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Biomedical subjects

K Konstantopoulos

Publications and source records attributed to K Konstantopoulos.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Pure red cell aplasia associated with true thymic hyperplasia.

Pure red cell aplasia was diagnosed in a 35-year-old otherwise healthy woman. Chest computed tomography (CT)-imaging investigation, detected an upper mediastinal mass corresponding to the thymus gland. A thoracotomy was performed and an enlarged thymus mass was removed, rapidly followed by a full hematologic recovery. Thymic histology confirmed a significant degree of hyperplasia. We conclude that not only thymomas but also other types of thymic pathology may be associated with this type of hematologic dyscrasia.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Correction of anaemia and thrombocytopenia in a case of adult type I osteopetrosis with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO).

A case of adult osteopetrosis Type I was diagnosed in a 22-year-old female. She presented for investigation of anaemia with 'myelophthisic' characteristics and extramedullary haemopoiesis which was resistant to haematinics, nandrolone and low-dose corticosteroids. She became progressively transfusion-dependent with gradually worsening thrombocytopenia. She was successfully treated with recombinant erythropoietin. Anaemia as well as thrombocytopenia were corrected. There appeared to be a synergistic action of erythropoietin with steroids.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Extramedullary haemopoiesis in thalassaemia intermedia: an unusual case of relapsing paraparesis in pregnancy.

We report a case of thalassaemia intermedia complicated during two consecutive pregnancies by two episodes of spastic paraparesis due to compression of the spinal cord by extramedullary paravertebral masses. The patient was successfully treated by hypertransfusion and local irradiation. Compression of vital organs by the extramedullary masses must always be considered in chronic haemolytic anaemias during periods of increased haemopoietic demands like pregnancy. As relapses can not be excluded, a closer follow-up is needed. A dose of irradiation preventing from recurrences in the same anatomical area, seems necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Histological and functional changes in the salivary glands in thalassaemia major.

Oral salivary secretion and oral histology in 15 multi-transfused adult thalassaemia homozygotes was studied. Iron stores of minor salivary glands were also histochemically determined. Salivary secretion in multi-transfused thalassaemia patients was subclinically decreased, but no clear correlation was evident between salivary secretion impairment and salivary gland destruction by iron deposition, lymphocyte infiltration and fibrosis. The underlying mechanism remains to be determined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Spleen size in beta-thalassaemia heterozygotes.

In 45 beta-thalassaemia heterozygotes and in 38 normal controls we determined by ultrasound tomography: (a) the surface of the projection of the spleen to thoracic and abdominal wall, (b) the maximum diameters of the organ, and (c) its volume. The volume of the spleen is significantly bigger in heterozygotes as opposed to normals (132.94 +/- 41.76 and 80.29 +/- 25.88, respectively). In 17.8% of heterozygotes a palpable spleen was found. The findings of this study lead to the hypothesis that in all heterozygotes the final volume of the organ is increased; however, in only 17.8% of them a palpable spleen is found.

Heterozygote↗
PubMed1995

Cytochemical determination of monoamine oxidase activity in lymphocytes and neutrophils of schizophrenic patients.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was determined cytochemically in peripheral blood lymphocytes and neutrophils of 14 schizophrenic patients and normal controls. The cytochemical method of Glenner modified for smear preparations was utilized. Schizophrenic patients show a tendency to express a lower percentage of MAO-positive neutrophils as compared to the non-schizophrenic controls. This biochemical difference in schizophrenic patients needs further clarification.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Shear-induced platelet aggregation in normal subjects and stroke patients.

Elevated levels of shear stress that occur in stenotic arteries may induce platelet aggregation and initiate thrombosis. Shear-induced platelet aggregation (SIPA) was studied in groups of ischemic stroke patients and normal subjects using a viscometric-flow cytometric technique. Twenty-three patients who sustained an ischemic stroke that was not of cardiac origin were included in this study, and were classified either as atherosclerotic (n = 15) or as lacunar (n = 8) stroke patients. The results show that shear stresses at the levels which occur in arteries partially occluded by atherosclerosis or vascular spasm strongly activate and aggregate platelets, and this response is much more pronounced in non-lacunar stroke patients who had documented atherosclerotic disease of their cerebral vessels. SIPA is not affected by the time of blood drawing after the onset of stroke suggesting that these platelet abnormalities are not transient but chronic. Furthermore, the extent of platelet activation detected by an anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody and the proportion of neutrophil-platelet aggregates circulating in vivo are significantly higher in the atherosclerotic stroke patients studied at least one month after the onset of stroke. The results indicate that the enhanced platelet responses observed in atherosclerotic stroke patients are not consequences of ischemia, and therefore both platelet activation and elevated SIPA may be considered as important risk factors for stroke. The methodology developed in this work may be useful for characterization of platelet reactivity, and may contribute to our understanding of thrombotic mechanisms.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Mechanical hemolysis associated with a bioprosthetic mitral valve combined with a calcified aortic valve stenosis.

We report a case of severe mechanical hemolysis occurring 8 years after insertion of a bioprosthetic mitral valve in a patient who also suffered from aortic valve stenosis. It is suggested that the coexistence of two malfunctioning valves may lead to hemolysis via hemodynamic and turbulence alteration and that this condition is more frequent than expected for isolated valve involvement.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Bacteroides fragilis arthritis in a sickle cell-thalassaemia patient.

Anaerobic arthritis due to Bacteroides fragilis was diagnosed in a 33-year-old patient with prolonged fever suffering from sickle cell/thalassaemia. The causative agent was isolated from blood and purulent synovial fluid from both knee joints. A combination of chloramphenicol plus metronidazole treatment proved effective. Anaerobic arthritis has not previously been described in patients with sickle cell disease, and may reflect the well-known susceptibility of these patients to pathogens.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

'Fetal' erythropoiesis following bone marrow transplantation as estimated by the number of F cells in the peripheral blood.

The aim of this study was to define factor(s) influencing fetal erythropoiesis following bone marrow transplantation. Thirty-one transplanted patients (14 males, 17 females) were studied. The underlying diseases were chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML, 18 patients), acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML, 7 patients) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL, 6 patients). Reticulocyte and peripheral F cell estimation was carried out in donors and patients before transplantation and repeatedly during recovery. For F cell estimation, an indirect immunofluorescence assay was utilized. A significant increase above pre-BMT values in the percentage of F cells was observed in all patients from days 11 to 40 after transplantation. The increase of F cells on days 15, 18, 25, 32, 40 and 50 after transplantation was statistically significant in 14 patients who had shown an increase of F cells following chemotherapy (high responders) compared with the remaining 17 patients who did not respond so significantly. This finding supports the influence of the host bone marrow micro environment. The nature of the mechanisms operating remains to determined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

A comparative study of conventional inhalation anaesthesia and total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) performed with midazolam and alfentanil.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two anesthetic techniques, total intravenous anaesthesia performed with midazolam-alfentanil and classic inhalation anaesthesia. DESIGN: Prospective comparison of two anaesthetic techniques in patients (ASA I and II), of the same age range, randomly divided in two groups, undergoing operations of the same type by the same surgical team. SETTING: Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia of a teaching hospital in Athens-Greece. PATIENTS: Group A (20) received 1 ml droperidol as premedication, thiopental 5 mg/kg body weight, fentanyl 2 mg/kg and atracurium 0.5 mg/kg for induction to anaesthesia; anaesthesia was maintained with fentanyl 5 mg/kg, 0.5-1% halothane and a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, and muscle relaxation with atracurium 6-7 mg/kg. Group B (20) was given midazolam 0.06 mg/kg as premedication. For induction of anaesthesia this group was given midazolam 0.25 mg/kg and alfentanyl 30 mg/kg; atracurium 0.5 mg/kg was also given for muscle relaxation. Anaesthesia was maintained by midazolam 4 mg/kg/min, alfentanil 1.5 mg/kg/min and oxygen enriched air and muscle relaxation with atracurium 6-7 mg/kg/min. The depth of anaesthesia was assessed by the standard clinical signs (arterial pressure, heart rate) and by several biochemical tests (blood glucose and cortisol levels). ANALYSIS: Student's "t" test and chi 2 test. RESULTS: No statistical difference was noted between the two groups pre-operatively regarding arterial pressure, heart rate, blood glucose and cortisol levels. During operation the heart rate and mean arterial pressure were within normal range. Group B patients had a slightly lower (p < 0.05) minimal arterial pressure. A considerable increase in blood glucose was noted during the operation period in both groups; no difference was observed between the two groups of patients. Cortisol levels increased from the early stages of the operation in both groups and to some extent in the postoperation period. This last increase was significantly higher in Group A. CONCLUSION: Total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) seems simple, safe and feasible in hospitals of this country.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

HLA-A and -B antigens in chronic bronchitis.

The A- and B- types of Human Leucocyte Antigens (HLA) were examined in a group of Greek patients with a diagnosis of chronic bronchitis. The results were compared to those of 400 healthy unrelated controls (smokers and non-smokers) from the same population. A statistically significant increase of HLA-A1 and HLA-B17 was noted; a similar increase was also noted when only healthy smokers were utilized as a control group. These results support the hypothesis that genetic factors are also involved in the pathogenesis of this common disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Rat bite fever in a Greek child.

Rat bite fever was diagnosed in a 10-year-old boy in a rural area of south-west Greece. The clinical presentation was typical for this disease and the relevant causative agent (Streptobacillus moniliformis) was isolated from blood cultures of the febrile patient. Erythromycin treatment was efficient. Although extremely rare in continental Europe, this infection must be taken into account as a potential hazard of a rat bite.

Child↗
PubMed1991

HLA antigens in Burger's disease.

The HLA A and B types of 20 Greek patients with thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) were studied and compared with a panel of 400 controls. A nonstatistically significant increase in the frequencies of HLA B5, B7 and A9 antigens was found. These antigens were found to be associated with a relative risk of 3.47, 3.24 and 2.07 respectively. These findings are partially in agreement with those of a joint English-Swiss study which also found a negative association with B12 antigens; in the Greek population, also of European origin, a negative association was observed with the B8 antigen.

Adolescent↗