The goal of this study was to assess the characteristics of monochorionic-diamniotic (MD) growth-retarded twin infants with twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) compared with those without TTTS during the third trimester. Retrospective analyses of the growth patterns and amniotic fluid volumes were performed on 5 MD twin pregnancies in which one or both twins showed growth retardation with TTTS, and the results were compared with those without TTTS. Eighty-three percent of growth-retarded twin infants without TTTS in MD twin gestation showed an asymmetric growth pattern, while all TTTS cases showed a symmetric pattern (p<0.05). Polyhydramnios of the co-twin was found in 80% of TTTS cases, while no polyhy-dramnios was found in patients without TTTS (p<0.05). Assessment of growth patterns and amniotic fluid volume may be useful to exclude the possibility of TTTS in MD growth-retarded twin pregnancies during the third trimester. (J Nippon Med Sch 1999; 66: 300-304)

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The elimination rate of iohexol, a non-ionic contrast medium, from the blood by hemodialysis, and the elimination rate of iohexol by a dialyzer were studied in 15 patients with chronic renal dysfunction who required angiography or enhanced CT. The elimination rate of iohexol was 19.8% at 15 min after the start of hemodialysis, 30.6% after 30min, 44.2% after 1 hour, 62.1% after 2 hours and 72.9% after 3 hours. The dialyzer elimination rate was maintained at about 75% from 1 to 3 hours after the start of hemodialysis. If only about 70% of iohexol in the blood needs to be eliminated, hemodialysis for 3 hours with a blood flow rate of 120 ml/min and a dialysate flow of 500 ml/min using a 0.7 m² cellulose triacetate membrane is sufficient. (J Nippon Med Sch 1999; 66: 305-307)

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