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Biomedical subjects

G C Arneil

Publications and source records attributed to G C Arneil.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Renal venous thrombosis.

In neonates, thrombosis beginning in small renal veins and progressing to larger veins is best termed renal venous thrombosis (RVT) since the renal vein is not usually concerned. RVT occurs dominantly in the new-born and affects males more often than females (2:1). Hyperosmolality, maternal prediabetes and angiocardiography contribute to the occurrence or RVT. Early signs and symptoms are largely non-specific with the most reliable being the presence of haematuria (49%) or a palpably enlarged and hard kidney (60%). A falling platelet count, raised FDP level of falling plasminogen level support the diagnosis in 90% of cases. Radiology and nephrosonography are very useful in establishing the presence or absence and functional state of the kidneys. Therapy consists of the maintenance of homeostasis, minimization of spread, correction of uraemia and prevention of renal hypertension from a contracted functionless kidney by elective nephrectomy after 4--6 months. Heparin therapy and peritoneal dialysis have greatly improved the outlook in bilateral cases.

Diagnosis, Differential

Florid and subclinical rickets among immigrant children in Glasgow.

200 Asian 300 African, Chinese, or Scottish children were examined for clinical, biochemical, and radiological evidence of vitamin-D deficiency. Among the Asians there were 10 with florid rickets and 15 with subclinical rickets. Among the African, Chinese, and Scottish children there were no cases of florid rickets and only 7 cases of subclinical rickets (3 African, 3 Chinese, and 1 Scottish). Loss of metaphyseal definition is considered to be the radiological pattern of minimal active rickets and metaphyseal bands to represent the healing stage. Serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentrations were low in clinical and subclinical minimal active rickets although there was some overlap with the wide range found in the "normal" group. Elevated serum-alkaline-phosphatase levels alone should not be regarded as indicating vitamin-D deficiency. The continuing prevalence of rickets in Asian children and in particular among schoolchildren warrants immediate action, which is long overdue.

Africa

An introduction to the use of diagnostic ultrasound.

This article is meant to serve as a simple introduction to diagnostic ultrasound, explaining the nature of sonar and the basic equipment for its production and use. A scans, B scans, time-position scans, and Doppler-shift techniques are described, with some examples of the clinical applications of each. Some recent innovations such as scan conversion to improve gray scaling and electrocardiographically triggered cardiac sector scans are mentioned. The limitations of the technique are indicated, with measures that can be adopted to reduce them. The safety of the procedure is emphasized, with its freedom from the known biological effects of ionizing radiation.

Echocardiography