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Biomedical subjects

I Ratner

Publications and source records attributed to I Ratner.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Taking our case public.

Key protections are lacking in this state concerning patients' rights. Where do physicians and patients stand on this issue? Medical Society of New Jersey President Irving Ratner, MD, offers views and perspectives on patient protection.

Humans↗

Surgical implications of Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

Intestinal intussusception, perforation, necrosis, and massive gastrointestinal bleeding are the surgical conditions most often seen in Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP). We reviewed the charts of 183 patients who were diagnosed with HSP at two children's hospitals over a 17-year period. Ten patients underwent laparotomy. Intussusception was the most common surgical lesion. Sequential barium enema and upper gastrointestinal series established the diagnosis of intussusception preoperatively in five of six patients. Two patients developed jejunal perforation and segmental ileal ischemia. Although gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 52% of patients, the bleeding was self-limiting and no blood transfusion was required. Laboratory data were not helpful in differentiating patients with and without surgical problems.

Adolescent↗

Association of low systolic and diastolic blood pressure with significant patent ductus arteriosus in the very low birth weight infant.

The systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressures of 34 infants weighing less than 1200 g, who required mechanical ventilation for hyaline membrane disease, were prospectively evaluated in the first week of life and related to the magnitude of ductal shunting. Seventeen infants developed a large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) corresponding to significant left-to-right ductal shunting and requiring surgical ligation. By the second day of life these patients with large PDAs had significantly lower mean systolic and diastolic BPs than the non-PDA infants. There were no significant differences in pulse pressures between groups. Both systolic and diastolic BPs promptly returned to control values after ligation. A mean diastolic BP less than 28 mm Hg on the third day of life was significantly associated with a PDA in 93% of patients.

Blood Pressure↗

Acquired subglottic stenosis in the very-low-birth-weight infant.

In the six-year period from 1975 through 1980, acquired subglottic stenosis was recognized in eight patients during the first year of life who survived intubated mechanical ventilation as newborn infants. Seven of eight cases occurred in infants who weighed less than 1,500 g at birth. This complication was not seen in the first three years of the review, when only nasotracheal intubation was practiced. In the second three years, orotracheal intubation was the predominant practice. Seven infants required tracheostomy and the outcome was poor: none has undergone decannulation and three have died. Recognition of this disorder as a cause of inability to extubate the very-low-birth-weight infant is stressed.

Child, Preschool↗

Appendicitis in acute leukemia.

The cases of five children with acute leukemia complicated by appendicitis were reviewed. All but one child had typical signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis, though four children were receiving prednisone. All five children underwent appendectomy, and all survived the immediate postoperative period. One child had a spontaneous remission following appendectomy. Two of three children in relapse suffered serious postoperative complications. Our experience supports the surgical management of appendicitis in acute leukemia.

Acute Disease↗

Congenital tracheoesophageal fistula without esophageal atresia.

Congenital tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) without esophageal atresia, commonly referred to as H-type fistula, comprises only 4.2% of all TEF's. Four infants with this entity were surgically treated at Santa Rosa Children's Hospital during the period of 1974 to 1977, and their diagnosis, surgical management, and hospital course are described in detail. H-type TEF is characterized by a clinical triad consisting of paroxysms of coughing precipitated by feeding, gaseous distention of the gastrointestinal tract, and pneumonitis. Demonstration of H-type TEF can be difficult and may be accomplished only by repeated examinations. The esophagogram using cinefluoroscopy and image intensification is the primary diagnostic technique utilized. If this is nondiagnostic, then tracheobronchoscopy should be performed in conjunction with ancillary techniques which improve endoscopic yield. Surgical correction can be accomplished through a cervical approach in 80% of cases. Preoperatival treatment of H-type TEF is dependent upon a high index of suspicion, an aggressive diagnostic approach, and prompt surgical correction. Our series of patients demonstrates that early diagnosis is feasible.

Bronchoscopy↗

Carcinoma of the breast with multinucleated reactive stromal giant cells. A light and electron microscopic study of two cases.

Two unusual carcinomas of the breast are described, containing nests of infiltrating neoplasm situated within stromal lacunar spaces, and surrounded by numerous benign appearing multinucleated giant cells. Within the stroma, there was extensive hemorrhage, hemosiderin pigment deposition, and large numbers of mononucleated inflammatory cells. The morphology of both tumors resembled the giant cell tumor of bone. Although a similar giant cell reaction has recently been described in association with a uterine leiomyosarcoma, we are aware of only two other examples of this entity in the breast, both reported over 40 years ago in the French literature. This is the first report in which electron microscopy confirmed the benign histiocytic nature of the giant cells. These cells had many of the ultrastructural features of multinucleated giant cells described in tissue culture, skeletal osteoclastomas, and foreign body granulomas. We propose that the giant cells arise from fusion of mononucleated stromal cells, and most likely are reactive histiocytic elements which are in some way related to the tumor cell nests. Further studies of these unusual neoplasms are needed to determine if the giant cell reaction in any way affects the prognosis of the patient.

Adult↗