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Biomedical subjects

A A Ramirez

Publications and source records attributed to A A Ramirez.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Recurrent intrascleral cyst after strabismus surgery.

BACKGROUND: Intrascleral epithelial inclusion cysts have been described after ocular trauma, scleral buckling and strabismus surgery. They are usually small, asymptomatic and located anteriorly. CASE REPORT: The clinical history of a 9-year-old girl who developed a huge epi- and retrobulbar intrascleral cyst in both the upper and the lower nasal quadrants after multiple strabismus operations is described. RESULTS: Surgical resection of the cyst wall was twice unsuccessful. Drainage of the cyst, followed by the injection of tetracycline (30 mg/ml) in the cyst site, led to complete recovery. CONCLUSION: Recurrent posteriorly located intrascleral cyst can occur after strabismus surgery. Therapy consisting of drainage combined with intrascleral administration of tetracycline solution (30 mg/ml) to induce sclerodesis appeared to be effective during a 2-year follow-up period.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Distribution of involucrin in normal and pathological human uterine cervix.

A study was undertaken to determine the potential value of involucrin immunostaining, a protein synthesized by mature squamous epithelial cells, in distinguishing benign from neoplastic lesions in cervical pathology. A total of 146 cervical biopsies were analyzed using an indirect immunoperoxidase method and polyclonal antibody. A suprabasal homogeneous cytoplasmic staining pattern was consistently observed in normal squamous cervical epithelium. In contrast, 43.7% of cervical condylomas showed involucrin at all levels of the epithelium including the basal layer. Variable patterns were seen in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), with 46% of full-thickness stainings, although no significant difference was obtained among the different grades of CIN lesions. Distribution of involucrin was correlated (P less than 0.05) with the degree of tumor differentiation in squamous cell carcinomas, being absent in 71.4% of poorly differentiated carcinomas and focally present in 75% of well-differentiated carcinoma. Lesions of endocervical origin, either benign or malignant, were entirely negative for involucrin. It is concluded that involucrin seems unable to establish a reliable differential diagnosis between benign and neoplastic conditions in cervical pathology, and should therefore be considered only a specific marker of squamous differentiation in both normal and pathological human uterine cervix.

Adult↗

Precocious appearance of markers of squamous differentiation in metaplastic cells of human endocervix.

We used immunoperoxidase methods employing antibodies against involucrin and filaggrin, both markers of squamous terminal differentiation, to study squamous metaplastic transformation in the human endocervix. Expression of involucrin and filaggrin was restricted to squamous metaplastic cells whereas columnar epithelial cells were constantly negative. Immature squamous metaplastic epithelium also showed a positive immunostaining. In mature squamous metaplasia a suprabasal homogeneous staining pattern similar to that found in the exocervical epithelium was detected, although with full-thickness filaggrin immunoreactivity in 45% of cases (P less than 0.05). These results support the hypothesis of an epithelial origin of reserve subcolumnar cells, and suggest that precocious squamous differentiation seems to take place in metaplastic cells of the human endocervix.

Adult↗

The use of digitized intravenous angiography in a clinical setting. A retrospective review of 58 patients.

Digitized intravenous angiography (DIVA) is a frequently used alternative to conventional intra-arterial angiography for the evaluation of cerebrovascular disease. In an attempt to identify factors that may increase the diagnostic capacity of DIVA, a retrospective study of 58 patients evaluated by DIVA for cerebrovascular disease was performed. The reason for the DIVA study was the presence of focal symptoms in 25 patients and nonfocal or vertebrobasilar symptoms in nine. Twenty-four patients were asymptomatic. DIVA was found to be adequately diagnostic in 37 patients (64%), and further evaluation was required in 21 (36%). When the 42 patients who had ocular pneumoplethysmography (OPG-Gee) results available were classified according to their presenting symptoms, 85% of those with focal symptoms and positive OPG-Gee had a diagnostically successful DIVA study. A high DIVA accuracy rate was also obtained in the asymptomatic patients, whether the OPG-Gee results were positive (60%) or negative (78%). The category of patients for whom the DIVA was the least successful was the group with nonfocal or vertebrobasilar symptoms. As many as 56% of these patients required additional testing. Thus it appears that the yield of diagnostic DIVA is increased when the clinical presentation and noninvasive testing are considered. A prospective study is underway to further verify this hypothesis.

Aged↗

Axilloaxillary bypass for symptomatic stenosis of the subclavian artery.

Since the association has been made between stenosis of the subclavian artery and neurologic symptoms, controversy has existed over the preferred surgical procedure for bypass. In addition, concern has been raised regarding the long-term patency and effectiveness of this extraanatomic procedure in relieving neurologic symptoms. Twenty-seven patients underwent this operation for posterior cerebral symptoms between 1973 and 1982; 25 were followed for up to 77 months (mean 26 months). Twenty-two patients had complete relief of symptoms, although 3 of them required a subsequent carotid endarterectomy. Two other patients had partial relief, and one patient's symptoms remained unchanged. Upper extremity symptoms, present in nine patients, were relieved by the operation. All grafts remained patent during follow-up. Axilloaxillary bypass is a durable procedure for symptomatic stenosis of the subclavian artery. It is a low-risk procedure and is therefore particularly suited for older patients with associated carotid artery disease.

Aged↗

Early complications of carotid surgery.

The early complications of carotid endarterectomy are attributed to clamping ischemia, intraoperative embolization, and thrombosis of the newly endarterectomized carotid artery. An unusual mechanism is due to intracranial hemorrhage. The differential diagnosis can usually be established by a combination of oculoplethysmography, CT scanning of the brain, exploration of thrombosed carotid arteries, and repeat angiographic studies. Other complications, including acute myocardial infarction, wound hemorrhage, and infection, are discussed.

Brain Diseases↗