Biomedical subjects

N Ferris

Publications and source records attributed to N Ferris.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

Brain abscesses caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei.

Burkholderia pseudomallei is an important human pathogen in tropical areas, particularly South East Asia and Northern Australia. A fatal case of meliodosis presenting as brain abscesses is described. The patient deteriorated despite treatment and died 21 days after admission. Burkholderia pseudomallei was only isolated after administration of corticosteroids, whilst on treatment with antibiotics to which the organism later showed in vitro sensitivity. Magnetic resonance imaging was more sensitive than computed tomography in diagnosing early brainstem infection in this patient. Physicians working outside the endemic areas must be attuned to the possibility of melioidosis in any patient with an appropriate history of travel to endemic areas. The combination of striking early, extensive, confluent T2 hyperintensity with disproportionately small enhancing lesions may be characteristic of meliodosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

MR and positron emission tomography in the diagnosis of surgically correctable temporal lobe epilepsy.

PURPOSE: To determine the association of an MR abnormality and a positron emission tomography (PET) abnormality with a good outcome in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy after lobectomy, the association of combined PET and MR findings with good outcomes after lobectomy, and MR and PET pathologic correlation. METHODS: MR and PET were performed on 27 patients in a blinded study. Histologic studies were correlated with foci of increased T2 signal. RESULTS: Increased signal or decreased volume of the hippocampus was noted in 13 of 15 patients with mesial temporal sclerosis. Twelve of 15 had positive PET findings. MR identified 20 (83%) of the 24 patients with good outcomes. PET identified 71%. When MR and PET were combined, they detected 95% of the patients with good outcome. Region of interest measurements of the hippocampus in 11 study patients and 7 control subjects documented a significant increase in signal in the patients with seizures. Histologic correlative studies demonstrated that increased T2 signals related to astrocytosis in the hippocampus and adjacent white matter. CONCLUSIONS: MR (increased signal and decreased volume of the hippocampus) significantly improved the capability to identify those persons who would be helped by lobectomy. MR sensitivity exceeded that of PET.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Vocal tract shapes of a flautist in performance.

Lateral view x rays of a flautist in performance show that there is no variation in vocal tract shape with pitch, and that the larynx is lowered from the rest position when notes are played.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Delayed hypersensitivity reaction to vancomycin.

The use of vancomycin has increased dramatically in recent years with the emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci as important hospital pathogens. A patient receiving vancomycin 1.75 g intravenously as a single daily dose developed a syndrome characterized by high fever, erythema multiforme, eosinophilia, and presumed interstitial nephritis. This delayed hypersensitivity reaction resolved with discontinuation of the drug and treatment with methylprednisolone.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗