[Intrathoracic occurrence of post-transplantation lymphoproliferation]. / Nitrohrudní výskyt posttransplantacní lymfoproliferace.

In the submitted case-history the authors wished to draw attention to serious complications after transplantation. Posttransplantation lymphoproliferation (PTLP) is a rare complication of organ transplantation, its incidence amounts to some 2% of organ recipients, in combined heart-lung transplantations the incidence is as high as 10%. The prerequisite of lymphproliferations is infection with the Epstein-Barr virus. The virus causes transformation of B lymphocytes and subsequent lymphoproliferation. Immunosuppressive preparations, due to their effect on Tlymphocytes promote this transformation. The decisive imaging method in tumoriform occurrence is high resolution computed tomography. Based on CT examination surgical biopsy is performed with subsequent in situ hybridization which confirms unequivocally the diagnosis of posttransplantation lymphoproliferation. Only on the basis of results of in situ hybridization treatment may be started which involves restriction or discontinuation of immunosuppressive treatment and administration of antiviral preparations. Frequently this treatment fails and must be discontinued on account of a rejection reaction of the organism. The prognosis in untreated forms is adverse.

Effect of human recombinant interleukin-2 on cytotoxic response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in melanoma patients before surgery.

Natural killer activity against K562 targets and recombinant interleukin-2 induced cytotoxicity to NK resistant targets (MEL-4 and T24) was investigated in 15 melanoma patients. Before elective surgery no differences in cytotoxic activities were demonstrated when compared with patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma and controls. No correlation with the depth of the melanoma lesion was observed. Numbers of precursors of IL-2 induced killers in melanoma patients were in normal range. In conclusion, no defects in non-specific NK and IL-2 induced behavior in peripheral blood of melanoma patients were found. Other factors, specific, non-specific, related or unrelated to the tumor side should be thus considered.

Excision of the spinal trigeminal tract. Electron microscopy.

In nine patients with trigeminal neuralgia excision of the trigeminal tract was performed instead of tractotomy. In eight of the patients neuralgia was cured. One female patient died due to occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Electron microscopy disclosed first of all changes in the myelin sheaths. The majority of the changes were non-specific. Only degenerative hypermyelinization was considered to be characteristic for trigeminal neuralgia.