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Biomedical subjects

A H Richman

Publications and source records attributed to A H Richman.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Nephrocutaneous fistula diagnosed by computed tomography.

We present an unusual case of isolated nephrocutaneous fistula secondary to renal calculi with perirenal infection. The usefulness of computed tomography (CT), with its depiction of the extent of involvement and its characterization of the disease process, is described and the literature is reviewed.

Adult↗

Spontaneous rupture of a congenital hepatic artery aneurysm.

A 74-year-old woman with new, but vague abdominal pain developed an intra-abdominal hemorrhage. Ultrasound and CT scans before and after this event demonstrated an acute hepatic lesion with hemorrhage into the peritoneal cavity. The patient died, and a ruptured hepatic artery aneurysm was revealed at autopsy. Hepatic artery aneurysm is uncommon, usually extra-hepatic, and, in most cases, is caused by atherosclerosis, medial degeneration, trauma, or infection. In this case, the aneurysm was intrahepatic and no underlying abnormalities of the hepatic vessels were found. We discuss the clinical scenario of patients with hepatic artery aneurysm and stress the importance of considering the diagnosis in the setting of a catastrophic abdominal event. In addition, the various diagnostic and therapeutic options are explored.

Aged↗

Fluorescein labeling of lymphatic vessels for lymphangiography.

A simple technique for identification of pedal lymphatic vessels for lymphangiography was developed. A fluorescein-lidocaine mixture is injected subcutaneously into the foot, and within 20 minutes, local lymphatic vessels absorb the solution and fluoresce vividly under ultraviolet light. These labeled lymphatic channels are readily isolated and cannulated. The technique has proved highly successful, with no documented allergic complications after use in more than 1,000 cases.

Fluoresceins↗

Gallium scintigraphy in a case of septic cavernous sinus thrombosis.

Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis, a relatively uncommon disease entity, frequently can be fatal. Early diagnosis is imperative in order that appropriate treatment be instituted. A 59-year-old woman who was admitted to our institution with complaints of diplopia, blurred vision and fevers that developed following a tooth extraction is presented. Initial CT and lumbar puncture on the day of admission were totally normal. A repeat CT performed 48 hours after admission, on the same day as gallium imaging, demonstrated findings consistent with cavernous sinus thrombosis. Gallium imaging demonstrated intense uptake in the left cavernous sinus and left orbit as well as moderately increased activity in the right cavernous sinus and orbit, confirming infection. The patient was treated with antibiotics, and repeat CT and gallium imaging were performed ten days later, both of which demonstrated near total resolution of the disease process. Conceivably, if gallium imaging had been initiated on the day of admission it may have been the first study to demonstrate an infectious process in the cavernous sinus. Gallium imaging should be considered as a diagnostic tool in the noninvasive workup of this entity.

Bacterial Infections↗

Primary intraspinal fibrosarcoma.

Fibrosarcomas of dura mater are very rare tumors representing only 0.5% of all central nervous system sarcomas. A higher incidence of dural fibrosarcomas has been reported in patients with neurofibromatosis. We present a case of spinal dura mater fibrosarcoma in a patient without neurofibromatosis. The diagnostic and therapeutic strategy in the clinical management is discussed.

Aged↗

Incidental diagnosis of pregnancy on bone and gallium scintigraphy.

Bone and gallium scintigraphy were performed as part of the diagnostic workup of a 21-yr-old woman who presented at our institution with a history of progressively worsening low back pain over a 1-wk period of time. The angiographic phase of the bone scan demonstrated a well-defined radionuclide blush within the pelvis just cephalad to the urinary bladder with persistent hyperemia noted in the blood-pool image. We attribute these findings to a uterine blush secondary to the pronounced uterine muscular hyperplasia, hyperemia, and edema that accompany pregnancy. Gallium scintigraphy demonstrated intense bilateral breast accumulation of the imaging agent in a typical doughnut pattern which is commonly found in the prelactating and lactating breast. Also demonstrated was apparent gallium accumulation in the placenta. This case is presented to emphasize the radionuclide findings that occur during pregnancy, particularly the incidental finding of radionuclide blush during the angiographic phase of a radionuclide scintigraphy which should alert the nuclear physician to the possibility of pregnancy in a woman of childbearing age.

Adult↗

Effectiveness of lead lenses in reducing radiation exposure.

Optically ground prescription lenses of glass, leaded glass, and plastic were exposed to radiations that simulated routine angiography. Radiations transmitted through the lenses were measured. Plastic provided no protection, regular glass provided moderate protection, and high lead content glass reduced radiation transmission by approximately 70%. A brief review of the literature concerning the biological effects of radiations to the eye is included.

Animals↗