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Biomedical subjects

G M Koppes

Publications and source records attributed to G M Koppes.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Pericardial tamponade in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma).

The frequency of pericardial disease in scleroderma found at necropsy in high. The clinical recognition of pericarditis with or without effusion is rare and tamponade with haemodynamic impairment is exceptional. Three patients with scleroderma presented with an acute syndrome of dyspnoea, chest pain, and cardiomegaly requiring pericardiocentesis for relief of pericardial tamponade. One patient died. The mechanism of the pericardial effusion remains unknown. The haemodynamic data recorded from one patient suggested that pericardial fibrosis in scleroderma may predispose to pericardial tamponade.

Adolescent

Exertion-induced rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation in sickle cell trait.

From 1970 to 1974, among thousands of trainees seen at two large military installations who were subjected to the same physical and environmental stresses, only four recruits were hospitalized because of acute exertional rhabdomyolysis, renal failure and coagulopathy. The illness followed the performance of vigorous exercise. These four patients had sickle cell trait. In an attempt to explain this association, the data in these four cases are summarized. The hypothesis is then developed that rhabdomyolysis and endothelial damage, terminating in severe coagulopathy, may more likely occur in patients with sickle cell trait who are subjected to virorous physical exertion.

Acute Kidney Injury

Group Y meningococcal disease in United States Air Force recruits.

Between 1971 and 1974, group Y meningococcal disease developed in 88 Air Force recruits; 68 had primary bacterial pneumonia. None of the patients with primary pneumonia had the stigmata of meningococcemia or meningitis. Patients with pneumonia responded well to small doses of parenteral penicillin. Ten patients had meningococcemia, and six had meningitis. Pneumonia, therefore, predominated over meningococcemia and meningitis 4:1. Skin lesions were rare in patients with meningococcemia but frequent in those with meningitis; otherwise, these clinical syndromes were similar to group B and C meningococcal disease. There was only one death, a patient with known preexisting leukopenia.

Adult

Pancytopenia and "caillary leak syndrome" with infectious mononucleosis.

A 19-year-old man with documented infectious mononucleosis presented with pancytopenia and a megaloblastic bone marrow. He developed a "capillary leak syndrome" with an expanded plasma volume of 9,290 ml and normal right heart and pulmonary artery pressures. The patient had a dramatic recovery after corticosteroid therapy.

Adult

Hypothyroidism presenting as a polymyositis-like syndrome. Report of two cases.

Two patients with proximal muscle weakness and marked elevations of serum muscle enzymes were initially believed to have polymyositis; however electromyography and muscle biopsies were normal. Both patients were subsequently found to have hypothyroidism. Each regained her muscle strength, and serum enzymes normalized with thyroid hormone replacement. Because muscle weakness and an elevated creatine phosphokinase occur in most patients with hypothyroidism, thyroid dysfunction must be considered in the differential diagnosis of polymyositis.

Adult