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A Van Breda

Publications and source records attributed to A Van Breda.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Collagenase and fibronectin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with sarcoidosis.

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 43 patients with biopsy proved sarcoidosis and 10 control subjects were assayed for fibronectin and collagenase activity. Fibronectin was significantly increased in the group with sarcoidosis and was found to be positively correlated with angiotensin converting enzyme activity, protein concentration, percentage of T cells and helper:suppressor ratios in the lavage fluid. Increased fibronectin in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was not related to functional or radiographic indices of interstitial disease and did not identify patients subsequently requiring treatment. Latent collagenase was present in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 16 patients with sarcoidosis but not in any control sample. There was no association between the collagenase activity and the cell profiles of the lavage fluid. Yet carbon monoxide transfer factor was decreased in patients with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid collagenase. Ten of 16 patients with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid collagenase had radiographic class III or IV disease and a disease duration of more than two years. On follow up 62% of patients with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid collagenase required subsequent treatment, compared with only 23% of patients without collagenase. These results indicate an association between bronchoalveolar lavage fluid collagenase and progressive, prolonged disease in sarcoidosis, whereas increased bronchoalveolar lavage fluid fibronectin is associated with indices of disease activity.

Adult↗

Detection of inferior vena cava abnormalities by computed tomography.

The diagnostically useful computed tomography (CT) findings in five new cases of inferior vena cava thrombosis are reported. These findings include: (a) inhomogeneous density of the inferior vena cava, usually best demonstrated after contrast medium injection; (b) caval density less than aortic density; (c) rim enhancement which may be seen with both caval thrombosis and tumor invasion; and (d) enlargement of the vena cava if accompanied by at least one or more of the above findings. A bolus injection of contrast medium followed immediately by CT helps to make some of the above described findings more prominent. In selected patients, this injection should be made into the femoral vein.

Adenocarcinoma↗