Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to H Rams.
Esophageal obstruction secondary to recurrent breast carcinoma is not widely recognized. Frequently, the esophageal narrowing is attributed to a benign process, resulting in delays of diagnosis and treatment. Such a case prompted this report and review of the literature.
Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis and cause of the increased subepithelial collagen deposition that occurs in patients with collagenous colitis, a rare disease of unknown cause. One hypothesis considers an inflammatory origin, and the other, a local abnormality of collagen synthesis. An analysis of clinical, endoscopic, and histologic findings from one of our patients and from previously published cases suggests that collagenous colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by localization of the initial injury to the superficial subepithelial zone and with subsequent fibrosis in that area. The data show a spectrum of clinical and histologic changes that represent different stages in the evolution of the inflammatory process.
A case of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is reported in a Hispanic man with an unusual recurrence six weeks after radioactive iodine treatment. Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis has now been well characterized in the literature: it occurs primarily in Orientals with an overwhelming male preponderance and a higher association of specific HLA antigens. Clinical manifestations include onset after high carbohydrate ingestion or heavy exertion, with progressive symmetric weakness leading to flaccid paralysis of the extremities and other muscle groups, lasting several hours. If hypokalemia is present, potassium administration may help abort the attack. Although propranolol can be efficacious in preventing further episodes, the only definitive treatment is establishing a euthyroid state. The pathophysiology is still controversial, but reflects altered potassium and calcium dynamics as well as certain morphologic characteristics within the muscle unit itself.