ABSTRACT
Ureteric obstruction causing renal failure is a serious complication of advanced prostate cancer. Percutaneous nephrostomies (PCNs) are used to decompress the obstructed kidney(s). This study aims to identify whether bilateral PCN insertion confers any advantage over unilateral PCN insertion for patients with bilateral ureteric obstruction. In a cohort of 25 patients, 18 underwent bilateral and 7 underwent unilateral PCN insertion. The mean survival time following PCN was 7.5 months for all patients. The data suggest that the nadir serum creatinine after PCN insertion was similar, independent of whether one or two nephrostomies were inserted. There was also little difference in the serum creatinine levels at the time of death, suggesting that survival after PCN insertion is based on the aggressiveness of the prostate cancer as opposed to the number of nephrostomies inserted.
Subject(s)
Nephrostomy, Percutaneous/methods , Prostatic Neoplasms/complications , Ureteral Obstruction/surgery , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Creatinine/metabolism , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prostatic Neoplasms/blood , Retrospective Studies , Survival Analysis , Treatment Outcome , Ureteral Obstruction/blood , Ureteral Obstruction/etiology , Ureteral Obstruction/pathologyABSTRACT
Two patients presented with recurrent, massive haemoptysis. Arteriography, including thoracoabdominal aortograms, revealed in both cases large non-bronchial collaterals arising from the left gastric artery. In the first case the non-bronchial collateral supplied the upper left lobe and in the second case it supplied the middle right lobe. Percutaneous embolisation of bronchial and non-bronchial collateral branches has become an accepted procedure in controlling massive or recurrent haemoptysis. Accurate identification of the non-bronchial collateral arterial feeders is essential for successful embolotherapy.
Subject(s)
Angiography , Bronchi/blood supply , Hemoptysis/etiology , Lung/blood supply , Stomach/blood supply , Adult , Aortography , Collateral Circulation/physiology , Diagnosis, Differential , Embolization, Therapeutic , Hemoptysis/diagnostic imaging , Hemoptysis/therapy , Hemorrhage/diagnostic imaging , Hemorrhage/therapy , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
This case report describes the MRI features of untreated primary lymphoma of the vagina associated with a congenital septate uterus. The information provided by MRI was superior to CT in defining the extent of tumour invasion. MRI also detected a previously undiagnosed congenital anomaly.
Subject(s)
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/diagnosis , Uterus/abnormalities , Vaginal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/complications , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Middle Aged , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Vaginal Neoplasms/complicationsABSTRACT
A schedule of treatment with the benzodiazepine, flurazepam, in mice for 7 days caused a significant enhancement of the convulsive effects of the partial inverse agonist FG7142. Full convulsions were seen with FG7142 after the chronic administration of flurazepam, although this compound does not cause convulsions in normal mice of the strain used. The change appeared to be maximal at 24 hr after the last dose of flurazepam and lasted for up to a week. The chronic treatment with flurazepam caused tolerance to the effects of flurazepam, but the tolerance was of shorter duration than the increase in the effects of FG7142. When the benzodiazepine antagonist, Ro 15-1788, was given with the flurazepam, the incidence of convulsions induced by FG7142 was no longer significant. Repeated administration of midazolam also slightly increased the effects of FG7142. Single doses of flurazepam or midazolam did not significantly alter the effects of FG7142, although some convulsions were seen.
Subject(s)
Anti-Anxiety Agents/pharmacology , Appetite Depressants/pharmacology , Carbolines/pharmacology , Animals , Anti-Anxiety Agents/administration & dosage , Drug Synergism , Drug Tolerance , Flurazepam/pharmacology , Kindling, Neurologic/drug effects , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred Strains , Midazolam/pharmacology , Time FactorsABSTRACT
The effects on body temperature of the benzodiazepine contragonists FG 7142 (N-methyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxamide) and DMCM (methyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate), the benzodiazepine antagonist Ro 15-1788 (ethyl-8-fluoro-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-7-oxo-4H-imidazo-(1,5-a)(1,4)benzod iazepin e -3-carboxylate) and the benzodiazepine agonist, flurazepam, were investigated in mice. Both of the contragonists and flurazepam reduced the body temperature. The antagonist Ro 15-1788 did not alter body temperature alone but significantly antagonised the effects of FG 7142 and of flurazepam. The effects of the latter two drugs on locomotor activity in animals in a familiar environment were also investigated. Flurazepam reduced the activity counts in these circumstances but FG 7142 did not cause a significant change, at doses which considerably reduced body temperature. The drug FG 7142 also reduced the body temperature in rats. The effects on body temperature of the benzodiazepine contragonists and flurazepam were unusual in that they were changes in the same direction, both antagonised by Ro 15-1788. However, they differed in that while the effects of flurazepam on locomotor activity might contribute to its hypothermic effect this did not appear to be the case for FG 7142.
