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Biomedical subjects

E Kazam

Publications and source records attributed to E Kazam.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Prostate visualization studies in males homozygous and heterozygous for 5 alpha-reductase deficiency.

Male pseudohermaphrodites with 5 alpha-reductase deficiency have ambiguous genitalia and nonpalpable prostates on rectal examination, suggesting the dihydrotestosterone dependency of these structures. To clearly delineate the status of the prostate, male pseudohermaphrodites with 5 alpha-reductase deficiency had transrectal sonography of the prostate performed, and the results were compared to that of age-matched male controls. In six male pseudohermaphrodites, magnetic resonance imaging studies of the prostate were also performed. Heterozygote fathers also had transrectal sonography of the prostate performed and the results compared to age-matched controls. The prostates of the male pseudohermaphrodites appeared as platelike soft tissue structures posterior to the urethra on both prostatic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Prostatic volume, as determined on prostatic ultrasound by two different methods, was significantly smaller (approximately one-tenth) than the volume of age-matched controls. Transurethral ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate in two affected subjects revealed stromal tissue. These results correlate with undetectable prostate-specific antigen in affected subjects, suggesting atrophic epithelium or lack of epithelial differentiation. This study demonstrates the dihydrotestosterone dependence of the prostate for normal differentiation and growth. The presence of some prostatic tissue in the male pseudohermaphrodites may be due to the fact that there is a decrease and not an absence of 5 alpha-reductase activity, and/or that the increased level of testosterone in subjects with this condition partially compensates for the decreased level of dihydrotestosterone. There was no difference, however, in prostate size between heterozygous fathers and age-matched control males. The heterozygote fathers had dihydrotestosterone production sufficient for normal prostate growth and development.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase

Sonographic evaluation of the nonfunctioning kidney.

The results of B-mode ultrasound examinations in 113 consecutive patients with unilateral renal nonfunction or severe azotemia were reviewed. The causes of nonfunction included the following: hydronephrosis; renal parenchymal disease; renal agenesis; atrophy or dysplasia; multicystic, medullary cystic, and polycystic kidneys; renal arterial or venous occlusive disease; extensively infiltrating neoplasm. The sonographic findings were consistent with the final diagnosis in 92 percent of the cases. A coronal view of the kidney for diagnosing hydronephrosis is described. This view demonstrates the dilated calyces in continuity with the renal pelvis and, when combined with transverse views, improves the reliability of the sonographic diagnosis of hydronephrosis. In cases where the renal landmarks appear totally normal, obstruction can be excluded as a cause of nonfunction, and retrograde pyelography may be avoided. The sonographic manifestations of other parenchymal abnormalities associated with nonfunction, such as cystic renal disease, glomerulonephritis, and renal transplant rejection, are also discussed.

Abscess

Computed tomography and ultrasound in diagnosis of pelvic lipomatosis.

Computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound are emerging as useful diagnostic adjuvants in the confirmation of pelvic lipomatosis. A case of pelvic lipomatosis studied by CT and sonography is presented. These two techniques offer greater precision in the demonstration of fatty tissue density within the true pelvis. The findings appear characteristic and unique. CT and ultrasound confirmation of pelvic lipomatosis provide added confidence in an accurate clinical diagnosis and may obviate the need for diagnostic surgical exploration.

Humans

Resting host and tumor perfusion as determinants of tumor vascular responses to norepinephrine.

Blood flow determinations and arteriograms were obtained in rat (Walker carcinoma) and rabbit (V2 carcinoma) liver tumors at rest and after norepinephrine administration. Resting tumor blood flow exceeded resting hepatic flow in both models, and both tumors responded with vasoconstriction and reduced blood flow. In tumors and the surrounding normal host tissue, the greater the perfusion prior to drug administration, the greater is the response (decrease in perfusion) to the vasoconstrictor. Although tumor perfusion decreased after vasoconstrictor, post-norepinephrine angiograms revealed an improved diagnostic image because of the enlarged but unresponsive tumor feeder vessels, persistent tumor blush, and simultaneous vasoconstriction in the normal liver. In these models, improved tumor visualization resulted even though a decrease in tumor blood flow had occurred. The angiographic image is related therefore to the lack of vasoconstriction in the tumor feeder vessel, which has, however, a decreased blood flow and the correspondingly greater volume of normally constricting hepatic arteries which results in a marked decrease in the background of vessels upon which the tumor image is superimposed.

Animals

Computed tomography of the spine and spinal cord.

Configurations of 50 normal lumbar canals at each vertebral level were assessed and the dimensions of the canal at these levels measured. The appearances of the contents of the canal and their absorption values were carefully analyzed in the lumbar, cervical, and thoracic regions. Of 75 scans of patients with specific spinal symptoms, 38 showed abnormalities representing 19 pathological entities. The appearances of these lesions on scans are compared with normal scans, and the usefulness of CT scans in assessing lesions of the bone and within the canal is discussed.

Cervical Vertebrae

The echographic characteristics of fatty tissues and tumors.

Fatty tissues and tumors have been described as characteristically cyst-like on ultrasound examination, with relatively few internal echoes. The authors offer several examples of lipomatous masses and tissues which are markedly echogenic. In vitro studies suggest that this is an inherent property of body fat and is not due to coexistent fibrous tissue or tumor vascularity. The echogenicity of fat has important implications for diagnostic ultrasound: (a) the presence of fat in tissues and masses may be demonstrated by ultrasound, and (b) because the high-level internal echoes blend with the echo pattern of bowel gas and retroperitoneal fat, lipomatous abdominal masses may easily be overlooked.

Abdominal Neoplasms

Sonography of the common bile duct: value of the right anterior oblique view.

The common hepatic and proximal common bile ducts (common duct) lie anteriorly and generally to the right of the portal vein in the porta hepatis. This constant anatomic relationship can be used to demonstrate the common duct and to differentiate it from the portal vein by gray scale ultrasonography. The patient is scanned longitudinally from the right anterior abdominal wall with the ultrasound beam directed posteromedially until two tubular structures are demonstrated in the porta hepatis. The more anterior tubular structure in this projection is the common duct. If the common duct is less than 3 mm in diameter, it may not be clearly delineated. In these cases the absence of common duct dilatation can be inferred. The usefulness of this view for detecting common duct dilatation was evaluated in a series of 101 consecutive cases proven by surgery, autopsy, or cholangiography. The overall accuracy was 96% (four false negative studies; no false positives). We conclude that sonography should be the imaging procedure of choice for suspected extrahepatic biliary obstruction if the serum bilirubin level precludes intravenous cholangiography.

Adenoma, Bile Duct

Splenic uptake of 99mTc-diphosphonate in sickle cell disease associated with increased splenic density on computerized transaxial tomography.

Splenic uptake of 99mTc-diphosphonate was found on the bone scan of a patient with sickle cell disease. No splenic activity was demonstrated on 99mTc-sulfur colloid liver-spleen scans and no evidence of splenic calcification was seen on plain abdominal radiographs. A computerized transaxial tomographic scan, however, did demonstrate a small spleen denser than other abdominal organs. The splenic accumulation of 99mTc-diphosphonate and the increased density on computerized transaxial tomography could be attributed to microscopic splenic calcifications and/or iron deposits in the spleen.

Adolescent

Methotrexate compared with placebo in lung cancer.

Two hundred thirty-nine patients with microscopically proven, inoperable bronchogenic carcinoma were allocated at random to receive twice weekly I.M. injections of either methotrexate at "high dose" of 0.06 mg/kg/dose or methotrexate at "low dose" of 0.2 mg/kg or visually indistinguishable placebo in the same volume of 0.1 ml/kg for four months. Twelve patients were invalidated for procedural reasons. Objective response (greater than or equal to 50% tumor regression) was dose-related with 21% of 48 patients with measurable disease on high -ose, 11% of 37 patients on low dose, and 6% of 32 patients on placebo. Corresponding response rates for epidermoid carcinoma were 35% of 23 patients, 9% of 11 patients, and 0 of 13 patients. Responders in the two treatment groups had a three to four fold increase of median survival (p less than .05). Non-responders on high and low dose methotrexate lived as long as patients on placebo. Leukopenic patients in all three treatment groups lived substantially longer than patients without leukopenia less than 4,500/mm3, irrespective of presence or absence of objective response. All three regimens were well tolerated. None of the patients had life-threatening toxicity. It is concluded that methotrexate at "high dose" is a potentially useful drug for temporary palliation of epidermoid carcinoma of the lung.

Adenocarcinoma

Computed tomography in urologic patients: preliminary assessment.

Computed tomography (CT) body scanning has specific application to the precise diagnosis of urologic disease. The advantage of visualizing the density of normal and abnormal tissue provides new accuracy in evaluation of renal, retroperitoneal, and pelvic masses. The penetration of the pelvic cavity allows the urologist to assess local, nodal, and skeletal involvement from prostatic and bladder neoplasms in a single diagnostic examination. Cost/efficacy analysis and the role of computed tomography in patient managment must await further review and experience.

Abscess

Body computed tomography: a clinically important and efficacious radiologic procedure.

In the institutions represented by the authors, more than 7,500 body CT examinations have been performed. Body CT has been found to be particularly useful in solving specific problems, especially when other diagnostic procedures yield confusiing results. Radiologists and their collegues, and not governmental agencies and insurance companies, should define the experimental, research and clinical usefulness of computed tomography.

Humans

Combined mammographic-sonographic evaluation of breast masses.

Palpable breast masses which have a nondiagnostic appearance on the mammogram often require a biopsy to rule out malignancy. Contact B-scan ultrasonography of such masses were performed in an effort to improve the diagnostic accuracy of mammography and reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies. A total of 200 patients with breast masses of 1-8 cm were examined by both methods. The results of this combined evaluation were compared to those of mammography alone. Of 115 pathologically proven lesions, 44 were fluid-filled cysts. Sonography correctly diagnosed all 44 cysts, while mammography was equivocal in 27 (61%) of them. Of the remaining 71 solid masses, 38 were benign and 33 malignant. Mammography alone correctly diagnosed 31 carcinomas (94%), whereas sonography correctly diagnosed 26 (78.8%). While the infiltrating carcinomas have a typical sonographic appearance, circumscribed carcinomas may have the same sonographic features as fibroadenomas; the value of sonography here was to establish whether the mass was solid. In other solid masses such as those produced by dysplasias, abscesses, and mastitis, sonography was helpful in differentiating between diffuse and discrete lesions. The combined mammographic-sonographic evaluation of breast masses was more accurate than either method alone.

Abscess

Myelolipoma of the adrenal: two cases with ultrasound and CT findings.

Myelolipoma of the adrenal gland is a rare tumor composed of varying proportions of fat and bone marrow elements. In about half of the reported cases with radiologic findings the mass was radiolucent, indicating the presence of fat; the remainder were of soft tissue density or calcified. Arteriography is of limited value in diagnosis, since myelolipomas are typically avascular. With the advent of gray scale ultrasound and computed tomography (CT), fat can be detected in lesions which do not appear radiolucent on radiographs. Two cases of myelolipoma are reported in which ultrasound showed a markedly echogenic mass, an appearance chracteristic of lipomatous tumors. In the second case, the mass was of soft tissue density on radiographs, markedly echogenic on sonogram, and definitively fatty on CT scan. Ultrasound and CT are valuable techniques for making a preoperative diagnosis of this tumor.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms

Necroqizing enterocolitis with pneumatosis intestinalis in systemic lupus erythematosus and polyarteritis.

Pneumatosis intestinalis was encountered in association with fatal necrotizing enterocolitis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and polyarteritis nodosa. The radiologic identification of mottled, bubbly, and linear collections of intramural intestinal gas distinguish this ominous complication from benign pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis. In the setting of intestinal vasculitis due to SLE or polyarteritis nodosa, these characteristic radiologic features indicate necrotizing enterocolitis. Since corticosteroids may mask clinical progression of the intestinal lesion, radiologic evaluation is essential in the overall management of the patient with intestinal vasculitis.

Adult

Displaced lateral surface of the liver (Hellmer's sign) secondary to an extraperitoneal fluid collection.

In 1942, Bellmer (1) first described visualization of a medially displaced lateral liver edge on abdominal radiographs in patients with ascites. In Hellmer's original article and all cases subsequently reported, this appearance was described as being pathognomonic of intraperitoneal fluid. This paper reports the occurrence of Hellmer's sign in a patient with a large extraperitoneal fluid collection extending into the flank. Thus the differential diagnosis associated with a medially displaced lateral liver edge includes pathologic processes in both the intra- and extraperitoneal spaces.

Aged

Sonographic evaluation of renal masses: correlations with angiography.

The value of sonography in the diagnosis of renal masses in a series of 119 consecutive histologically confirmed cases is presented. Sonography correctly identified 92% of the cystic and 90% of the solid renal masses. Causes of incorrect diagnoses included lesions smaller than 2 cm, masses in the left upper pole, diffusely infiltrating urothelial tumors, echogenic fatty lesions (early in our experience), and acute abscesses and hematomas. Angiography in the same series of cases correctly diagnosed 80% of the cystic and 88% of the solid renal masses. Avascular lesions were the main cause for equivocal or incorrect angiographic diagnoses. We conclude that sonography is more definitive than angiography in the diagnosis of avascular masses, while angiography excels when the lesion is vascular or small. Combining the sonographic and angiographic findings allowed accurate diagnosis in over 99% of the cases.

Angiography