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Biomedical subjects

J T Prchal

Publications and source records attributed to J T Prchal.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Multiple myeloma masquerading as chromophobe adenoma.

A 62-year-old woman presenting with intracranial lesion eroding the sella with compression of optic chiasma was found to have plasmacytoma of the pituitary area. At the time of initial surgery, the patient had no biochemical, immunologic or marrow findings of multiple myeloma. The intracranial tumor was interpreted initially as chromophobe adenoma on light microscopy, but the diagnosis of plasmacytoma was established by electron microscopic examination of the tumor. The case illustrates the usefulness of electron microscopy as a diagnostic tool.

Adenoma, Chromophobe

Association of presenile cataracts with heterozygosity for galactosaemic states and with riboflavin deficiency.

Red cells and the lens of the eye are non-nucleated cells; moreover, they have metabolic similarities. Cataracts develop in childhood in homozygotes for galactosaemic abnormalities, which can be detected by biochemical measurements in red blood-cells. It has not been determined whether heterozygotes for these defects are at greater risk for cataract development later in life. Similarly, riboflavin deficiecy for which the erythrocyte is a sensitive indicator, has been associated with cataracts in animals. Red-cell studies were carried out in 22 patients, aged under 50, with cataracts. Heterozygosity for galactokinase deficiency was detected in 5 patients, for galactose-uridyl transferase in 2, and evidence of an erythrocytic deficiency of riboflavin in 8. Even when Black subjects were excluded from analysis because of their high incidence of polymorphism for galactokinase, these findings are significantly different from those expected from population surveys and suggest that many patients with presenile cataracts have a biochemical abnormality which can be detected by examination of red blood-cells and which may be corrected by dietary restrictions or supplements.

Adolescent

An in vitro measurement of bleeding time.

An in vitro method of measuring the bleeding time is described. The test, called the machine bleeding time (MBT), is not affected by heparin and detects the same types of hemostatic abnormalities as the template bleeding time. It is sensitive to thrombocytopenia, aspirin administration, and von Willebrand's disease. It is a reproducible test suitable for replicate and serial determinations and permits in vitro evaluation of the addition of drugs.

Aspirin