General anaesthesia with isoflurane reduces plasma endocannabinoid AEA concentrations, and this could be a consequence of stress reduction after loss of consciousness. History
Together with enflurane and halothane, Isoflurane began to replace the flammable ethers used in the pioneer days of surgery; this shift began in the 1940s to the 1950s. Its name comes from being a structural isomer of enflurane, hence they have the same empirical formula. Environment
The average lifetime of isoflurane in the atmosphere is 3.2 years, its global warming potential is 510 and the yearly emissions add up to 880 tons. Veterinary use
Isoflurane is frequently used for veterinary anaesthesia. References
External links
"Isoflurane". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine. U.S. Patent 3,535,388 - 1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl difluoromethyl ether
U.S. Patent 3,535,425 - 1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl difluoromethyl ether as an anesthetic agent
A pinealoma is a tumor of the pineal gland, a part of the brain that produces melatonin. If a pinealoma destroys the cells of the pineal gland in a child, it can cause precocious puberty. Signs and symptoms
The pineal gland produces the hormone melatonin which plays a role in regulating circadian rhythms. A pinealoma may disrupt production of this hormone, and insomnia may result.Frequently, paralysis of upward gaze along with several ocular findings such as convergence retraction nystagmus and eyelid retraction also known as Colliers sign and Light Near Dissociation  (pupil accommodates but doesnt react to light) are known collectively as Parinauds syndrome or Dorsal Mid-brain syndrome, are the only physical symptoms seen. This is caused by the compression of the vertical gaze center in the midbrain tectum at the level of the superior colliculus and cranial nerve III. Work-up usually includes Neuro-imaging as seen on the right.A pinealoma may cause interruption of hypothalamic inhibiting pathways, sometimes leading to beta-hCG secretion and consequent Leydigs cell stimulation (endocrine syndrome).Other symptoms may include hydrocephalus, gait disturbances, and precocious puberty. Cause
Pinealomas can be due to proliferation of primary pineocytes (pineocytomas, pineoblastomas), astrocytes (astrocytoma), or germ cells (germinoma). Germinomas are the most common tumor in the pineal gland. Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Of the different types of pinealomas, the type with the most favorable prognosis is the pineocytoma. References
External links
00322 at CHORUS