The aim of this study was to identify potential markers of aggressive joint manifestations and HLA associations in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in northern Sweden. Patients with PsA were examined clinically, with laboratory tests and radiologically. The classification of the disease was based on peripheral and/or axial engagement. HLA B17, B37 and B62 were significantly increased in PsA patients. Univariate analyses suggest that the HLA antigens B37, B62 and some clinical variables were associated with disease course. However, in multivariate analyses distal interphalangeal joint affliction and polyarticular manifestations were the only variables remaining significantly associated with irreversible joint destruction or deformity. There were no significant effects of HLA antigens. In this cross-sectional study, clinical manifestations were more reliable predictors of aggressive joint damage than were specific HLA antigens. However, HLA antigens seemed to modify the expression of the joint disease rather than being involved in joint disease susceptibility.

Radiological progression and bone loss were retarded by early therapeutic response. Bone loss was related to radiological progression.

Experience in angiography of the testicular artery is limited, and reports on testicular angiography seldom appear in the literature. In connection with catheterization for selective angiography of other branches of the abdominal aorta it has been found at this department that catheterization of the testicular artery is also possible. The localization of cryptorchid testes and the demonstration of testicular agenesis would seem to be important indications for performing angiography of the testicular artery. It might also give valuable information when the findings on palpation of the scrotum are uncertain. It therefore seemed to be of interest to work out a routine method for selective angiography of this vessel.Historical notes. Already in 1955, BRODNY et colI. described a selective angiography of the testicular artery, performed by puncturing the artery after exposure of the spermatic cord. KAHN & FRATES (1968) reported on 11 selective testicular angiographies carried out in connection with other angiographies in patients with normal testicles. The examinations were begun with an abdominal aortography. For the selective procedure, they used a BD RPX 054 catheter 50 em in length, with the end bent into a semi-circular curve and with the diameter roughly 30 per cent greater than the inner width of the aorta. The rest of the catheter was kept as straight as

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The resolving capacity of magnification testicular angiography, as related to the known vascular anatomy of the testis and epididymis, was analysed on the basis of 9 normal angiographies and 8 cases of hydrocele with proven normal status of the testis and epididymis. The intratesticular vascular arrangement was demonstrated remarkably well, but of the epididymal vascularity only that in the head of the epididymis. The vascular anatomy of the testis as resolved by angiography may be utilized in the diagnosis of the location and nature of intra- and extratesticular mass lesions.