The frequency of associated rheumatic diseases was studied in 271 patients with acute anterior uveitis (AAU). In a retrospective examination of 154 patients with AUU (mean follow-up period of 6 years) associated rheumatic symptoms were observed in 64 (41.6%). Forty-one patients (26.6%) had ankylosing spondylitis and 39 (25.3%) manifestations of Reiter's disease. Radiographic sacro-iliitis was seen in 35 (34%) of 103 consecutive x-ray examined patients with AAU. Furthermore, in another series of 38 patients, who all, in addition to having AAU, also complained of low back pain or had manifestations of Reiter's disease, 23 (60.5%) had radiographic sacro-iliitis. Classical ankylosing spondylitis was more frequent in men with AAU whereas milder forms of the disease occurred more equally in both sexes. HLA-B27 occurred in 35 (87.5%) of 40 HLA-typed patients with AAU. Associated rheumatic diseases occurred in 18 (51.4%) of the 35 HLA-B27 positive patients but in none of the HLA-B27 negative patients. The results support the hypothesis that a pleiotropic HLA-B27 associated gene may determine the susceptibility to AAU, sacro-iliitis, ankylosing spondylitis, and Reiter's disease.

Several profuse uterine hemorrhages took place after a difficult removal of a Lippes Loop which was embedded in the uterine wall. Uterine angiography revealed an arteriovenous shunt and prominent vascularity in a greatly enlarged uterus. The pathologic bleeding was stemmed by suture of the damaged area via hysterotomy.

The accuracy of radiography of excised air-inflated lungs in assessing pulmonary emphysema at necropsy was evaluated in a series of 107 adults who had died in hospital by reading the radiographs and examining the pathological specimens independently. The radiographic and pathological assessments of the severity of emphysema correlated significantly (r = 0.87, p < 0.0001). Mild emphysema was recognised radiographically in 88*7% and moderate in 94*9% of the lungs. One of 16 normal lungs (6.3%) was radiographically diagnosed as showing mild emphysema. Six out of 53 lungs (11.3%) with mild emphysema were radiographically assessed as normal. The correct radiographic recognition of the type of emphysema was possible in 86% of lungs with mild and 97*4% with moderate centrilobular emphysema and in 81 8% and 87 5% respectively of the lungs with mild and moderate paracicatricial emphysema, but in only 25 0% and 28-6% of the lungs with mild and moderate panlobular emphysema. Radiographical diagnosis of centrilobular and paracicatricial emphysema was verified pathologically in all lungs showing mild emphysema, but that of panlobular emphysema in only 66*7%. Radiography of excised air-inflated lungs is a rapid, convenient, and reliable method of recognising and assessing the severity of appreciable degrees of centrilobular and paracicatricial emphysema, but less reliable in recognising panlobular emphysema. After the procedure the specimen remains available for almost any other technique.

The study of 82 consecutive hip fracture patients (22 males and 60 females) and 185 various controls showed that low serum 25-OH-vitamin D3 (25-OD-D3) concentration was common in the hip fracture patients, who in addition were old, incapable of independent daily life, had poor dietary habits, reduced nutritional status, and spent insufficient time in sunlight. The most usual mechanisms of trauma were minor indoor falls. Osteoporosis was common and associated with low 25-OH-D3. Hypocalcemia was more common in hip fracture patients than in controls. Increased serum alkaline phosphatase was not a specific feature in hip fracture patients. The results suggest that vitamin D supplementation is indicated in elderly disabled people.

To evaluate how well pulmonary emphysema could be diagnosed on routine chest radiographs by using generally known criteria, a radio-pathologic correlative study was performed in 88 unselected patients with post-mortem verification of emphysema. The signs used were: I. Signs of overinflation as (a) blunting of the costophrenic sinuses and/or depression of the dome of the right diaphragm, (b) widening of the retrosternal airspace and (c) a right or obtuse sternodiaphragmatic angle, II. Irregular radiolucencies. III. Arterial deficiency. If two or more of the above signs were present, a total accuracy of 77% in detecting emphysema was achieved. The irregular radiolucency and arterial deficiency signs were sensitive but less accurate than those of overinflation.