Notes: Abstract Principal-components analysis (PCA) was used to compare concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) compounds in sediments collected from two interconnected lakes, Lake Champlain and Lake George, New York, USA. Two different PCDD/PCDF congener profiles were present in surface sediment samples from Lake George. Samples collected near residential areas and power-boat marinas had elevated hepta- and octa-CDDs (1±0.3 ng/g) and tetra-octa-CDFs compared with samples collected in other areas of the lake. The PCDD/PCDF pattern in the high-level samples was similar to the PCDD/PCDF pattern in sediments from Green Lake, NY, a small lake in which atmospheric deposition is the only route for PCDD/PCDF contamination, either from local sources or from long range transportation from multiple sources in the midwest. The samples containing the higher PCDD/PCDF concentrations also contained higher lead concentrations (173±33 μg/g) compared to the low-level PCDD/PCDF samples (52±25 μg/g). However, the increase in lead concentrations was accompanied by increased concentrations of other trace metals. Consequently, it can be concluded that emissions from power boats are not responsible for the PCDD/PCDF contamination in Lake George. Concentrations of PCDDs/PCDFs in the low-level samples were similar to PCDD/PCDF concentrations in sediments from remote midwestern lakes where long range atmospheric deposition was the only plausible route of entry for the PCDD/PCDF compounds. However, other studies have shown that offshore sediments in Lake George have lower concentrations of organic carbon than inshore samples and, therefore, the low-level PCDD/PCDF pattern may be an artifact related to a reduced PCDD/PCDF concentration in sediments with a low organic carbon content. Surface and core sediments from Lake Champlain also partitioned into two groups, which both had PCDD/PCDF patterns differing from the high-level surface sediments collected from Lake George. The largest group of samples was characterized by the presence of high octa-CDD concentrations (3.5–18 ng/g). The second group of samples was four sections from a single core sample collected near a bleached kraft pulp and paper mill, which closed in 1970. These samples had high concentrations of tetra-CDFs (0.5–1.4 ng/g), primarily 2,3,7,8-tetra-CDF, accompanied by comparable concentrations of octa-CDD (0.9–4.4 ng/g). The presence of 2,3,7,8-tetra-CDF is consistent with results from several studies where PCDDs/PCDFs were analyzed in samples taken from various stages of the bleached kraft process. These samples were grouped in the same quadrant on a PCA plot as coal soot and pulp and paper mill sludge. However, the grouping was not close, and the PCDD/PCDF contamination in these sediments cannot be associated with either source. Five sections of a core collected near a currently operating bleached kraft pulp and paper mill also had elevated 2,3,7,8-tetra-CDF concentrations (0.3±0.05 ng/g), but these 2,3,7,8-tetra-CDF concentrations were accompanied by considerably higher octa-CDD concentrations (7.5±0.5 ng/g). Therefore, they could not be distinguished by PCA from the majority of the Lake Champlain samples.

Notes: Abstract. We reviewed the diagnostic accuracy and complication rates of transthoracic needle biopsy (TNB) with an automated 18-gauge core biopsy needle and gun, using either fluoroscopic or CT guidance. One hundred six lesions were biopsied in 103 patients between 1992 and 1998. Hard-copy images, imaging reports, pathology reports and clinical notes were reviewed. In 3 patients it was not possible to establish the lesion as either malignant or benign from the available follow-up, so these were removed from the analysis of diagnostic accuracy. Adequate samples for histological diagnosis were obtained in 104 of 106 (98 %) biopsies. There were 75 of 85 (88 %) true-positive core biopsies for malignant lesions and a specific cell type was identified in 70 of 85 (82 %) cases. A specific histological diagnosis was obtained in 12 of 18 (66 %) biopsies. There was a 19 % rate of pneumothorax with only 2.4 % requiring drainage. Minor haemoptysis occurred in 3.8 % of procedures. The TNB technique with an automated core biopsy needle provides a high level of diagnostic accuracy, effectively distinguishes cell type in malignancy and provides a definite diagnosis in benign disease more frequently than fine needle aspiration (FNA). There is no increased complication rate compared with FNA.

Notes: Abstract. We present the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings of a patient who, following treatment for pancreatic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), relapsed with apparently isolated involvement of the right masticator space and left psoas muscles. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma arising from the masticator space muscles is very rare. In addition, simultaneous lymphomatous involvement of multiple discrete skeletal muscle sites, in the absence of disease elsewhere, has previously only been reported in the limb or limb girdle muscles. Lymphoma should be considered as a cause of isolated enlarged skeletal muscles, even when involving such distant sites.