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Biomedical subjects

M T Watts

Publications and source records attributed to M T Watts.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Gas chromatographic headspace analysis of sevoflurane in blood.

We have developed a rapid, simple and precise gas chromatographic headspace analysis for sevoflurane in blood which circumvents problems associated with the high volatility and low blood/gas partition coefficient of this anesthetic drug. Blood standards are easily prepared by volumetric addition of a saturated aqueous solution of sevoflurane. Likewise, internal standardization is achieved using a saturated aqueous solution of halothane. Chromatographic conditions are similar to those commonly used for the analysis of blood ethanol. A simple method is also described for the preparation of stable and precise, aliquots of quality control materials for this assay.

Anesthetics↗
PubMed1992

Generation of an osmolality gap-ethanol nomogram from routine laboratory data.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To develop a practical procedure for producing a nomogram describing the relationship between the osmolality gap and serum ethanol concentrations that is appropriate for the formulas and analytical methodologies in use at any laboratory. DESIGN: Retrospective review of serum sodium, glucose, urea nitrogen, ethanol, and osmolality values and the use of spreadsheet software in the generation of a nomogram. SETTING: Emergency department in a university-affiliated county hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred three adult patients presenting with signs of alcohol intoxication. MAIN RESULTS: When either a common criterion (gap [mosmol/kg H2O] = ethanol [mmol/L]; range, -10 to +10) or a published nomogram was used for determination of consistency of the osmolality gap with the ethanol level, large percentiles of data were classified as inconsistent. Regression analysis and the method of truncated normal distributions were used to prepare a nomogram that better represented the data collected with our formulas and analytical methodologies. CONCLUSION: Interlaboratory analytical bias and the choice of the formula used for calculated osmolality limit the utility of published formulas or nomograms for the assessment of excess osmolality gap. Any laboratory can produce their own nomogram from routine patient data using the described spreadsheet procedure, without the need for measurement of volatiles other than ethanol.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1992

The use of Q-switched Nd:Yag laser for removal of permanent eyeliner tattoo.

We present the results of a pilot study of the use of Nd:Yag laser in the removal of permanent eyeliner tattoos. Fourteen eyelids were treated, and in all cases a reduction in pigmentation was achieved although responses were variable. The advantages of such therapy over existing techniques are described. The technique offers a useful reduction of permanent eyeliner pigmentation and is particularly suited to treatment of localized areas of imperfect application or pigment migration.

Cosmetics↗
PubMed1991

Antiphospholipid antibodies in the aetiology of ischaemic optic neuropathy.

The involvement of antiphospholipid antibodies in the mediation of acute anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (AION) was studied, in the light of recent associations between these autoantibodies and other vascular events. A strong association between IgG anticardiolipin antibodies and AION secondary to biopsy proven giant cell arteritis was identified, which did not exist with the 'non-arteritic', biopsy negative form of AION. The possible implications of this finding on the aetiology, diagnosis, and treatment of giant cell arteritis are discussed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

How to perform a temporal artery biopsy.

Temporal artery biopsy is performed to confirm the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis. The technique is described together with the anatomy of the superficial temporal artery.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1990

A dBASE III surgical pathology reporting and encoding microcomputer system.

The authors have developed a menu-driven dBASE III system for surgical pathology reporting and encoding in Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED). The system requires no knowledge of dBASE and is readily installed on any IBM-standard personal computer equipped with a fixed disk. The use of dBASE memo fields provides the integration of word processing and database functions. Preliminary gross examination reports are automatically accompanied by data from former cases on the same patient. Patient demographics, SNOMED codes, and final diagnoses are stored on the fixed disk; complete reports are saved on floppy diskettes. Cases can be retrieved by patient name, surgical number, or SNOMED codes. Daily work lists, frozen section-final diagnosis correlations, turnaround time reports, and listings of incomplete cases are easily obtained. Cytologic results can also be entered, allowing automatic correlation with surgical cases.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

The effect of sodium chloride concentration, water content, and protein on the gas chromatographic headspace analysis of ethanol in plasma.

The authors used gas chromatographic headspace analysis to study the sodium chloride concentration dependence of the partitioning of acetonitrile, ethanol, n-propanol, and t-butanol from water and plasma to headspace vapor. Increasing the sodium chloride concentration caused logarithmic increases in the partitioning. At 25 degrees C the slopes (log10[peak height]/mol sodium/L) obtained with the use of water or plasma were as follows: acetonitrile, 0.064 (0.059); ethanol, 0.126 (0.125); n-propanol, 0.152 (0.149); and t-butanol, 0.200 (0.183). Differences in water content between the two liquids may contribute to the small differences in the regression data. More importantly, saturation with sodium chloride at 25 degrees C produced solutions with different sodium molarities: 5.2 mol/L for water and 4.8 mol/L for plasma. This difference in salt concentration at saturation and the volatile dependent slopes can account for a large part of the error in plasma ethanol concentrations when measured with the use of aqueous external standardization and internal standardization with any of the other volatiles. Deproteinization of the plasma abolished the liquid phase-dependent differences in saturated salt concentration and partitioning.

1-Propanol↗
PubMed1990

Ocular involvement in giant cell arteritis.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic disease with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Severe visual loss is the most frequent serious complication. This article reviews current ideas about GCA and in particular its ocular manifestations.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1989

The flash stimulated VEP in the diagnosis of glaucoma.

The Visual Evoked Potential using pattern stimulation has been used in recent years as an attempt to make an early diagnosis of glaucoma. However because of the macular dominance of responses obtained by this method, only diseases involving the papillomacular bundle reveal abnormality; such conditions do not occur in glaucoma. In this study we report the use of the early component (P1) of the flash stimulated visual evoked potential in the diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma. It appears to provide an objective, accurate and repeatable screening technique. The size of P1 correlates well with the size of optic disc cupping, and field loss. The relationships between systemic vascular disease, P1 reductions, and glaucoma, lend support to the ischaemic origins of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Retention of iris supported intraocular lenses at the time of penetrating keratoplasty for pseudophakic corneal oedema.

The long-term follow-up of patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty for pseudophakic corneal oedema is reported. The cause and frequency of corneal decompensation following intracapsular cataract extraction with insertion of an iris supported lens was assessed and found to be unrelated to the implant in the majority of cases. The most common cause of decompensation was endothelial touch during the cataract extraction. In all eyes the intraocular lens was retained at the time of penetrating keratoplasty. The hazards of removal of the lens are discussed and the recommendations made that lenses be retained when penetrating keratoplasty is undertaken for pseudophakic corneal oedema, other than in exceptional cases.

Cataract Extraction↗
PubMed1989

Is padding necessary after cataract extraction?

The results of a prospective study to assess the value of padding eyes following cataract surgery are reported. A group of eyes dressed with a petroleum jelly mesh, gauze pad, and cartella shield were compared with a group dressed only with a cartella shield. Study of the eyes and lids before and after operation, including the taking of lid margin and fornix swabs for culture, suggested that there was no significant difference in the bacterial presence between the two groups. The eyes dressed with a cartella shield alone appeared less prone to discharge. The relative merits of different types of dressing are discussed.

Bandages↗
PubMed1989

The use of a new design irrigator for the emergency treatment of chemical eye injuries in an accident and emergency department.

The introduction of a hand-held drench hose into a district general hospital accident and emergency department, for the emergency irrigation of chemically injured eyes is reported. The hose is described, together with the technique of irrigation. The advantages that a high-flow, low pressure system affords over conventional irrigation methods are discussed. The system appears to offer a simple, immediately available, effective tool for emergency eye care, which is suitable for use by a variety of personnel.

Burns, Chemical↗