SURGICAL TREATMENT OF MALIGNANT ESOPHAGEAL TUMORS IN PUMC HOSPITAL

To study how to prolong the postoperative survival time of the patients with malignant esophageal tumors. The clinical data of 1098 patients with malignant esophageal tumors from 1961 to 1992 were retrospectively analyzed. The deletion of fragile histamine triplet (FHIT) gene (a tumor suppressor gene) in 30 fresh esophageal samples obtained in 1996 was detected with PCR and RT PCR method. The resectability was raised gradually and the operative morbidity and mortality decreased year by year, but there was no significant improvement on the postoperative 5 year survival rate. Delayed diagnosis and irradical resection influenced the long term survival. The deletion of cDNA of FHIT gene was 64.2% in esophageal cancer and 20% in the resected margin of the cancer. We believe that high grade atypical hyperplasia in esophageal epithelium and deletion of FHIT gene in esophageal cancer and its resected margin are pathological and molecular markers for early diagnosis of esophageal cancer respectively, and the latter may be one of the molecular markers for the resection. Early diagnosis and treatment, radical resection, and postoperative nutritional support are very important for the improvement of the postoperative survival time of the patients.

Research on optimal immunization strategies for hepatitis B in different endemic areas in China

INTRODUCTION At present hepatitis B vaccine immunization is an unique effective measure for controlling hepatitis B.It is important o determine optimal immunization

Effect of advanced age on plasma homocysteine levels and its association with ischemic stroke in non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Background Elevated homocysteine （Hcy） has been reported to be associated with cardiovascular events in atrial fibrillation （AF） pa- tients, while the age-related expression pattern of plasma Hcy in AF remains unknown. The study was aimed to investigate the effect of ad- vanced age on plasma Hcy levels and its association with ischemic stroke in non-valvular AF patients. Methods A total of 2562 consecu- tive patients with non-valvular AF and 535 controls were enrolled and divided into six age groups. Plasma Hcy levels were analyzed among different age groups, and the effect of advanced age on Hcy was investigated. Results Plasma Hcy levels did not show any difference among groups aged below 65 years, while it increased sharply in patients aged 65-74 years and aged over 75 years （15.7 ±4.6 μmol/L, 17.1 ±4.9 μmol/L, both P 〈 0.01 compared with the first four age groups）. Hcy was much higher in AF patients than in controls at the same age group （all P 〈 0.05）. The proportion of patients with hyperhomocysteinemia increased gradually with age from 32.3%, 29.2%, 31.2%, 32.4%, 45.9%, to 51.4% in six age groups. The concentration of Hcy in AF patients with ischemic stroke increased progressively with age, and was higher than those without stroke at the same age. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age 65-74 years [odds ratios （OR）： 1.742, 95% confidence interval （CI）： 1.223-2.482, P = 0.002] and age ≥ 75 years （OR： 2.637, 95% CI： 1.605-4.335, P 〈 0.001） were significantly independent predictors of elevated plasma Hcy levels. Conclusions Advanced age was significantly associated with elevated Hcy levels, which may provide a possible explanation for the progressive increase in ischemic stroke especially in elderly AF patients.

COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF LOSARTAN,ENALAPRIL AND THEIR COMBINATION IN THE PREVENTION OF LEFT VENTRICULAR REMODELING AFTER ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN THE RAT

Objectives. To compare the effects of losartan, enalapril and their combination in the prevention ofleft ventricular remodeling (LVRM) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the rat. Methods. AMI model was induced in female SD rats by ligating left coronary artery. Forty-eight hours after the procedure, 83 surviving rats were randomized into one of the following 4 groups: 1 ) AMI control group (n =19), 2) losartan group (n= 22, 3 mg @ kg - 1 @ d - 1 ), 3 ) enalapril group (n = 20, 1 mg @ kg - 1 @ d - 1 ), 4) losartan - enalapril combinative group (n = 22, 3 and 1 mg @ kg- 1 @ d - 1 respectively). 5 ) sham-operated group ( n =10) and 6) normal rats group (n = 10) were selected randomly to serve as non-infarction controls. Losartan and enalapril were delivered by direct gastric gavage. After 4 weeks of medical therapy, hemodynamic studies were performed in each group, then the rat hearts were fixed with 10% formalin and pathologic analysis on them was performed. Complete experimental data was obtained in 56 rats, comprising 1 ) AMI controls (n = 11 ), 2) losartan group (n = 10), 3 ) enalapril group (n = 10), 4) the combination of losartan and enalapril group (n = 11 ),5) sham - operated group (n = 6) and 6) normal controls (n=8). Results. There were no significant differences among the 4 AMI groups in MI size (41.7% ～ 43.4%, all P＞ 0.05). Compared with sham group, the left ventricular (LV) end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), volume (LVV), long and short axis length (L and D), as well as LV absolute and relative weight (LVAW and LVRW)in AMI group were all significantly increased ( P ＜0.05 ～ 0. 001 ); whereas the maximum left ventricular pressure rising and droping rates ( + dp/dt) and their corrected values by LV systolic pressure ( + dp/dt/LVSP)were significantly reduced (all P ＜0.001 ), indicating LVRM occurred and LV systolic and diastolic function impaired after AMI. Compared with AMI group , LVEDP, LVV, LVAW and LVRW were all significantly decreased (P ＜0.05～0.001 ); while + dp/dt/LVSP were significantly enhanced in all 3 treatment groups (P ＜0.05～0.001 ) except -dp/dt/LVSP in losartan group (P＞ 0. 05 ). There were no significant differences in the above indices among the 3 treatment groups (all P＞ 0.05). Conclusion. Both losartan and enalapril can prevent from LVRM after AMI in the rat and improve LV function with equivalent effects. There seems no additive effect when the 2 drugs are used in combination.

THE ANALYSIS OF CHANGES AND INFLUENCING FACTORS OF EARLY POSTTHORACOTOMY PULMONARY FUNCTION

Objective. To investigate the changes and influencing factors of early postoperative pulmonary functionof thoracotomy.Methods. Pre-and early postoperative pulmonary function was studied in 64 consecutive cases withoptimal thoracotomy. Pain assessment was done before pulmonary function test, and the chief complaintsof patients were recorded after the procedure. The changing curves of pulmonary function were done andthe differences associated with groups, surgical styles, pain assessment, epidural analgesia, chief com-plaint and preoperative conditions were analyzed.Results. Pulmonary function was severely lowered to about 40% of the base line on the first day,and it was rehabilitated to about 60% of the base line on the eighth day. There was a greater gradienton the recovery curve on the 3rd and 4th days. Epidural analgesia was able to improve pain relaxationand pulmonary function in some degree. Single-factor analysis showed that postoperative pain, postopera-tive day and surgical style were the significant influencing factors for early postoperative pulmonary func-tion. By multiple-factor analysis, preoperative pulmonary function, age and postoperative pain were themain factors, while surgical style had only weak effect on it.Conclusions. Early postoperative pulmonary function is severely impaired by thoracotomy. It rehabili-tate gradually with time. Improvement of preoperative pulmonary function, reducing surgical procedure in-juries, especially injury to respiratory muscle system, and enough postoperative pain relief are the mostimportant means that would reduce pulmonary function impairment and consequently reduce postoperativepulmonary complications.

Long-term outcome of patients with atrial myxoma after surgical intervention: analysis of 403 cases

Objective To assess long-term survival and late cardiovascular events in patients with atrial myxoma after surgical intervention. Methods Retrospective analysis of 403 patients undergoing resection of atrial myxoma from January 2002 to December 2016 was conducted with a median follow-up period of 4.5 (range: 0.5?15) years. Results The cross-clamp time and cardiopulmonary bypass times were 41.1 ± 21.4 and 65.2 ± 27.3 min,respectively. A diagnosis of myxoma was histopathologically confirmed in all cases. The early in-hospital mortality rate was 0.7%(n = 3). During the follow-up period,tumor recurrence occurred in six patients and cerebral infarction in nine. There were 48 (11.9%) patients with late onset atrial fibrillation (AF). By multivariate analysis,age (HR = 1.05,95% CI: 1.02–1.09,P < 0.001),left atrial diameter (HR = 1.23,95% CI: 1.08–1.36,P = 0.012),and mitral valve surgery (HR = 1.17,95% CI: 1.05–1.29,P = 0.027) were independent predictors of late onset AF. Twenty-one (5.2%) patients died during the follow-up period. Advanced age (HR = 1.07,95% CI: 1.04–1.10,P = 0.003) and multiple surgical procedures (HR = 1.18,95% CI: 1.06–1.29,P = 0.012) were significantly associated with overall mortality. Conclusions Atrial myxoma can be resected with good long-term survival. Late onset AF is common after surgery in patients with atrial myxoma. Advanced age,left atrial diameter,and mitral valve surgery were independent predictors of outcomes.

ANALYSIS OF EFFECT AND COMPLICATION ON SURGICAL TREATMENT OF CAROTID BODY TUMORS IN 46 CASES

Objective.To describe the effects of surgical treatment a nd complications in46patients with carotid body tumor.Method.Retrospe ctive study on surgical treatment and complications was carried out in46case s of CBT which were surgically treated with different kind of procedures.Resul t.All procedures performed successfully except that the CBT was not excised in 4cases.No operative mortality was observed.There were2postoperative hemiple gia,4hypoglossal nerve impairment ,2glossopharyngeal nerve impairment ,1va gus nerve impairment ,and1accessory nerve impairment.One patient presented p ostoperative cranial nerve impairment in glossopharyngeal,vagus and hypoglossa l nerves.Two patients developed local recurrence during the long-term follow-up.Conclusion.Complete surgical excision was possible in each patient if th e diagnosis had been cor-rectly made through selective preoperative angiography ,vessel ultrasound Doppler and other examinations.Reasonable surgical procedur e and Matas training were necessary to the successful surgical treatment and t hus decrease the complicative incidence rate of carotid chemodectomas.

PULMONARY BLOOD DISTRIBUTION AFTER TOTAL CAVOPULMONARY CONNECTION OF DIFFERENT TYPES

Objective.To assess the feature of pulmonary blood flow distribution after total cavopulmonary connection(TCPC)of different types,and to provide the selection of the best type.Methods. Thirty-two consecutive survival patients after TCPC underwent radionuclide lung perfusion imaging. According to the radionuclide counts in the left and right lungs,analyses of the distribution of blood flow from superior venous cava(SVC) and inferior venous cava(IVC)and the whole pulmonary blood flow in both lungs were made. All patients were divided into 4 groups by the the anastomosis between IVC and pulmonary artery.Results. GroupⅠ:The flow ratio of the IVC to left lung was greater than that to the right lung,P≤0.01;the flow ratio of the SVC to right lung was greater than that to the left lung,P≤0.01;and the whole pulmonary blood flow went dominantly to the left lung,P≤0.05,which is not in line with physiological distribution. GroupⅡ:the flows from the SVC and IVC were mixed in the middle of the junction and ran evenly into the right and left lungs,the whole pulmonary blood flow went to both lungs,P≥0.05. Group Ⅲ:the flow ratio of the SVC to both lungs were the same,P≥0.05,and major part from IVC went to the right lung,P≤0.01;the pulmonary blood flow go dominantly to the right lung,P≤0.05,which is in accord with physiological distribution. Group Ⅳ:the flows from the right SVC went to right lung by 100%,P≤0.01,and that from the left SVC went to left lung by 100% too,P≤0.01;the flows from IVC went dominantly to the left lung,with little part to the right lung ,P≤0.05.Conclusions. Different types of TCPC can result in different pulmonary blood distributions. The best flow distribution between the left and right lungs can be obtained by an offset of the IVC anastomosis toward the RPA with widening anastomosis for the patients without persist left superior venous cava(PLSVC).

Serum Glypican 4 Levels Are Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in a Han Population from Guizhou Province, China

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is the presence of a battery of cardiovascular risk factors including abdominal obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and disturbed carbohydrate metabolism[1]. MetS affects 20% of adults in the Western world and 33% of adults in China[2] and has become a serious public health problem worldwide. However, the mechanism underlying the occurrence and progression of MetS is still largely unclear. It is now well established that excess fat deposition leads to abdominal obesity, which plays a vital role in the underlying mechanism. Adipose tissue can function as an endocrine organ that secretes various adipokines. The dysregulated expression of adipokines caused by excess adiposity and adipocyte dysfunction, has been linked to the pathogenesis of MetS[3]. Some serum adipokines such as leptin, adiponectin, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumour necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), might be potential markers for MetS development.

NANOPARTICLE AS A NEW GENE TRANSFERRING VECTOR IN SPECIFIC EXPRESSION GENE

Objective. To evaluate the possibility and efficiency of nanoparticle as a new vector in specific gene transference.Methods. Nanoparticle-DNA complex was prepared with Poly- dl-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) bearing anti-sense monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (A-MCP-l), a specific expression gene, and the package efficiency, release progress in vitro, and the size of the complex were determined. The possibility of the new vector was evaluated with genomic DNA PCR by transferring gene into cultured smooth muscle cells (SMC), cationic lipids as a control. For study in vivo, jugular vein-to-artery bypass grafting procedures were performed on 20 New Zealand white rabbits, of which 6 grafts were transferred with nanoparticle-A-MCP-1 (200 μg), 6 with A - MCP-1 (200 μ g) by cationic liposome, 4 with LNCX plasmid, and 4 as control. Fourteen days after the grafts were harvested, the expression of A-MCP-l and its effect on MCP-1 in vein grafts were detected by dot blot, and the morphologic evaluation of grafts was performed.Results. The package efficiency of the nanoparticle-DNA complex was 0. 9% , release progress in vitro lasted 2 weeks, and the size ranged from 150 to 300nm. SMC genomic DNA PCR showed that A-MCP-l gene could be successfully transfected into cells by nanoparticle. The study in vivo indicated that A-MCP-l mRNA was expressed in both local gene delivery groups, nanoparticle and liposome, meanwhile, MCP-1 expression in vein grafts was significantly inhibited and neointimal hyperplasia was notably reduced.Conclusion. Nanoparticle can act as a vector to transfect specific gene.

ANTERIOR SPINAL FUSION WITH TSRH INSTRUMENTATION FOR SCOLIOSIS

Objective. To introduce a new spinal internal fixation system, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital (TSRH), and to investigate its early clinical outcomes.Methods. The preliminary clinical outcomes of 15 patients with thoracolumbar or lumbar scoliosis treated by anterior spinal fusion with TSRH instrumentation were studied retrospectively. Fourteen patients were diagnosed as idiopathic scoliosis and 1 as neuromuscular scoliosis.Results. Preoperatively, the Cobb's angle on the coronal plane was 55. 8° (range 35° - 78°), and 14° postoperatively, with an average correction of 74. 8 %. The average unfused thoracical curve was 35. 9 ° preoperatively (range 26° - 51°) and 21. 8° (10°-42° ) postoperatively, with 40% correction. The sagittal curve of lumbar was kept physiologically, preoperative 27. 9° and postoperative 25. 7° respectively. The trunk shift was 13.4 mm (5 - 28mm) preoperatively and 3. 5 mm (0-7 mm) postoperatively. The averaged apic vertebra derivation was 47. 8 mm (21 - 69 mm) before operation and 10. 8 mm (3-20 mm) after operation. The distance of C7 to center sacrum vertical line (CSVL) was 19. 5 mm(16 - 42)preoperatively and 11. 3 mm (0-32 mm) postoperatively. The apical vertebra rotation was 3 degree in 15 patients preoperatively, and were improved to normal in 10 patients, 1 degree in 4 patients, and 2 degree in 1 patients postoperatively. None had neurological injury and infection. Only 1 patient complained a cool feeling in the low extremity of concave side, and the symptom vanished at 3-month followed up.Conclusion. If used appropriately, TSRH anterior spinal system is a good treatment for low thoracic or thoracic lumbar scoliosis.

CLINICOPATHOLOGIC FEATURES AND SURGICAL TREATMENT OF NONFUNCTIONING ISLET CELL TUMORS

Objective.To in vestigate clinicopathologic characteristics and surgical results of nonfunctiona l islet cell tumors.Methods.We performed retrospective analysis of50patient s with nonfunctional islet cell tumor treat-ed at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from July1968to July1999,and summarized clinical symptoms and signs,primary diagnosis before surgery,surgical treatments,pathologic and im munohisto-logical characteristics.Results.Of the50cases examined from July 1968to July1999,12were found during physical examinations. The most common symptoms were upper abdominal pain and upper abdominal dis-com fort,which appeared in20casesand17casesrespectively,an d the most common sign was abdominal masses.B-ultrasound and CT are the most commonly used means for preoperative examination,with posit ive rates of97.8%and100%respectively.Op-e rative mortality was2%.Five-year survival rate of radical surgery of maligna nt cases was75%.Immuno-histological examinations showed that tumors rich i n multi-peptide linked hormones,neuron-specific eno-lase and chromaffin were in65%cases,90.6%and73.3% respectively.The positive rates of insulin,glucagons,somatostatin,pancreat ic polypeptide,gastrin and vasoactive intestinal peptide were68.2% ,51.2%,42.9%,40% ,25%and15.8%respectively.Conclusion.Nonfuncti onal islet cell tumors lack diagnostic specificity.Ultrasound and CT are primar y examination methods.Immunohistological analysis indicates different hormones ,but lacks the presence of related clinical symptoms.Surgery is an effective treatment for nonfunctional islet cell tumors,and even for those with distal m etastasis,immediate surgical removal and treatment can improve prognosis.

THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN TUMOR NECROSIS FACTORαGENE POLYMORPHISM AND ASTHMA

Objective.In this study,we investigated the hypothesis that tumor necrosis factor(TNF)α-308gene polymorphism might be of the genetic predisposition to asthma and asthma phenotypes.Methods.TNFα-308gene polymorphism was genotyped in221random unrelated Northern Chinese population(comprising125asthmatics and96healthy controls)and52individuals from12asthmatic families with Han ethnic by using polymerase chain reaction(PCR)-restriction fragment length polymor-phism(RFLP).Methacholine(Mch)broncho-challenge test,bronchial reversibility test and lung function were underwent in all asthmatics.Results.TNFα-3082homozygosity was present at a significantly higher frequency in asthmatics than that in controls(20.8%vs11.4%,P<0.05,OR2.259),the TNF allele2was also higher in asthmatics compared with controls(0.42vs0.33,P<0.01).TNFα-3082homozygosity was an weak independent risk factor for asthma etiology(OR0.226,P<0.05).Moreover,patients carrying TNFα-3082homozy-gosity had less responsive to inhaledβ 2 -agonist in20minutes than patients carrying other two genotypes(24.1%vs29.5%vs38.8%,P<0.05).Linkage analysis didn’t support that TNFαgene was linked to asthma (Likelihood of odds,LOD<1)based on familial data.Conclusion These results suggest that TNFα-3082homozygosity may be of a component contribut-ing to the genetic predisposition to asthma ,and airway responsiveness toβ2 -agonist.

EXPERIENCE ON SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF RUPTURE OF ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM

Objective. To describe our surgical experience on rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm .Methods. Two cases of ruptured aortic aneurysms with severe complication were analyzed. Aorta reconstruction procedures were performed using bifurcated e-PTFE grafts during emergency operation. Diagnosis, preoperadve resuscitation, emergency surgical intervention, and postoperative complications of these patients were summarized and discussed.Results. Rupture of aortic aneurysm in both patients presented as a huge retroperitoneum haematoma by computed tomography scan. They were successfully saved by prompt body fluid compensation, emergency procedure, intraoperative resuscitation, and postoperative intensive care.Conclusions. Correct diagnosis, prompt surgical management, immediate intraoperative proximal aorta clamping during procedure, and effective management of postoperative complications were the key points to successful treatment of ruptured aortic aneurysm.

Pulmonary tuberculosis presenting with aortic pseudoaneurysm, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, and cardiomyopathy: Is there an intriguing relationship?

A 22-year-old Chinese man presented with fever, cough, hoarseness, neck pain, acute heart failure and hemoptysis. Pulmonary tuberculosis was proved by sputum culture. Chest imaging showed an aortic arch pseudoaneurysm and bilateral ground glass opacities. Echocardiography confirmed cardiomyopathy. With anti-TB drugs, high-dose prednisone and surgery, the life of this patient was successfully prolonged for more than four months. The concomitant disorders of aortic pseudoaneurysm, alveolar hemorrhage and cardiomyopathy in pulmonary tuberculosis are intriguing. We postulate that immune-mediated small vessel vasculitis triggered by pathogens plays an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease, rather than a direct TB infection.

BONE MINERAL ANALYSIS OF WHOLE BODY IN 292 NORMAL SUBJECTS ASSESSED BY DUAL X-RAY ABSORPTIOMETRY

Objective. To study the whole body bone mineral changes in normal subjects.Methods. Bone mineral was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry(DXA) in 292 normal subjectsaged 10～79 years, including 152 females and 140 males. They were divided into age-groups by decade.Results. In males, the ages with peak value of total bone mineral content (TBMC), total bone min-eral density (TBMD), anteroposterior spine BMD(L2-4 BMD) were in the 30～39,20～39, 20～29 age-groups respectively. In females, they were all in the 30～39 age-group. Peak values of TBMC, TBMD,L2-4 BMD were higher in males than those in females. Loss of bone mineral for females was more pro-nounced than that for males. Loss of L2-4 BMD was more pronounced than TBMD.Conclusion. This study provides the normal bone mineral data of whole body for males and females,and the characteristic of changes.

HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN gp96 AND CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY

Heat shock protein gp96 is a highly conserved and monomorphic glycoprotein in the endoplasmic reticulum.It functions as molecular chaperone and can associate with a variety of antigenic peptides noncovalently in vivo and in vitro. Recent studies have indicated that gp96 molecules participate in major histocompatibility complex class I - restricted antigen presentation pathway. Immunization of mice with gp96 preparations isolated from cancer cells can elicit a cancer - specific protective T cell immune response that is recallable, which is a prerequisite for gp96 as a therapeutic vaccine against cancers. The immunogenicity of gp96 molecules has been attributed to the antigenic peptides associated with them. These phenomena provide a new pathway for cancer immunotherapy. The mechanism that the gp96 -peptide complex induces specific immune response and the explorations for gp96 - peptide complex as a therapeutic cancer vaccine are reviewed.

COMPARISON OF PATIENT-CONTROLLED ANALGESIA WITH TRAMADOL VS MORPHINE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING ABDOMINAL GYNECOLOGICAL SURGERY

Objective.To c ompare the analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of patient-controlled analges iawith tramadol and with morphine for postoperative middle or severe pain .Methods.Fifty-nine patients,scheduled for elective hysterectomy or hystero myomectomy ,were ran-domly divided into Group Tand Group M.The2drugs were administered intravenously v ia a patient-controlled analgesia device till24h postoperatively.Efficacy wa s assessed by comparing total pain reliefand the sum of pain intensity differencevalues over24h.Results.Statistically significant equival ence of tramadol and morphine was shown by TOTPAR values(15.9±4.4and1 6.4±3.5,respectively)and SPID values(9.2±4.7and9.0±2.0, respectively).Tramadol caused fewer adverse events than morphin e(16.7%and26.7%of patients,respectively).Conclusion.The analgesic efficacy of PCA with tramadol and with morphine were equivalent in the treatme nt of postoperative pain,and tramadol can cause slighter gastrointestinal adve rse effects.

HYPONATREMIA AFTER TRANSSPHENIODAL SURGERY OF PITUITARY ADENOMA

Objective. To clarify the frequency, presentation, associated factors, treatment and outcome of hy-ponatremia after transsphenoidal surgery of pituitary adenomas.Methods. Retrospectively reviewed the database of 183 patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgeryof pituitary adenomas between January 1999 and June 2000 in our department.Result.s. 38.8% (71/183) had postoperative hyponatremia. Among them, 59.2% (42/71) appeared onthe 4th to 7th day postoperatively. 59.2% (42/71) presented with nausea, vomiting, headache, dizzi-ness, confusion and weakness. Hyponatremia was related to age, tumor size and adenoma type, but notrelated to sex and degree of resection. Treatment consisted of salt replacement and mild fluid restrictionin 4 patients and salt and fluid replacement in 67 patients. Hyponatremia resolved within 16 days in allthe patients.Conclusions. Hyponatremia often appeared about 7 days after transsphenoidal surgery of pituitary ade-nomas, especially in elderly and patients with macroadenomas and huge pituitary adenomas. The principleof treatment was salt and fluid replacement.

GENERALIZED LYMPHANGIOMATOSIS PRESENTING WITH INGUINAL MASS---REPORT OF A CASE

Objective.To improve the clinical knowledge of lymphangiomatosis.Methods.We pre sented a case of a30?year?old woman where generalized lymphangiomatosis pre-sented with an inguinal mass.Multiple imaging modalities were undertaken,inc luding plain film,CT,MRI ,US,and lymphangiography.Splenectomy was performe d.Results.The bones,lungs,spleen and retroperitoneal lymphatics were involve d.The diagnosis was made by integration of clinical,imaging and pathological f indings.Also a literature review regarding clin-ical presentation,diagnosis, management and outcome of this rare disease was made.Conclusion.we suggest the importance of clinical knowledge of the entity and imaging procedures are es sential for better diagnosis,thus avoiding more invasive procedures.