Biomedical subjects

G Léonetti

Publications and source records attributed to G Léonetti.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Fatal poisoning due to intravasation after oral administration of barium sulfate for contrast radiography.

A fatal poisoning after oral administration of barium sulfate for contrast radiography is reported. Barium sulfate is an insoluble salt and therefore is almost nontoxic. The case described here involves a 61-year-old woman who underwent two CT scans of the digestive tract with oral administration of barium sulfate during a surgical procedure. Within several hours after the first barium swallow examination the patient presented nonspecific neurologic and cardiovascular manifestations that rapidly progressed and led to death a few days later. Laboratory findings demonstrated elevated levels of barium in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid. The most likely mechanism of poisoning was progressive intravasation of barium due to stasis of contrast material related to intestinal obstruction.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1997

Recognition of sickle cell anemia in skeletal remains of children.

The present study discusses in detail the osteological changes associated with sickle cell anemia in children and their importance in differential diagnosis. Posterior calcaneal and specific articular surface disruptive metacarpal lesions are diagnostic for sickle cell anemia. Calvarial thickening, tibial and femoral cortical bone thickening, and bowing are of more limited utility in differential diagnosis. Granular osteoporosis, pelvic demineralization and rib broadening are nonspecific. Localized calvarial "ballooning," previously not described, may have diagnostic significance. Bone marrow hyperplastic response (porotic hyperostosis) in sickle cell anemia produces minimal radiologic changes contrasted with that observed in thalassemia and blood loss/hemolytic phenomenon. Two other issues, the osteological criteria for discriminating among the anemias and the purported relationship between porotic hyperostosis and iron deficiency anemia, are also discussed. There is sufficient information to properly diagnose the four major groups of anemias, and further, to establish that iron deficiency is only indirectly associated with porotic hyperostosis. The hyperproliferative bone marrow response (manifest as porotic hyperostosis) to blood loss or hemolysis exhausts iron stores, resulting in secondary iron deficiency.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

[Variation of sphenoidal angle of human skull in the course of aging].

The degree of the cranial base flexion is a major parameter in the study of the evolution of verbal communication in mankind. The variability of this area among modern humans has received little attention. In the present study, a sample of 330 modern human skulls have been used to characterize the changes in the angle of the cranial base flexion with age, and its possible relationships with gender and ethnic origin. Statistical analysis of the results show significant changes with age. Two conclusions emerged: i) the debate regarding Neanderthal speech should also consider the effect of age on the cranial base; and ii) the sphenoidal angle can be used as an ageing criterion in forensic and anthropological studies.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

[Demonstration of a cranial autopsy performed during the Great Plague of Marseille (1720-1722)].

The excavation of the mass grave from the Monastery of the Observance dating from the Great Plague of Marseilles revealed the first evidence of an autopsy on the skull of a 15-year-old boy, performed during the spring of 1722. The reconstruction of the skull allows us to reconstitute the anatomic technique used, which is identical to those described in a surgical book dating from 1708. This research highlights the interest in correlating the biological and historical archives, and brings new anthropological data to the debate on the contagious nature of the plague.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

[Urinary screening of drugs of abuse among drivers involved in road accidents].

Driving under the influence of drugs is a growing cause of traffic injuries. Therefore the Abbott Laboratories established a study to estimate the consumption of opiates, cannabinoids, cocaine and amphetamines among young adults involved in a road accident and to compare with a control group. Analytical procedure chosen include an anonymous collection of urines. Drugs are screened by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Positive samples are confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Results do not show any difference between the two groups.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Growth hormone and doping].

Growth hormone is widely used as a doping agent, particularly because of his anabolic and lipolytic properties. The potential benefit of large doses of growth hormone on acute exercise is not clearly demonstrated, but the associated side effects are well known. The detection of growth hormone abuse is not yet possible with the techniques available. This article describes the GH axis physiology, especially during acute exercise, the use of GH as a doping agent, as well as the difficulties and perspectives in GH doping detection.

Doping in Sports↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Cannabis: toxicokinetic focus and methodology of urinary screening].

Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the world. The major psychomimetic compound is delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The major effects consist in alterations of sensory perception, cognition, motor coordination and self-perception. Procedures designed to detect cannabis use have been developed since 1988. The traditional approach is to screen urine by immunoassay and to submit positive samples for confirmation by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. There continue to be many difficulties in interpreting the results because of the biotransformations of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol.

Cannabinoids↗