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Biomedical subjects

D Dorenbaum

Publications and source records attributed to D Dorenbaum.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

Psychopathic adaptations in the vulnerable patient.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the fluidity of symptoms that a group of psychiatric patients presents during the passage of time. Although clinically recognizable and worthy of attention, this fluctuation makes the illness difficult to conceptualize under a definitive diagnostic category. Such a dilemma is very familiar to the hospital psychiatrist. The authors present a case to illustrate the fluidity of symptoms manifested by a patient throughout the course of her illness. Awareness of the changing clinical presentations may alert us both to reformulate the patient on an ongoing basis, and to identify the different intervention needs at various points in time.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1987

EEG findings and language patterns in autistic children: clinical correlations.

Several authors have used the EEG as a diagnostic tool to identify distinctive patterns of cerebral dysfunction in autistic children. However, evidence is needed to support the hypothesis that their level of functioning correlates with their EEG profile. In this study EEG's were obtained in 17 autistic children without sedation and following sleep deprivation. These children were also evaluated in a double blind procedure with regard to their speech and communication abilities. We did not find a statistically significant correlation between EEG changes and speech performance. None of the autistic children using an augmentative system of communication had any EEG abnormalities. However, a normal EEG is not sufficient to predict successful response to communication therapy. Since the effect of sedative drugs on brain electrical activity limits the value of tracings, we recommend the sleep deprivation techniques when "difficult" children have to undergo EEG testing. Parents' or guardians' participation during the procedure is encouraged.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Fetal megaureters masquerading as bowel obstruction.

As a result of repeated ultrasound assessments for determination of gestational age, more congenital anomalies are detected in the fetus. Early diagnosis has serious implications for both mother and fetus. We present our experience in the management of a male fetus with obstructive uropathy diagnosed at seventeen weeks of gestation. In serial ultrasounds the tortuous megaureters were mistaken for distended loops of bowel. When the question of obstructive uropathy is raised, and the bladder cannot be visualized, administration of diuretics to the mother may promote fetal bladder filling. Since the advent of intrauterine surgical intervention, distinguishing between megaureters and obstructive bowel disease may have important clinical implications.

Diagnostic Errors↗
PubMed1985

Use of a child behavior checklist in the psychosocial assessment of children with epilepsy.

Children with epilepsy are faced with many of the same psychosocial stressors as other chronically ill children, and a proper assessment is vital. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Child Behavior Checklist of Achenbach and Edelbrock could be used as a practical and objective tool for evaluating the psychosocial needs of children with epilepsy. Thirty-eight children were randomly selected from the Neurology outpatient clinic at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Questionnaires were completed by the mothers during their waiting period. Results demonstrated the highest risk of maladjustment was within social functioning. As children reach adolescence, adjustment problems are mostly related to school. Although as a group, our sample did not differ from norms for behavior problems, there was evidence to suggest behavioral maladjustment for individual children. The checklist appears to be a good screening tool for maladjustment that could be included as part of the pediatrician's comprehensive assessment of children with epilepsy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Pectus carinatum and pectus excavatum: are they the same disease?

Eighty cases of anterior chest wall deformities were reviewed. The group consisted of 47 patients with pectus carinatum and 33 patients with pectus excavatum. This 1.4:1 distribution has not been reported in the literature, where a 1:10 distribution is regularly cited. Important bronchopulmonary changes were found by chest x-rays in both groups. Formerly, alterations in pectus excavatum were attributed to the mechanical effect of the depressed sternum. The presence of the same symptoms and bronchopulmonary radiographic changes in patients with pectus carinatum suggests a primary pulmonary defect in both entities. However, bronchopulmonary changes were more prominent in patients with pectus excavatum than in patients with carinatum, which suggests that mechanical compression enhances the problem. Postoperative radiologic improvement was similar in both groups. The patients underwent a surgical procedure that included a sternal osteotomy and a complete removal of the costal cartilages. All patients survived. There were two recurrences. Considerable postoperative overgrowth of the unresected second costal cartilages was observed, hence our recommendation for routine removal of these structures. The habitus of prominent abdomen and stooped shoulders was not modified by the operation, but important symptomatic improvement and some radiologic improvement were observed in both groups.

Adolescent↗