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Biomedical subjects

K McConnochie

Publications and source records attributed to K McConnochie.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

The computed tomographic appearances in chronic berylliosis.

Computed tomography (CT) of the thorax was performed in eight patients with chronic berylliosis. The pulmonary CT features were variable and included pulmonary nodularity, and patterns consistent with upper lobe fibrosis or diffuse interstitial fibrosis. Mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy was shown in three cases. CT clearly demonstrates the pattern and distribution of pulmonary and mediastinal involvement in chronic pulmonary berylliosis but the appearances are non-specific.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

A study of Spanish sepiolite workers.

BACKGROUND: Sepiolite is an absorbent clay that is used as pet litter. It forms thin crystals, which are a transition between chain and layered silicates. Inhalation studies in animals have shown no evidence of pulmonary damage. This paper reports a cross sectional study of the total work force of the largest sepiolite production plant in the world. METHODS: Two hundred and eighteen workers (210 men and eight women) were studied. Height, age, and smoking history were recorded. Chest radiographs were read according to the International Labour Office (ILO) classification by two readers. Readings were used to construct a numerical score, which was then used in statistical analyses. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were divided by the square of the height. Casella size selective personal samplers were used in randomly selected operatives to collect dust eight years before the rest of the study was carried out. These samples were evaluated gravimetrically. Total dust samples were examined by optical and electron microscopes. Results were analysed by bivariate linear regression, chi 2 tests, and analysis of variance. RESULTS: When allowance was made for smoking habit workers exposed to dry dust showed a significantly greater decline in FEV1 with age than workers with little exposure to dry dust. A similar pattern applied to FVC. Radiographic score showed deterioration with age but no clear differences from other variables. High concentrations of dust were found in the bagging department and also in the classifier shed. CONCLUSIONS: The major finding was that lung function deteriorated more rapidly in those who had had more exposure to dust, but there was no evidence of any accompanying radiographic change.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

An appraisal of CT pulmonary density mapping in normal subjects.

Modern computed tomographic (CT) scanners have post-processing facilities which allow pixels within a selected density range to be highlighted. It has been suggested that using this technique to highlight regions of low CT density (-900H to -1000H) can locate and quantitate areas of pulmonary emphysema. To establish the variability of the lung density map in normal subjects this technique was used in 17 patients with no evidence of structural lung disease on full respiratory function testing. Mean CT lung density varied from -770H to -875H (overall mean -817H). The percentage cross-sectional area in the low density range -900H to -1000H varied from 0.6% to 58% (mean 15.3%). In two further groups of 12 subjects the influence of CT slice thickness and intravenous contrast administration on the lung density map was evaluated. The use of narrower collimation led to an increase in mean cross-sectional area within the low density range from 9.6% to 16.1% (P less than 0.05). The use of intravenous contrast led to a reduction in mean cross-sectional area within the range from 8.9% to 3.3% (P less than 0.01). There is considerable variability in the lung density map of normal individuals and the method is also dependent on radiographic technique. These factors should be taken into account when considering the use of CT lung density mapping for the assessment of pulmonary disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Ispaghula sensitization in workers manufacturing a bulk laxative.

Exposure to ispaghula dust in a pharmaceutical factory resulted in chest tightness/wheeze, nasal, and ocular or skin symptoms in 48 of 92 exposed workers. Whilst symptoms were not incapacitating in the majority (44) of these, one worker required antihistamines and three others experienced severe respiratory symptoms when exposed to the dust. These three were atopic, had a positive RAST and skin test to ispaghula; a combination unique to them. There was a significant relationship between work-related symptoms and atopic status, however, smoking did not influence symptoms, total serum IgE and specific anti-ispaghula IgE. We conclude that handling ispaghula produces an irritant effect in most exposed people, however, sensitization to the dust can occur with severe respiratory symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Solitary bronchial amyloid presenting with haemoptysis.

Pulmonary amyloidosis can be classified into tracheobronchial diffuse alveolar-septal and nodular parenchymal forms. Tracheobronchial amyloidosis can be further subdivided into diffuse and focal varieties. The latter is rare. We report a patient with a focal intrabronchial deposit of amyloid who presented with haemoptysis. The haemoptysis ceased following bronchoscopic removal of this deposit.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Silent sarcoidosis and clubbing.

We report a case of sarcoidosis which was not diagnosed in life for a variety of reasons. In particular the chest was silent despite extensive pulmonary damage, and florid finger clubbing developed within a very short time.

Female↗
PubMed1989

Mesothelioma in Cyprus.

For many years, the main source of asbestos in Cyprus was thought to be the chrysotile mine in the central mountains. When a woman, who had no connection with the mine, developed mesothelioma, it was surprising to discover tremolite asbestos bodies within her lung. However, further studies have shown that tremolite occurs as a contaminant within the chrysotile ore body. In this study we have shown that both chrysotile and tremolite can be found in domestic and environmental samples throughout the mountain region; in particular, numerous fine fibres of both materials are present in stucco. Preliminary radiological studies have shown pleural disease in the village population and 5 out of 13 known cases of mesothelioma have arisen in persons unconnected with the mine. This suggests an environmental contribution to asbestos-related disease on the island.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1988

Chronic beryllium disease in identical twins.

Identical male twins born in 1959 have developed chronic beryllium disease. Twin 1 was exposed to beryllium for more than 3 years. The diagnosis was first suspected at the time of his post-employment chest radiograph. Twin 2 was exposed for 21 months and ceased employment at the same time as his brother. His post-employment examination was normal. Thirty months later he developed an unusual skin rash which biopsy showed to be granulomatous. Further investigations proved the diagnosis. Both men have reduced tear secretion measured with Schirmer's test, a feature not previously reported in this condition. Bronchoalveolar lavage and laser microprobe mass spectrometry (LAMMS) were used as aids to the diagnosis. Sarcoidosis has been reported in identical twins, suggesting genetic susceptibility, which may also be of importance in chronic beryllium disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Mesothelioma in Cyprus: the role of tremolite.

There is a chrysotile mine in the central mountains of Cyprus but no other appreciable source of industrial asbestos. Hence the island was thought to offer ideal conditions to seek pure chrysotile induced mesothelioma. The first reported case was a village woman whose lung tissue contained amphibole asbestos fibres, which were later identified as tremolite. This began a search for the origin of her exposure to asbestos. Our studies have shown that tremolite is widespread, being found, along with chrysotile, in domestic and environmental dust samples. Other cases of mesothelioma have been diagnosed, and the pattern of their distribution suggests that the mine is not the major source of disease. Exposure to tremolite is equally, if not more, important.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Skin-test reactivity to egg protein--exposure by inhalation compared with ingestion.

Of two hundred and sixty-seven subjects exposed to egg by ingestion only, forty-eight were skin (prick)-test positive to egg material. All forty-eight subjects also reacted to other allergens on skin testing, forty-seven (98%) to allergens associated with respiratory allergy. Of thirteen subjects exposed to egg by inhalation in their workplace (and ingestion) two were skin-test-positive to egg, both also reacting to respirable allergens. Thus, inhalation of egg antigen does not greatly influence skin-test reactivity to eggs as determined by comparing the ratio of egg skin-test-positives to total skin-test-positives in the egg groups ingesting and inhaling egg antigen, i.e. 48:218 vs 2:6. In terms of the pulmonary response to inhaled eggs there were equal numbers of symptomatics with positive skin tests to common allergens as there were symptomatics with negative skin tests. Thus, an allergic predisposition shown by a positive skin test to common allergens does not predict nor preclude development of a pulmonary reaction to inhaled egg material.

Allergens↗
PubMed1985

Ventilatory chemosensitivity in subjects with a history of childhood cyanotic breath-holding spells.

The ability of children with cyanotic breath-holding spells to respond to anger or frustration by voluntary breath-holding for prolonged periods (often to the point of precipitating hypoxic seizure activity) suggested the hypothesis that such children may have a less powerful urge to breathe in the presence of hypoxia and/or hypercapnia than children who do not have breath-holding spells. Because ventilatory chemosensitivity is difficult to measure in infants and young children, this hypothesis was tested indirectly by measuring the ventilatory responses to hyperoxic progressive hypercapnia and to isocapnic progressive hypoxia of seven individuals who had a history of cyanotic breath-holding spells in infancy and 17 control subjects. The mean values for sensitivity to hypoxia and to hypercapnia were not significantly different between the two groups, and the responses of the majority of the subjects with cyanotic breath-holding spells were clearly within the normal range. There were fewer individuals with high-normal ventilatory responses among the subjects with cyanotic breath-holding spells. Although children with cyanotic breath-holding spells may have decreased ventilatory chemosensitivity transiently during infancy or may differ from other children in some other aspect of the control of breathing, the pathogenesis of infantile cyanotic breath-holding spells does not involve a permanently blunted sensitivity to hypercapnia or hypoxia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Allergy to inhaled egg material.

The use of a spray system to coat meat rolls with egg solution resulted in the development of asthmatic type symptoms in eight of thirteen workers exposed to the spray. Symptoms were severe in five workers, less severe in two, and one worker experienced vague symptoms. Even though precipitins were present in nine of the workers there were no pyrexial episodes nor influenza-like symptoms occurring some hours after inhaling the egg material to suggest extrinsic allergic alveolitis. All sera with precipitins reacted against an antigen in egg yolk, two sera only to this antigen but no precipitins to ovalbumin were detected. Lung function, X-ray and haematology provided no evidence that the inhalation of egg had lasting detrimental effects. There was no correlation between clinical response, skin testing, IgE levels and precipitins, hence, for each individual none of these parameters is predictive. However, collectively the results show sensitization and this has been confirmed by lack of symptoms when a different method of coating the pastry was adopted.

Adult↗