ß-Adrenergic signaling induces Notch-mediated salivary gland progenitor cell control.

ß-Adrenergic signaling blockade is a mainstay of hypertension management. One percent of patients taking ß-blockers develop reduced salivary gland (SG) function. Here we investigate the role of SG progenitor cells in ß-blocker-induced hyposalivation, using human SG organoid cultures (SGOs). Compared with control SGs, initial low SG progenitor cell yield from patients taking ß-blockers was observed. When passaged, these SGOs recovered self-renewal and upregulated Notch pathway expression. Notch signaling was downregulated in situ in ß-adrenergic receptor-expressing luminal intercalated duct (ID) cells of patients taking ß-blockers. Control SGOs treated with ß-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol demonstrated increased proportion of luminal ID SGO cells with active Notch signaling. Control SGOs exposed to isoproterenol differentiated into more mature SGOs (mSGOs) expressing markers of acinar cells. We propose that ß-blocker-induced Notch signaling reduction in luminal ID cells hampers their ability to proliferate and differentiate into acinar cells, inducing a persistent hyposalivation in some patients taking ß-blocking medication.

Alcohol, smoking, and physical activity related to respiratory infections in elderly people.

OBJECTIVE: Elderly people show an increased risk of acute respiratory infections and their complications. This increased susceptibility may be the result of immunosenescence. If lifestyle factors could influence the risk of the infections, this could result in great public health relevance. We investigated the relation between alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical activity with acute respiratory infections. DESIGN: Prospective observational analysis. SETTING: The study took place between September 1998 - June 2000, in the Wageningen area of The Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: In total 652 relatively healthy elderly people participated. Participants were noninstitutionalized and 60 years and older. MEASUREMENTS: The lifestyle factors were assessed at baseline by means of standardized and validated questionnaires in the participants. Self-reported respiratory infections were assessed from 1998-2000 by nurse telephone contact, and home visits, and were evaluated by microbiological tests in a subset. RESULTS: We detected 1024 acute respiratory infections among 443 participants, the overall incidence rate (IR) was 1.6 infections per person per year. IR ratio (95% confidence interval) of the infections was 1.31 (1.01, 1.70) for occasional (superior 0 glasses/day < 1), 1.22 (0.92, 1.64) for light (1 < glasses/day < 3 (men) and 1< glasses/day < 2 (women)), and 1.33 (1.04, 1.83) at moderate/heavy (superior 3 (men) or superior 2 (women) glasses/day) alcohol consumption after adjustment for age and sex. Alcohol intake was not related to illness severity. Smoking and physical activity were not related to the incidence and severity of the infections. All results remained unaltered after adjustment for lifestyle factors and for other potential risk factors for respiratory infections. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that only alcohol intake may be unfavorably associated with the frequency of acute respiratory infections in apparently healthy elderly people. Until our results are confirmed in trials, it is not warranted to recommend elderly people to change their habits of life, such as alcohol consumption, smoking and physical activity in order to reduce the risk of acute respiratory infections.

Surgical treatment for recurrent gastro-oesophageal reflux disease after failed antireflux surgery.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent or persistent symptoms occur in 10-15 per cent of patients after antireflux surgery. Failure of surgery is not uniform in its presentation. The cause of failure is not easily detected and even harder to treat. Different approaches have been proposed and few reports are available on the objective and subjective outcome of reoperation. METHODS: This study focuses on 30 patients (16 men and 14 women; age range 20-69 years) with recurrent symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) resistant to medical treatment. In all patients reoperation was by the Belsey Mark IV antireflux operation. A clinical history, endoscopy and oesophageal manometry were obtained in all patients, and 24-h pH monitoring was performed in 27 of 30 before and in most patients after the Belsey procedure. RESULTS: Symptomatic improvement was reported in 24 of 30 patients. Oesophagitis (present before operation in 19 patients) was cured or remained absent in 24 of 30 patients, stabilized in one, improved in four and deteriorated in one. Relief of symptoms combined with absence of oesophagitis was obtained in 21 of 30 patients, with concomitant normalization of the 24-h pH profile in 11 of 22 patients. The median basal lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure increased significantly from 6. 9 to 9.0 mmHg (P < 0.01). Redo surgery had no effect on oesophageal body motility. CONCLUSION: Reoperation performed for documented recurrent GORD had a good and lasting effect on symptoms, on oesophagitis (both in 24 of 30 patients) and on the combination of both (21 of 30). In these patients reoperation increased basal LOS pressure and decreased reflux time. Overall, the results approximate to those of primary operation.

Facilitatory beta2-adrenoceptors on cholinergic and adrenergic nerve endings of the guinea pig trachea.

Using electrical field stimulation of epithelium-denuded intact guinea pig tracheal tube preparations, we studied the presence and role of prejunctional beta2-adrenoceptors by measuring evoked endogenous acetylcholine (ACh) and norepinephrine (NE) release directly. Analysis of ACh and NE was through two HPLC systems with electrochemical detection. Electrical field stimulation (150 mA, 0.8 ms, 16 Hz, 5 min, biphasic pulses) released 29.1 +/- 2.5 pmol ACh/g tissue and 70.2 +/- 6.2 pmol NE/g tissue. Preincubation for 15 min with the selective beta2-adrenoceptor agonist fenoterol (1 microM) increased both ACh and NE overflow to 178 +/- 28 (P < 0.01) and 165 +/- 12% (P < 0.01), respectively, of control values, increases that were abolished completely by the selective beta2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI-118551 (1 microM). Further experiments with increasing fenoterol concentrations (0.1-100 microM) and different preincubation periods (1, 5, and 15 min) showed a strong and concentration-dependent facilitation of NE release, with maximum response levels decreasing (from nearly 5-fold to only 2.5-fold of control value) with increasing agonist contact time. In contrast, sensitivity of facilitatory beta2-adrenoceptors on cholinergic nerves to fenoterol gradually increased when the incubation period was prolonged; in addition, a bell-shaped concentration-response relationship was found at 15 min of preincubation. Fenoterol concentration-response relationships (15-min agonist preincubation) in the presence of atropine and yohimbine (1 microM each) were similar in the case of NE release, but in the case of ACh release, the bell shape was lost. The results indicate a differential capacity and response time profile of facilitatory prejunctional beta2-adrenoceptors on adrenergic and cholinergic nerve terminals in the guinea pig trachea and suggest that the receptors on adrenergic nerves are more susceptible to desensitization.

Selective alteration of personality and social behavior by serotonergic intervention.

OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to test the causal hypothesis that serotonergic function modulates aspects of the normal spectrum of individual differences in affective experience and social behavior in humans. METHOD: A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), paroxetine, 20 mg/day (N = 26), or placebo (N = 25) was administered to normal volunteers in a double-blind manner for 4 weeks, and personality variables and social behavior were assessed at baseline and at weeks 1 and 4 of treatment. RESULTS: Relative to placebo, SSRI administration reduced focal indices of hostility through a more general decrease in negative affect, yet did not alter indices of positive affect. In addition, SSRI administration increased a behavioral index of social affiliation. Changes in both negative affect and affiliative behavior were significantly related to volunteers' plasma SSRI levels at the end of the experiment. CONCLUSIONS: Central serotonergic function may modulate a dimension of normal personality characterized by reduced negative affective experience and increased affiliative behavior. SSRI administration has significant and detectable effects on these measures even in the absence of baseline clinical depression or other psychopathology.

Diagnosis and therapy of aortic prosthetic fistulas: trends over a 30-year experience.

A retrospective study was carried out of patients from a single institution over a 30-year period. Thirty-one patients presented with 33 fistulas, four non-enteric and 27 enteric. In 25 of 27 patients with a prosthesis-related enteric fistula gastrointestinal bleeding was present. Angiography revealed the fistula in five patients endoscopy in three, and barium studies, echography and computed tomography each revealed one fistula. Six patients died before and five died during operation. In 20 patients various techniques were used for treatment. In-hospital mortality decreased from six of eight patients before 1970, to seven of ten between 1971 and 1980, and to four of 13 after 1981. In the long term, patients treated with an extra-anatomic reconstruction had a poorer prognosis than those treated by in situ reconstruction. This experience shows that diagnostic tests often fail to reveal a prosthesis-related fistula and that mortality can be substantially reduced by early exploration in patients with negative diagnostic studies.

Injury surveillance at the USTA Boys' Tennis Championships: a 6-yr study.

Injuries that required physical or medical assistance were recorded for participants at the United States Tennis Association National Boys' Tennis Championships from 1986-1988, 1990-1992 (N = 1440, 240 athletes per year). Over the 6-yr period, a total of 304 athletes (or 21.1%) sustained new or recurrent injuries that required evaluation by the medical team. New injuries alone numbered 145 (incidence rate of 9.9 per 100 athletes). The analysis of injuries showed a higher rate of lower than upper extremity injuries. When evaluated by anatomic regions, back injuries were most common followed by thigh, shoulder, and ankle injuries, respectively. When evaluated by injury type, strains and sprains were most common (71% of all injuries) with fractures and dislocations being rare (1.3% of all injuries). The lower extremity provided the majority of sprain type injuries with 87.5% of ligament sprains coming from the knee and ankle. Injuries with tennis eponyms (i.e., tennis toe, tennis leg, tennis elbow, and tennis shoulder) were rare (0%-5% of all injuries). It would appear that these young elite athletes are at significant risk of injury.

Aortoiliac and aortofemoral reconstruction of obstructive disease.

This retrospective study evaluates our strategy to limit prosthetic reconstructions for aortoiliac obstructive disease to the diseased segments in 518 patients. There were 363 (70%) reconstructions without femoral anastomotic sites (FEM-0), 107 (21%) reconstructions with one femoral anastomotic site (FEM-1), and 48 (9%) aortobifemoral reconstructions (FEM-2). The ischemic symptoms and the extent of obstructions were significantly more severe in the FEM-1 and FEM-2 groups than in the FEM-0 group. Early operative results were comparable in all three groups. The difference in outcome became apparent when the long-term results were considered. Long-term follow-up continued for up to 20 years after the operation. Primary and secondary patency rates were significantly higher in the FEM-0 group (9% and 4% recurrent obstructions per 5 years, respectively) than in the FEM-1 and FEM-2 groups (both 14% and 10%, respectively), which was explained by patient selection. Late additional surgery was performed after aortoiliac procedures in most cases for recurrent aortoiliac obstruction and after aortofemoral procedures in most cases for false aneurysms. The risk of late additional operations during long-term follow-up were significantly lower in the FEM-0 group than in the FEM-1 and FEM-2 groups. These results support our strategy to tailor prosthetic reconstructive surgery to the individual status of the aortoiliac arteries.

A prospective study of effects of Belsey MK IV antireflux surgery on endoscopic esophagitis, lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and 24-hr pH measurements. Relation to symptom improvement.

A prospective study on the effect of the Belsey MK IV operation on esophagitis, lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP), and acid reflux as monitored on 24-hr pH recording was conducted to investigate the association between objective changes and the effect of operation on reflux-associated symptoms. Thirty-one patients were included. The effect of surgery on symptoms was recorded in all patients, and 22 patients agreed to undergo endoscopy, manometry, and 24-hr pH recording. Follow-up ranged from three to nine years (mean five years); 87% reported long-lasting improvement (50% free of symptoms, 37% major improvement, no medication needed). The combination of symptomatic improvement and absence of esophagitis was found in 70%. LESP significantly increased [8 +/- 6 mm Hg preoperatively, 14 +/- 5 mm Hg postoperatively (P < 0.001)] to a level above 5 mm Hg in 96% of the patients. No endoscopic esophagitis was found in 17 of 20 patients (85%; P < 0.05) (two patients refused endoscopy). The 24-hr pH monitoring normalized in 11 of the 20 patients (55%) (one registration failed). The operation-induced rise in LESP correlated with improvement on endoscopy (r = 0.51; P < 0.002) and with reduction of reflux parameters (number of episodes with pH < 4: r = 0.64; P < 0.05, percentage of total time pH < 4: r = 0.42; P = 0.07). A rise in LESP must be an important aim of antireflux surgery. The Belsey MK IV does not induce a rise to a level that causes severe dysphagia or bloating, but the trade-off is less control of acid reflux.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in patients on oral anticoagulants after reconstruction for chronic lower limb ischemia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Information on the long-term fate of patients with chronic lower limb ischemia is limited. We investigated the long-term risk of the first ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebral stroke in patients on long-term anticoagulant therapy after reconstruction for chronic limb ischemia. METHODS: In a retrospective study, 376 consecutive patients were seen at regular intervals according to a standard protocol. Only 3 (0.7%) were lost during follow-up (mean duration, 5.9 years). Anticoagulation was with coumarin derivatives followed by prothrombin times periodically. Primary end points were ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebral stroke events, which were confirmed by CT scan, autopsy, or operation in 85% of the cases. Major vascular events were analyzed as a composite secondary end point. The influence of several clinical variables on these outcome events was evaluated in univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients (10%) had 41 stroke events (23 ischemic, 18 hemorrhagic); 22 of these patients (56%) died from stroke. The cumulative ischemic stroke risk was 5% at 5 years and 12% at 15 years. Prior myocardial infarction was the only independent predictor (relative risk [RR], 3.1; P < .05). The cumulative hemorrhagic stroke risk was 3% at 5 years and 17% at 15 years. Systolic hypertension (RR, 4.8; P < .01) and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (RR, 5.4; P < .01) were significant and independent predictors. The risk for a major vascular event was 29% at 5 years and increased to 56% at 15 years. Independent predictors were advanced age (RR, 1.4; P < .005), insulin-dependent diabetes (RR, 2.2; P < .005), and prior myocardial infarction (RR, 1.8; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chronic lower limb ischemia, notably those with prior myocardial infarction, are at high risk for ischemic stroke. Those with systolic hypertension or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus are at high risk for hemorrhagic stroke.

Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation: a feasible procedure in selected patients.

We analyzed the overall results of 24 simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantations (SPK), performed in our hospital between April 1986 and June 1990. All patients had type I diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal failure. We used bladder drainage of the pancreatic exocrine secretions through a duodenocystostomy. The blood vessels of both grafts were anastomosed to the iliac vessels. The immunosuppressive management was triple-therapy with cyclosporin, azathioprine and prednisone. All organs were transplanted without matching donors and recipients for HLA. At the time of transplantation, mean recipient age was 37 yr; the average duration of diabetes was 22 yr. After disappointing results in the first 4 patients, the pancreas was placed intraperitoneally instead of extraperitoneally and the antibiotic drug regimen was altered. In the second group (n = 20), patient survival was 100%; 1-yr pancreas and kidney graft survival were 65 and 62%, respectively. Duration of hospitalization and pancreas and kidney graft loss were positively correlated with the number of rejection episodes. After 1 yr of follow-up, the mean creatinine clearance was 62 ml/min and the mean HbA1c was 5.5%. Blood glucose levels and oral glucose tolerance tests were also normal. We conclude that patient and graft survival after SPK are satisfactory, although rejection-related morbidity is still a major problem.

Long term success of aortoiliac operation for arteriosclerotic obstructive disease.

The current retrospective study was performed on 747 patients with aortoiliac obstructive disease who underwent reconstructive operation. Unlike many other centers, the University Hospital Leiden has, throughout the years, maintained the strategy of avoiding the implantation of a prosthesis in patients with limited and localized obstructive disease that could readily be treated with an endarterectomy. When a prosthesis was used, it was anastomosed to the femoral artery if a more proximal anastomosis was not feasible. In the present study, the long term outcome of the strategy is evaluated. Three groups of patients were studied--245 patients with moderate claudication, 331 patients with severe claudication and 162 patients with critical ischemia at presentation. Thromboendarterectomies were used in 229 patients (30.7 per cent) and prosthetic reconstructions in 518 patients (69.3 per cent), of which 339 (45.5 per cent) were aortoiliac reconstructions. The perioperative mortality rates were 1.6, 3.0 and 3.1 per cent for the three groups, respectively. Atherosclerotic heart disease was the most common cause of perioperative (30.0 per cent) and late (30.8 per cent) death. Late complications of surgical treatment also contributed significantly to the causes of late deaths (12.1 per cent). Because over-all survival rates in the current series compared favorably with those in other series, the influence of reconstructive operation on late survival was compensated for by a beneficial effect in patients without such complications. Secondary operations for late complications, such as false aneurysms and aortoiliac reobstruction or for progressive obstructive disease, were necessary in 21 per cent of all 727 survivors of the first operation. Actuarial curves with various endpoints--mortality, secondary operation, patency of aortoiliac segments, functional failure, amputation, presence of mild, moderate and severe claudication--were calculated according to the standard method of life table construction. In terms of technical success rates, the results of our surgical technique strategy compared favorably with those reported in other series, in which most patients were treated with aortobifemoral prostheses. The chances of functional failure increased with time, amounting to about 23 per cent at 15 years postoperatively for each group of patients. Comparison of technical and functional success rates showed a significant disparity, which was explained by the effects of collateral blood flow in instances of aortoiliac reobstruction and of progressing femoropopliteal obstructions in instances of open aortoiliac vessels.

Long-term results of surgical treatment of renal carcinoma in solitary kidneys by extracorporeal resection and autotransplantation.

We describe the technique and present the long-term results of extracorporeal partial nephrectomy and autotransplantation in 6 patients with renal carcinoma. During a follow-up period exceeding 5 years, dialysis was not required and the patients' blood pressure improved or remained within normal limits. One patient died post-operatively from gastrointestinal bleeding. The mean duration of follow-up was 54 months (range 14-97). The alternatives to extracorporeal resection and autotransplantation (such as complete nephrectomy and in situ resection of the tumour) are discussed.

Long-term results of prosthetic and non-prosthetic reconstruction for obstructive aorto-iliac disease.

In this retrospective study the results of 518 prosthetic aorto-iliac reconstructions (PRS) and of 229 thrombo-endarterectomies (TEA) were evaluated, with inclusion of follow-up results up to 20 years after surgery. Patients in the PRS group had presented with more severe ischaemic symptoms and more extensive arterio-sclerotic obstructions than the patients in the TEA group. Results in the TEA group were further analysed according to the extension of arterio-sclerotic disease: there were 93 patients with obstructions limited to the aorta or common iliac arteries and 136 patients with more extensive lesions. Patients with limited obstructions were younger, proportionally more often female, had fewer risk factors, and presented with less severe ischaemic symptoms than patients with more extensive obstructions. Operative mortality and early technical and functional results were similar in the PRS and TEA group, but long-term survival and patency rates were significantly better, and the need for late, additional operations was less in the TEA group. Late functional success rates were similar in both groups. The differences in outcome were explained by patient selection. Within the TEA group significantly superior results regarding survival, patency, need for late, additional surgery, and functional success were observed in the subset of patients with obstructions limited to the aorta or common iliac arteries. Considering these results and the risks inherent in a prosthetic reconstruction, such as prosthetic infection and the chance for false aneurysms, we advocate the use of an aorto-iliac TEA in properly selected patients.

Villous tumors of the duodenum. Presentation of five cases.

Five cases of villous tumors of the duodenum are reported. These tumors have a predilection for the periampullary region and tend to present with jaundice or obstruction of the duodenal lumen. In four of these patients, malignant transformation was seen. Endoscopy and biopsy play a major rôle in attempting to obtain an accurate preoperative diagnosis. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of malignant degeneration is frequently missed, even when multiple biopsies are taken. For this reason villous tumors should always be resected, and the strategy of treatment must depend on pre-, intra- and postoperative histological evaluation, location in the duodenum and intra-operative findings.

Chronic mesenteric vascular syndrome. Results of reconstructive surgery.

Since 1961, 14 patients at the University Hospital of Leiden, the Netherlands, have undergone reconstructive surgery for treatment of chronic mesenteric vascular syndrome. Of the 42 mesenteric arteries, 31 were severely obstructed (mean, 2.2 stenotic arteries per patient). A total of 23 mesenteric arteries were repaired. Long-term follow-up data were available for all 13 surviving patients (mean follow-up, 11.8 years). Symptoms were relieved immediately after surgery, and relief was maintained during follow-up. Digital subtraction angiography at long-term follow-up evaluation was performed in eight patients (13 reconstructions) with these results: 11 (85%) of the 13 reconstructions were patent and severe stenoses were found in eight (33%) of the 24 mesenteric arteries (mean, 1.0 stenotic artery per patient). We conclude that reconstructive surgery for patients with chronic mesenteric vascular syndrome promptly relieves symptoms, provides excellent patency, and has long-lasting beneficial results.

Popliteal artery aneurysms. Long-term follow-up of aneurysmal disease and results of surgical treatment.

The natural history of aneurysmal disease was analyzed in 50 patients who were treated for 71 popliteal aneurysms. No patients were lost to follow-up (mean, 5.0 years). Initially, 25 popliteal aneurysms (25/71; 35%) were treated nonsurgically, and 46 (46/71; 65%) were treated surgically. Complications developed in 12 of the 21 asymptomatic popliteal aneurysms (57%) and in 2 of the 4 symptomatic popliteal aneurysms (50%), which were treated nonsurgically. The probability of developing complications increased with time to 74% within 5 years. When reconstruction of a popliteal aneurysm was performed, graft patency and foot salvage were 64% and 95% at 10 years, respectively. Particularly acute arterial thromboembolism was a severe presenting complication. Another important finding was the development of 23 arteriosclerotic aneurysms at other locations during follow-up in 16 patients (32%). The probability of developing these new aneurysms increased to 49% 10 years after repair of the initial popliteal aneurysm. The presence of multiple isolated aneurysms at the initial examination was the most significant risk factor limiting the survival of these patients. Consequently patients at risk could be identified early. This study confirms the limb-threatening potential of popliteal aneurysms when left untreated. Therefore prophylactic reconstructive surgery should be undertaken. Moreover, this study demonstrates that patients with a popliteal artery aneurysm have an increased risk of new aneurysm formation, both in the popliteal artery and at other locations. Therefore these patients should be followed and, in the event that new aneurysms develop, should be considered for elective reconstructive surgery to prevent limb-threatening or life-endangering complications.

Randomized study on the effect of collagen impregnation of knitted Dacron velour aortoiliac prostheses on blood loss during aortic reconstruction.

Intraoperative blood loss is an important factor in reconstructive surgery for aortoiliac disease because it is clearly associated with an increase in the operative morbidity and mortality rates. To minimize intraoperative blood loss, a blood-tight vascular prosthesis has been developed by impregnating a knitted Dacron prosthesis with bovine collagen. To study a potential reduction of intraoperative blood loss using these collagen-impregnated prostheses, we conducted a prospective randomized trial involving the collagen-impregnated prosthesis and its non-impregnated substrate, the Dacron knitted non-impregnated prosthesis. During a 2.5-year period, 123 consecutive patients (undergoing 81 procedures for aneurysmal disease and 43 procedures for occlusive disease) were admitted for elective aortic reconstructive surgery. Equal numbers of the two prostheses were randomly implanted. Various parameters were monitored: intraoperative blood loss before aortic cross-clamping (phase 1), during implantation of the prosthesis (phase 2) and after release of aorta cross-clamping (phase 3); the number of intraoperative and postoperative blood transfusions; and, finally, all preoperative and intraoperative factors that might contribute to intraoperative blood loss. A significant overall difference in intraoperative blood loss between the collagen-impregnated (1907 ml) and the non-impregnated (2425 ml) group was found (P = 0.003) [corrected]. However, this difference could not be attributed to collagen impregnation because no statistically significant difference in blood loss was found in the relevant period of operation (phase 3). Similar results were observed in patients operated on for both aneurysmal and occlusive disease (2600 versus 2195 ml and 2105 versus 1344 ml respectively).

DNA flow cytometry of hereditary and sporadic paragangliomas (glomus tumours).

Paragangliomas (glomus tumours) are benign, hypervascular tumours which in general are treated by surgical excision. The indication for treatment of these often slow-growing tumours needs additional criteria for predicting tumour progressiveness. For this reason the nuclear DNA content of 99 paragangliomas, 65 of them originating from patients with a positive family history, was analysed by flow cytometry. Unequivocal evidence of DNA aneuploidy was found in 37% of these clinically and histologically benign tumours, the average duration of follow up amounting to at least 10 years. The DNA index of the aneuploid tumours ranged from 0.90 to 2.03. No correlation was found between DNA ploidy and familiality or between DNA content and clinical criteria indicative of tumour progression, which means that DNA ploidy of these tumours cannot serve as a predictor for an expected growth pattern or familiality. DNA aneuploidy in hereditary and sporadic paragangliomas is not clinically related to malignancy, but indicates that these tumours are true neoplasias cytogenetically.

Extracorporeal renal artery reconstruction for renovascular hypertension.

Extracorporeal reconstruction can be applied to the successful repair of stenoses in the distal renal artery and its hilar branches. This study evaluates the short- and long-term results of extracorporeal renal artery reconstruction in 65 patients, including 5 children, with renovascular hypertension who were treated from 1974 through 1989. The mean age of the patients was 37 years (range, 7 to 67 years). The cause of the stenoses was arteriosclerosis in 8 patients, fibrodysplasia in 54 patients, and miscellaneous in 3. Hypertension was severe before treatment with a mean blood pressure of 187/147 mm Hg that was reduced to a mean of 159/102 mm Hg after medical therapy. Ten patients had renal dysfunction. Results were evaluated both at short-term intervals (mean, 7.9 months; 64 patients) and long-term intervals (mean, 5.9 years; 60 patients), after surgery. Blood pressure responses were classified as beneficial (cured/improved) or failures. Anatomic results were evaluated by angiography in 98% of the patients at the short-term interval and in 77% of the patients at the long-term interval. Extracorporeal renal artery surgery was performed on 78 kidneys among 65 patients (unilateral, 45 patients; bilateral, 13 patients; unilateral extracorporeal and contralateral in situ, 7 patients). In most of the cases autologous arterial graft was used for reconstruction. Early in the series one patient died as a result of the operative procedure (1/65, 1.5%). A beneficial blood pressure response occurred in 53 patients (53/65; 82%) at the short-term interval and in 49 patients (49/61; 80%) at the long-term interval, with the average blood pressure at the short-term interval being 138/85 mm Hg and at the long-term interval being 139/85 mm Hg. Renal function improved in all patients with preoperative renal dysfunction. Graft stenosis or occlusion of the main renal artery was neither observed at the short-term interval nor at the long-term interval. However, residual stenoses were observed in 9 of the 163 reconstructed distal branches (5.5%). Extracorporeal renal artery reconstruction with autologous arterial grafts can be effectively applied to lesions of the distal main renal artery and its hilar branches with durable functional results.