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Biomedical subjects

G S Hammer

Publications and source records attributed to G S Hammer.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Renal aspergilloma: an unusual cause of infection in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

The case of a 36-year-old man with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and a renal aspergilloma is reported. Aspergillus infections are uncommon in patients with AIDS. Isolated renal aspergillomas have rarely been reported in the non-AIDS population (14 cases) and have never been reported in a patient with AIDS. The patient we describe was clinically symptomatic and initially treated medically, but he did not respond to intravenous amphotericin and oral itraconazole. He eventually required nephrectomy; however, there was local recurrence of the aspergilloma postoperatively. We comment on some issues in the spectrum of Aspergillus infections in AIDS and review the literature on the manifestations and treatment of renal aspergillomas.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Toward the development of consumer-based criteria for the evaluation of assistive devices.

The most important basis for evaluating an assistive device is whether it satisfies the needs of the disabled consumer. However, the factors that consumers consider in determining whether a device meets their needs are not well understood. This preliminary study applied a small focus group process to identify and prioritize factors used by long-term users of assistive technology in assessing their devices. A modified version of the Delphi Method was applied to two groups of long-term users--a Panel of Consumer Experts with Mobility Impairments and a Panel of Consumer Experts with Sensory Impairments. In total, the panels identified and prioritized 17 general factors for 11 types of assistive technologies. This study constitutes an initial step toward the development of design, engineering, and selection criteria based on the specific concerns of consumers.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Mucormycosis in a transplant recipient.

Mucormycosis classically occurs in patients who have uncontrolled diabetes who develop rhinocerebral disease. A fatal case of rhinocerebral infection caused by Rhizopus arrhizus in a 53-year-old man who had received a renal homograft three years previously is reported. Only five similar cases have been documented, all since 1970. Although direct smears of the purulent nasal exudate revealed the presence of numerous Gram-negative bacilli, later identified as Haemophilus influenzae, the diagnosis of mucormycosis was made by demonstrating the typical broad, nonseptate branched hyphae in the necrotic tissue obtained by surgical debridement of the paranasal sinuses. Culture of this material revealed growth of mold-like fungus which, upon direct microscopic examination, showed sporangiophores bearing spherical sporangia arising directly from a cluster of root-like structures of rhizoids. Despite the immediate institution of therapy with amphotericin B postoperatively, the patient died 48 hours later. Subsequently, the Rhizopus isolated was shown to be resistant to both amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine. The present case and two others stress the importance of an aggressive diagnostic approach to patients suspected of having mucormycosis, because the usual microbiologic technics are frequently, inexplicably, unsuccessful, and possibly even misleading in this disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The AAMI contract approach to standards development.

In summary, the AAMI approach enables the FDA to utilize all available resources needed to identify critical characteristics that should be subjected to standards; to develop rationale for those parameters that should not be subjected to standards; and to develop standards in those areas where standards should be developed. During the process, appropriate checks and balances are available because of AAMI's multidisciplinary approach, which is not available using other approaches. The AAMI approach is extremely participatory and, consequently, will result in the production of a standard that will be acceptable to the largest number of people without compromising critical safety and efficacy considerations.

Biomedical Engineering↗