The picture does not conform to that of congenital cystic kidney. The cysts might possibly be a final phenomenon in contracted kidneys, so-called acquired cystic disease, but it should be noted that in 4 of the 7 cases the cystic degeneration was demonstrated log before the uremia appeared. Another possibility is that the cystic transformation described here might be attributed to a specific type of interstitial nephritis.

Comparison of ultrasonography and computed tomography in preoperative location of parathyroid adenomas.

The value of high-resolution real-time ultrasonography in locating parathyroid adenomas was compared with that of computed tomography (CT). In 21 patients with a single parathyroid adenoma verified at neck exploration, preoperative ultrasonography and CT detected the adenoma in 15 and 11 cases, respectively. Ultrasound gave false-positive results in four patients and false-negative in two, whereas CT was false-positive in four patients and false-negative in six. Most false-positive reports were due to misinterpretation of small thyroid nodules. For acceptable accuracy both methods require an experienced radiologist. Technical and interpretive problems seem to be somewhat less frequent with ultrasonography than with CT. Ultrasonography has therefore become the method of choice for preoperative location of enlarged parathyroid glands at our hospital, and CT is used as a complementary procedure, e.g. when a mediastinal adenoma is suspected.