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M Ercegovac

Publications and source records attributed to M Ercegovac.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Seizures in multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE: In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), epileptic seizures occur more frequently than in the general population. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical characteristics of epilepsy in patients with MS, potential correlation between the semiology of seizures, EEG and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in these patients, as well as to examine the response to anticonvulsant therapy. METHODS: In a series of 268 consecutive patients with definite MS hospitalized at the Institute of Neurology, Belgrade, we identified 20 (7.5%) patients with seizures or epilepsy. All patients with seizures or epilepsy were submitted to standard EEG and brain MRI with gadopentetate dimeglumine. RESULTS: In four patients, epilepsy occurred 1-5 years before other clinical manifestations of MS. Eight patients had seizures only during MS relapses (provoked seizures). In two of them, seizures were the only manifestations of relapse. In 12 patients, seizures occurred regardless of the phase of MS (chronic epilepsy). In the majority of patients, seizures were partial with secondary generalization. Five patients experienced episodes of status epilepticus, and they all had dementia. Abnormal EEG pattern was found in 11 patients. Brain MRI disclosed cortical-subcortical lesions in nine patients and focal cortical atrophy in one, whereas in the remaining patients, findings were inconclusive. Probable EEG-MRI-seizure type correlation existed in 10 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that epilepsy may represent an initial symptom of MS and a single clinical manifestation of a relapse, and further support the assumption of the existing correlation between the presence of cortical-subcortical lesions and epileptic seizures or epilepsy in patients with MS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Correlations between mitotic and apoptotic indices, number of interphase NORs, and histological grading in squamous cell lung cancer.

Proliferative activity of tumors is strongly associated with prognosis and response to therapy. The reason for faster and uncontrolled growth rate of tumors compared with normal tissue may be caused by the greater proliferation of cells, the smaller rate of cell death, or both. Cell production vs. cell loss rates, and their correlation with a grade of tumor cell differentiation (G) was estimated in 45 cases of squamous cell lung cancers (SCLC) by the use of mitotic indices (MI), number of interphase NORs, and apoptotic indices (AI) as parameters. The mitotic figures as well as apoptotic cells were observed on paraffin sections (4-microm thick) stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and with Feulgen reaction with Schiff-type reagent containing 0.5% Toluidine Blue. According to our results, all three parameters distinguish significantly (P < 0.05) between well and moderately or poorly differentiated groups, but not between the first two groups, and clearly discriminate between low- and high-grade malignancy. These results suggest classification of squamous cell lung cancers into two groups, a group of low and a group of high proliferative activity, despite their morphological appearance. Regression analysis revealed a significant (P < 0.0005) correlation between MI and AgNOR counts per cell nucleus as proliferative markers and AI as a marker of cell loss. The number of mitoses and apoptoses, especially when they are expressed as a percentage of the total number of tumor cells, are markers of tumor proliferation rate. They both can be used in biofunctional staging, based on cell kinetics, to provide more prognostic information about lung cancers than clinicopathological staging.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[The effect of performance of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures on successful treatment of hemopneumothorax in isolated thoracic trauma].

Influence of performed diagnostic and therapeutic procedures on the outcome of the treatment of traumatic hemopneumothorax during isolated chest trauma. The aim of this study is the assessment of the influence of performed diagnostic and therapeutic procedures on the outcome of hemopneumothorax as a part of isolated chest trauma. The main group consists of 51 patients with hemopneumothorax. Patients with pneumothorax without effusion represent the first control group; the second control group consist of patients treated because of iatrogenic pneumothorax. In the main and control groups the analysis of clinical, roentgenographic and functional parameters was made, together with the analysis of particular therapeutic procedures, the estimation of the success of the treatment was based on roentgenographic and functional parameters. The higher incidence of hemopneumothorax compared with control groups during chest trauma in the analyzed material is statistically significant. The occurrence of bilateral hemopneumothorax in 10% of cases emphasizes the need of adequate roentgenographic assessment of injured patients. Regardless of the intensity of the trauma, symptoms do not always indicate the existence of hemopneumothorax. The number of fractured ribs is not of significant importance in terms of the occurrence of hemopneumothorax or pneumothorax. Severe dyspnea can be accompanied even with a smaller collapse of the lung independently of the amount of blood in the pleural cavity. Oxygenation in the arterial blood is impaired with the great and small pulmonary collapse. Hemodynamic disorders existed in 14% all cases. The higher frequency of operative treatment in the main group is statistically significant. The majority of cases of traumatic hemopneumothorax can be successfully treated by the conservative treatment. Accompanying complications do not have greater influence on the outcome.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Nontraumatic subcutaneous emphysema. Diagnostic and therapeutic problems].

Nontraumatic subcutaneous emphysema is less frequent than traumatic. Its occurrence, unless synchronous with the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax, usually is the consequence of exacerbation of COPD or of the obstruction of major bronchi. However, in routine clinical practice, the occurrence of subcutaneous emphysema without evident underlying disease, in combination with normal chest x-ray, still is a diagnostic and therapeutic problem. In this study typical mechanisms of this phenomenon are presented; air-trapping at the level of the main bronchus caused by endobronchial tumour growth, progressive destruction of alveoles by diffuse lung disease irrespective of its nature, and mechanism of its occurrence during dealing with the urgent clinical problem in the intensive care unit. This study does not deal with subcutaneous emphysema during the attack of severe asthma assuming it as well known situation that usually does not cause a major therapeutic problem. The sequence of necessary diagnostic and therapeutic steps is discussed taking account of possible pitfalls that usually exist in all of three described pathophysiological situations.

Humans↗