Two cases in which serious intra-abdominal complications were masked by results of the contrast examination using Gastrografin were encountered. This caused the authors to review critically the use of Gastrografin in the differential diagnosis of paralytic ileus versus mechanical intestinal obstruction. In a series of 41 cases in which the diagnostic problem was not solved initially by means of physical examination and plain abdominal roentgenograms, the Gastrografin examination proved reliable in 28 (68 per cent). The reliability of the examination was defined as the relative number of cases in which a correct decision could be made for or against surgical operation. It is concluded that Gastrografin is a valuable diagnostic aid in controversial cases of ileus. A "negative" result of the examination, however, would never be allowed to damp the surgeon's awareness of possible serious intra-abdominal conditions, which the contrast examination has failed to disclose and which require immediate surgical intervention.

A review of the literature on tumors of the small salivary and mucous glands reveals that mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the upper respiratory system is a very rare occurrence. Three such cases are reported in detail, representing 3% of all tumors of small salivary and mucous gland origin recorded by the authors over a period of 20 years. This incidence is high. Follow-up was from 3 to 12 1/2 years.

Self curing polymethylmethacrylate implants were administered into rat mandibular bone. Tissue reaction was studied after different periods with light microscopy and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Formation of fibrous tissue in the interface between implant and bone was associated with initial bone resorption and followed by the occurrence of primary calcification in a collagen rich matrix after 4-8 weeks. The features of primary mineralization comprised appearance of hydroxyapatite crystals within matrix vesicles and formation of calcospheritic structures. The occurrence of calcifying fronts after the intraosseous administration of polymethylmethacrylate suggests a favourable relationship between bone and the implant material.

A case of rapidly progressing Hodgkin's lymphoma is described in which two uncommon complications were observed. Perforation of the cecum due to lymphomatous invasion occurred with subsequent cecosigmoid fistula and pelvic abscess.Salmonella paratyphi B septicemia, refractory to all treatment, caused death of the patient approximately 2 years after initial diagnosis. The relevant literature is reviewed and the possible role of impaired function of immunological mechanisms due to both the malignancy and its treatment in exposing the patient to “opportunistic” infections is discussed. Although the complications in this patient were treated by further radiation therapy, antibiotics and supportive measures, early surgical intervention is probably the treatment of choice for complications of lymphomatous invasion of the gastrointestinal tract, so as to reduce undue exposure to the dangers of septic complications.