Brain & development
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Brain & development · Jan 1982
Case ReportsUnusual split of the spinal cord in a caudal regression syndrome with myelocystocele.
Report of a newborn infant with a caudal regression syndrome and a large myelocystocele. A small part of the transitional zone between the normal spinal cord and the myelocystocele displayed a triploid cord in cross sections, suggesting a kind of "triastematomyelia," which was, however, finally considered rather to represent a special form of diastematomyelia than a true threefold split of the spinal cord. The probable pathogenetic background of the condition is discussed.
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Brain & development · Jan 1982
Pharmacological in-vitro studies in malignant hyperthermia in childhood.
In 91 children the caffeine-halothane test was performed according to the technique used by Britt et al and Kalow et al. The muscles investigated, 12 mm long and 2 to 3 mm in diameter, showed concentration dependent contractures to caffeine and a distinct potentiation after adding halothane. Compared to adults children above the age of 2 show a higher range for caffeine-induced contractures but infants below this age responded the strongest in range and average. ⋯ Out of 22 patients being possibly MH susceptible [9] or having survived an anaesthetic complication [13] 4 showed decreased caffeine thresholds and increased contractures to caffeine plus halothane which is in accordance with MH susceptibility. Basically the pharmacological in-vitro test may reveal false negative results due to diseased muscle fibres or a shifted sensitivity of the contractile elements to calcium. Practically most important however is the inconvertible diagnosis of MH in a given patient, which in the very end will allow decision on the validity of the pharmacological test being used.