Epidemiological study on the hepatotoxicity of occupational toluene exposure.

In a cross-sectional study of 181 male workers of a rotogravure printing plant, most of whom were exposed to toluene levels well above the GDR threshold limit values, 55 subjects revealed pathological liver screening values (activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltransferase; liver size). The differential diagnostic examination showed in 51 out of these 55 subjects an association with competing factors such as alcohol abuse (78%) and overweight (40%), to a slight extent disorders of fat and carbohydrate metabolism and of the gallbladder. Drug intake did not play any role. The variance and regression analyses of the biochemical data have shown that alcohol significantly and considerably increases the activities of all three enzymes tested. Bodyweight had a similar, but less pronounced, significant effect. On the other hand, in subjects with a higher alcohol intake the activities of liver enzymes in highly toluene exposed subgroups were significantly and clearly lower than among slightly toluene exposed workers.

[Experiences with combined cytologic and histologic findings of gastroscopic biopsy material]. / Erfahrungen mit der kombinierten zytologischen und histologischen Befundung von gastroskopischem Biopsiematerial.

The results of simultaneous cytologic and histologic evaluation of biopsy material from ulcerative and infiltrative lesions of the stomach was evaluated. Cytologic analysis from different portions of the lesions made it possible to distinguish between peptic ulcers and ulcerated carcinomas. The former showed areas of fibrinoid necrosis. Although in malignant lesions necrotic foci may be identified in smears, they are never of the fibrinoid type.

[Value of cytological diagnostic in differential diagnosis and staging of lymphogranulomatosis (author's transl)]. / Einsatzmöglichkeiten der Zytodiagnostik bei der Differentialdiagnose und Stadieneinteilung der Lymphogranulomatose.

Report on 38 cases with thoracic x-ray changes in Hodgkin's disease in a lung clinic. One third of the cases was found by preventive investigations (VRRU). There are various roentgenologic pictures. In 24 from 31 cases neck lymphonodules were involved. In 24 cases diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease was primarily made by cytologic fine needle biopsy of neck lymphomas, perbronchial or parasternal punctions. Only in 2 cases surgical bioptic intervention would have been necessary. There was no false positive cytological diagnosis. Fine needle biopsies in abdominal staging interventions are recommended.

[Laboratory staged-programme in diseases of the lung. Aspects and recommendation. (author's transl)]. / Labordiagnostisches Stufenprogramm bei Lungenkrankheiten. Aspekte und Empfehlungen.

The dynamic of biochemical processes opened recently an enlarged arsenal of new diagnostic possibilities for the physician. The exponential increase of scientific knowledge led to a progressive increase in the frequency of laboratory analyses. First the laboratories attempted to confront this development by means of rationalization of the structure, organization and analytic factors. Today the laboratories are confronted with a wide-spread polypragmasy, the demand of redundant parameters and irrelevant analyses increases. This contradiction can be solved only by a process of interdisciplinary responsibility. Very important is a change with the result of an improvement of the parameterpalettes leading to a rationalization of the diagnosis. Up to now there is a loch of systematical scientific investigations for the objectiveness and improvement of laboratory parameterpalettes concerning basis diagnosis, differential diagnosis and control of therapy effects in lung diseases. Obviously the cause for this problem in the structure and function of the organ "lung". In this special cases laboratory diagnosis possesses inbordinale relevance. As for the diagnostical process parameters of the function as well as X-ray diagnosis and morphological findings possesses priority. In this study an attempt is made to classify the diagnostically relevant parameters and to force them in a staged system of the medical supervision. With this conception the physician has the possibility to demand laboratory investigations on a scientifically founded basis.

[Postbronchographic cytological findings in lung (author's transl)]. / Postbronchografische zytologische Befunde der Lunge.

A review of literature is given on histological reactions by bronchograpyhic agents. Description of cytological changes after using Visotrast "B" in biopsy materials of bronches and lungs. Cytological reactions are characteristical. Their intensity is dependent on several factors.

[The anteroposterior (a--p) X-ray-picture in lateral radiographic position in patients after thoracic surgery (author's transl)]. / Das antero-posteriore (a.-p.) Thoraxröntgenbild in Seitenlage bei Thoraxoperierten

A new approach to the X-ray checking after chest operations is described. Instead of sitting upright the patient is lying on his nonoperated side, the operated side of the chest upward. By this way it is easy to differentiate pleural effusions from basal infiltrations of the remaining lung segments. Furthermore it is possible to check the diaphragm and the lateral portions of the lung much easier than with the conventional X-ray pictures taken in sitting position.

[Parasternal fine-needle-biopsy in patients with mediastinal neoplasms (author's transl)]. / Die parasternale Feinnadelbiopsie bei Mediastinaltumoren

Report on 16 fine-needle-biopsies in 12 cases of primary and 4 secondary mediastinal tumours, 3 of them with impairment of venous return flow. Cytological examination of the material permitted in 12 cases a clear decision especially regarding further therapeutical measures. With the exception of one case of pneumothorax no complications were observed.