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Biomedical subjects

F Steigmann

Publications and source records attributed to F Steigmann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1984

Significance of serum aminograms in diagnosis and prognosis of liver diseases.

The diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of various liver diseases are still frequently equivocal despite the various liver function tests and invasive procedures presently available to the clinician. The introduction of the Beckman Amino Acid Analyzer Model 119 Cl, greatly facilitated the determination of the individual amino acids in serum and cerebrospinal fluid, and the data thus obtained seem to help in the differentiation of some of the commoner types of liver disease. These data indicate that changes in the concentration of some of the aromatic amino acids (AAA) and branched chain amino acids (BCAA) are helpful in the diagnosis, evaluation of the severity of the hepatic morphologic changes, and prognosis of the type of liver disease. Moreover, the ratio between the AAA and the BCAA seems to be indicative of certain liver diseases. We describe the alterations in the amino acid patterns which may help in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of patients with certain types of liver disease.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1980

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy with myogenic tumors of the esophagus.

A patient who, eight years prior, had a Heller operation for achalasia developed hypertrophic osteoarthropathy possibly secondary to a leiomyoma of the esophagus with sarcomatous changes. No local invasion or metastases were found. Total esophagectomy completely cured the esophageal symptoms and relieved the swelling and pain of her knees and other joints. This case illustrates the hypertrophic osteoarthropathy syndrome, its marked diagnostic significance and its occurrence secondary to an esophageal leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma.

Esophageal Achalasia↗
PubMed1979

Prompt endoscopic diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage: its value for specific diagnosis and management.

From July 1, 1973 to June 30, 1976 789 patients admitted as upper gastrointestinal bleeders had endoscopies performed within 24 hours after preliminary resuscitation and preparation. More than one lesion was found in approximately 45% of the patients. Erosive hemorrhagic gastritis was the most common lesion, being present in 27.3--48.2% of the subjects (the latter precentage was found in those with a history of intake of both alcohol and ulcerogenic drugs). Gastric ulcer was the next most common lesion, present in 16.3--18.42%; the higher percentage represents the patients who were taking ulcerogenic drugs. The highest incidence of gastric ulcer (19.59%) or duodenal ulcer (10.5%) was among the patients in a group who had no apparent definite cause for the bleeding. A small number of patients had rare causes for the bleeding and in only a small percentage of the patients was the cause not diagnosed. These data suggest that early endoscopy is of diagnostic value in upper G.I. bleeders leading to prompt, lifesaving management and prevention of prolonged morbidity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Congestive heart failure as cause of fulminant hepatic failure.

In this patient with long-standing cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure the syndrome of fulminant hepatic failure developed on two occasions; he recovered both times. There was no evidence of viral or toxic hepatitis as a cause of his liver failure. We conclude that in this case, aggravation of long-standing congestive heart failure may have led to severe hepatocellular necrosis with signs of encephalopathy not commonly observed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1978

Immunoglobulins in submassive hepatic necrosis.

The presence of submassive hepatic necrosis in acute liver injury of viral or toxic etiology in liver biopsy specimens is of great diagnostic and prognostic significance. Liver biopsy, however, cannot be performed in some of these patients due to an abnormal coagulation profile. Hence, other noninvasive methods for diagnosis of submassive hepatic necrosis would be helpful. We compared the serum immunoglobulin-G levels in 15 patients with typical acute viral hepatitis and 19 patients with severe acute viral hepatitis with submassive hepatic necrosis. The difference of the Ig-G levels in both groups was statistically significant. By using discriminant analysis we found that it was possible to make the correct diagnosis of submassive hepatic necrosis in 89.5% of patients with acute viral hepatitis when only Ig-G levels were utilized.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1977

Incidence of HBsAg, anti-HBs and subtypes ad and ay in a general hospital: correlation with clinical data and its significance as a public health problem.

During a period of four months, 9,418 individuals, comprising new hospital admissions, new employees and blood donors, were tested for HbsAg and 1,212 for anti-HBs. A high incidence of positivity for both was found in the different groups under investigation. Subtyping was carried out on acutely ill patients and carriers. Sbtype ay was common in acutely ill patients and among addicts and subtype ad in nonhepatitis patients and healthy carriers. The significance of these findings and possible measures for prevention of spread of the infection are discussed.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1976

The asymptomatic HB6-Ag carrier: auto- and heterologous perils.

The asympatomatic carrier--usually discovered on offering to be a blood donor--presents a complex health problem which to date has received only "guarded" attention. These carriers may be dangerous, because they can transmit the HBs-Ag not only by parenteral but also by "nonparenteral" means, due to its presence in urine, feces, saliva, tears, semen, vaginal discharge, menstrual flow, breast milk, joint, ascitic and cerebrospinal fluids. The transmission by sexual contact is well established. Inapparent transmission may also occur from insufficient sterilization of instruments, by tatooing, ear piercing, by barbers, manicurists, dentists and by mosquitoes and bedbugs. Some of the characteristics of an asymptomatic HBs-Ag carrier seem to be: a young male, most often black, from a poor social and hygienic environment with a possible gene dependent immune deficiency state. Our experiences suggest that all newly admitted patients to the hospital personnel should have determinations of the presence of HBs-Ag in their blood, so that adequate steps can be taken to protect their contacts from infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Can regional enteritis resolve completely?

The clinical experiences with a few patients diagnosed as regional enteritis by x-ray and histological examination and treated as such during a period of 15-40 years, have furnished some interesting data. It appears that in some instances, regional enteritis may gradually resolve completely or "burn" itself out, while in others it may be asymptomatic for years only to reappear suddenly with marked abdominal symptoms. An asymptomatic course can occur without steroid therapy. Initial surgery may be "curative" in some for many years; in others for only a short time.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Hepatocellular carcinoma: relation to alcohol, HB-antigen and alpha-fetoprotein.

Thirteen of 16 patients with primary cancer of the liver were heavy alcoholics. Fifty per cent of them had positive alpha-fetoprotein and 25% had HB-Ag in their blood. The association of alcoholism with cancer of the liver is thus very striking and hence alcohol should be proclaimed as a carcinogenic substance.

Black or African American↗