Biomedical subjects

B A Lowe

Publications and source records attributed to B A Lowe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Paraneoplastic neurological syndrome in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes are well known sequelae of some malignancies but they have never been reported in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. A paraneoplastic neurological syndrome characterized by visual changes, glossal spasm and dysphagia associated with an invasive high grade transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is reported. Neurological symptoms resolved after extirpation confirming a paraneoplastic condition. Recurrent disease was associated with recurrent neurological symptoms and resolved after a complete response to combination chemotherapy.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗

PubMed1992

Malignant transformation of angiomyolipoma.

Angiomyolipomas are well recognized but uncommon tumors that can involve the kidney. To our knowledge a well documented case of malignant change of angiomyolipoma has never been reported. We report a case of renal angiomyolipoma and leiomyosarcoma with a clearly identified transition of benign to malignant elements seen in the resected tissue.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

A randomized comparison of cisplatin alone or in combination with methotrexate, vinblastine, and doxorubicin in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma: a cooperative group study.

PURPOSE: A prospective randomized trial was performed to determine if the addition of methotrexate, vinblastine, and doxorubicin to cisplatin (M-VAC) imparted a response rate or a survival advantage over single-agent cisplatin in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From October 1984 through May 1989, 269 patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma were entered onto this international intergroup trial and randomized to receive intravenous (IV) cisplatin (70 mg/m2) alone or with methotrexate (30 mg/m2 on days 1, 15, 22), vinblastine (3 mg/m2 on days 2, 15, 22) plus doxorubicin (30 mg/m2 on day 2). Cycles were repeated every 28 days until tumor progression or a maximum of six cycles. There were 246 fully assessable patients of whom 126 were randomized to cisplatin alone and 120 were randomized to the M-VAC regimen. RESULTS: As expected, the M-VAC regimen was associated with a greater toxicity, especially leukopenia, mucositis, granulocytopenic fever, and drug-related mortality. Response rates were superior for the M-VAC regimen compared with single-agent cisplatin (39% v 12%; P less than .0001). Similarly, the progression-free survival (10.0 v 4.3 months) and overall survival (12.5 v 8.2 months) were significantly greater for the combined therapy arm. CONCLUSION: Although a more toxic regimen, we found M-VAC to be superior to single-agent cisplatin with respect to response rate, duration of remission, and overall survival in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Prostatic occurrence of transitional cell carcinoma after intravesical chemotherapy.

Thirteen patients with Stage Tis, Ta, or T1 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder treated by transurethral resections and intravesical chemotherapy developed TCC of the prostate. Among the 13 cases, cytology specimens were obtained from 10 at the time prostatic disease was diagnosed; 9 demonstrated TCC. One was treated successfully by transurethral resection of a Ta lesion involving the prostatic urethra only. One of 2 patients declining radical surgery is alive with residual disease at twenty-four months, and the other died of progressive disease at nineteen months. Of the 10 patients who underwent radical cystoprostatectomy, 7 are alive with no evidence of disease eight to forty-two months postoperatively, with 2 of these 7 having received 4 courses of systemic methotrexate, vincristine, Adriamycin, and cisplatinum (MVAC) for metastatic disease. Two of the 10 died of metastatic disease six and thirteen months postoperatively, and one frail patient died of surgical complications. When treating patients with intravesical chemotherapy for superficial TCC, biopsy of the prostate should be done during follow-up examinations, especially in the presence of cytologic or palpable prostatic abnormalities.

Administration, Intravesical↗

PubMed1991

Bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is an uncommon and serious infection associated with gas-forming coliform bacteria. Bilateral involvement is rare with only 10 reported cases in the English literature. Prompt and aggressive management is required to salvage these patients. Preservation of renal function using broad-spectrum antibiotics and surgical drainage provide the greatest benefit to these patients. Three new cases are presented with a brief review of the results of management in the reported cases.

Emphysema↗

PubMed1991

Single-dose, placebo-controlled comparative study of ibuprofen and acetaminophen antipyresis in children.

Ibuprofen was evaluated as an antipyretic agent in 178 children (aged 3 months to 12 years) to compare dosage (5 vs 10 mg/kg), establish absolute efficacy (with a placebo control group), determine relative efficacy (ibuprofen vs acetaminophen), evaluate maximum efficacy, and identify potential confounding variables. Ibuprofen 5 mg/kg was minimally effective in children less than 6 years of age who had an initial temperature of at least 38.8 degrees C (101.9 degrees F). Ibuprofen 10 mg/kg was more effective for febrile children. The area under the curve for temperature (or change in temperature) captured the net effect of each drug and provided the best estimate for efficacy comparison during a defined period. A linear correlation between initial temperature and measures of efficacy was observed. A twofold increase in efficacy was observed for children with an initial temperature less than 38.8 degrees C. A similar effect was noted for each treatment group. Age was also found to have confounding effects on antipyretic response. A complex interaction between antipyretic response, initial temperature, and age raises questions about the pharmacodynamics of the antipyretic response. We conclude that the most important variable in antipyretic study design is initial temperature. The influence of initial temperature on the magnitude of the response to an antipyretic drug is a previously unappreciated finding with potential impact on pharmacodynamic investigations of antipyretic medications. We describe this finding as nonlinear pharmacodynamics.

Acetaminophen↗

PubMed1991

Usefulness of scanning procedures for diagnosis of fever of unknown origin in children.

During a 5-year study period, 109 patients were referred to a large children's hospital for evaluation of prolonged fever of unknown origin, defined as temperature greater than or equal to 38 degrees C (100.4 degrees F) for 3 weeks or longer and negative findings on initial examination. A two-phase protocol of outpatient followed by inpatient diagnostic studies was instituted for most patients. Confirmed diagnoses were achieved in just 36 of these children (33%) in the following disease categories: infectious, 24 (22%); autoimmune, 7 (6%); and neoplastic, 2 (2%). Scanning or special procedures and the number with positive results (in parentheses) were as follows: abdominal ultrasonography, 43 (8); abdominal computed tomography, 14 (3); indium scan 11 (5); gallium scanning, 4 (1), upper gastrointestinal tract series, 13 (2); technetium bone scanning 15 (2); bone marrow examination, 16 (1); and cranial computed tomography, 7 (0). These studies rarely led to an unsuspected diagnosis. It appears most appropriate in evaluating fever of unknown origin in children to obtain only basic laboratory studies such as a complete blood cell count, urinalysis and culture, chest radiograph, tuberculin skin test, and, in the older child, an antinuclear antibody titer. When these test results are negative, almost all children can be observed clinically for progression of illness or a focus that might then direct specific diagnostic procedures.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Urodynamic evaluation of patients with continent urinary diversion using cecal reservoir and intussuscepted ileocecal valve.

Patients requiring bladder removal for malignant disease have undergone continent urinary diversion employing the ileocecal segment, using the cecum to construct a reservoir and an intussuscepted ileocecal valve as the continence mechanism. Five of these patients have been studied urodynamically and radiographically in the postoperative period. Incontinence was found to be minimal and related only to a prolonged catheterization interval. Passive filling pressure and peristaltic pressure remained low in all patients and was lower than the nipple valve pressure in 4 of 5 patients. A transient increase in reservoir pressure at capacity with peristalsis exceeded the nipple peristaltic pressure in 1 patient and was associated with a small volume of incontinence. This resolved with a shortened catheterization interval. Reflux was not found in any subject studied. These studies indicate that the cecal segment can be used to construct a continent urinary reservoir that provides satisfactory function for the patient while maintaining an acceptable pressure volume relationship.

Aged↗

PubMed1990

Fatal sepsis following intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin administration for bladder cancer.

Intravesical administration of bacillus Calmette-Guerin has been shown to be highly effective treatment of superficial bladder cancer. Complications from bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy are usually minor but serious and even fatal reactions can occur. Five recent cases illustrate the gravity of bacillus Calmette-Guerin sepsis. One man with severe debility and the organic brain syndrome died acutely with a fever of 40 C. Two men had frank sepsis that progressed to multiorgan failure and death. Sepsis progressed despite the use of isoniazid, rifampin and streptomycin. Two men who had equally progressive sepsis with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin survived with the use of cycloserine for the first 72 hours of treatment. Triple antituberculous antibiotics, including cycloserine, may be lifesaving. Sepsis resulted from intravenous absorption through inflamed or disrupted urothelium. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin treatment should not be administered in the presence of severe cystitis or after grossly traumatic catheterization.

Administration, Intravesical↗

PubMed1990

The predictive accuracy of staging transurethral resection of the prostate in the management of stage A cancer of the prostate: a comparative evaluation.

The role of staging transurethral resection of the prostate in the management of stage A prostate cancer is controversial. The accuracy of staging transurethral resection, A1/A2 substaging and probability of progression tables for predicting cancer progression was evaluated in untreated patients with stage A adenocarcinoma of the prostate who were followed for at least 5 years. Survival free of disease was predicted correctly in 93% of 52 patients who underwent staging transurethral resection of the prostate, 92% of 96 with the probability tables and in 85% of 96 using a common criteria for A1 and A2 substaging. Staging transurethral resection of the prostate upgraded patient risk in 7% of the low risk patients predicted by the probability tables and 14% of the stage A1 cancer patients. Staging transurethral prostatectomy and the probability of progression tables were more accurate in predicting survival free of disease than the A1/A2 substaging system. Comparison of the predictive accuracy of staging transurethral prostatectomy to that of the probability of progression tables showed no significant difference. There was no additional benefit from combining the 2 methods. When the probability of progression tables are used to predict cancer progression it may be unnecessary to use staging transurethral resection of the prostate in the patient with stage A prostate cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1990

Evaluation of menogaril in renal cell carcinoma. A Southwest Oncology Group phase II study (8504).

The Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) studied the response rate and toxicity of menogaril (200 mg/m2 i.v. q 28 days) in patients with advanced metastatic renal cell carcinoma. During the early stage of the trial two partial responses were seen in the first 20 treated patients, and an additional 36 evaluable patients were studied. Three of 56 (5%) evaluable patients achieved partial responses. Significant white cell toxicity was observed. Mild or moderate degrees of thrombocytopenia, gastrointestinal side effects, alopecia and phlebitis occurred. No cardiac toxicity was noted. The low response rate suggests that menogaril in this dose schedule has no role in the treatment of patients with advanced metastatic renal cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1990

Solitary metastasis of renal adenocarcinoma to the vagina. A case report.

Solitary metastases are not unusual in renal adenocarcinomas. Vaginal metastases occur but rarely and are the cause of presentation in most patients. Because of the tumor's similarity to other primary gynecologic tumors, the patients present difficult diagnostic and management problems, as shown by the case reported here.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1989

Inflammatory pseudotumor (pseudosarcoma) of the bladder.

Inflammatory pseudotumor (pseudosarcoma) of the bladder is a benign proliferative lesion of the submucosal stroma easily mistaken for a malignant neoplasm clinically and histologically. The lesion was first described as a separate entity in a report of 2 patients. Three additional cases have been reported since then. We describe pseudosarcomatous bladder tumors arising in 2 adolescents. Both patients presented with sudden onset of gross painless hematuria related to large polypoid and ulcerated bladder masses found on endoscopy. Initial pathological analysis was interpreted as poorly differentiated sarcoma in both patients but subsequent reviews were consistent with a benign process resembling nodular fasciitis. Simple excision in both patients has been successful in eradicating the lesion. The findings in these 2 patients are described with a discussion of the pathophysiology and review of the literature.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Vasovasostomy in the murine vas deferens: comparison of the Nd:YAG laser at 1.06 microns and 1.318 microns to the CO2 laser.

A comparison is made of laser anastomoses of the murine vas deferens at different energies with the neodymium (Nd):YAG laser at 1.06 micron and 1.318 micron and with the CO2 laser. A total of 28 welds were performed with a free-hand technique employing a 600-micron silicon fiber with the Nd:YAG and a hand piece with a 500-micron spot size for the CO2. After 6 weeks, all animals were sacrificed and the vasa evaluated for patency. Fifteen out of 28 controls repaired with microsurgical techniques were found to be patent; 4/10 vasa were patent with use of the Nd:YAG at 1.318 micron at laser energies of 300 mW and 500 mW. At 1.06 micron, only 1/4 anastomoses was patent at a power setting of 1 W. None of the anastomoses performed with the CO2 laser was patent. Histologic study revealed intense fibrosis in all the lasered vasa, with sperm granuloma formation associated with most anastomoses. Although this is a preliminary study, it appears that the Nd:YAG laser at 1.318 micron and a power setting of 300-500 mW provides patency rates superior to the Nd:YAG at 1.06 micron and to the CO2 lasers and is equivalent to standard micro-surgical techniques in the murine vas deferens.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Incidental carcinoma of the prostate: an analysis of the predictors of progression.

Incidentally discovered prostatic cancer can pursue a benign clinical course or it can rapidly progress. Differentiating those tumors with low biological potential from more aggressive lesions has been the focus of many reports. To define more completely the variables that can be used to predict those patients with low biological potential requiring limited treatment from those needing more extensive therapy, a retrospective study of 232 patients with incidentally discovered cancer was undertaken. Progressive disease was used as an endpoint for statistical analysis with the Kaplan-Meier technique and Cox's multiple hazard regression mode. This extensive analysis of multiple parameters demonstrated a significant advantage of survival free of disease for patients presenting with tumors manifesting a lower Gleason score and volume extent. Probability tables were constructed to allow for prediction of the probability of progression for a given patient with incidentally discovered prostate cancer directly related to patient age at diagnosis, Gleason score, and initial volume extent of the tumor. With these tables a logical therapeutic approach can be derived for each patient in an attempt to maximize survival free of disease with minimal intervention.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1988

Management of stage A prostate cancer with a high probability of progression.

For the patient with incidentally discovered prostatic cancer that has a high probability of progression further treatment may be indicated. Several studies have shown that survival free of disease is increased by additional therapy but the choice of treatment remains unclear. The lack of matched controls has prevented rigid statistical analysis of the efficacy of prostatectomy and radiotherapy or expectant management in the treatment of these tumors. A prior review of 251 patients with stage A prostate cancer provided a population base from which to perform a matched pair analysis between 30 control patients receiving no additional treatment and 30 patients treated by either prostatectomy or radiotherapy. A second and unpaired analysis was performed among patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (17), radiotherapy (31) and expectant management alone (33). The treated group achieved a significantly superior survival free of disease over the matched control group managed expectantly. The unpaired analysis again demonstrated the advantages of treatment over no treatment but failed to define a clear statistical difference between the 2 treated groups. Radical prostatectomy appeared to provide a recognizable advantage over radiotherapy in survival free of disease but was not statistically significant owing to the small size of the sample population.

Aged↗

PubMed1987

Treatment of superficial papillary transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter by vesicoureteral reflux of mitomycin C.

We report 2 cases of recurrent superficial papillary transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder with right vesicoureteral reflux in which superficial papillary transitional cell carcinoma developed in the distal ureter with reflux. Both patients received intravesical mitomycin C that was delivered by the vesicoureteral reflux to the tumor sites. Diagnosis and management were facilitated through the use of ureteroscopy, which allowed for accurate pathological staging and surveillance. No systemic toxicity or change in renal function was noted in either patient and both have remained free of recurrent tumor for more than 2 years.

Administration, Intravesical↗

PubMed1987

Primary psoas abscess.

Infectious processes in the retroperitoneal space often involve the psoas muscle. These infections usually are secondary to other intra-abdominal or intrapelvic inflammatory processes but rarely they will arise primarily within the retroperitoneum. These primary infections occur most often in younger patients and usually will demonstrate a chronic illness in which the diagnosis often is missed. We describe a 22-year-old man with a 2-year history of symptoms before the diagnosis was confirmed. The clinical presentation of the process and pathophysiology are discussed briefly.

Abscess↗