[CT diagnosis of cystic hygroma]. / CT-Diagnose des zystischen Hygroms.

We present five patients with cystic hygroma: the CT features are presented. It occurs primarily in the region of the neck. Occasional involvement of the axilla, the chest wall and the mediastinum is possible.

[Pulmonary parenchymal and pleural fibrosis as an expression of Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis]. / Lungengerüst- und Pleurafibrose als Ausdruck der Neurofibromatose von Recklinghausen.

We report three patients with neurofibromatosis, lung parenchymal, and pleural changes. Lung fibrosis occurs in 10% of patients with neurofibromatosis. Pleural involvement is less common. We are presenting one such case.

Episternal ossicles.

Eight hundred computed tomographic (CT) scans of the chest were reviewed, and 12 cases of episternal ossicles were found. Eight persons had paired ossicles, and four had unilateral ossicles. The overall frequency in the study population was 1.5% (men, 1.4%; women, 1.7%). Episternal ossicles represent a normal variant and should be distinguished from fracture fragments, sequestra, foreign bodies, calcified lymph nodes, or vascular calcifications.

Lung cancer and pregnancy.

Two pregnant patients presenting with bronchogenic carcinoma are described. A retrospective study of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma as well as a review of the literature attest to the rarity of this combination. If current smoking patterns continue, the association of pregnancy and bronchogenic carcinoma will increase in frequency.

Localization of tritiated 1-(2, 4-dichlorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid ([3H] AF 1890) in rat testis using freeze-drying autoradiography.

Tritiated 1-(2, 4-dichlorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid ([3H]AF 1890) was localized within rat testis using freeze-drying autoradiographic techniques. Ligated seminiferous tubule preparations were exposed in vitro to 80 microCi of [3H]AF 1890 in the absence or presence of excess unlabeled AF 1890 for 30 min at 31 degrees C. Autoradiographs showed a generalized distribution of silver grains over the seminiferous epithelium, in the tubular lumen, and in the interstitial spaces. In addition, clusters of grains were concentrated over the seminiferous epithelium in regions of spermatid heads and tails and in the basal portion of the Sertoli cell cytoplasm, and over Leydig cells in the interstitial space. The generalized distribution was reduced and the grain clusters eliminated by incubation in an excess of unlabeled AF 1890. [3H]inulin was used to assess the effectiveness of the tubular ligation because inulin does not normally penetrate the blood-testis barrier. This extracellular marker was not localized in the tubular lumen or in the seminiferous epithelium. Therefore, the labeling observed with [3H]AF 1890 indicates that this compound crosses the blood-testis barrier.

Influence of prostaglandin F autoantibodies on the estrous cycle of the guinea pig.

Adult female guinea pigs were actively immunized with prostaglandin F-2alpha conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA). Control animals, immunized against BSA continued to cycle normally, while the animals immunized against prostaglandin F-2alpha stopped cycling after one to three normal cycles. Laparotomy at 30 days after the last estrus revealed no recently formed corpora lutea. During the remaining 70 days of observation the antibody titer increased to 1:700, accompanied by increasing total serum estrogens (136 pg/ml at day 100) and a slow decline in circulating progesterone levels (0.6 ng/ml at day 100). The ovaries at day 100 contained degenerated corpora lutea and luteinized follicles. The suppression of the estrous cycle in the present experiments was interpreted as resulting from prolongation of luteal function as well as from inhibition of ovulation.