PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F M González

Publications and source records attributed to F M González.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Cerebrospinal fluid S-100 protein levels in neurological pathologies.

The aim of this paper was to evaluate S-100 concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with different neurological disorders, and in subjects with no proven neurological pathology, in order to study possible differences in their protein concentrations. The total number of patient-samples examined was 119 (58 males and 61 females; mean age 35 yrs, 1-79 yrs). Based on the final diagnoses, nine patient groups were studied: a control group, meningitis, acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL), dementia, hydrocephalia, polyneuropathy-motor neuron disease, acute cerebral infarction (ACI), and patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. S-100 protein concentrations were measured by the Sangtec 100 two-site immunoradiometric assay. The highest S-100 levels in CSF were found in the dementia group, ACI group, bacterial-fungal and lymphocytic meningitis groups (Kruskal-Wallis test). The S-100 concentrations in these groups were significantly higher compared with the control group (Mann-Whitney U test, p<0.05, p<0.01) and the multiple sclerosis group (p<0.05, p<0.01). No other significant differences were found between groups. Our results suggest that the high protein levels in CSF found in these pathologies may reflect the presence of brain damage. However, the levels need to be considered individually, as they depend on several factors, such as age, severity of brain damage or interval between the onset of brain damage and the taking of the sample.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Management of N0 neck in laryngeal carcinoma. Impact on patient's survival.

Management of patients with carcinoma of the larynx should systematically include an appropriate treatment of lymph nodes according to the TNM stage. One of the most controversial points of the treatment in these patients is the management of the clinically negative neck (N(0)). A retrospective study of 295 patients with laryngeal carcinoma and N(0) neck undergoing treatment in our centre between 1983 and 1993 is presented. We observed a significant decrease in the survival of clinically N(0) patients with histologically affected lymph nodes. Lymphadenopathy was more frequently detected in patients with supraglottic tumours (38 per cent) when compared to glottic tumours (16 per cent). In our experience, routine bilateral and unilateral dissection of N(0) necks in all supraglottic tumours and in T3-T4 glottic tumours, respectively, is the most beneficial approach for patients in terms of survival.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Retrospective study of 200 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is frequently diagnosed in advanced stages due to the anatomic characteristics of its site of origin and of the inspecificity of many of its clinical manifestations. However, cure rates are directly related with the early diagnosis. In this study of 200 patients affected by this tumor we analyse the different clinical manifestations, their chronology and their value as early indicators of nasopharyngeal tumour.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed2002

[Effect of different observers on the interpretation of pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy].

AIM: The agreement in the interpretation of the scintigraphic images of pulmonary perfusion in the diagnosis of pulmonary tromboembolism (TEP) is not always the most adequate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of agreement by eight observers in the interpretation of these studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 180 studies with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism referred to our department for scintigraphic perfusion imaging from April 98 to September 99. The patients received an intravenous injection of 111-148 MBq (3-4 mCi) of 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin whereas the images were obtained in the six routine projections. The observers consisted of five nuclear medicine physicians and three residents who independently reviewed the scintigrams (low, intermediate and high probability). In a second step, the physicians performed consensus interpretations. The Kappa statistics was used to evaluate the degree of agreement between individual observer interpretations beyond that expected by chance alone. RESULTS: The mean value SEM for Kappa index was 0.58 0.02, with maximum and minimum values of 0.76 and 0.27 respectively. The interobserver variability was greater than expected. Except in two observers scans in the interpretation of images in the low and high categories showed minor discrepancies, whereas scans in intermediate probability showed the most important interobserver variations. CONCLUSION: The study manifests the importance of a uniform criteria in lung scintigraphic interpretation.

Humans↗
PubMed2002

[Pulmonary activity in sarcoidosis: 67Ga uptake quantification and plasma determination of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D)].

AIM: The aim of our study was to produce a quantitative determination of Ga-67 pulmonary intake and correlate it with plasma levels of calcitriol. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted, and included 65 patients (29 female, 36 male) referred to our section due to suspected sarcoidosis or fibrosis of the lungs. Gammagraphic images were obtained after injecting Ga-67 citrate, and vitamin D was determined by IRMA method. The final diagnosis led to 4 groups of patients: 26 with active sarcoidosis; 5 with inactive sarcoidosis (4 with a previous gammagraphic study, included in the previous group); 8 with fibrosis of the lungs; and 30 patients with no demonstrable pathology following medical/instrumental examination. For the quantitative analysis, areas of interest were drawn around each lung, together with another region in soft tissue of the right shoulder (background). The geometric mean for each region was calculated, as well as the Ga intake rate (InGa = [lung activity-background]/background). RESULTS: Significant differences were found (p<0.01) when comparing each group's InGa, with the highest values occurring in the active sarcoidosis group. No significant differences were found when comparing plasma levels of calcitriol. No significant correlation was demonstrated between hormone and InGa rates. CONCLUSIONS: InGa would seem to be a useful parameter for assessing inflammatory activity in the parenchyma of the lungs. Perhaps as a result of their variability, plasma concentrations of the active vitamin D metabolite have a limited role in this assessment.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed2000

[Scintigraphic pattern in a case of Tarlov cyst].

We report the case of a 40-year-old man remitted to our department with a history of lower back pain and sciatica with no history of trauma. The laboratory analyses showed normal values whereas plain radiographs showed a sacrum rarefaction area. A 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy was performed to evaluate the lumbosacral area. Planar images did not show any abnormality. SPECT images revealed photopenic abnormality in the second sacral vertebral right hemibody, with no peripherally increased radiotracer accumulation. Subsequent MRI and CT myelography demonstrated the nature of the photopenic area as secondary to vertebral erosion by sacral perineurial cyst (Tarlov cyst).

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Alteration in the biodistribution of 99mTc-albumin microspheres after its administration through a canalized umbilical vein].

We present the case of a newborn female patient with a suspected right hypoplastic lung who was referred to our Service to perform a perfusion lung scintigraphy. The tracer (99mTc-albumin microspheres) was injected with a central catheter through the umbilical vein. The lung scan showed abnormal extrapulmonary activity that was attributed to an erroneous canalization (catheter in Arantius duct). A new study, with injection through the peripheral vein, showed the lung perfusion, with a global decrease of activity in the right lung. This case demonstrates a cause of abnormal extrapulmonary perfusion tracer uptake, verifying that using the correct access route is mandatory.

Albumins↗
PubMed1999

[Inflammatory pseudotumor of the larynx].

Inflammatory pseudotumors are rare and usually located in lung, although they can develop in any organ. They are unusual in head and neck and very rare in the larynx. A case of laryngeal pseudotumor in a patient with odinophagia and neck pain is reported. After diagnosis, the patient was treated with steroids, which produced complete resolution. These lesions can simulate malignant neoplasms and must be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Preliminary study by flow cytometry of the cell cycle and DNA quantification in cytokeratin-positive cells in tumors of the head and neck].

DNA ploidy and cell-cycle distribution were determined by flow cytometry in fresh tumor tissue of 27 epithelial head and neck carcinomas. Epithelial cells were labeled with a fluorescein-isothiocyanate-conjugated cytokeratin antibody to study the possible influence of contaminating stromal and inflammatory cells on the results of cell-cycle analysis of tumor cells. The patient sample included 26 men and 1 women with a mean age of 60 years. Without cytokeratin gating, 11/27 tumors (40.74%) were aneuploid. After selecting the cytokeratin population, 10 more aneuploid tumors were found that had not been detected when considering the total population. Therefore, aneuploid tumors increased from 40.74% to 77.74%. The remaining 6/27 (22.26%) tumors were diploid. In the tumors that were either aneuploid without cytokeratin gating or diploid, the S-phase and G2M phase were significantly higher after cytokeratin staining, specially in diploid tumors (24.2% versus 10% and 6.8% versus 3.2%, respectively, p < 0.01). Therefore, in head and neck tumors cytokeratin staining optimizes both the determination of DNA ploidy and cell-cycle analysis, which is advantageous for tumor staging and prognosis assessment in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Cervical teratoma in an adult].

Teratomas are germ-cell tumors that usually originate in the gonads. Extragonadal teratomas are rarely found in the neck, particularly in adults. A case of cervical teratoma that presented as a rapidly growing mass in a young man is described. The diagnostic problems are commented.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Prognostic significance of natural killer cell activity in patients with laryngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: For laryngeal carcinoma, the present TNM clinical staging system does not seem completely satisfactory as a guide for providing a prognosis for survival. We believe that natural killer cell activity would probably have a role in a more reliable system. Therefore, we analyzed the disease outcome with previously untreated epidermoid carcinoma of the larynx, evaluating classic clinical and pathologic factors, as well as natural killer cell activity in peripheral blood samples of the patients. OBJECTIVES: To determine the level of natural killer cell activity in patients with laryngeal carcinoma and to analyze the prognostic value of this finding when associated with other clinical and pathologic variables. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of surveillance of laryngeal cancer. Mean follow-up of 42.8 months. SETTINGS: Tertiary care referral center and ambulatory and hospitalized care. PARTICIPANTS: We compared 81 men (mean age, 62.4 years; range, 35-89 years) with laryngeal carcinoma with 44 healthy men serving as control subjects (mean age, 57.6 years; range, 37-82 years). RESULTS: Natural killer cell activity was significantly reduced in patients who had died of cancer-related causes in comparison with tumor-free survivors. Overall actuarial survival differed significantly in histologically assessed nodal involvement and low natural killer cell activity. Use of the Cox proportional hazards regression model showed that the factors that seem to have a prognostic effect on survival are histologically determined nodal involvement and low natural killer cell activity. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the prognostic significance of the determination of pretreatment natural killer cell activity in peripheral blood samples from patients with laryngeal carcinoma and suggest that assessment of adding such a determination to the current tumor staging system is advisable.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Deficiency of naive T cells in patients with sudden deafness.

BACKGROUND: Although there are a number of reports concerned with the role of immunity in the sudden onset of progressive sensorineural hearing loss, there are few references dealing with the involvement of immune-mediated mechanisms in sudden deafness. OBJECTIVES: To study the phenotype of peripheral blood lymphocytes in a group of patients with sudden deafness by use of 3-color flow cytometry. DESIGN: The study was carried out prior to the start of steroid therapy. Fourteen patients underwent a follow-up study once steroid therapy had been completed. Prospective analysis, case-control. SETTING: Tertiary case referral center, ambulatory and hospitalized care. PATIENTS: Twenty-two patients (13 men and 9 women; mean age, 45.3 years) were compared with 14 healthy control subjects (9 men and 5 women; mean age, 36 years). Patients were divided in 2 groups according to their response to steroid therapy. RESULTS: Decreased numbers of both CD4+ helper cells (38.4% vs 45.5%; P = .04) and CD8+ cytotoxic cells (17.5% vs 22.3%; P = .02) were observed in patients and compared with those in the control subjects, as well as reduced numbers of CD4+CD45RA+ cells (14.4% vs 29.3%; P = .01) and CD8+CD45RA+ naive cells (18.2% vs 25.4%; P = .04). In the group of patients with a good response to steroid therapy (group 1), a tendency toward normalization of the CD4+ (pretreatment, 38.6%; posttreatment, 44.6%), CD4+CD45RA+ (pretreatment, 15.2%; posttreatment, 21.7%), and CD4+CD45RO+ (pretreatment, 21.1%; posttreatment, 18.2%) cell counts was observed, with a slight decrease in the CD8+ population (pretreatment, 18%; posttreatment, 15.7%). However, in patients with a poorer response (group 2), while there were increases in the CD4+ (pretreatment, 38%, posttreatment, 50%) and CD4+CD45RA+ (pretreatment, 12.8%; posttreatment, 16.7%) cell counts after steroid therapy, there was a significant increment in the CD4+CD45RO+ memory cell count (pretreatment, 14.1%; posttreatment, 28.5%) and low CD8+CD45RA+ counts (pretreatment, 14.6%; posttreatment, 15.5%). No differences were observed in the numbers of B or natural killer cells or in the presence of activation antigens CD25 and HLA-DR when pretreatment and posttreatment levels were compared. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate significant abnormalities in the subpopulations of lymphocytes in patients with sudden hearing loss, suggesting the existence of immune-mediated responses in the inner ear as possible etiopathogenic factors in this entity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Use of the Internet in otorhinolaryngology].

The Internet is considered by some as one of the most important advances of the late 20th century. The Internet is the functional linking of personal computers via telephone lines to a worldwide network of millions of other computers, which enables them to exchange information freely. Although the Internet crops up in daily conversation, many persons are not aware of its usefulness and relevance for ear, nose and throat specialists. The Internet is accessed by special software that maximizes the potential of this vast computer network. The most important tools are e-mail and the World Wide Web. These tools make it possible to consult multimedia medical publications, access Medline, and carry out information searches, etc. The Internet and its most important uses in otolaryngology are summarized and a list of useful addresses is given. Although its advantages still are not widely appreciated, widespread Internet use is imminent and we think that it is a useful technology to know and use. Moreover, access is becoming easier and cheaper.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed1997

[Treatment protocol for sudden deafness].

There are two types of rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss: sudden hearing loss, which is generally unilateral and develops in less than 72 hours, and rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss, which develops over days or months. The origin of sudden deafness is difficult to establish. Several etiopathogenic factors have been postulated, such as viral infection, autoimmune origin, vascular and metabolic disease, rupture of the labyrinthine membrane, and, recently, immune-mediated inner ear disease. We made a retrospective study of 40 patients seen in our department. Patients were given a combined treatment with steroids, nimodipine, heparin, and oxygen. Patients were divided into two groups by intravenous or oral treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Detection of inflammation/infection with human polyclonal immunoglobulin G labelled with 99Tcm.

Radiolabelled human polyclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG) has been successful in identifying inflammatory/infectious processes in human and animal models. We studied 71 patients with suspicion of inflammation of varied origin and location (44 of musculoskeletal location and 27 other) using 99Tcm. IgG images correctly identified 21/22 inflammatory sites of musculoskeletal origin and only 4/14 sites of soft-tissue location. Five false negative studies corresponded to granulomatous processes, three of them tuberculosis. Four false positive studies were obtained in the musculoskeletal group corresponding to three synovial tumours and a Charcot joint. No false positive results were seen in the soft tissue group. 99Tcm-IgG performs well in the identification of bone-joint lesions and rules out non-inflammatory conditions (with the important exception of tumours). The role of 99Tcm-IgG in soft-tissue inflammatory sites, especially in highly vascular organs is inferior, with a high yield of false negative studies. Granulomatous lesions probably represent situations of low or absent IgG uptake.

Adolescent↗