Breed, gender and neutering status of British dogs with anal sac gland carcinoma.

This study details the breed, gender and neutering status of a large cohort of British canine patients suffering from histologically confirmed anal sac gland carcinoma. Estimates of the relative risk for the development of this disease attributable to these factors are calculated. To reduce the impact of sampling errors, cases were selected from veterinary histopathology laboratories rather than referral hospital databases, and multiple estimates of the general British canine population were used. The weaknesses of the statistical assumptions made are discussed. There was no evidence to support a gender predisposition for the development of this condition. English cocker spaniels are significantly over-represented, with a mean relative risk estimate of 7.3. The mean relative risk estimate associated with being neutered was 1.4; the effect of neutering appeared to be more significant in male dogs compared with that in female dogs.

Electromagnetic interference: causes and concerns in the health care environment.

In the past 15 years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of radio frequency emission sources that have entered medical treatment areas. Personal computers, digital pagers, hand-held radios, cellular phones, and wireless input devices have all become more prevalent in the contemporary clinical environment. Because of the productivity gains these devices promise, it is unlikely that the use of electronic instrumentation and wireless technologies will diminish--in fact greater uses are projected. Along with the benefits these devices provide, they also create a greater opportunity for increased electromagnetic interference among devices. It is important that engineering and professional staff are aware of some of the complex interactions these devices can create. Managing this emerging problem should be a concern for the medical community. Engineering staff should be able to communicate effectively with medical staff, patients, and visitors regarding potential interactions and how to recognize them and mitigate their consequences.

Posterior lymphadenopathy in sarcoidosis.

Chest radiographs were reviewed in 30 cases of biopsy proven sarcoidosis; posterior mediastinal or para-aortic lymph node enlargement was found in 6 patients (20%) who also had symmetrical hilar and/or paratracheal lymph node enlargement. The radiographic behavior of the hilar, mid- and posterior mediastinal lymph nodes was the same. Posterior mediastinal lymph node enlargement in otherwise typical sarcoidosis is not unusual.