Detection of venous gas emboli after repetitive breath-hold dives: case report.

INTRODUCTION: Neurological symptoms after breathhold (BH) diving are often referred to as "Taravana" and considered a form of decompression sickness. However, the presence of "high" gas embolism after BH diving has never been clearly shown. This study showed high bubble formation after BH diving. MATERIALS and METHODS: We performed transthoracic echocardiography on a 53-year-old male spearfishing diver (180 cm; 80 kg; BMI 24.7) 15 minutes before diving and at 15-minute intervals for 90 minutes after diving in a 42-meter-deep pool. Number of dives, bottom time and surface intervals were freely determined by the diver. Dive profiles were digitally recorded for depth, time and surface interval, using a freediving computer. Relative surface interval (surface interval/diving time) and gradient factor were calculated. REULTS: High bubble grades were found in all the recorded echocardiograms. From the first to third recording (45 minutes), Grade 4 Eftedal-Brubakk (EB) bubbles were observed. The 60-, 75- and 90-minute recordings showed a reduction to Grades 3, 2 and 1 EB. Mean calculated GF for every BH dive was 0.22; maximum GF after the last dive was 0.33. CONCLUSIONS: High bubble grades can occur in BH diving, as confirmed by echocardiographic investigation. Ordinary methods to predict inert gas supersaturation may not able to predict Taravana cases.

The commercialization of human body parts: a reappraisal from a Protestant perspective.

The idea of a market in human organs has traditionally met with widespread and emphatic rejection from both secular and religious fronts alike. However, as numerous human beings continue to suffer an uncertain fate on transplant waiting lists, voices are beginning to emerge that are willing at least to explore the option of human organ sales. Anyone who argues for such a option must contend, however, with what seem to be largely emotional rejections of the idea. Often it seems that rebuffs offered on a secular ground are rooted in nothing more than vague discomforts. We suspect that these discomforts are often based in religious sentiments that have wound their way into the fabric of secular America. Therefore, in order to contribute further to those voices heard in favor of human organ sales, it is worthwhile to show that from a religious perspective, it is just as possible to affirm the appropriateness of human organ sales as it is from a secular basis. Since Protestantism has historically had a powerful influence in American society it is a proper starting point for such an investigation.

Skull bone defects. Preliminary results using a new prosthesis.

The use of a new prosthetic material (110 DTEX F 33 Propylene and Medical Polyester Torlen 165 DTEX) in the reconstruction of bone defects of the skull, even of large dimension, is described by the authors. The material has good biologic tolerance, is already pre-moulded, can be easily adapted to the exact size of the defect and offers remarkable aesthetic and functional results. EEG, X-ray, MRI and CT can be performed without artefact and interferences.

Duplicated peritoneal catheter as a cause of shunt malfunction. Case report.

A rare example of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt malfunction is presented. Radiological and operative findings demonstrated a self-duplication with upward migration of the peritoneal catheter.

[Hyponatremia in meningeal hemorrhage]. / L'hyponatremie au cours de l'hémorragie méningée.

One hundred patients affected by S.A.H. have been studied, evaluating the possible correlations between clinical findings and hyponatremia. For a better understanding of hyponatremia during S.A.H., the hematic concentration of A.D.H. and A.N.P. have been determined and correlated with hyponatremia.

[Single-photon emission-computed tomography (SPECT) during the first 72 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage: a study of 45 cases]. / Tomographie d'émission mono-photonique (SPECT) au cours des 72 premières heures suivant l'hémorragie sous-arachnoïdienne (HSA): étude de 45 cas.

Forty five patients suffering by S.A.H., with I-III degree according to Hunt-Hess classification, have been studied with SPECT, performed within 72 hours from the hemorrhage, in order to evaluate early alterations of cerebral blood flow and their prognostic value. The patients with a clinical worsening showed an important diminution of C.B.F. detected by SPECT and a great amount of blood in the sub-arachnoidal spaces at the CT scan (III degree, according to Fischer). If these results will be confirmed with further studies, it could be possible to early identify a group of patients with a high risk of developing a cerebral vasospasm.

[Cerebral pathology and hyponatremia. Cerebral damage with central pontine myelinolysis after rapid correction]. / Patologia cerebrale ed iponatremia. Danno cerebrale con mielinolisi centrale pontina dopo rapida correzione.

Hyponatremia is a state of relatively common observation among neurosurgical patients and it may determine or precipitate a condition of brain swelling in the head-injured. The quick reversal to normal values of serum sodium concentration may cause relevant neurological disturbances: they are related to peculiar neuropathological changes, the most representative of which is central pontine myelonilysis. Two cases (one in pediatric age) of head injured patients with brain damage resulting from rapid correction of a SIADH related hyponatremia are presented.

[Surgical treatment of fracture-luxations between C3 and C7 vertebrae]. / Trattamento chirurgico delle fratture-lussazioni da C3 a C7.

Between January 1983 and December 1987, 121 patients who sustained a cervical spine injury were treated at the Neurosurgical Department of Ospedali Riuniti Bergamo. In 55 patients the segment between C3 and C7 was involved. Different techniques and results in the management of these lesions are discussed.

Hyperbaric oxygen induced experimental epilepsy: the age factor.

Two methods of inducing convulsions were used in male Swiss albino mice of different ages: exposure to hyperbaric oxygen and pentylenetetrazole treatment. Hyperbaric oxygen proved to be a valid model of experimental epilepsy with an age-dependent trend. The youngest mice presented a much longer convulsion latency time than the adult mice but the curve of distribution of latency time versus age showed progressively increasing sensitivity. Pentylenetetrazole induced convulsions, apart from the youngest subgroup, without variations by age. Hyperbaric oxygen convulsions provide an interesting model for the study not only of the neurochemistry of convulsions but also of the membrane changes that occur in the course of cerebral maturation and aging.