THE TREATMENT OF MEDIASTINAL TUMORS

Because there can be no certainty of diagnosis without it, thoracotomy is indicated in cases in which there is roentgenographic evidence of mediastinal tumor. “Watchful waiting” is considered unwise because the tumor may be malignant when first observed or may later undergo malignant change. Even if the lesion is and remains benign, an increase in the size of the mass may cause obstructive pressures necessitating operation ultimately. Moreover, infection and inflammation may develop at the site during prolonged observation, making operation more difficult.The hazards of thoracotomy, which have been greatly reduced in the last few years, are less than the hazards of waiting.     

MEDIASTINAL EMPHYSEMA

Mediastinal emphysema may occur due to migration of air from the lungs, from the esophagus or tracheobronchial tree and from the abdomen. Of especial interest is the mechanism starting with the rupture of the perivascular alveoli due to a rapid decrease in intrathoracic pressure from any cause, the development of pulmonary interstitial emphysema and migration of the air into the mediastinum.In one case the patient had severe interstitial emphysema of the left lung, mediastinal emphysema and subcutaneous emphysema without pneumothorax and rapid improvement followed tracheotomy.In another case the patient had interstitial emphysema of the left lung that did not progress to mediastinal emphysema and subcutaneous emphysema. Pneumothorax was not present. Recovery was more rapid than in the first patient.     

小鼠胸腺巨噬细胞的免疫组织化学研究

目的研究小鼠胸腺巨噬细胞的形态、分布及其独特亚型。方法利用巨噬细胞的四种单克隆抗体（F4／80、Mac-2、CD32／16、I-A）,通过免疫组化双重染色来鉴定小鼠胸腺巨噬细胞表型、分布及形态学的多样性。结果形态学上,我们鉴定出三种类型巨噬细胞：树突状、圆形、扁平形,它们在胸腺具有不同的分布特征。树突状巨噬细胞被四种抗体标记;圆形巨噬细胞在皮髓交界至髓质为F4／80阴性,Mac-2阳性,CD32／16阴性,I-A阳性,与此相反,位于皮质的表达F4／80;扁平形巨噬细胞F4／80和CD32／16阳性,但是Mac-2阴性。结论在胸腺的不同位置,巨噬细胞具有形态学多样性,且具有不同的表型变化,提示在胸腺细胞的发育过程中,不同类型的巨噬细胞可能在胸腺的不同区域起着不同的作用。     

CUTANEOUS TUMORS OF CHILDREN

Nevi are the most common tumors of childhood. Pigmented nevi are classified into blue nevi, intraepidermal nevi, junction nevi, intradermal nevi (or common mole) and combination types. Cutaneous malignant disease in children is rare. Malignant melanoma is rare before puberty. Wholesale removal of benign pigmented nevi in children should be condemned. However, junction nevi located on the palms, soles, genitalia or waistline—that is, in areas subject to frequent trauma—should be excised.Hemangiomas in infants are the most common tumors for which advice is sought. Not all hemangiomas regress spontaneously, and on occasion the persistence or progression of such a lesion may bring about life-long unsightly deformities. Therapy for this type of tumor is simple when given early in life. Hemangiomas involving the ears, nose, lips or eyelids should be treated at once, preferably within a month of the time they appear.     

MALIGNANT TUMORS OF CHILDHOOD

In the past 20 years, cancer in the age group, 0-14 years has become the second leading cause of death by disease. At some ages, notably between 5 and 14, it may be the leading cause of death by disease.Leukemia is the most frequent form of cancer in childhood, and tumors of the brain are in second place.An attempt should be made to categorize more accurately tumors stated in reports as “miscellaneous,” since in the reports analyzed herein, 15.8 per cent of all malignant lesions were so classified.