[A study on luteal function during consecutive cycles (author's transl)]

It is conceivable that luteal function is varied with different menstrual cycles. A study was therefore undertaken to investigate for changes in luteal function during consecutive menstrual cycles.

METHODS

From those women receiving ambulatory treatment at the hospital 30 displaying a biphasic basal body temperature (BBT) curve were chosen for the study. BBT records were obtained from each of these women for at least 3 consecutive cycles and a total of 194 cycles thus rendered available were evaluated for the pattern of BBT, the duration of high phase (DHP), high phase score (HPS) and planimetric luteal index (PLI). Twenty of these 30 women were subjected further to endometrial dating at the 7th-8th day of high phase with simultaneous determinations of serum estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) and prolactin (PRL) during 2 consecutive cycles.

RESULTS

The incidences of abnormal values of the parameters for at least one of the consecutive cycles studied were: DHP; 13.3% pattern; 50-100%, HPS; 40.0%, PLI; 13.3%, E2; 25%, P; 25%, PRL; 30%, endometrial dating; 65%. These results indicate a considerable variability of luteal function.

Acrylic fixation in displaced dens fractures

Non-union of odontoid process fractures with displacement in old patients have been treated operatively stable acrylic fixation. Immediate mobilization without external fixation was achieved.

[Classical low back pain and sciatica syndrome caused by a melanotic nerv sheath tumour of the first sacral root (author's transl)]

This is the description of the case of a 22 year old patient with low back pain and sciatica on the right side investigated by lumbar Dimer-X-Myelography. The result of the examination was an impression in the contrast column at the L5/S 1 level on the right. At operation an intradural tumour, plum-sized, well-defined, and blue-black in colour, was found and removed. Histologically the tumour was melanotic and of high cellular density, with spindle-shaped cells as well as giant cells, with round nuclei, considerable polymorphism, and atypical mitoses. On the basis of the operation finding, the clinical course, and the histology, the diagnosis is melanotic nerve sheath tumour of the first sacral root. For two years following operation the patient has experienced no discomfort.

[Stablization of destructive processes in the cervical spine by means of acrylic prostheses (author's transl)]

Stabilization of destructive processes in the cervical spine by means of acrylic prostheses has hitherto been carried out either by an anterior approach or by a posterior approach. With progressively destructive lesions the stability achieved by either of these methods is unsure, and therefore the author has employed a combination of both approaches. The first two patients treated with this new technique have now been followed up for two years. The position and stability of the prosthesis in each case has remained excellent.