The zeta sedimentation ration (ZSR) as the routine monitor of disease activity in a general hospital.

Nine hundred eighty-one requests for sedimentation rates in a clinical laboratory were received and the zeta sedimentation ratio (ZSR) test was performed. The results were correlated with the patients' diagnoses and disease activity. This test was found to be a useful monitor of disease activity in a clinical setting. Substitution of the ZSR for the standard erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) appears to be acceptable. The test is simple, rapidly performed, and reproducible.

Endometrial carcinoma of prostatic utricle with osseous metastases.

Endometrial carcinoma of the prostatic utricle is a rare pupillary prostatic tumor arising in the region of the prostatic urethra and verumontanum. Since the first description by Melicow and Pachter in 1967, 8 additional cases have been reported. This case is the tenth reported, and the first in which metastases to bone have been proved by biopsy. Transurethral resection of the tumor with postoperative radiation therapy to the prostatic region and metastases has resulted in clinical improvement. The importance of accurate diagnosis of this neoplasm is emphasized to avoid unnecessary delay in the appropriate choice of therapeutic modalities.

Zeta sedimentation ratio in rheumatic disease. Comparison of the zeta sedimentation ratio with the Wintrobe and Westergren sedimentation rates.

The zeta sedimentation ratios (ZSR) of 104 normal subjects and 106 rheumatology clinic patients were compared with their Westergren and Wintrobe erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR). The mean ZSR for normal subjects was 49.42 +/- 3.75%. The rheumatology clinic patients were separated into noninflammatory and inflammatory disease groups. The mean ZSR values for these groups were: noninflammatory, 51.60 +/- 5.33%; inflammatory, 59.43 +/- 7.32% (t = 5.5, p less than 0.001). The correlation between ZSR and ESR values was excellent. The ZSR determination has several advantages over the standard ESR in that it can be performed on blood anticoagulated with EDTA and need not be corrected for age, sex or packed cell volume. The ZSR is a rapid, reproducible test correlating well with rheumatic disease activity.

Genitourinary aspects of disseminated coccidioidomycosis.

Genitourinary involvement is common in disseminated coccidioidomycosis. Urologic evaluation should include careful examination, cultures and radiograms. The radiographic features of renal coccidioidomycosis parallel those of renal tuberculosis, with feathery, moth-eaten calices, infundibular constriction and caliceal ballooning, and eventual calcification of granulomas. Coccidioidal epididymitis may be chronic, with long asymptomatic intervals. A patient with a 15-year interval between episodes of right and left coccidioidal epipidymitis is described. Complement fixation titers should be used to determine the activity of genitourinary coccidioidomycosis. In 3 of 12 patients dissemination of coccidioidomycosis occurred during treatment with immunosuppressive medications. Renal transplant patients should be evaluated for active coccidioidomycosis prior to transplantation.