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Biomedical subjects

A Fotopoulos

Publications and source records attributed to A Fotopoulos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Endometriosis and ovarian dysgenesis: a case report.

The pathogenesis of endometriosis remains unclear. The latest studies have integrated information which clarify various aspects, but the data remain incomplete. The term "ovarian dysgenesis" represents a wide variety of syndromes, in which Turner syndrome is the most prevalent. The coexistence of endometriosis and Turner syndrome is extremely rare, and therefore poses certain questions on the mechanisms of endometriosis. We present a case of a 33-year-old woman with Turner syndrome, primary amenorrhea and menopausal hormonal profile in which peritoneal endometriosis (white opacification type) was revealed laparoscopically.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Clinical experience with Norplant subdermal implant system as long-term contraception during adolescence.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to assess the efficacy, acceptability and side-effects of the Norplant (Leiras) contraceptive system during adolescence. METHODS: A total of 13 adolescents were implanted with Norplant immediately after menstruation. Adolescents were advised to present for follow-up visits at 3 days after implantation, at 3, 6 and 12 months and every 1 year thereafter. Blood pressure, menstrual disorders, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, glucose and side-effects were recorded at every visit. RESULTS: The follow-up period was 24 months with a continuation rate of 100% (13/13) for the first 6 months, 92.5% (12/13) for 12 months and 53.8% (7/13) for the whole period. No pregnancies were observed. No infections at the implant site or expulsions were observed. Menorrhagia was observed in 4/13 (30.76%) adolescents in the third month. Thereafter all adolescents were treated with tenoxicam (prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor), so that by the end of the sixth month of treatment menorrhagia was not present in any of the 13 adolescents. No increase of blood pressure was observed. A statistically significant increase (p < 0.01) of triglycerides at 6 months after implantation was found; however, no difference was observed in the values of serum glucose, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study has shown that Norplant is acceptable as a contraceptive method among adolescents in Greece and can be prescribed safely.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Large infectious bladder stone after long delay in removing ureteral stent.

We herein present a case of formation of a large infectious bladder calculous resulted from placement of a double pigtail catheter for an extensive period. The concomitant poor function of the corresponding renal unit made selection of nephroureterectomy unavoidable in the management of our patient.

Device Removal↗
PubMed2000

Inhibition of puerperal lactation with 2-mercaptopropionyl-glycine.

OBJECTIVES: Thiols (sulfydryl compounds) have a prolactin-lowering effect in animals. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effects of orally administered N-2-mercaptopropionyl-glycine (tiopronin) on suppression of lactation and plasma prolactin (PRL) levels in a group of women in the puerperium. METHODS: One hundred women aged 17-37 years were studied. We divided our population in four groups (25 patients in each group). In group I, no medication was administered but only conservative measures were taken (restriction of fluid intake, ice-bags applied on the breasts, tight breast binders). Subjects in group II received tiopronin (200 mg/day) for 14 days. In group III, tiopronin (500 mg/day) was administered for 14 days. Subjects in group IV, took bromocriptine (5 mg/day) for 14 days. Assessment of suppression of lactation was performed clinically and laboratory determinations were obtained before and after 1, 2, 3, 4, and 14 days of treatment. Furthermore, in seven healthy women plasma PRL responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) before and after one week of tiopronin therapy (500 mg/day) were studied. RESULTS: Statistically significant higher percentages of success of lactation suppression were obtained with tiopronin (84% and 88%) and bromocriptine (96%) compared to conservative treatment (60%). In the four groups a significant decrease of PRL was observed. However, in women who received tiopronin and bromocriptine, the levels of PRL after 14 days of therapy were lower compared to the conservative treatment group. Moreover, in the tiopronin groups and the bromocriptine group, lactation was stopped earlier. In the first group (conservative measures) the lactation was suppressed after 13.3+/-5.4 days of treatment. In the groups who received tiopronin (200 mg/day and 500 mg/ day) lactation was suppressed after 4.4+/-1.7 and 4.3+/-1.6 days of treatment. In the bromocriptine group the lactation was stopped after 1.2+/-0.4 days. Bromocriptine treatment was associated with more frequent side effects than the tiopronin. CONCLUSION: Administration of tiopronin in low to moderate doses is effective in suppression of puerperal lactation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Anticardiolipin antibodies levels in healthy pregnant and non-pregnant woman.

To determine the prevalence of anticardiolipin antibodies in healthy non pregnant women and during normal pregnancy, 110 healthy women of mean age 25 years old and 53 healthy pregnant females of mean age 24.5 years old, who no one suffered from any autoimmune disease, were studied. In all women the anticardiolipin antibodies were measured in duplicate by the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). There was no difference in the percentage of the positive anticardiolipin antibodies between non pregnant and pregnant healthy women (9.1% and 5.6% respectively). Also, there was no difference in the antibodies levels during normal pregnancy, as well as, during an equal time of observation in non pregnant women. The positive anticardiolipin antibodies levels were low.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Splenic abscess. An old disease with new interest.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To study the demographics, signs and symptoms, causes, risk factors, imaging findings, bacteriologic profile, treatment and outcome of patients with splenic abscess. METHOD: The medical records of 17 patients with splenic abscess at two tertiary-care hospitals between 1989 and 1997 were retrospectively reviewed. The demographic data, physical and radiological findings, treatment, bacteriology reports and outcome of treatment were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 43 years (range 7-79 years). Fever and abdominal pain were the most prominent signs. Seven patients were immunocompromised, three had abscessed hydatic cysts, two were drug users and three suffered from splenic trauma, infarction, and endocarditis, respectively. No predisposing factor was identified in 2 patients. In all cases, CT demonstrated the splenic lesion(s). Staphylococcus species and Bacteriodes were the most common microbes, identified in the blood and abscess cultures. Thirteen patients underwent splenectomy, two medical therapy and two no therapy with respective survival rates of 92, 100 and 0%. CONCLUSION: Splenic abscess is a rare surgical entity encountered mostly in immunocompromised patients. CT scan is the gold standard for the definite diagnosis. Splenectomy is the treatment of choice, while medical therapy should be reserved for unusual pathogens provided that an effective antimicrobial agent is available.

Abdominal Abscess↗
PubMed1999

Retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma.

A case of retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma histologically confirmed in a 21-year-old woman is reported. Although ultrasound, CT and MR detected the tumor, a preoperative diagnosis could not be established by imaging methods. The cystic tumor was removed and microscopic examination revealed a mucinous cystadenoma. Mullerian mesothelial metaplasia of peritoneal invagination into the retroperitoneal space is the most likely explanation for the histogenesis of these tumors.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Three phase bone scanning and digital arteriograms for monitoring vascularized fibular grafts in femoral head necrosis.

In this prospective study the authors analysed the prognostic value of monitoring patency of the feedings vessels of the fibular graft, implanted into the femoral head to treat aseptic necrosis. In 26 patients (29 hips) we applied a three phase 99Tc-MDP Bone Scanning in the seventh postoperative day. One week later; 18 patients had a digital subtraction angiography of the lateral femoral circumflex artery and its branches. The patients were followed for average time of 22 months. The average Harris Hip Score of the affected hips improved clinically from 69.5 to 93.5. The vessels were patent prior to the wound closure. Phase I of the bone scan served as "radionuclide angiogram" and demonstrated patent vessels in all about three hips. The digital arteriograms demonstrated patent anastomotic sites in 15 out of 18 hips. Only in four of the fifteen arteriograms the vessels were visualized throughout the length of the graft. Two of the three hips with negative arteriograms have also had negative bone scans, both in patients with haemoglobinopathies. None of the patients required further surgery because of failure of the procedure. This study demonstrated that the phase I of the bone scan at the end of the first week postoperatively is very sensitive means for monitoring the viability of the graft. Digital arteriograms although more specific, were less sensitive. Early postoperative monitoring of the graft viability maintained high predictive value for the outcome of the treatment in the medium-term.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma in a pregnant woman: a case report.

Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma is an unusual form of soft-tissue sarcoma. We report a case of a pregnant woman with a rapidly growing tumour of the left thigh, who went into complete remission with combination chemotherapy. Aggressive therapy is justified in this kind of tumour even in cases with advanced disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Dynamic evaluation of long term patency of choledochoduodenostomy compared with sphincteroplasty.

In 44 patients who had been operated upon for benign obstruction of the biliary tract and had undergone sphincteroplasty or choledochoduodenostomy seven to 12 years previously, patency of the new stoma was evaluated. Dynamic studies of bile flow were done by radioisotopic cholangiography, using 99mTc-pyridoxal-phenylalanine as an hepatobiliary imaging agent. Both surgical procedures seem to give equal results in the long term follow-up study regarding the patency of a new stoma. In view of the fact that choledochoduodenostomy involves less morbidity and mortality postoperatively, than does sphincteroplasty, the former is preferred unless a stone is impacted into the ampulla of Vater or if the common bile duct is less than 2 centimeters in diameter in instances of stricture.

Ampulla of Vater↗
PubMed1978

[Selective catheterization of peripheral arteries for the monitoring of patients in intensive care units].

In critical ill patients, determination of blood gases is a crucial part of patient evaluation and management. In intensive care situations many blood-gas determinations are required in a single day. The introduction of an arterial catheter into a small peripheral artery is an invaluable technique that allows continuous blood-sampling. During the past three years we had catheterized either the radial, ulnar or the pedal artery in 450 instances. The arterial catheter was left in place from 1 to 15 days. There were no serious complication. Haemorrhage due to accidental opening of the catheter occurred in three occasions. No case of ischaemia was encountered after a single artery catheterization. Temporary ischaemia of the upper limb appeared in three patients after simultaneous catheterization of both ulnar and radial arteries. The infection rate was nil. Arterial catheterization and maintenance of indwelling catheter for repeated blood-samples is a simple and safe procedure with minimal complications, invaluable in the management of critical ill patients.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1977

Evaluation of Tc-99m pyridoxal-phenylalanine as a hepatobiliary imaging agent. Part 1. Experimental studies.

In this experimental study, the usefulness of a new radiotracer, Tc-99m pyridoxal-phenylalanine ("Tc-PPh"), is evaluated as a hepatobiliary imaging agent, and results are compared with those of conventional cholangiography. In the presence of a normal biliary tree or in cholelithiasis, information derived from conventional cholangiography is of better quality. The radiotracer technique, however, is very useful for the demonstration of cholopeptic bypass procedures, even in the presence of jaundice, and also in cases of intraperitoneal bile leakage.

Animals↗