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Biomedical subjects

Margaret Thompson

Publications and source records attributed to Margaret Thompson.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Hematoma-directed ultrasound-guided (HUG) breast lumpectomy.

BACKGROUND: Needle localization breast biopsy (NLBB) is presently the primary means of localizing non-palpable lesions. Disadvantages of NLBB include vasovagal episodes, patient discomfort, and miss rates. Because hematomas naturally fill the cavity after vacuum-assisted breast biopsies (VABB), we hypothesized that ultrasound (US) could be used to find and accurately excise the actual biopsy site of non-palpable breast lesions without a needle. METHODS: This is a retrospective study from January 2000 to July 2005. Electronic chart review identified patients with non-palpable breast lesions detected by means of mammogram who then underwent lumpectomy via NLBB or the hematoma-directed ultrasound-guided technique (HUG). HUG involved localizing the hematoma with a 7.5-MHz US probe and using the "line of sight" technique straight down toward the chest wall. A block of tissue encompassing the hematoma was then excised. RESULTS: Localization procedures were performed in 186 patients-63 (34%) via needle localization and 123 (66%) via HUG. The previous VABB site in 100% of patients was successfully excised using HUG, 65 of 123 (53%) were benign and 58 of 123 (47%) were malignant; margins were positive in 13 of these 58 (22%). NLBB was successful in 100% of patients, 44 of 63 (70%) were benign and 19 of 63 (30%) were malignant; margins were positive in 14 of these 19 (73%). Margin positivity was significantly higher for NLBB than HUG (P = 0.0001, Fisher Exact). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that HUG is more accurate in localizing non-palpable lesions than NLBB. By eliminating the additional procedure needed for NLBB, HUG may also be more time- and cost efficient. HUG makes VABB not only a less invasive diagnostic procedure, but also a localization procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Varieties of preschool hyperactivity: multiple pathways from risk to disorder.

In this paper we examine the characteristics of preschool attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from both mental disorder and developmental psychopathology points of view. The equivalence of preschool and school-aged hyperactivity as a behavioral dimension is highlighted together with the potential value of extending the use of the ADHD diagnostic category to the preschool period where these behaviours take an extreme and impairing form (assuming age appropriate diagnostic items and thresholds can be developed). At the same time, the importance of identifying pathways between risk and later ADHD is emphasized. Developmental discontinuity and heterogeneity are identified as major characteristics of these pathways. We argue that models that distinguish among different developmental types of early-emerging problems are needed. An illustrative taxonomy of four developmental pathways implicating preschool hyperactivity is presented to provide a framework for future research.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed2005

Toxicokinetics of mercury elimination by succimer in twin toddlers.

We describe the toxicokinetics of mercury in two twin toddlers poisoned by an East Indian remedy for teething. Succimer (dimercaprosuccinic acid, DMSA) decreased the plasma elimination half-life of mercury by 3-fold in the patient with high exposure; a more modest effect was observed in the other twin. Succimer is a chelation agent used in the treatment of heavy metal intoxication. A water-soluble agent, it increases the urinary excretion of lead and mercury. The drug is rapidly but variably absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, with peak levels occurring at 1-2 hours. After its absorption, peak mercury excretion through the urine occurs within 2-4 hours. In the poisoned twin sisters, succimer administration led to a mercury plasma elimination half-life of 6 weeks. Although succimer has been used in mercury poisoning in adults and children, the toxicokinetics of mercury have not previously been characterized in either age group. We believe this is the first such description. More studies on the toxicokinetics and dynamics of mercury chelation with succimer in young children are needed to ensure the optimal use of the drug in this population.

Antidotes↗
PubMed2004

Parent training for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: is it as effective when delivered as routine rather than as specialist care?

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of parent training (PT) when delivered as part of specialist tier-two services for preschool AD/HD children has been recently demonstrated. AIMS: To assess the effectiveness of the same PT programme when delivered as part of routine primary care by non-specialist nurses. METHOD: A sample of 89 3-year-old children with preschool AD/HD took part in a controlled trial of an eight-week (one hour a week), health visitor delivered, PT package. Children, allocated randomly to PT (n = 59) and waiting list control (WLC; n = 30) groups, were compared. RESULTS: PT did not reduce AD/HD symptoms. Maternal well-being decreased in both PT and WLC groups. CONCLUSIONS: While PT is an effective intervention for preschool AD/HD when delivered in specialized settings, these benefits do not appear to generalize when programme are delivered as part of routine primary care by non-specialist nurses.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Building bridges in palliative care: evaluating a GP Facilitator programme.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Macmillan GP Facilitator Programme in Palliative Care on the knowledge, attitudes and confidence in symptom control of general practitioners (GPs), communication with patients and out-of-hours practice. GP Facilitators work on average for two sessions a week with practices in their locality. The design included a before and after study, with geographical controls matched on type of area (inner city, urban and rural) and broadly on Jarman scores using postal questionnaires sent to GPs. Scores measured change in GP awareness, attitudes and practice over two years of the intervention, derived from Likert scale responses to the postal questionnaires. Although overall few significant results were found, we did identify an increase in the use of palliative care guidelines in Facilitator districts, together with an increase in awareness of day care. The programme was associated with increased positive attitudes towards specialist palliative care services and results suggested increased satisfaction with out-of-hours services for patients. No change was found for confidence in symptom control and communication over diagnosis with cancer patients was less than in control districts. The design also incorporated a qualitative component, and from this we found the Facilitator programme to be popular with local GPs who valued the support of a colleague who knew the demands and constraints of general practice. In conclusion, we have demonstrated an impact of the GP Facilitator programme on GP awareness of, use and increased positive attitudes towards specialist palliative care services. By improving communication between primary and specialist palliative care, the programme should contribute substantially to improved care of the dying at home.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2003

The impact of maternal mental health and child's behavioural difficulties on attributions about child behaviours.

The effects of maternal mental health and child's behavioural difficulties upon mothers' attributions for negative child behaviour were examined. A community sample of 70 mothers of children aged about 9 years were interviewed in depth and the interviews transcribed. Transcripts were analysed for spontaneous attributions which were subsequently coded on the dimensions of internality, controllability, stability, universality and globality. Mothers with mental health problems made the same number of attributions about negative behaviours as normal mothers. However, more internal-to-self and global attributions were made by the group with mental health problems. This pattern was demonstrated regardless of the child's level of behavioural difficulties. The increase in negative attributions by mothers with mental health problems is not the result of the association between maternal mental health and child's behavioural difficulties. Mothers with mental health problems do not explain their child's negative behaviours in a way that is typical of normal mothers, and reasons for this are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Does maternal ADHD reduce the effectiveness of parent training for preschool children's ADHD?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of maternal attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms on the effectiveness of a parent training (PT) program for preschool ADHD. METHOD: Eighty-three 3-year-old children with ADHD and their mothers selected from two community cohorts living in Hampshire, England (1992-93 and 1995-96, respectively), completed an 8-week PT program. ADHD symptoms and a number of other parent and child factors, including adult ADHD symptoms, were measured prior to the start of treatment (week 1: T1), immediately after treatment (week 8: T2), and at 15 weeks follow-up (week 23: T3). RESULTS: Mothers were divided into three groups on the basis of their scores (T1) on the Adult AD/HD Rating Scale (high, medium, low). Children of mothers in the high-ADHD group displayed no improvement after PT, whereas the levels of ADHD symptoms of the children of mothers in either the medium or low ADHD groups reduced substantially (F(4,60) = 3.13, p < .05). This association persisted after other child and maternal factors were controlled for in multiple regression analyses (beta > .30, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: High levels of maternal ADHD symptoms limit the improvement shown by children with ADHD after a program of PT. This effect was unrelated to other aspects of maternal mental health and child functioning. The treatment of parental ADHD may be a prerequisite for the success of psychosocial interventions for childhood ADHD.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Extracorporeal management of valproic acid overdose: a large regional experience.

BACKGROUND: Valproic acid intoxication is common in North America. Although extra-corporeal therapy has been proposed as beneficial in managing significant exposures, evidence to support its use is limited to isolated case reports. A systematic review has not been performed. METHODS: All cases of valproic acid overdose in Ontario, Canada, reported to the Hospital for Sick Children Poison Information Centre (PIC) between January 1st and July 31st 2002 were reviewed. Patients with valproic acid levels > 100 microg/mL were divided into two groups: those treated with and without extra-corporeal therapy. All hospital-measured valproic acid levels and additional clinical information including elimination half-life and clearance were obtained for patients treated with extra-corporeal therapy. RESULTS: There were 28,362 calls to the PIC, of which 139 related to valproic acid poisoning. Thirty-two patients had peak levels > 100 microg/mL. 26 patients were managed conservatively and 6 with extra-corporeal therapy. Survival was 100% in both groups. Patients who received extra-corporeal therapy had higher peak levels (p=0.005), were more frequently treated with charcoal (P=0.006), required intensive care admission (P=0.019), intubation (P<0.001), and vasopressors (P=0.004). Valproic acid elimination was enhanced about tenfold through extra-corporeal methods. Complications included tonic-clonic seizures in 1 patient who received hemodialysis, and thrombocytopenia in 1 patient who underwent hemoperfusion. CONCLUSION: Hemodialysis and hemoperfusion are safe, effective adjuncts in the management of serious valproic acid intoxication and should be considered for patients with hemodynamic or neurological instability. Further study is needed to determine whether hemodialysis alone versus combined hemodialysis-hemoperfusion is more effective for this condition.

Adult↗