Histology of port wine stains after copper vapour laser treatment

We report histological changes in four patients with port wine stains treated with 578 nm yellow light from a high power copper vapour laser. Histology showed that selective damage occurred to the ectatic blood-vessels in the dermis, without haemorrhage and damage to non-vascular structures, and without scarring. The initial damage to the overlying epidermis was not permanent, and the damaged ectatic vessels returned to normal size or were completely necrosed and replaced by collagen.     

High frequency jet ventilation for microlaryngeal laser surgery

The use of a triple lumen central venous catheter, which can be shielded from laser irradiation by metal tape, as a conduit for high frequency jet ventilation in six children, is described. The problems of anaesthesia for laryngeal laser surgery and the advantages of the technique described in this paper are discussed.     

Stabilization of thymopentin and preservation of its pharmacological properties by 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

Abstract— Thymopentin prepared in 5, 15, and 20% 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD) was able to inhibit guinea-pig ileum contraction stimulated by anatoxin-a (3 × 10^?6 m ) after fourteen months of storage at room temperature. Thus, in contrast to the instability of thymopentin prepared without HPCD, the pharmacological activity was retained and could be stored in a ready-to-use solution for extended periods without refrigeration.     

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF DYSPROSIUM-165 HYDROXIDE MACRO-AGGREGATE AND YTTRIUM-90 SILICATE COLLOID IN RADIATION SYNOVECTOMY--A MULTICENTRE DOUBLE BLIND CLINICAL TRIAL

The aim of our study was to compare the safety and efficacyof a new preparation, Dysprosium-165 Hydroxide Macro-aggregate(¹⁶⁵Dy) with Yttrium-90 Silicate (⁹⁰Y) for radiation synovectomyof the knee in patients with RA and OA. A multicentre doubleblind clinical trial with subjects randomized to receive ¹⁶⁵Dyor ⁹⁰Y was undertaken in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Seventyknees of 59 patients were studied, using as clinical end pointmeasurements pain in the knee on walking, pain in the knee atrest and stiffness in the knee after rest. Cytogenetic damage,knee retention and extra-articular spread of the radionuclideto regional lymph nodes, liver, urine and blood were evaluated.There was no significant difference in clinical response inthe two treatment groups for either RA or OA. Chromosomal changesoccurred with equal frequency and the knee retention and extra-articularleakage of radiocolloids to regional lymph nodes and liver werecomparable in the two groups. For radiation synovectomy of theknee, ¹⁶⁵Dy is at least as safe and as effective as ⁹⁰Y andhas the advantage of a short half-life (2.334 h) and hence requiresa shorter period of post-injection immobilization and hospitalization. KEY WORDS: Radiation synovectomy, Dysprosium-165, Yttrium-90, Rheumatoid synovitis, Osteoarthritis     

GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY AS A METHOD FOR ESTIMATING CONCENTRATIONS OF VOLATILE ANAESTHETICS IN BLOOD

A method of estimating any volatile anaesthetic in blood bymeans of gas chromatography is described. It requires only asmall sample which may be conveniently stored and from whichmany readings may be taken. Possible uses of the method areindicated. ^*Present address: University College Hospital, London, W.C.I.