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Biomedical subjects

D T Blumenthal

Publications and source records attributed to D T Blumenthal.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Early pathologic findings and long-term improvement in anti-Ma2-associated encephalitis.

A 67-year-old man sequentially developed anti-Ma2-associated paraneoplastic encephalitis (PNE) and contralateral herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE). Brain biopsy 1 month before HSE revealed extensive infiltrates of T cells, B cells, and plasma cells. Most T cells expressed the cytotoxic granule-associated protein TIA-1 and the membranolytic protein granzyme-B. Although recovery was thought to be unlikely, treatment of the PNE with corticosteroids and resection of the associated lung cancer resulted in dramatic improvement for 21 months.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Primary intracranial neoplasms in patients with HIV.

OBJECTIVE: To report a series of HIV-infected patients with intracranial tumors not known to be associated with immunodeficiency. BACKGROUND: The spectrum of HIV-associated diseases is changing with improved treatments and prolonged patient survival. Although primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and toxoplasmosis continue to be the most common intracranial lesions in HIV-infected patients, the recognition of other pathologic entities is increasingly important. METHODS: The clinical characteristics and outcome of eight HIV-infected patients with nine intracranial neoplasms other than PCNSL are reported. In addition, all available pathologic specimens were tested for evidence of either HIV or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. An additional 28 patients reported in the literature are summarized. RESULTS: Five of eight patients had a glioblastoma multiforme; other tumors included an anaplastic ependymoma, a low-grade glioma, a subependymoma, and a leiomyosarcoma. More than half of the patients developed their tumor > or =6 years after the diagnosis of HIV infection. Patient prognosis and survival was best predicted by tumor histology. Treatment response and outcome did not appear to be influenced by HIV infection. Only the leiomyosarcoma demonstrated evidence of latent EBV infection. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-infected patients are at risk for intracranial neoplasms other than PCNSL, and benefit from aggressive tumor-specific therapy. It is possible that gliomas are occurring at a higher rate than in the general population. There was no evidence of HIV or EBV infection in any glial tumor.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Aging and primary central nervous system neoplasms.

The number of primary brain tumors in the aging population has increased over the past few decades. Although overall survival rates for many patients with primary central nervous system neoplasms have not changed drastically, patients with particular tumor types are benefitting from new treatments. Many factors must be considered when treating primary brain tumors in the elderly, including overall medical condition, tumor biology, and social issues.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Myoclonus epilepsy with ragged red fibers and multiple mtDNA deletions.

In a patient with clinical features of myoclonus epilepsy with ragged red fibers (MERRF), molecular genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA did not show either of the two point mutations typically associated with MERRF but did show multiple deletions by Southern blot. This case further illustrates the heterogeneity observed with mtDNA mutations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Carotid artery occlusion following a karate punch to the neck.

A 43-year-old corrections officer developed right neck and posterior head pain following a karate punch to the right side of the neck during self-defense training. One week later, he developed an acute left hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a right hemisphere cerebral infarction and absence of signal flow void in the right internal carotid artery. Carotid ultrasound demonstrated complete occlusion of the right internal carotid artery without evidence of atherosclerotic disease. Carotid occlusion with cerebrovascular infarction is a possible complication of martial arts training involving forceful blows to the neck.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chromogenic in situ hybridization accurately identifies EGFR amplification in small cell glioblastoma multiforme, a common subtype of primary GBM.

Primary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) commonly overexpresses the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene and its ligand-independent mutant, EGFRvIII. Amplification of the EGFR gene has been implicated in the pathogenesis of primary GBM, in particular the small cell phenotype, and this finding may contribute to its aggressive clinical behavior. Anti-EGFR clinical trials for GBM are being conducted, and it would be useful to identify a rapid technique to determine whether EGFR expression and the small cell phenotype are associated with a response to therapy. In the present study we examined 56 cases of GBM using chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH). CISH analysis and morphology identified 22 small cell (SCGBM) and 22 non-small cell glioblastoma (NSCGBM), and 12 cases of a mixed phenotype. Fourteen cases of SCGBM (14/22) showed EGFR amplification, while only 5 NSCGBM (5/22) cases showed amplification. We have therefore used CISH as an efficient, economic and reliable means for routinely assessing EGFR amplification in GBM, including the small cell variant.

Brain Neoplasms↗