The function and morphology of knee extension/m. vastus lateralis and elbow flexion/m. biceps brachii were studied in young (28 +/- 0.1 years, n = 7) and elderly (68 +/- 0.5 years, n = 8) sedentary subjects and in elderly swimmers (69 +/- 1.9 years, n = 6), runners (70 +/- 0.7 years, n = 5) and strength-trained subjects (68 +/- 0.8 years, n = 7). On average, the training groups had, for the 12-17 years before the measurements were taken, performed their training regimen 3 +/- 0.1 times a week. Compared with the young subjects, the maximal isometric torque of the sedentary elderly subjects was 44% (P less than 0.05) lower in knee extension and 32% (P less than 0.05) lower in elbow flexion, and speed of movement was between 20 and 26% (P less than 0.05) lower in both knee extension and elbow flexion. The cross-sectional area of m. quadriceps femoris and the elbow flexors was also 24% (P less than 0.05) and 20% lower respectively, and the specific tension was 27% (P less than 0.05) lower in m. quadriceps femoris and 14% (P less than 0.05) lower in the elbow flexors. A 27% (P less than 0.05) higher content of myosin heavy chain type I and a 39% (P less than 0.05) higher content of the slow-type myosin light chain--2 was observed in m. vastus lateralis of the sedentary elderly subjects as compared with the young subjects. The same tendency was also seen with m. biceps brachii. Since the histochemical fibre-type distribution was identical and no major co-expression of type I and type II myosin heavy-chain isoforms was observed with immunocytochemistry, the increase in slow myosin isoforms with ageing seems mainly related to a larger relative area of type I fibres, induced by a selective atrophy of type II fibre area. An increased content of the beta-isoform of tropomyosin was also demonstrated with ageing. In contrast to the swimmers and runners, the elderly strength-trained subjects had maximal isometric torques, speed of movements, cross-sectional areas, specific tensions and a content of myosin and tropomyosin isoforms in both muscles studied identical to those of the young controls. These results seem to suggest that strength training can counteract the age-related changes in function and morphology of the ageing human skeletal muscle.

A prospective study of the consequences of the wait-and-see policy in in patients with neuroradiologic diagnostic evidence of having vestibular schwannoma was conducted in a series of 123 patients (127 tumors) over a 20-year period, from 1973 to 1993. The mean follow-up period was 3.4 years, mean annual growth rate was 3.2 mm/year, mean annual volume growth rate was 0.72 ml/year, and mean annual relative growth rate was 41%. Tumor growth was observed in 90 (74%) patients (94 tumors), no growth was seen in 23 (18%) patients (23 tumors), and negative tumor growth was seen in 10 (8%) patients (10 tumors). Surgery due to tumor growth was performed in 35 (28%) patients (35 tumors), 7 (6%) patients (7 tumors) were treated with gamma-radiation and/or shunt insertion, 7 (6%) patients died of brain stem herniation induced by tumor compression, 9 (7%) patients died of non-tumor-related causes, 28 patients were classified as candidates for hearing preservation surgery, and 21 (75%) patients lost their candidacy during the observation period due to tumor growth and/or deterioration of hearing. The results may limit indications for allocation of patients with vestibular schwannoma to the wait-and-see group.

Summary Ultrasonic scanning in patients with symptoms of threatened abortion occasionally revealed an echo‐free area between the membranes and the uterine wall. The echo‐free area was found in patients at 11 to 20 weeks gestation who had a live fetus and is believed to represent blood. Seven smaller haematomas of less than 35 ml gradually disappeared and the pregnancies continued until term. Three patients who had haematomas of more than 50 ml subsequently aborted or had a premature delivery.

Jan Fog Pedersen1 We performed a prospective study to determine the prevalence and significance of Margit Mantoni1 ' 2 subchorionic hematomas in patients with symptoms of threatened abortion. The study comprised 342 pregnant women who had vaginal bleeding in weeks 9-20 of pregnancy and a live fetus shown with sonography. Sonograms showed a subchorionic hematoma in 62 patients (18%). The average size of the hematoma was 20 ml (range, 2-150 ml). The rate of spontaneous abortion was the same in patients with and without hematoma, seven (1 1%) of 62 and 28 (10%) of 280, respectively. There was no association between abortion rate and hematoma size. The rate of premature delivery was the same in patients with and without hematoma, seven (11%) of 62 and 32 (11%) of 280, respectively. There was no association between the rate of premature delivery and hematoma size. Subchorionic hematomas are common and insignificant sonographic findings in patients with vaginal bleeding in weeks 9-20 of pregnancy.

Combined with other factors, the achieved results should be considered when timing of surgery is to be decided.