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Biomedical subjects

L Strauss

Publications and source records attributed to L Strauss.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Osteoblastic metastases from astrocytomas: a report of two cases.

The spread of primary central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms beyond the confines of the neuraxis is a relatively uncommon observation. Extraneural metastases involving bone are quite rare, and have been observed almost exclusively in cases of medulloblastoma, high-grade (III-IV) astrocytoma, and glioblastoma multiforme. To date there has been only one case reported of bone metastasis from a "well-differentiated" astrocytoma. We now report two cases of astrocytoma in children with diffuse osteoblastic metastases and a fulminant clinical course. These cases demonstrate that due to the potential morphologic heterogeneity of these neoplasms, an initial biopsy diagnosis of low-grade astrocytoma does not always imply a benign clinical course.

Adolescent

[The value of positron emission tomography in the diagnosis of recurrent rectal cancer].

In 21 patients with clinically suspected recurrent rectal cancer showing a mass in the pelvic CT scan, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) was performed to measure metabolic rate of the mass. In 13 of the 21 patients an increased F-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the suspect tissue could be found. All of these patients were proven to suffer recurrent cancer by biopsy. 8 of the 21 patients showed normal uptake and 7 of them revealed scar tissue by histology. Therefore PET could distinguish clearly between cancer and scar tissue.

Deoxyglucose

Bronchopleural fistula in a neonate.

Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) produced by endotracheal suction catheter is a known cause of persistent pneumothorax in preterm infants in intensive care nurseries. This report describes the pulmonary pathology of a neonate who had sustained this injury. The observation suggests that the abnormal airflow results in severe damage of the involved lobe and an unusually mild bronchopulmonary dysplasia in the rest of the lung. This is in agreement with the fact that BPF acts as the path of least resistance for the oxygen-rich air from the ventilator.

Bronchial Fistula

123I-N-isopropyl-amphetamine single photon emission computed tomography as a brain imaging technique in dementia.

Because of its binding to specific cerebral amine receptor sites 123I-N-isopropyl-amphetamine (IMP) tracer activity can be used as a measure for the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the human brain. In 21 psychiatric in-patients an IMP perfusion study was performed using a rotating gamma camera system. The findings at single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) were compared with different clinical parameters including conventional transmission computed tomography. In SPECT, two different patterns of decrease in IMP uptake could be identified. In patients with a history of cerebrovascular disease SPECT showed asymmetrical, multifocal microcirculatory defects without preference for either hemisphere. In patients with suggested Alzheimer type dementia the perfusion deficits involved the gray and white matter of the parieto-occipital lobes in a bilaterally symmetrical mode with variable extension. Thus, by using IMP-SPECT, it was possible to define the underlying pathologic condition in dementia.

Adult

Hallucinogenic amphetamine selectively destroys brain serotonin nerve terminals.

(+/-)-3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), an amphetamine analog with hallucinogenic activity, produced selective long-lasting reductions in the level of serotonin, the number of serotonin uptake sites, and the concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in rat brain. Morphological studies suggested that these neurochemical deficits were due to serotonin nerve terminal degeneration. These results show that MDA has toxic activity for serotonin neurons in rats and raise the question of whether exposure to MDA and related hallucinogenic amphetamines can produce serotonin neurotoxicity in the human brain.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine

[1 year's experience with a 57-cm image intensifier in a universal roentgen work station].

3342 patients were examined by means of a 57 cm image intensifier during one year. The installation permits examination with the patient standing or lying. The resolution was measured with a lead grid under conditions resembling actual practice and were found to be similar to those obtained with angiographic equipment. Using a medium format technique for examining the gut and vascular system resulted in radiographic quality which was not significantly different from the use of a large format technique. For examination of the skeleton, radiographic quality, using the intensifier, was markedly poorer than that resulting from Bucky examinations. There was no diagnostic difference when carrying out lymphograms. The large intensifier window of 53 cm was particularly advantageous for DSA of the pelvic and lower limb vessels when compared with smaller intensifiers. Possible savings of film and contrast medium costs are discussed.

Adult

Use of lectins in the study of histogenesis of renal cysts.

Two peroxidase-labeled lectins, from Tetragonolobus lotus and from peanut (Arachis hypogaea), were used in the study of five cases of polycystic kidney of different types. The two lectins bind with high selectivity of proximal tubules and collecting ducts, respectively. It was found that in infantile polycystic kidneys the cyst walls consistently stained with peanut lectin but not with Tetragonolobus lectin, confirming their origin from collecting ducts only. In adult polycystic kidneys there was mixture of two types of cysts: one positive for peanut, the other positive for Tetragonolobus. The two lectins were, however, mutually exclusive. Moreover, some cysts did not stain for either lectin. The findings suggest that in this type of disease a cyst can originate from any portion of the nephron. The data are also consistent with reports in the literature which used microdissection techniques or chemical analysis of the cyst content. The use of lectins will probably be useful in investigating other types of cystic kidneys, such as dysplastic kidneys and experimental models. The technique is relatively easy to use, but must be applied under strictly controlled conditions, especially when using surgical or postmortem material.

Adult

[Computer tomographic longitudinal sections of the trunk reconstructed from standard cross-sections (author's transl)].

Reduction in scan times and advances in the field of image reconstruction have made it possible to reconstruct the trunk from sequential coronal sections. For this purpose 8 mm cuts without overlap are suitable. There is consequently no increase in patient dose or in the scan time. Longitudinal sections can be reconstructed by a dedicated computer in about 10 minutes and cross sections can be evaluated in more detail. The longitudinal reconstructions provide better demonstration of organs and space-occupying lesions in their craniocaudal extent. This extension of the diagnostic spectrum is of value to the diagnostician and particularly to radiotherapists and surgeons during treatment planning.

Abdominal Neoplasms

Trisomy 8 mosaicism syndrome. Report of monozygotic twins.

Monozygotic twins were born with the phenotypical appearance of the trisomy 8 syndrome. The first twin, a stillborn, had autopsy findings suggestive of trisomy 8 syndrome. Cultured lymphocytes and skin fibroblasts of the second, liveborn twin, showed trisomy 8. While the lymphocyte culture showed 46/47, +8 mosaicism, with normal cells predominating, skin fibroblasts yielded only cells with trisomy 8. Bone marrow preparation showed only normal cells, 46,XY. Repeat lymphocyte culture at age 14 months, showed a reduced number of trisomy 8 cells. We would like to emphasize the importance of cytogenetic studies in early infancy, using both peripheral lymphocyte and skin fibroblast cultures, to increase the chance of detecting chromosomal abnormalities.

Abnormalities, Multiple

Prenatal diagnosis of 5p-.

With the combination of the various banding techniques (G,Q, and R), a small deletion of the short arm of a No.5 chromosome was detected prenatally in the pregnancy of a 39-year-old woman. The deletion appeared to be either intersitial in nature, involving part of p13 and p14, or the result of a translocation with deletion of p13 leads to pter. Both parents were found to have a normal chromosome constitution with normal banding patterns. Thus, this deletion was a de novo event. Repeat amniotic fluid cell chromosome analysis at the time of elective abortion, and postmortem examination of the fetus confirmed the prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis. We wish to emphasize that precise identification of a small deletion, as in this case, requires a combination of the various banding techniques.

Abortion, Induced

Renal vein thrombosis: a cause of intrarenal calcification in the newborn.

The calcification which may follow renal vein thrombosis (RVT) has a virtually diagnostic radiographic pattern. Previous examples have been noted mainly in follow-up examinations of infants with a history of neonatal RVT. The case reported herein, with pathologic confirmation, illustrates that such calcification may be present even on the first day of life as a result of RVT occurring in utero.

Calcinosis

Familial translocation with partial trisomy of 13 and 22: evidence that specific regions of chromosomes 13 and 22 are responsible for the phenotype of each trisomy.

A newborn infant with clinical and pathological findings typical trisomy 13 and 22 syndromes had an extra chromosome which was a derivative chromosome from maternal balanced translocation affecting Nos. 13 and 22; 47,XY,+der(22),t(13:22)(q22:q12)Mat. The presence of extra specific euchromatic regions of No. 13(13q22 and/or 13q34) and No. 22 (22q11) seem to be responsible for the trisomy 13 and 22 syndromes.

Abnormalities, Multiple