Volume 92 · Issue 06 · 1979

The use of acupuncture needles as sphenoidal electrodes was begun in November 1963 and was first reported in 1965. This communication is an reappraisal of the results of EEG study with these phenoidal electrodes in 223 patients with a total of 235 records made between February 1977 to January 1978.

In this article, 62 cases of Mikulicz-Sjögren's syndrome are investigated. Roentgenologic features are studied in association with histopathologic findings. Differential diagnosis is dealt with.

Experience in tubeless hypotonic duodenography on 326 cases with pathologic correlation shows that hypotonic duodenography can reveal such structures as the promontory, Vater's papilla, accessory papilla and longitudinal folds below the papilla, which usually cannot be demonstrated by the conventional method of examination. It is also much superior in revealing whether lesions are in the duodenum or its neighboring structures such as the pancreas. It also helps to correct the spurious features caused by poor filling and intestinal wall contraction during ordinary examination. The technic of tubeless hypotonic duodenography, use of hypotonic drugs and measures for double contrast are presented and discussed.

The clinical records of 132 cases of nephroblastoma (Wilms' tumor) admitted to the Beijing Children's Hospital in the past 21 years (1956-77) are analysed with special reference to urographic changes. Five different types of urographic manifestations not previously reported in the literature are listed which correlate well with the operative findings and the stage of pathologic process. Through a careful study of the urographic manifestations, it was considered possible to make preoperative diagnosis on the stage of the disease process and consequently to arrange for appropriate treatment. The various aspects of differential diagnosis between Wilms' tumor and other retroperitoneal tumors such as neuroblastoma, teratoma, multicystic kidney and hydronephrosis are also discussed in this report.

The results of radioactive isotope examinations (B/K ratio, renogram and renal scanning) in 2 cases of renal allograft during acute rejection reaction are reported. Their diagnostic values are compared with those of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine determinations as well as with the clinical symptoms and signs of renal transplant rejection. The significance and mechanism of radioactive isotope examination in renal allograft are discussed.

Keshan disease (KSD), an affection of myocardium characterized by myocardial necrosis and scar formation, was first discovered in 1935 when an outbreak of the disease occurred in Keshan county, Heilongjiang province, northeast China. Its etiology is still unknown. One hypothesis is that KSD is a distinct disease of clinical entity with a very strict geographical distribution and that therefore its indispensable causative agent should be looked for in the endemic areas. Basing himself on the epidemiologic, pathologic and clinical manifestations of KSD detailed in this report, the author is inclined to the belief that the disease is a form of viral myocarditis that ends with severe manifestations, its indispensable causative agent being virus of ubiquitous nature capable of causing myocardiopathy, and that in addition there are some contributory factors predisposing the population in endemic areas to a kind of clinical infection that severely affects the heart.

Two cases of acute clonorchiasis are reported. The incubation period was 10 and 26 days respectively after eating raw fresh water fish harboring Clonorchis cysts. Their clinical manifestations were characterized by loss of appetite, anorexia, epigastric pain, diarrhea, marked leucocytosis with high eosinophilia, elevated ESR and marked changes in GPT, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase. Such cases may easily be misdiagnosed as acute hepatitis. The diagnosis in both cases was suggested by the history of having eaten raw fresh water fish in endemic area, positive skin test and serum complement fixation test for clonorchiasis and was finally confirmed by the presence of Clonorchis ova both in stool and bile. Both patients were cured with hexachloroparaxylol combined with furapromidium.

During the past few years, 30 cases of generalized scleroderma have been treated by combined traditional Chinese and western medicine. The results were satisfactory in all but 2 cases. The therapeutic method and drugs are described in detail.

A case of crushed amputation of the left upper arm complicated by liver rupture was successfully treated and followed up for more than 2 years, there was good recovery. Any traumatic amputation patient with shock and organ injury must be examined thoroughly and correct diagnosis made as soon as possible. Wound debridement must be thorough. Replantation should only be performed on the basis of safety and integrity of the severed limb. Successful replantation depends on adequate management of blood vessels, proper prevention and treatment of complications and restoration of normal function.