PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M L Levy

Publications and source records attributed to M L Levy.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Serum sickness-like reactions from cefaclor in children.

Cefaclor is an oral semisynthetic cephalosporin that is popular in the treatment of infections in children. This drug has been associated with a serum sickness--like reaction characterized by an urticarial eruption, pruritus, arthritis, and/or arthralgias. We report 12 additional cases of cefaclor-related serum sickness--like reactions in children. All patients improved after discontinuation of the drug and no long-term complications resulted.

Cefaclor↗

Management of intraoperative rupture of aneurysm without hypotension.

A retrospective analysis was performed on all aneurysms operated on by one of us (SLG) from July 1980 to October 1988 to determine the factors that govern outcome from the intraoperative rupture of aneurysms. A total of 276 consecutive surgical procedures for 317 intracranial aneurysms produced 41 perioperative or intraoperative ruptures for analysis. Five cases were pre-exposure ruptures, 3 of which occurred during anesthetic induction. Four of these patients died, and 1 made a good recovery. Of the remaining 36 cases, outcome was analyzed in terms of the adjuncts used to deal with the intraoperative rupture. There was no statistically significant difference in outcome between those cases in which tamponade was used to control hemorrhage versus temporary clipping; however, those cases in which hypotension was used did less well than those in which it was not used. From October 1986 to October 1988, 108 operations for 132 aneurysms were performed without the use of induced hypotension. There were 16 intraoperative ruptures (14.8%). All 16 of these patients made a good recovery. In the group before 1986, of which there were 20 intraoperative ruptures (of 168 operations, 11.9%), 11 of those 20 patients suffered a permanent deficit or died. We conclude that hypotension may not be a necessary adjunct to the management of intraoperative rupture of aneurysms.

Cardiac Tamponade↗

Cardiac performance indices during hypervolemic therapy for cerebral vasospasm.

The effect of hypervolemic preload enhancement on cardiac performance was systematically analyzed in nine patients following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The patients ranged in age from 34 to 63 years, and none had a history of cardiac disease. Each patient underwent placement of a flow-directed balloon-tipped catheter and the following measurements were taken during hypervolemic therapy: pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP), central venous pressure (CVP), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume index (SVI), and left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI). After baseline measurements were recorded, hetastarch or plasmanate was infused intravenously at 300 cc/hr. Thermal output determination and pressures were measured every 15 minutes. The PAWP did not correlate in a statistically significant fashion with the CVP in the ranges recorded; however, a statistically significant correlation did exist between PAWP increases and increases in CI, SVI, and LVSWI (p less than 0.01). There was no statistical correlation between PAWP increases above 14 mm Hg and improvement in cardiac performance as evidenced by CI, SVI, and LVSWI measurements. It is concluded that CVP is an unreliable index of cardiac performance during hypervolemic therapy and that, in previously healthy individuals, a PAWP of 14 mm Hg is associated with maximum cardiac performance.

Adult↗

Monostotic fibrous dysplasia of the clivus. Case report.

A case report of monostotic fibrous dysplasia of the clivus in a postadolescent woman is described. Although fibrous dysplasia of craniofacial structures is well documented, involvement of the clivus has not been reported. Diagnosis by clinical, radiographic, and histopathological features is detailed. Implications for the role of surgery and management are discussed.

Adult↗

Villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia, cellular infiltration, and impaired glucose-Na absorption in enteric cryptosporidiosis of pigs.

Intestinal morphology and fluid and electrolyte transport were examined in a neonatal porcine model of cryptosporidiosis. Sections of jejunum, ileum, and colon were obtained for morphometric analysis on days 3, 6, 9, and 12 postinfection, and in vivo perfusion studies of jejunum and ileum were conducted on days 3 and 4 postinfection. The most severe morphologic lesion was seen in the ileum on day 3, and consisted of villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia, and cellular infiltration. Villous surface area was reduced from 2.1 +/- 0.4 x 10(5) microns2 in control ileum to 0.8 +/- 0.1 x 10(5) microns2 in infected ileum, a result associated with enterocytes that were fewer in number and reduced in cross-sectional area. Conversely, the number of inflammatory cells in the lamina propria of the villus increased from 456 +/- 116 in control to 1014 +/- 187 in infected villus without a significant change in the volume of the lamina propria. At the height of infection, there was an approximate 1:2 ratio of both organisms and inflammatory cells to villous enterocytes. In contrast, organisms were not observed in the crypts, and the concentration of inflammatory cells in crypt lamina propria was unaltered. Disappearance of organisms and polymorphonuclear cells from the ileum was associated with restoration of normal structure and was complete by day 12. Although organisms were seen in the colon, the general architecture was not severely affected. On days 3 and 4 postinfection, there was a complete impairment of the glucose-stimulated Na and water absorption in both jejunum and ileum of infected pigs; however, absorption of electrolytes and water from a basic Ringer's solution, in the absence of glucose, was not significantly affected. These results are consistent with a malabsorptive diarrheal disease associated with the morphological damage and are very similar to those seen in enteric viral disease in pigs, except that the upper intestine is more severely affected in the latter.

Animals↗

Naproxen-induced pseudoporphyria: a distinctive photodermatitis.

A distinctive photodermatitis developed in 22 children who had been receiving naproxen for prolonged periods. The eruption was marked by erythema, vesiculation, or increased skin fragility characterized by easy scarring of sun-exposed skin. Results of biochemical studies for porphyria were normal, and other causes of photosensitivity were believed to be unlikely. Of the 22 patients, 21 had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis; one patient had systemic lupus erythematosus. Twenty of the patients had fair skin and blue eyes. In each case, all findings except scarring resolved when naproxen was discontinued. Attention must be paid to complaints suggesting photosensitivity in children receiving naproxen.

Arthritis, Juvenile↗

Pyoderma gangrenosum in childhood leukemia.

A case of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) in a 14-year-old boy with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is described. The onset of pyoderma gangrenosum coincided with the relapse of AML. The lesions responded dramatically to treatment with oral prednisone despite the persistence of leukemia. Pyoderma gangrenosum should be included in the differential diagnosis of any nodular, pustular, or necrotic cutaneous eruption in children with leukemia.

Adolescent↗

Induced hypertension and hypervolemia for treatment of cerebral vasospasm.

The authors discuss a comprehensive management program for patients with cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage in which therapeutic manipulation and meticulous monitoring of a number of physiologic determinants of cardiac function are employed. Ventricular preload is most significantly affected by hypervolemic therapy, but alternate methods of reversing ischemic neurologic deficits with various inatropic agents are discussed also.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2a associated with cutaneous lichen amyloidosis.

PURPOSE: To describe and characterize the association of hereditary cutaneous lichen amyloidosis with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2a (MEN 2a). DESIGN: Survey of a family for two diseases. SETTING: Evaluation of patients at a clinical research center. PATIENTS: Nineteen family members with MEN 2a. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In this family cutaneous lichen amyloidosis presented as multiple infiltrated papules overlying a well-demarcated plaque in the scapular area of the back (right or left). Immunohistochemical studies showed amyloid that stained for keratin but not calcitonin. Three family members had the characteristic skin lesion and also carried the gene for MEN 2a; two additional members carried the gene for MEN 2a, but did not manifest the observable skin changes associated with lichen amyloidosis. CONCLUSIONS: From the findings in this kindred and in another recently reported but unrelated family with an identical type of pruritic skin rash and MEN 2a, several conclusions can be drawn. First, the syndrome of cutaneous amyloidosis and MEN 2a is a clearly defined autosomal dominant hereditary syndrome. Second, the dermal amyloid appears to be caused by deposition of keratin-like peptides rather than by calcitonin-like peptides. Third, known families with hereditary lichen amyloidosis should be screened to determine the true frequency of this syndrome.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Familial cutaneous lichen amyloidosis in association with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A: a new variant.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) is a rare hereditary disease transmitted in families as an autosomal dominant trait. We have identified a family in which the expression of a rare autosomal dominant form of cutaneous lichen amyloidosis appears to cosegregate with MEN 2A. In this family the skin lesion presented as multiple infiltrated papules overlying well demarcated plaques over the scapular area (right or left). Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated amyloid which stained for keratin but not calcitonin. A total of 19 members were screened. Three members of the family have the characteristic skin lesion and MEN 2A; two additional members have MEN 2A but have not manifested observable skin changes of lichen amyloidosis. Another unrelated Italian family with a similar type of pruritic skin rash and MEN 2A has been reported recently. Although the initial skin biopsies were negative for amyloidosis, subsequent biopsy established the association of MEN 2A with amyloidosis in this family also. When these kindreds are combined, several conclusions can be drawn. First, the syndrome of cutaneous amyloidosis and MEN 2A appears to be a clearly defined autosomal dominant hereditary syndrome. Whether this syndrome can be linked to chromosome 10 is not yet known. Second, the dermal amyloid appears to be caused by deposition of keratin-like peptides rather than calcitonin-like peptides. Third, we believe that patients with the hereditary form of cutaneous amyloid should be screened for medullary thyroid carcinoma to determine the true frequency of this syndrome.

Amyloidosis↗

Eruptive dysplastic nevi associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

The cutaneous manifestations of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome include infections and neoplasms resulting from the immunodeficient state. Seven patients presenting with the symptom of new eruptive nevi with dysplastic histologic findings are described. These patients noted multiple new moles, which occurred in crops and in individuals without the dysplastic nevus syndrome (familial melanomas). This symptom occurred as the patients became symptomatic from their human immunodeficiency virus infection, developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or its related complex. Further confirmation and study of this phenomenon could lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of melanocytic dysplasia and its relationship to the immune system.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

Neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis. Evidence implicating bleomycin as a causative agent.

A 13-year-old girl receiving multiple agent chemotherapy for osteosarcoma was found to have neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis (NEH). This dermatosis is marked histopathologically by necrosis of the eccrine structures with a neutrophilic infiltrate. Clinically, the presentation is variable and the differential diagnosis is extensive. Our patient's clinical picture was unique in that she had hyperpigmented plaques instead of purpuric nodules or erythematous plaques as described previously. Currently, NEH is felt to be a complication of chemotherapy. The most likely causative agent in our patient was bleomycin. Physicians should be aware of this entity and its variable clinical presentation.

Adolescent↗

Prenatal diagnosis of dominant and recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: application and limitations in the use of KF-1 and LH 7:2 monoclonal antibodies and immunofluorescence mapping technique.

Prenatal diagnosis is now possible for junctional and recessive dystrophic forms of epidermolysis bullosa (EB); however, there is no similar published experience for dominant dystrophic EB, although data with KF-1 monoclonal antibody suggests that both forms of dystrophic EB can be identified at least postnatally with this unique probe. We now report our experience with light microscopy, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence mapping, and KF-1 and LH 7:2 monoclonal antibodies, in both a mother with dominant dystrophic EB and her fetus at risk, and in a fetus previously shown to be affected with recessive dystrophic EB. KF-1 and LH 7:2 antigens were absent in recessive dystrophic EB fetal skin, identical to findings observed postnatally. LH 7:2 was normally expressed in a mother with dominant dystrophic EB and in her fetus at risk for this disease. In contrast, while KF-1 antigen was abnormally expressed in the affected mother, it was normally expressed in only 1/7 fetal biopsies despite the fact that this fetus was shown by light and electron microscopy and immunofluorescence mapping to be unaffected with dominant dystrophic EB. We conclude that 1) transmission electron microscopy can be used to prenatally exclude the diagnosis of dominant dystrophic EB (Cockayne-Touraine variety), 2) immunofluorescence mapping is an accurate technique for prenatal as well as postnatal diagnosis of EB, and 3) KF-1 cannot by itself be used as an accurate probe for the prenatal diagnosis of dominant dystrophic EB, due to the apparent variability in the time for the normal expression of KF-1 in fetal skin during the second trimester.

Adult↗

Cutaneous Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. A report of a case successfully treated with radiotherapy.

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia is a lymphoproliferative disorder that only rarely exhibits specific cutaneous findings. The authors present a case of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia in which the patient developed cutaneous lesions while his systemic disease seemed to be under control with chlorambucil therapy. A review of the scant literature regarding the response of cutaneous Waldenström's to treatment suggests that the skin lesions do not respond well to systemic therapy. This case was successfully treated with radiotherapy.

Aged↗

Implications of systemic hypotension for the neurological examination in patients with severe head injury.

Thirty-six patients admitted with severe head injury and various degrees of systemic hypotension were studied to determine the effect of hypotension on the validity of the neurological examination in reflecting mechanical brain compression. All patients had clinical signs of transtentorial herniation or upper brainstem compression and underwent immediate bilateral placement of exploratory burr holes for the diagnosis and removal of intracranial hematomas. All patients were initially hypotensive: 10 were in cardiac arrest, 7 had a systolic blood pressure (SBP) less than 60 torr, and 19 had SBP of 60-90 torr. The median score on the Glascow coma scale was 3 (range 3-8). Although 4 of the 10 cardiac arrest patients had anisocoria, only one (10%) had an intracranial hematoma. Among the seven patients with severe hypotension, only two had anisocoria and neither had and intracranial hematoma; one patient in this group (14%) had a hematoma that was diagnosed at autopsy. In contrast, intracranial hematomas were discovered by burr-hole placement and evacuated in 13 (68%) of 19 patients with initially moderate hypotension, including seven (78%) of nine patients with anisocoria. Anisocoria was associated with mechanical brain compression from an intracranial hematoma significantly more often in patients with an initial SBP of 60-90 torr than in those with initial cardiac arrest or SBP less than 60 torr (chi-square p less than 0.05). Intracranial hematomas were significantly more frequent among patients with SBP of 60-90 torr than among those with a lower SBP or initial cardiac arrest (P less than 0.01). Thirty-three of 36 patients died; each of the three survivors had an initial SBP of 60-90 torr, and hematomas were removed in two. In head-injured patients with SBP greater than 60 torr, clinical signs of tentorial herniation or upper brainstem dysfunction remain valid indicators of possible mechanical compression; the high percentage of patients with acute intracranial hematomas in this group warrants immediate diagnostic burr-hole exploration. In patients with severe initial hypotension (SBP less than 60 torr) or cardiac arrest, clinical findings of brainstem dysfunction cannot be relied upon to indicate mechanical compression, and computed tomography scanning should be done immediately after resuscitation to determine the need for surgical exploration.

Adolescent↗

Basal cell epithelioma in black patients.

The occurrence of cutaneous carcinoma in black patients is an unusual phenomenon, with basal cell carcinoma being particularly uncommon. We present five cases of basal cell epithelioma in black patients collected from the Texas Medical Center to graphically illustrate the varied and often atypical clinical presentations of such tumors. This report supports recent series of basal cell epithelioma in black patients derived from retrospective chart reviews.

Adult↗