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Biomedical subjects

J M Thornbery

Publications and source records attributed to J M Thornbery.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1987

Giant cell fibroblastoma. A distinctive, recurrent tumor of childhood.

Giant cell fibroblastoma, which was first described by Shmookler and Enzinger in 1983, is a rare fibroblastic tumor occurring mainly in male patients younger than 10 years of age. Only 28 cases have been reported so far. This paper describes seven new cases which were referred in consultation between 1968 and 1985. Five of the seven patients were male; their ages at the time of first surgery ranged from 2 to 18 years, but six of the seven were younger than 4 years. Tumors were all superficial and were situated in the chest (2 tumors), neck, axilla, scrotum, thigh, and finger; they generally grew slowly, were poorly circumscribed, and measured from 1 to 5 cm in maximum dimensions. Grossly, they were described variously as gray, gelatinous, firm, white, fibrous, pink, and watery. Histologically, there were varying proportions of moderately cellular solid areas and angiectoid areas, both featuring distinctive fibroblastic cells with what appeared to be multiple nuclei arranged in florets or wreaths. By electron microscopy, each wreath proved to be an excessively convoluted, but single, multilobed nucleus. The nuclei of the tumor cells were slightly hyperchromatic and not bizarre or pleomorphic. In follow-up times of from 12 months to 11 years (median 31 months), only one tumor recurred locally and none metastasized. The comparatively low recurrence rate in this series may well increase if the patients are followed for a longer period. Giant cell fibroblastoma should probably be classified with other nonmetastasizing, locally recurring fibroblastic proliferations of youth and childhood such as juvenile aponeurotic fibroma and recurring digital fibrous tumor of infancy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Transcutaneous bilirubinometry: a comparison of old and new methods.

Two devices for hyperbilirubinemia screening were compared: the Minolta jaundice meter and the 30-year-old Ingram icterometer. Serum bilirubin values were obtained from a population of 106 healthy newborns with jaundice. A linear correlation existed between serum bilirubin values and the readings on the jaundice meter (y = 0.91x + 9.25, r = .74, standard error of the estimate (sy X x) = 2.02). The device classified hyperbilirubinemia with a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 77.5%. A linear correlation existed between serum bilirubin values and the readings on the icterometer (y = 0.17x + 1.74, r = .63, sy X x = 0.38). The device classified hyperbilirubinemia with a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 74%. The population studied was preselected for the presence of jaundice and each data point obtained was from a different patient. As a result, the correlation coefficient obtained from the jaundice meter is lower than others reported, but is more representative of the value that should be obtained under routine nursery situations. Both devices perform well as screening devices; at optimal cutpoints, no statistically significant difference in their efficacy can be demonstrated. Despite the availability of more complex and expensive devices, the icterometer continues to serve as a cost-effective screening device for hyperbilirubinemia.

Bilirubin↗