Acute gluteal abscess following intramuscular chloroquine injection: a clinical and experimental study

This prospective study contains clinical and experimental parts. In the clinical study, 125 patients given intramuscular chloroquine for malaria were followed for 2 months in order to detect local injection site complications. Adequate local antiseptic conditions were ensured before giving the injection. Twenty-three patients (18.4%) had minimal local reaction in the form of redness, induration and/or a lump. No pyogenic abscess was noted in contrast to a previous report. In the second part of the study, an experimental animal (Green monkey) was given either chloroquine phosphate, Ampiclox or normal saline intramuscularly. The injection site was later biopsied and histologically examined. Intramuscular chloroquine was found to cause severe inflammatory reactions and muscle necrosis, whereas other injections had very minimal local effects. It is concluded that intramuscular chloroquine causes muscle necrosis which may lead to acute pyogenic abscess if minimal contamination takes place.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of methotrexate in plasma

A procedure for the determination of methotrexate in human plasma is reported. The analysis involved extraction of methotrexate as an ion pair in ethyl acetate. Reconstituted residue was analyzed using reverse phase C-18 column and a mobile phase consisting of acetate buffer (87%), methanol (6.5%), and acetonitrile (6.5%). The methotrexate recovery range was 95-97%. Theophylline was used as internal standard with a recovery of 96%. The intraday coefficient of variation for the assay ranged from 1.8-3.0%, while interday variation coefficient range was 3.5-3.7%. The method is selective, reproducible, and covers a wide range of methotrexate concentrations in patient's plasma.     

Retinal arteriovenous communication in retinitis pigmentosa with Refsum's disease-like findings

In this report we describe, herewith, a patient with primary pigmentary dystrophy of the retina (retinitis pigmentosa) associated with unilateral retinal arteriovenous communication and exudative retinal detachment. The patient had complete resolution of the retinal detachment following laser photocoagulation treatment. Such association has not been previously reported.     

The screening and treatment of undiagnosed depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a general practice.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To screen for, and to treat, depression in COPD patients in a general practice surgery, and to test the feasibility of the screening method. METHODS: We sent The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Short-Form Questionnaire to all patients on the COPD register (n=69) by post, excluding those already diagnosed with depression (n=3). We sent appointments to all responders with moderate to severe depression and offered them treatment including antidepressants and pulmonary rehabilitation if the diagnosis was confirmed. RESULTS: Of the 66 patients to whom we sent questionnaires, 43 were returned completed and 13 of these had significant depression (30%). 10 of these patients were contactable and attended for review. The diagnosis of depression was confirmed in all 10 cases. Treatment options were discussed; five chose antidepressant medication, three chose pulmonary rehabilitation and two declined treatment. CONCLUSION: We identified and treated a significant number of depressed COPD patients in a general practice setting using this screening method. This method could have wider applications for screening, although further trials are needed.     

Frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 with the N279K tau mutation

We present a case of frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP‐17) harboring the N279K mutation in the MAPT gene from the family known as pallido‐ponto‐nigral degeneration (PPND). This 49‐year‐old man was followed for 17 years. He presented at age 41 years with left leg stiffness and en‐bloc turning. During the course of his illness he developed a constellation of symptoms including parkinsonism, pyramidal signs, vertical gaze palsy, dysphagia, dystonia, personality and cognitive dysfunction, weight loss and mutism. Gross neuropathological examination showed mild atrophy of the cerebral cortex, hippocampal formation, amygdala, thalamus, subthalamic nucleus and depigmentation of the substantia nigra. Microscopy revealed neuronal loss and gliosis in the same regions. Tau immunohistochemistry showed pretangles, numerous threads, grain‐like structures and oligodendroglial tau‐positive inclusions (“coiled bodies”). In the spinal cord the tau pathology was more abundant in gray than white matter. Pretangles and threads were present in the anterior and, to a lesser extent, in the posterior horns. FTDP‐17 should be suspected in patients with a history of familial parkinsonism combined with behavioral and cognitive changes, onset before age 65 years and an aggressive clinical course.     

Estimation of gestational age by last menstrual period, by ultrasound scan and by SP1 concentration: comparisons with date of delivery

The date of delivery in 62 normal pregnant women was predicted by last menstrual period, by ultrasound scan and by the serum concentration of Schwangerschaftsprotein 1 (SP1). It was found that SP1 concentration in the first trimester gave as reliable an indication of when labour would occur as did the last menstrual period or ultrasound scan.     

Benign polyps with prostatic-type epithelium of the urethra and the urinary bladder

The clinico-pathological features of nine urethral and urinary bladder polyps with prostate-type epithelium are described. The average age of the patients was 46 years. Three patients previously had cystoscopy and the lesion was not noticed on the initial examination. The commonest presentation in this series was haematuria, dysuria and frequency of micturition. One patient presented with postmicturition dribble and another with haemospermia. The polyps contained acini and papillae lined by prostate-type epithelium which was confirmed by immunohistochemical tests for prostate specific antigen and prostate acid phosphatase. In this series no age versus location relationship could be established. Symptoms resolved following resection or initial biopsy followed by fulguration. Recurrence is extremely rare.