A new vasoconstrictor,a preliminary report

Otrivin,(R) a compound of the hydrochloride salt of phenyl-aminomethylimidazoline, was administered to 74 patients for varying periods as a nasal vasoconstrictor. Seventy-three had relief of nasal congestion for from five to six hours-longer periods than had been obtained with other vasoconstrictors they had used. No pressor effect was noted.     

Extraperitoneal pneumography; a preliminary report

The presence of a gas in the retroperitoneal tissues makes possible a radiologic visualization of retroperitoneal organs and masses. Retropneumoperitoneum is accomplished by the injection of oxygen at low pressure into the tissues lying between the coccyx and the rectum. The technique of injection is simple and no complications have occurred with the first 30 cases. This method is particularly useful in outlining the kidneys and adrenal glands.     

Disseminated coccidioidomycosis; treatment with ethyl vanillate; a preliminary report

Ethyl vanillate, previously reported to be useful in the treatment of disseminated histoplasmosis, was administered to eight patients with disseminated coccidioidomycosis. Therapeutically effective concentrations of ethyl vanillate were obtained in only three patients, but, in them, the disease was apparently arrested. Failures occurred with patients who were too ill to tolerate the large amounts of ethyl vanillate required to attain a therapeutic concentration in the blood. The principal difficulties of administering ethyl vanillate are (a) the large doses required and (b) the lack of a parenterally administrable form of the drug. Ethyl vanillate, although not universally applicable, may be useful in selected cases of disseminated coccidioidomycosis and should be given further trial.     

Treatment of mandibular angle fractures with a matrix miniplate: a preliminary report

Mandibular angle fractures are technically challenging, and a spectrum of techniques for treatment of these fractures has been proposed in the literature. Currently, fixation with one or two miniplates has become a widely accepted method of providing internal fixation and eliminating the need for postoperative maxillomandibular fixation. In this study, the utility of a single 2.0-mm matrix miniplate for mandibular angle fracture management was examined. In a laboratory biomechanical analysis, the overall stability of the single 2.0-mm matrix miniplate compared favorably with two 2.0-mm miniplates in a simulated fracture setting. The matrix miniplate demonstrated an overall better intrinsic stability, more resistance to out-of-plane fracture movement, and a higher load tolerance when motion out-of-plane was challenged. Clinically, the matrix miniplate performed well. In a series of 22 consecutive patients, there were no cases of nonunion, malunion, or plate failure. Two patients developed infection that was managed in both cases by drainage with maintenance of the miniplate. Both went on to full union. These results compare very favorably to previously published series using one or two miniplates.     

California's alcoholic rehabilitation program; a preliminary report

CONFRONTED BY THE MOST SERIOUS ALCOHOLISM PROBLEM IN THE UNITED STATES, CALIFORNIA HAS BEGUN AN EXTENSIVE REHABILITATION PROGRAM IN THREE CATEGORIES: Treatment and rehabilitation services; study and investigation; education, information and training. Treatment clinics operate in seven cities and it is proposed to help finance further facilities in communities interested in their local alcoholic problem. Grants to medical schools for improved personnel training are also proposed. Basic and clinical research and epidemiologic, sociologic and follow-up studies are in progress. Public education to the problems of alcoholism, stressing that it is an illness requiring treatment, is under way. This multi-faceted approach is expected to supply answers to many of the questions surrounding alcoholism.