Objective-A prospective cohort study was designed to clarify the relations between occupational exposure to carbon disulphide (CS 2 ) and its eVects on arteriosclerosis in workers in 11 Japanese rayon manufacturing factories. This report is a cross sectional baseline observation in the first study year. Methods-Study subjects were 432 male rayon workers (mean (range) age 35.5 (19.1-47.8); duration of exposure 13.4 (0.3-29.0)) and 402 male referent workers (age 35.8 (18.9-49.8)). Exposure to CS 2 was assessed by determining the concentration of 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) in urine. Mean (SD) TTCA was 3.42 (2.73) mg/g creatinine (Cr) (n=422). About a quarter of the urine samples were >5 mg/g Cr, a biological exposure index recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Health eVects on arteriosclerosis were evaluated by measuring blood pressure, serum lipids, pulse wave velocity of the aorta, stiVness and blood flow of the carotid artery, and blood coagulation and fibrinolysis indices, and by use of brain magnetic resonance imaging, electrocardiogram (at rest and after exercise), ophthalmograph, and Rose's questionnaire. Information on potential confounding factors was collected by self administered questionnaire. Results-Prevalence of microaneurysm of the retinal artery was significantly higher in workers exposed to CS 2 (8.1%) than in referent workers (3.4%), and increased with age. Other examinations did not show any diVerences between the two groups even after allowance for confounding factors. Conclusions-Significant eVects of CS 2 on arteriosclerosis were not found in current rayon manufacturing workers, with the exception of induction of microaneurysm of the retinal artery.

Ileosigmoid knot (ISK) is an unusual clinical entity of small bowel obstruction in which the ileum wraps around the base of the sigmoid colon and forms a pseudo-knot. We present the case of a 75-year-old male in whom ISK was the definitive computed tomographic finding. ISK should be considered in differential diagnosis of patients who present with ileus.

An adult case of right-sided Bochdalek hernia complicating intrathoracic intestinal strangulation is presented. Formation of this rare right-sided diaphragmatic hernia was facilitated by coexistent hypoplasia of the medial segment of left hepatic lobe. Computed tomography showed characteristic findings such as dilated small intestine with convergence of mesenteric folds in the thorax, which was highly diagnostic of intestinal strangulation due to diaphragmatic hernia.

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We studied serial MRI appearances of transneuronal degeneration in the inferior olives, retrospectively analysing follow-up images of five patients, three with head injury and two with brain stem haemorrhage. We performed 13 MRI studies 4 days to 2 years 7 months after the accident. All but one of the patients exhibited bilateral olivary high signal on T2-weighted images. The interval between causal event and appearance of olivary changes was 2-4 months, images 4 days to 1.5 months after the accidents revealing no changes. Olivary enlargement was observed in four patients 2-4 months after ictus.