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Biomedical subjects

I Costa

Publications and source records attributed to I Costa.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

K-ras mutations in nonmucinous ovarian epithelial tumors: a molecular analysis and clinicopathologic study of 144 patients.

BACKGROUND: To assess the putative prognostic value of K-ras mutations in nonmucinous ovarian tumors, the authors looked for K-ras point mutations at codons 12 and 13 in 144 nonmucinous ovarian tumors. METHODS: A series of 144 consecutive, unselected, archival, nonmucinous ovarian tumors (35 benign, 12 borderline, and 97 malignant) were studied. K-ras mutations at codons 12 and 13 were determined by polymerase chain reaction using the restriction fragment length polymorphism method with mismatched nested primers. Extensive clinicopathologic and follow-up data on all patients were evaluated. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of K-ras mutations at codons 12 and 13 was 30.5% (44/144). In benign tumors, it was 20% (7/35); in borderline tumors, 25% (3/12); and in carcinomas, 35% (34/97). The presence of K-ras point mutations did not correlate with survival. Among the benign tumors, K-ras mutations were detected in three Brenner tumors with a mucinous component. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that K-ras mutations are not initial events in the pathogenesis of nonmucinous ovarian tumors and do not appear to be related to survival.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Parasuicide and mental disorders.

This study aims to provide a better follow-up of parasuicidal subjects, focusing on their diagnostic profile with regard to whether the parasuicide intention was death or not. A total of 235 parasuicidal out-patients (PS) and a comparison group of 235 non-parasuicidal out-patients (CG) were surveyed. A structured interview was applied to both groups. Parasuicide intention was appraised by means of the Suicide Intent Scale of Beck. The PS patients were divided into two groups, depending on whether their intention was death (PSD) or not (OPS), and they were matched with their CG counterparts. The diagnostic profile of each group was analysed and differences in diagnosis distribution were found. The rates of major depression, alcohol dependence and schizophrenia were higher among PSD than in OPS patients. The same was true for comorbidity of major depression and alcohol dependence. On Axis II, borderline personality ranks first among PSD patients. The diagnostic profile of PSD approaches that of completed suicide as shown in retrospective and prospective studies. The methodology employed here could therefore be recommended for estimating parasuicide intention. As well as the diagnosis, a detailed profile could also be obtained in the light of that intention. Bearing in mind such a profile among PSD patients could contribute to a drop in the suicide rate among these subjects.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1998

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in post-remission therapy of acute myeloid leukemia.

The impact on occult leukemia of GM-CSF as a sensitizing agent has not been studied. We treated 41 adult patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia, 25 of whom achieved complete remission and were given 1 to 3 post-remission courses, each course including GM-CSF begun 4 days prior to chemotherapy and given until day 3. After a median follow-up of 32 months, the probability of remaining in continuous complete remission was 17% at 46 months. GM-CSF in this setting was not associated with an improved outcome, arguing against a priming effect.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

ACTH-producing carcinoma of the pituitary with haematogenic metastases.

The case report is presented of a 47-year-old white woman with Cushing's disease treated by bilateral adrenalectomy in June 1981. A first computed tomography (CT) scan in September 1984 showed a voluminous pituitary adenoma with invasion of the sphenoid sinus and left parasellar extension. The tumour increased progressively in size, a suprasellar extension developed and the optic chiasm was eventually affected. In March 1988 and June 1989 the patient underwent two surgeries for the pituitary tumour, the second followed by radiotherapy. During this period, the ACTH values varied between 100 pmol/l and 403 pmol/l (normal: < 13 pmol/l). After radiotherapy, a progressive shrinking of the tumour was observed and the ACTH concentrations decreased to a lowest value of 27.5 pmol/l. The patient was clinically well until September 1993 when, suddenly, the plasma ACTH concentration increased to very high levels (greater than 965 pmol/l). There was no evidence of tumour growth on the sellar CT scan. In January 1995, an ACTH-producing pituitary carcinoma was diagnosed, based on the presence of bone metastases. The patient died in May 1995.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1997

Masson's intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia mimicking Stewart-Treves syndrome: report of a case.

Masson's intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia, also called Masson's pseudoangiosarcoma, represents a benign vascular proliferation, presently considered as a peculiar histopathologic reaction pattern of the endothelium to diverse stimuli. Differentiation from angiosarcoma represents the main diagnostic concern. We report a case of Masson's intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia presenting in a 55-year-old woman with ipsilateral lymphedema secondary to surgery and radiation therapy for breast carcinoma. The diagnosis was intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia. This is the first description of Masson's pseudoangiosarcoma in this clinical context, to our knowledge. We believe it represents a peculiar morphologic pattern of endothelium proliferation secondary to venous stasis and thrombosis due to lymphedema.

Arm↗
PubMed1997

[Intestinal obstruction in cancer patients. Palliative treatment].

The treatment of intestinal obstruction (IO) in patients with advanced or terminal cancer represents an open and widely discussed topic in clinical oncology practice. As surgical palliation is a complex issue, the decision to advance with surgery should be made in consultation with the patients and family members. The prognostic factors, mainly the survival time and the surgical risks can be considered guideline indicators. If there is any possibility that surgery will be of benefit, the patient should be treated with intravenous fluids and nasogastric suction while appropriate radiological investigations are performed. When surgical intervention is contraindicated, symptomatic medical treatment should be started through continuous subcutaneous administration of analgesic and antiemetic drugs. Minor episodes of vomiting may occur, which do not trouble patients since the most distressing symptom, nausea, can be controlled. Dehydration may be avoided with a liquid diet in small quantities. In this way, it is possible to manage patients with IO for several weeks without the need of nasogastric suction or intravenous fluids. Percutaneous gastrostomy, nasogastric tube, or hypodermoclysis may be necessary for a small number of patients, principally with high obstruction, who have refractory symptoms.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1995

Diagnosis of lymphoma, leukemia, and metastatic tumor involvement of the cerebrospinal fluid by cytology and immunocytochemistry.

Fifty-five cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from 42 patients with suspected meningeal tumor involvement were reviewed. Cytology in conjunction with immunocytochemistry identified 26 CSF specimens as malignant. There were fifteen cases of lymphoma, four cases of leukemia, two cases of carcinoma, and two cases of melanoma. A monoclonal light chain expression was demonstrated in nine out of eleven B cell lymphomas. The three T-cell lymphomas all expressed pan T markers (CD 3) and two the T-helper antigen (CD 4). One patient had meningeal involvement of a true histiocytic lymphoma which was identified by its large atypical cells which were positive for alpha-1-anti-trypsin and muramidase. In four patients with a primary diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, CSF involvement was confirmed by the demonstration of blasts with CD 10 (cALLA) or light chain restriction. Epithelial or melanocytic markers were demonstrated on the tumor cells in CSF from the remaining four patients. In 29 CSF specimens a diagnosis of reactive lymphocytosis was made using cytomorphology which mostly was characterized by macrophages mixed with small mature lymphoid cells. Immunologic evaluation showed that these mature cells were CD 10 negative T-cells and only few specimens contained polyclonal B-cells. The subsequent clinical course of these patients showed no evidence of CNS malignancy. It is concluded that cytology should be used in conjunction with immunocytochemistry to accurately evaluate CSF specimens from patients with possible malignant meningitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Extratrigeminal ice-pick status.

We describe six patients with an identical type of headache, consisting of short episodes (lasting around 1 week) of daily attacks of ice-pick-like pain, recurring every minute in the same points of the scalp. In all of them, the pain was felt outside the cutaneous area of the trigeminal nerve (retroauricular, parietal, and occipital regions). All patients were examined in the emergency department of a general hospital over a period of 7 years because of these acute headaches. None of them had a history of migraine. Although this pain is identical to idiopathic stabbing headache, it differs from it by its temporal profile (in "status"), its posterior (extratrigeminal) location, and its lack of association with migraine. While the bouts were usually severe and recurred in two patients, all had a self-limited benign course and responded promptly to indomethacin.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Headache associated with transient ischemic attacks.

Sixty (29%) of 205 consecutive patients with transient ischemic attacks registered in a hospital stroke data base had headache within 72 hours of onset. Headache was significantly more common in nonsmokers (odds ratio = 2.8; 95% confidence interval = 6.7 to 1.2). Headache was infrequent in patients with amaurosis fugax, and was not significantly associated with any other particular clinical presentation of transient ischemic attack. Headache was more common in vertebrobasilar (33%) than in carotid distribution (24%) episodes, and was not rare in transient ischemic attacks presenting as lacunar syndromes (29%). Headache was less frequent in patients whose computerized tomograms showed an infarct appropriate to the symptoms (odds ratio = 0.2; 95% confidence interval = 0.02 to 1.4). A diffuse headache was more common in patients with lacunar events than in patients with cortical attacks (odds ratio = 3.0; 95% confidence interval = 13 to 0.07). No other association was found between headache location and the presumed involved vascular territory. Headache in patients with transient ischemic attacks is poorly related/explained by the clinical characteristics of the ischemic event.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Aseptic adenitis in pyoderma gangrenosum].

INTRODUCTION: Extra-cutaneous manifestations of neutrophilic dermatosis are rare. Symptomatic cases are usually multiform and confusing. We report a case with an aseptic lymph node abscess associated with pyoderma gangrenosum. CASE REPORT: A 28-year-old woman with past history of pyoderma gangrenosum was seen for abdominal symptoms and fever related to an epigastric mass. Due to signs indicating abscess formation, surgery was performed and led to total regression of the symptomatology. Recurrence was evidenced 3 months later with skin lesions which were negative on bacteriological examinations. The diagnosis of lymph node manifestations of pyoderma gangrenosum was retained. General corticotherapy was very effective. Relapse occurred again 6 years later and was treated with thalidomide. DISCUSSION: Lymph node involvement has been described in Sneddon-Wilkinson's disease associated with pyoderma gangrenosum. In neutrophilic dermatosis, pulmonary manifestations appear to be the least exceptional of the extra-cutaneous lesions. The pathophysiology has not been elucidated although recent hypotheses suggest that G-CSF could be involved. Corticotherapy is remarkably effective in most cases but thalidomide could be an interesting alternative treatment.

Abdominal Pain↗