M W NcNicol | PubMed Health

PubMed1981

Use of computed tomography to demonstrate the extent of tuberculosis.

A group of 15 patients with tuberculosis was investigated by computed tomography to document the extent of the disease at the time of diagnosis. This was compared with information available from the clinical examination. Of the 33 sites of disease shown by CT (confined to the thorax and abdomen), only 17 had been demonstrated by clinical examination and chest x-ray. In addition, 7 patients had cervical lymphadenopathy (an area not scanned). CT shows tuberculosis to be more extensive than would be appreciated by conventional investigation. We think this argues against classifying the disease according to presenting anatomical site.

Humans↗

PubMed1980

Circulating immune complexes in sarcoidosis.

The sera of 50 patients with sarcoidosis were tested for the presence of circulating immune complexes using polyethylene glycol precipitation, followed by single radial immuno diffusion for the amounts of Clg, IgG, IgM, and double diffusion for the presence of IgA. Complexes were detected in 29 (58%) patients. No correlation could be found between the presence of these complexes and the length of history stage, or activity of disease, nor to steroid therapy. Rheumatoid factor was detected in 14 patients (28%), 13 of whom had circulating immune complexes, and 12 of whom had active disease. Total serum C3, CH50, and Clq were normal, as were immunoglobulin levels. In patients with extrathoracic sarcoidosis, especially skin or joint involvement, complexes were commonly found. The aetiological significance of these complexes remains uncertain.

Adolescent↗