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This study on 68 patients with deep-seated pathologies undergoing interstitial photodynamic therapy provided evidence that PDT can be the fourth modality in the management of tissue disease.

Both kinds of e-prescribing alerts significantly reduced prescribing error rates, but modal alerts were over three times more effective than non-modal alerts. This study provides new evidence about the relative effects of modal and non-modal alerts on prescribing outcomes.

The introduction of optical urethrotomy by Sachse has reduced the need for urethroplasty: 261 urethroplasties were performed between 1964 and 1983, of which 87 were performed in one stage on patients who would today have undergone urethrotomy as the procedure of first choice. The results in this group are compared with those in 151 patients treated between 1978 and 1983 by 265 internal optical urethrotomies. At 5 years 50% of those treated by urethrotomy needed no further treatment, compared with 83% of those treated by urethroplasty. Nevertheless, the ease and safety of urethrotomy makes it the procedure of first choice, and urethoroplasty should be reserved either for cases where urethrotomy is unsuitable or where it has been tried on several occasions without success.

Purpose An oroantral communication (OAC) is an abnormal space between the maxillary sinus and oral cavity. The causes, complications, treatment, and radiographic features of OAC in 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional imaging modalities are discussed. Materials and Methods This pictorial review presents a broad spectrum of imaging findings of OAC. Representative radiographs depicting OAC were chosen from our database. PubMed was used to conduct a comprehensive literature search of OAC. Results Characteristic features of OAC include discontinuity of the maxillary sinus floor, thickening of the maxillary sinus mucosa, or a combination of both. Two-dimensional imaging modalities are the method of choice for identifying discontinuities in the maxillary sinus floor. However, 3-dimensional imaging modalities are also essential for determining the status of soft tissue in the maxillary sinus. Conclusion The integration of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional imaging modalities is crucial for the correct diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of OAC. However, the diagnosis of OAC must be confirmed clinically to prevent unnecessary mental and financial burdens to patients

Photodynamic therapy is an emerging technology and results from the interactions between a photosensitiser, oxygen and light. The delivery of light may either be by surface illumination or by interstitial application. We describe the first clinical application of ultrasound-guided interstitial photodynamic therapy (US-iPDT). A total of 23 treatments with meta-tetra-hydroxyphenyl chlorine (mTHPC) and ultrasound-guided interstitial photodynamic therapy were performed on 21 patients with various conditions at the Head & Neck Centre, University College London Hospital. The needles could be clearly identified during insertion in all 23 treatments, and it was possible to guide parallel needle insertions using ultrasound. Although the resolution of ultrasound is not as high as that of other imaging modalities [i.e. computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] it was satisfactory in identifying the centre and the peripheries of the pathological lesions. Ultrasound is very easy to perform, non-invasive, relatively inexpensive, quick, convenient, non-ionising, suited to the imaging of soft tissues and does not cause any discomfort. Ultrasound can be used to guide 'real-time' photodynamic therapy in deep-seated tumours and other malformations and can augment the information from other imaging modalities without affecting the patient's treatment outcome.

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Sixty-two ureters were reimplanted in 54 patients using the Boari flap between 1967 and 1982. The indication was mainly for operative injury to the ureter, but other causes of obstruction to the lower ureter were also found. There was one death from post-operative pulmonary embolism. With attention to details of operative technique--notably to the avoidance of tension and to the provision of adequate splinting and drainage--the procedure may be adapted to a wide variety of difficult surgical problems encountered in the pelvis.