The stimulatory effects of topical application of radioactive lantern mantle powder on wound healing.

Some people in different parts of Iran use burned mantles as a wound healing medicine. To perform surface area measurement, twenty rats were divided randomly into two groups of 10 animals each. The 1st group received topical burned radioactive lantern mantle powder at 1st-3rd day after making excision wounds. The 2nd group received non-radioactive lantern mantle powder. For histological study, 36 male rats randomly divided into two groups of 18 animals each. Full thickness excision wound (314+/-31.4 mm(2)) was made on the dorsal neck in all animals after inducing general anesthesia. For the first 3 days, cases received topical application of the radioactive lantern mantle powder. Finally, to measure the tensile strength, an incision was made on the dorsal neck of the rats. Surface area measurement of the wounds showed a progressive surface reduction in both groups. Histological study showed a significant statistically difference between cases and controls with respect to fibrinoid necrosis and neutrophilic exudate at the days 3 and 14. Considering the existence of granulation tissue, a significant difference was observed between case and control groups at days 3 and 7. Tensile strength study showed no significant difference between the cases and controls until 30 days after excision.

A comparative assessment of tube esophagography with double-contrast esophagography in the detection of reflux esophagitis.

We undertook a prospective study comparing the sensitivities of double-contrast and tube esophagography in 34 patients with gastroesophageal reflux and compared our findings with those at endoscopy. Neither test detected changes accurately in mild inflammation; however, they both became more sensitive as the severity of esophagitis increased. The sensitivity of both tests increased from 0% in grade 2 to 86% in grade 4 esophagitis. The tube esophagogram demonstrated inflammatory changes better than the double-contrast esophagogram in only 18% of the 34 patients, all with grade 3 or 4 esophagitis, despite the elimination of the barium pool in the distal esophagus and improved distension of the esophagogastric junction. Endoscopy is still the most reliable means of diagnosing and grading esophagitis.

Fetal renal cystic disease: sonographic-pathologic correlation.

Renal cystic disease encompasses a complex group of pathologic and clinical entities, with varied yet distinctive sonographic features. An accurate assessment of the fetal genitourinary tract and the amniotic fluid volume by sonography can lead to a specific prenatal diagnosis in most cases. This article emphasizes the usefulness of sonographic-pathologic correlation in understanding renal cystic disease. The entities discussed are infantile polycystic kidney disease (Osathanondh and Potter type I), multi-cystic renal dysplasia (type II), adult polycystic kidney disease (type III) and renal cystic dysplasia associated with obstructive uropathy (type IV). Sonograms of six correctly diagnosed cases between November 1982 and November 1984 were retrospectively reviewed and correlated with their pathologic findings. The differential diagnosis and possible pitfalls are discussed. In addition, the impact on perinatal management and the role of genetic counselling will be emphasized.