Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to P N Reed.
Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is a rare disease characterized by the presence of multiple intramural gas-filled cysts in the gastrointestinal tract. The etiology remains unknown, but the disease can present with profound disturbances of bowel function. We report the successful management of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis of the small intestine with the use of hyperbaric oxygen.
Arterial oxyhaemoglobin saturation (SaO2) was monitored continuously during normal labour in 33 healthy parturients receiving pethidine and nitrous oxide for analgesia. Sixteen (49%) had episodes exceeding 10 s duration when SaO2 was less than 90% (mean 83.7%, range 89-60%). Two women had multiple episodes of profound hypoxia with SaO2 less than 70%.
We have investigated, in volunteers, the effect of inhaling 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen on subsequent oxygenation. Subjects breathed either 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen or 50% nitrogen in oxygen during hyperventilation and normal ventilation. Arterial oxygen saturation and end-expired oxygen concentrations were lower after 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen than after the other mixture with both patterns of ventilation and were lowest after hyperventilation with 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen.
The frequency of muscle pain following the use of suxamethonium was compared in pre- and post-ovulatory women and in those taking a combined oral contraceptive pill. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. It is suggested that serum concentrations of progestogen were too low to produce the protection against suxamethonium pains reported in late pregnancy.