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Biomedical subjects

Gordon Andrews

Publications and source records attributed to Gordon Andrews.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

"Chasing the dragon"--imaging of heroin inhalation leukoencephalopathy.

"Chasing the dragon" refers to the inhalation of heroin pyrolysate vapors produced when the freebase form of heroin is heated. Inhalation of these vapors can result in a rare toxic spongiform leukoencephalopathy. The patients may progress through 3 defined clinical stages, with one-quarter reaching the terminal stage, which invariably leads to death. Imaging and, in particular, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrates white matter findings that are felt to be specific for this entity and essential in its early diagnosis. We present the typical imaging findings in a pictorial essay format, using images taken from 9 patients who presented within an 18-month period at UBC-affiliated hospitals. These findings include low computed tomography (CT) attenuation and high T2 MRI signal most commonly in the posterior cerebral and cerebellar white matter, cerebellar peduncles, splenium of the corpus callosum, and posterior limb of the internal capsules. In addition, there is often selective, symmetric involvement of the corticospinal tract, the medial lemniscus, and the tractus solitarius. We also present the variable diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient findings from 4 of our patients, which to our knowledge, have not been described in the literature.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2004

Assessment of multiple cardiocentesis in ball pythons (Python regius).

This study evaluated the gross and microscopic effects of serial blood collection from six ball pythons (Python regius) by using cardiocentesis. We collected 39 blood samples from each snake over a 120-day period. Cardiocentesis was performed on manually restrained snakes, with each sample requiring approximately 15 sec to collect. No clinically apparent complications were noted in any of the snakes after the cardiocentesis procedures, and all snakes survived until they were euthanized 73 days after the last blood sample. Minimal gross lesions were noted at necropsy; faint brown pigmentation of the pericardium was present in five of six snakes, and three snakes had approximately 0.5 ml dark pigmented fluid in the pericardial space. One snake had a small, organized hematoma in the pericardial space. Microscopic findings were limited to moderate and regularly arranged collagen fibrosis and focal thickening of the epicardium. The pericardial sac in all snakes had a mild infiltrate of hemosiderin-laden macrophages and small numbers of heterophils. The results suggest that serial cardiocentesis is well tolerated in ball pythons.

Animals↗