Tc-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer brain perfusion spect in presurgical evaluation for intractable partial epilepsy in a young infant.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Fischbach.
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Preservation of residual renal function (RRF) is an important goal. In children, a more rapid decline in RRF has been observed under hemodialysis (HD) therapy as compared with peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy. In adults, however, automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) may cause a more rapid decline of RRF than continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) does. The objective of the present study, a survey in a single center over the last 15 years, was to assess the impact of APD versus hemodiafiltration (HDF) on daily urinary volume (dUV) outcome. We included 97 children who were dialyzed for at least a 12-month period between January 1985 and December 1999, using either HDF (n = 60; 62%) or PD [n = 37; 38% (86% of those on APD)]. The endpoint was anuria occurrence, defined as a dUV below 50 mL/m2 body surface area (BSA) at three consecutive monthly determinations. Despite the use of HDF as hemodialysis therapy (that is, biocompatible membranes and a very low incidence of vascular instability during ultrafiltration), PD--even predominantly prescribed as APD--was associated with better preservation of residual dUV. At dialysis end, anuria occurred in 65% of the children undergoing HD as compared with 23% of those undergoing PD. The mean age of the children at dialysis start was lower in the PD group. No other significant differences were noted between the groups, either for the rate of uropathies or for the RRF at initiation of dialysis.
AIMS: Growth retardation is usual in children on chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD). Despite attention to many contributing factors (nutrition, dialysis dose, hemoglobin level, adynamic bone disease, hyperparathyroidism or rickets, growth hormone resistance, etc.), normal growth is rarely obtained in infants on CPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We had the chance to observe normal growth over a 1 year period in 2 consecutively treated infants on CPD. Louise (renal hypodysplasia) required CPD at the age of 1 month: creatinine 430 micromol/l; oliguric, creatinine clearance lower than 5 ml/min/1.73 m2. Nutrition was achieved orally with human milk during the first 6 months of life. Tidal peritoneal dialysis allowed a high dialysis dose Kt/V urea 3.8/week and Kcreatinine 105 l/week/1.73 m2. Hemoglobin was maintained over 13 g/dl and low levels of vitamin D analogue were prescribed to avoid adynamic bone disease. At the age of 1 year her height was 75 cm. i.e. in the normal range for age. Madeline (renal hypodysplasia) commenced on CPD at the age of 6 weeks and managed similarly. Her height at 1 year of age was 74 cm. RESULTS: In our 20 years of experience with children on dialysis, these 2 cases of normal statural growth for age at 1 year warrant discussion. As well as nutritional support, the new and recent therapeutic options in our team were: firstly, to avoid high doses of activated vitamin D to control PTH, as high doses are able to induce both a risk of adynamic bone disease and a direct bone cartilage toxicity: secondly, to maintain normal hemoglobin level; and thirdly, to deliver a high dialysis dose (urea, creatinine clearance) based on an individually adapted prescription. CONCLUSION: We feel this management approach is necessary to achieve optimal statural growth in children on chronic peritoneal dialysis. But this management concept only based on clinical anecdotal observations needs further evaluation before its use in clinical guidelines.
The anti-Smith (Sm) autoantibody response is highly specific for systemic lupus erythematosus and is predominantly targeted to the Sm-B/B' and -D1 polypeptides. In all animal species thus far studied, anti-Sm Abs initially recognize proline-rich epitopes in the carboxyl terminus of the Sm-B/B' protein and subsequently to multiple other epitopes in B/B' and D. The absence of appropriate mAbs has limited our understanding of the genetic and structural basis of this autoimmune response. Using phage-display technology and lymphocytes from a systemic lupus erythematosus patient we have generated the first and only panel of human IgG anti-Sm mAbs thus far available. These Abs reproduced to a remarkable extent the serological reactivity of the patient. Epitope mapping and genetic studies revealed that the anti-Sm response is produced by distinct B cell clones with restricted epitope reactivity. All of the Abs in our study were exclusively encoded by different members of the V(H)4 gene family. On the aggregate, our results demonstrate that combinatorial libraries can recapitulate the immune repertoire of peripheral blood B memory cells and that epitope spreading appears to occur through the sequential recruitment of nonclonally related autoreactive B cell clones.
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease caused by autoantibodies against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Using phage-display technology we have characterized the largest panel of anti-AChR monoclonal antibodies thus far isolated from a single patient. Despite having been isolated with either Torpedo AChR or a human peptide, the recombinant antibodies shared with the donor's serum the ability to recognize human AChR expressed in its native configuration on the surface of TE671 cells. Their specificity for the main immunogenic region (MIR) of the AChR was demonstrated using a synthetic peptide corresponding to the region 67-76 of the human AChR alpha subunit and by inhibition of a highly pathogenic rat anti-MIR monoclonal antibody (mAb35). This work demonstrates the value of combinatorial libraries in isolating pathogenic autoantibodies from peripheral blood lymphocytes. Future genetic, structural, and functional analyses of the monoclonal antibodies reported herein should enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of MG.
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In the last decade, it has became apparent that the prescribed fill volume (IPV) in children on peritoneal dialysis (PD) should be expressed per body surface area (BSA in square meters) to avoid a false perception of peritoneal hyperpermeability as determined during a peritoneal equilibration test [PET, dialysate-to-plasma (D/P) ratio]. Nevertheless, the optimal IPV in terms of both tolerance and effectiveness remains under discussion. An individual approach to IPV prescription might balance the measurement of the intraperitoneal pressure, the use of the mass transfer coefficient despite the D/P ratio, and a determination of the effective peritoneal area available for exchanges. Considering these parameters, we usually found the individual optimal fill volume to be less than 1400 mL/m2.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the optimal approach to peritoneal dialysis (PD) prescription in children. DESIGN: Review of the available literature. RESULTS: Unlike the situation in adults, the main method used for PD in children is automated peritoneal dialysis (APD). The prone position, while resting, permits the dialysis prescription to use a higher fill volume (IPV), as in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and is also probably more effective than PD in an upright position. However, because APD is limited to 10 hours, the dialytic effectiveness of nocturnal APD should avoid two potential risks: (1) use of too high an IPV per exchange, inducing lymphatic reabsorption, a factor in unsuitable water and sodium balance [Fischbach M. Peritoneal dialysis prescription for neonates. Perit Dial Int. 1996; 16(Suppl):S52-4]; and (2) use of too short a dwell time per exchange, limiting the purification of creatinine and phosphate despite an apparently adequate urea purification (Malhotra C, Murota GH, Tzamaloukas AH. Creatinine clearance and urea clearance in PD: What to do in case of discrepancy. Perit Dial Int. 1997; 17:532-5).
Blepharo-naso-facial syndrome, described by Pashayan et al. (10), is characterized by telecanthus, lateral displacement and stenosis of lacrimal puncta, bulky nose, mask-like facies, trapezoïdal upper lip, torsion dystonia and mental retardation. We report on a family with this rare malformation syndrome, confirming the existence of this syndrome and its dominant inheritance. The proband had a fleshy nose, a prominant nose bridge, an hypoplastic midface, telecanthus with temporal displacement of puncta, lacrimal excretory obstruction. CNS torsion dystonia, increased deep tendon reflexes, Babinski reflexes, poor coordination and joint laxity. The proband's mother, brother and maternal grandfather also showed manifestations of the syndrome. The proband and his brother had delayed developmental milestones. Hearing impairment was present in the proband, his mother and his grandfather but was absent in the proband's brother. The blepharonasofacial syndrome was described by Pashayan et al. (10) in four members of one family, two male and one female sib and their mother. Two other sibs were unaffected. Many of the features of the blepharo-facio-nasal syndrome also occur in other well known syndromes i.e. Waardenburg syndrome. The pedigrees of the family of Pashayan et al. (10) and of our family are compatible with Mendelian dominant inheritance, either autosomal or X-linked. X-linked dominant inheritance cannot be ruled out except by male-to-male transmission, which does not occur in these families. Pashayan et al. (10) suggested that an autosomal gene with variable expressivity appears more likely. More families are needed for defining the transmission of the condition and for mapping the gene involved in the blepharo-naso-facial syndrome.
Glucose has been omitted from hemodialysates in the recent past. Currently, there is a tendency to include glucose in dialysates at physiological concentrations between 100 and 200 mg/dl (5.56-11.12 mmol/l). In adult patients, this induces, over the dialysis session, a significant uptake of glucose, with some benefits, i.e., avoidance of caloric loss, but also with some metabolic risks, i.e. decreased dialytic potassium removal secondary to an insulin-dependent intracellular potassium shift. We have performed a crossover study in five stable children (mean age 11.7 years) with normal fasting glucose on chronic bicarbonate hemodialysis. The dialysis prescription of 3-h sessions was changed only in terms of the glucose dialysate concentration, being either glucose free or containing 9.17 mmol/l (165 mg/dl) glucose; dialysates were potassium free. Twenty sessions were analyzed for each group by whole dialysate collection (glucose, potassium, phosphate) and serum concentration analysis during and post dialysis (glucose, potassium, phosphate, insulin). Glucose-free dialysis was associated with a patient net glucose loss of 113 +/- 12 mmol/session (nearly 20 g). Conversely, with the glucose-charged dialysate a small uptake of glucose was noted [13.8 +/- 2.1 mmol/session (nearly 2 g)]. At the end of the session, serum glucose was lower with the glucose-free dialysate (4.64 +/- 0.52 mmol/l) than the glucose-charged dialysate (6.11 +/- 0.92 mmol/l). Conversely, serum insulin was higher with the glucose-charged dialysate (38 +/- 17 mU/l) than the glucose-free dialysate (19 +/- 9 mU/l). There were no significant differences either for dialytic removal of potassium (70 vs. 73 mmol/session) or phosphate (20 vs. 22 mmol/session), with and without glucose dialysates. Our study, contrary to previously published data in adults, demonstrated that in children the use of a physiological concentration of glucose in the dialysate (165 mg/dl) avoids dialytic glucose loss without a significant decrease in dialytic potassium removal.
The posture of the patient influences both the intraperitoneal pressure (IPP) and the peritoneal permeability. We have studied the effects of the supine and the upright position in six children. Two peritoneal equilibration tests (PET) of 90-min dwell time each were performed consecutively, firstly in the supine position and then in the upright position. The same amount of dialysate was instilled (1,000 ml/m2; isotonic 1.36% dextrose) for each PET. Using the same filling volume, the IPP was significantly higher in the upright position (18.4 +/- 4.8 cm H2O) than in the supine position (8 +/- 2.4 cm H2O). The mean percentage IPP increase was 130% +/- 35%. The decline in glucose resorption rate from the dialysate during the PET was significantly lower in the upright position. Despite this greater relative loss of osmotic gradient in the upright than the supine position, no significant difference in net ultrafiltration was noted after 90 min of dwell. The peritoneal equilibration ratio during the PET was lower in the upright than the supine position for urea, creatinine, and phosphate. These results favor performing peritoneal dialysis in a supine position, both to increase dialysis efficiency and to reduce patient discomfort.
The known relationship between peritoneal fill volume (IVP) and dialysis efficiency favors the use of an optimal IVP to enhance peritoneal dialysis (PD). Therefore, we have studied the effects of an increased IVP in consecutive stages [800, 1400, and 2000 mL/m2 of body surface area (BSA), respectively] in 8 children on chronic PD (mean age: 9 years 6 months; range: 2-16 years). Each prescribed IVP was maintained for 60 minutes of dwell time, allowing a short peritoneal equilibration test. Tolerance was assessed clinically and by intraperitoneal pressure (IPP) measurements at the end of each dwell test. Determination of dialysate-to-plasma ratios, and calculation of mass transfer area coefficients (K0A) using the Henderson method for urea, creatinine, and phosphate, were used to assess the impact of an increased IVP on dialytic efficiency. Increasing IVP from 800 to 1400 and thereafter to 2000 mL/m2 induced an IPP increment, respectively, from 8.4 +/- 1.4 cm (of water) to 12.1 +/- 1.4 cm and thereafter to 18.3 +/- 1.4 cm, with a positive strong linear correlation (r = 0.92; P = 0.001; IPP = 1.46 +/- 8.17(-3) IVP). In the same manner increasing IVP induced K0A increments for urea of 10.6 +/- 1.2 mL/min per m2 to 15.3 +/- 1.6 mL/min per m2 and 17.1 +/- 1.9 mL/min per m2; for creatinine of 7.9 +/- 0.09 mL/min per m2 to 11.2 +/- 0.18 mL/min per m2, and 12.3 +/- 0.21 mL/min per m2; and for phosphate of 5.2 +/- 0.08 mL/min per m2 to 6.7 +/- 0.09 mL/min per m2 and 6.6 +/- 0.07 mL/min per m2, respectively. When K0A values were normalized to the values achieved at the IVP of 1400 mL/m2, the K0A gain obtained increasing IVP from 1400 to 2000 mL/m2 was only significant for urea, peaked for creatinine, and even slowly decreased for phosphate. Moreover, a fill volume over 1400 mL/m2, which appears to be the optimal volume in terms of dialysis efficiency, was only barely tolerated with clinical signs of discomfort and an increased IPP. Therefore, in our opinion, the maximal IVP in children over the age of 2 years should be nearly 1400 mL/m2, both in terms of abdominal tolerance and in terms of urea, creatinine, and phosphate peritoneal membrane purification capacities.
OBJECTIVE: Pain in the joints and other areas has been a frequent complaint among veterans of Operation Desert Storm who are experiencing unexplained illness. We characterized the rheumatic manifestations of a group of veterans of the Persian Gulf War who were referred to a rheumatology clinic. METHODS: Consecutive South Texas veterans of the Persian Gulf War who were referred for evaluation of rheumatic manifestations underwent a comprehensive evaluation of their musculoskeletal symptoms, pain, and health related quality of life. RESULTS: Of 928 veterans evaluated in a screening clinic for unexplained symptoms, 145 had rheumatic manifestations (15.6%) and were referred to a rheumatology clinic. The most common diagnosis was fibromyalgia, present in 49 patients (33.8%), followed by various soft tissue problems in 25 (17.2%), nonspecific arthralgias in 14 (9.6%), and clinical or radiographic osteoarthritis in 16 (11.0%). In 39 patients (26.9%), no symptoms were present at the time of the evaluation, a careful musculoskeletal examination and laboratory tests were normal, and no diagnosis was possible. Two patients had Reiter's syndrome. Four had a positive rheumatoid factor and 3 had antinuclear antibodies, but none of these had clinical evidence of rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus. Pain was present in nearly all patients and was widely distributed, with no body area spared in this group of patients. The most frequent painful areas were the knees in > 65%, the lower back in > 60%, the shoulders in 50%, and the hands and wrists in 35%. Widespread body pain was present in 65.1% of the veterans. Average values of all 8 scales measured by the SF-36 health survey were below the 25th percentile of published national norms, with pain and the number of nonarticular rheumatic symptoms explaining most of the decreased health related quality of life in the veterans we evaluated. CONCLUSION: No specific rheumatic diagnosis is characteristic of Gulf War veterans with unexplained illness referred to a rheumatology clinic. However, pain is common and widespread in these patients, and their health related quality of life is poor. Further research is necessary to determine the cause of the symptoms of veterans of the Gulf War.
Despite low end dialysis serum phosphate levels (Pe) the control of phosphate retention remains often unsatisfactory in dialyzed patients. In order to assess the value of Pe in dialyzed children as an indicator of dialytic phosphate removal, we studied serum phosphate kinetics over the period of dialysis and post dialysis and compared these with urea kinetics. A multicenter study was conducted in the 21 French pediatric hemodialysis units and included 144 children under 15 years of age. Blood urea and phosphate concentrations were measured at the beginning, at 45 min later, at the end of dialysis, and 30 min post dialysis. At 60 min and at 360 min post dialysis measurements were made only for a subgroup of 12 children. From the serum levels, reduction ratios for urea (URR) and phosphate (PRR) and post dialysis rebound for urea (PDUR) and phosphate (PDPR) were calculated. URR (over the dialysis session, 72% +/- 9%) was higher than PRR (47% +/- 12%). Moreover, urea removal continued throughout the dialysis period, while most of the reduction in phosphate occurred in the initial dialysis period. Post dialysis urea rebound was limited to the 60th min post dialysis, whereas post dialysis phosphate rebound occurred until the 360th min post dialysis; by this time the serum phosphate levels had almost reached the predialysis levels. In summary, serum phosphate kinetics over dialysis and post dialysis periods in children appear to be misleading for the quantification of phosphate removal, i.e., phosphate clearance is a poor indicator of dialytic phosphate removal.
In the recent years, continuous peritoneal dialysis (PD) had a widespread development in children. This technique is available even in infants and is adapted to home care. If initially the prescription of PD was empirical, it has nowadays improved thanks to objective approaches: intraperitoneal dwell volume and tolerance assessment by intraperitoneal pressure measurement, dwell time determination in terms of dialysis adequacy, ie APEX time as ultrafiltration and low molecular purification times. Nevertheless children home dialysis is a daily challenge for the family and requires an active and long-lasting support from the medical and paramedical team.
BACKGROUND: Nephrotic syndrome is known to be associated with thrombosis but rarely of cerebral vessels. CASE REPORT: A 3-year old child with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome was hospitalized for drowziness followed by a left hemiparesis. The CTscan showed a superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. The child completely recovered after treatment by low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). CONCLUSION: LMWH could be used for preventing and/or treating thrombosis associated with nephrotic syndrome. Nevertheless, controlled studies are necessary for assessing its efficacy and absence of risk in children.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the evidence supporting the use of hypodermoclysis (i.e., subcutaneous infusion of fluids) to treat dehydrated elderly patients, and to discuss clinical applications of this mode of therapy in the long-term care setting. METHOD: Articles reporting the use of hypodermoclysis were identified using a systematic MEDLINE search between January 1966 and May 1996. Articles were included in our sample if they contained original patient data that evaluated either the efficacy or adverse effects associated with the use of subcutaneous infusions to treat dehydration in adults, whether hyaluronidase was required to facilitate the absorption of subcutaneous fluid, or if potassium could be added to the solution. RESULTS: Eighteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Since we hypothesized that adverse effects associated with hypodermoclysis may have been related largely to the use of nonelectrolyte or hypertonic solutions, the studies were evaluated according to the type of fluid administered. Six hundred and eighty-five patients were described in 13 studies evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of subcutaneously administered fluid. Four studies evaluated hypodermoclysis using electrolyte-containing solutions in 25 patients. Two of these were randomized control trials (RCT) that compared hypodermoclysis to intravenous therapy. Both reported similar absorption of fluids. In the single RCT that evaluated adverse effects, 4 of 17 patients receiving hypodermoclysis reported minor side effects similar to those reported with intravenous therapy. Adverse effects were more severe when electrolyte-free or hypertonic solutions were evaluated. Of the 639 patients who may have received electrolyte-free solutions, 16 patients (2.5%) reported adverse effects, 8 of which were severe. Both patients reported to have received hypertonic solutions noted adverse effects, one of which was severe. The use of hyaluronidase to facilitate absorption was evaluated in 74 patients. These studies suggest that hyaluronidase improves the speed of fluid absorption but may not change the patient's comfort level. A single case report of 350 subcutaneous infusions in 67 patients investigated the administration of up to 34 mmol/L of potassium chloride (KCl) by hypodermoclysis. The only adverse reaction observed was discomfort at the infusion site. CONCLUSIONS: Hypodermoclysis can be used to most safely provide fluids when electrolyte-containing fluids are administered. Hypodermoclysis may have fallen into disuse because of reports of severe adverse reactions related to infusions of electrolyte-free or hypertonic solutions that would likely be considered inappropriate today. Whether or not hyaluronidase is required to promote subcutaneous fluid absorption remains unresolved. Limited evidence suggests that potassium chloride may, with caution, be safely added to subcutaneous infusions. The majority of the available studies evaluating hypodermoclysis are of poor quality. Because of the tremendous potential benefits of administering fluid subcutaneously, there is a need for good quality studies to evaluate the efficacy of hypodermoclysis.