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The absorption of aspirin was studied in four male subjects following an oral solution of 650 mg. The absorption process appeared to follow first-order kinetics, with a half-life ranging from 4.5 to 16.0 min. between subjects. Comparison of the area under the aspirin plasma concentration-time curve following intravenous and oral routes indicated that only 68% of the dose reached the peripheral circulation intact. A two-compartment model for both aspirin and its metabolite, salicylic acid, involving a constant fractional hydrolysis of aspirin during absorption, satisfactorily described both the aspirin and resultant salicylic acid plasma data. Methods used to calculate aspirin absorption kinetics are discussed.

Roentgenographic and scintiphotographic studies of the arthritis of Reiter's syndrome demonstrate concurrent involvement of various small joints of the lower extremities often associated with sacroiliitis. The most frequently affected sites are the heels, toes, sacroiliac joints, and ankles and tarsals. Simultaneous involvement of these sites is characteristic of this syndrome.

Bedsonia arthritis in rabbits was studied by Anger camera Scintiphotography and external counting, using pertechnetate 99m as the label. This method of evaluating the intensity of the arthritis and the changes in the disease proved more sensitive and more accurate than did clinical and roentgenographic examinations.

• Venous thrombosis and subsequent obstruction of the superior vena cava may be life threatening and therefore warrant immediate attention. This case report represents the successful treatment of superior vena cava thrombosis with urokinase in a patient with an indwelling Hickman catheter. Patency of the occluded vessel and resolution of clinical symptoms were achieved within 24 hours of initiation of a 12-hour urokinase infusion. ( Arch Intern Med . 1989;149:1209-1210)

A lucent calvarial defect with a central bony density is described in eosinophilic granuloma, meningioma, staphylococcal osteomyelitis, and dermoid cyst of the skull. This roentgen appearance has been termed “button sequestrum.”

ALTHOUGH acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has been in extensive clinical use since 1900, there is surprisingly little known with accuracy about the kinetics of absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion of this drug in man and animals. Also, much of the present information has been indirectly estimated from the studies of the metabolite salicylic acid (SA). This has been a result of the lack of specific and sensitive methods for the determination of ASA in biological fluids. Further, while ASA has been shown to be present in the blood after an oral dose1–7, only the data of Leonards3 allow an assessment of the elimination half-life of ASA in man (17 min). The latter data were obtained utilizing a method which relies on measuring ASA as the difference between free and total salicylate, however. We therefore decided to investigate in more detail the pharmacokinetics of ASA in man.

To the Editor.— Our x-ray film identification apparatus recently became intermittently inoperative. I replaced the battery and put the old one (a 9-volt transistor battery with exposed posts) in my pocket, planning a follow-up examination later, since the cause of the problem was obscure. After approximately 15 minutes, a slight heat sensation was noted along the upper lateral aspect of my left thigh. The heat sensation continued intermittently and definitely increased in intensity. It became unbearable after approximately 30 minutes, and an examination of the area was definitely indicated. My pants pocket felt quite warm as I began removing loose change before undressing. I withdrew five pennies, four nickels, four dimes, and two quarters, and then burned my hand on an extremely hot battery. A focal area of erythema of approximately 3.5 cm in diameter was present on the thigh immediately beneath the inferior aspect of my left-front pants pocket.