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M I Levin

Publications and source records attributed to M I Levin.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Paraneoplastic necrotizing myopathy: clinical and pathological features.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical features and muscle pathology of paraneoplastic necrotizing myopathy. BACKGROUND: Paraneoplastic syndromes involving many levels of the nervous system are well described, but there are only rare case reports of a necrotizing myopathy associated with cancer. DESIGN: Case series. RESULTS: We identified four patients with paraneoplastic necrotizing myopathy from muscle biopsies done at Washington University over a 10-year period. The patients (aged 38 to 76 years) presented with subacutely evolving, symmetric, proximal weakness. Tumor types included gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma (2 of 4), transitional cell carcinoma, prostatic carcinoma, and non-small cell lung carcinoma. Two patients died. Two others improved after treatment that included corticosteroids and tumor resection. Muscle pathology showed numerous necrotic fibers (8 to 100%) and intense alkaline phosphatase staining of the muscle connective tissue, but little inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Paraneoplastic necrotizing myopathy is characterized by a rapidly progressive, symmetric, predominantly proximal weakness that produces severe disability. Muscle pathology demonstrates prominent necrosis with alkaline phosphatase staining of connective tissue and little inflammation. Evaluation for cancer is indicated in patients with these clinical and pathologic findings.

Adult↗

Work with video display terminals among office employees. II. Physical exposure factors.

This is the second report in a major epidemiologic health investigation on work with a video display terminal (VDT). The first study showed that VDT operators reported more eye discomfort than a reference group not employed in VDT work and that women reported more eye discomfort, musculoskeletal complaints, headache, and skin disorders than men, regardless of whether they worked with a VDT or not. The present report contains the results of the occupational hygiene measurements (indoor climate, lighting and electrostatic conditions). Considerable differences were found between VDT operators and referents and also between sexes. Indications were obtained of a possible relationship between eye discomfort and luminance ratios in the working field of vision. Otherwise, no association could be established between occupational exposure factors and subjective eye discomfort, musculoskeletal complaints, headache, or skin disorders.

Adult↗

A field expander for patients with retinitis pigmentosa: a clinical study.

An inexpensive, commercially available optical device was tested on 10 patients with retinitis pigmentosa to determine its value as a field expander for scanning and as an aid to mobility. Visual acuity and visual fields were measured with and without the expander, and the patients' subjective responses were monitored by a questionnaire that was administered at regular intervals during a 2- to 4-week period between test sessions. Six of the 10 subjects considered the device helpful in at least 1 important visual task and planned to continue using it.

Adult↗