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Biomedical subjects

N McDermott

Publications and source records attributed to N McDermott.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

An unusual steroid-producing ovarian tumour: case report.

The rapid onset of virilization in a post-menopausal woman is usually the result of androgen secretion from a tumour of adrenal or ovarian origin. Androgen secreting neoplasms of the ovary are rare and usually show autonomous secretion. Rarely, these may be driven by the high levels of gonadotrophins seen in the post-menopausal state. We describe the case of a 67-year-old woman with high serum testosterone and estradiol in association with the high gonadotrophin levels usually associated with the post-menopausal state. All hormonal parameters showed a significant suppression over 12 h with administration of the GnRH antagonist, cetrorelix. This observation implies that excess hormone synthesis was of ovarian origin and was gonadotrophin driven. Localization of the tumour was not possible by conventional ultrasound or computerized tomography scanning, but was achieved by venous sampling. Complete cure was achieved by total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, with restoration of the endocrine profile to that expected for a post-menopausal woman. Rapidly acting GnRH antagonists, such as cetrorelix, offer a safe and useful diagnostic and therapeutic option in the management of ovarian steroid-secreting tumours, which show gonadotrophin dependency.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Can scintimammography with (99m)Tc-MIBI identify multifocal and multicentric primary breast cancer?

Scintimammography with (99m)Tc-MIBI has been shown to be an effective adjunct to imaging of the breast with mammography. Uptake of (99m)Tc-MIBI is particularly high in sites of non-calcified cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and as a consequence it may be possible to use this method of imaging in identifying multifocal or multicentric disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative scintimammography in the detection of multifocal and multicentric breast cancer and compare these results with mammography. A retrospective review was performed of 353 women imaged with (99m)Tc-MIBI as part of the clinical assessment of their suspected primary breast cancer. The results of the scintimammography and mammography were then compared with the final pathological diagnosis obtained after mastectomy in all patients. Histopathological assessments of breast tissue from mastectomy confirmed 40 women (12%) had multifocal (34) or multicentric (six) breast cancer. Scintimammography correctly identified 39 of these cancers and the multifocal or multicentric character of the cancer was identified in 22 (52%) of these patients. Anatomical imaging performed in all 40 patients including 25 with mammography alone, mammography and ultrasound in 11 cases and ultrasound alone in four patients. Anatomical imaging identified cancer to be present in 28 patients (70%) and the combination of mammography and ultrasound identified correctly that the cancer was multifocal or multicentric in eight patients (22%). In this study scintimammography was able to identify more cases of multifocal and multicentric cancer than mammography and/or ultrasound. In patients where pre-operative identification of multicentric or multifocal disease can alter treatment scintimammography may be a useful investigative tool.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland: a case report and review of the cytological and histological features.

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a rare biphasic tumour of the salivary glands typically arising in the parotid. Fine needle aspiration cytology is widely used in the initial investigation of salivary gland swellings and whilst the cytological features of this tumour have been described they are not well recognized. This report describes the clinicopathological features of a case of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland and highlights the importance of awareness of this tumour in the differential diagnosis of biphasic tumours on fine needle aspiration cytology.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1997

Ploidy profile of morphologically normal squamous epithelium adjacent to high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

We have investigated the ploidy profile of morphologically normal mucosa adjacent to high grade CIN (n = 16) and also from normal cervix (n = 18). DNA ploidy was assessed using flow cytometry and image analysis. All cases were diploid by both modalities. Our results show that morphologically normal squamous mucosa has a stable ploidy profile even when it lies adjacent to high grade CIN. This finding supports the view that high grade CIN is a neoplastic expansion of transformed cells rather than the result of a field change effect.

Epithelium↗
PubMed1996

Coder gender and potential for hostility ratings.

This study examined the effects of coder gender on Potential for Hostility ratings. Six trained coders (3 men and 3 women) who were unaware of the coder gender effect hypothesis coded 30 male and 30 female undergraduates for Potential for Hostility. Although reliability estimates as calculated by Cronbach's alpha suggested that all coders were consistent, an analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect for coder gender, wherein female coders rated participants as displaying significantly less Potential for Hostility than did male coders. This significant difference was also meaningful, as coder gender accounted for 32% of the variance in Potential for Hostility scores. Thus, future Potential for Hostility investigations need to consider the gender of those coding, as this factor both significantly and substantially influences reported Potential for Hostility ratings.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Mass hysteria: one syndrome or two?

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that mass hysteria can be divided into two syndromes; one with predominant features of anxiety and the other with predominant abnormalities of motor behaviour. In the former condition, prior tension is absent and spread is by visual contact. In the latter, prior tension is present, initial cases can be identified and spread is gradual. METHOD: The development and resolution of neurological symptoms in 156 Nigerian school girls were studied and a diagnosis of 'mass hysteria' made. RESULTS: The signs and symptoms manifested by the school girls during the outbreak of illness had features of both 'anxiety' and 'motor' predominant forms of mass hysteria. CONCLUSIONS: Although there may be two patterns of symptom presentation in mass hysteria, other supposedly discrete features overlap. This weakens the argument that there are two separate syndromes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Neurosarcoidosis masquerading as glioma of the optic chiasm in a child.

We present a case of sarcoidosis in a 14-year-old girl who presented with a short history of visual disturbance. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated enlargement of the optic chiasm and prechiasmic optic nerves. Post-contrast MRI showed marginal enhancement of the affected areas of the optic pathways. A diagnosis of optic nerve glioma and arachnoid gliomatosis was made; surgical confirmation was not sought due to the risk to vision associated with biopsy. A rapid clinical deterioration led to repeat MRI which demonstrated extensive enhancing soft tissue throughout the basal cisterns with extension into the brain. Biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Parental attitude and coping behaviors in families of children with epilepsy.

This study investigated the relationship between parental attitudes toward their children's epilepsy and parental coping patterns. Subjects were 27 parents whose children had epilepsy. Parental attitude was measured using the Fishbein Expectancy-Value Model, while coping was measured using the Coping Health Inventory for Parents. Significant positive correlations were found between parental attitude and the coping pattern of Maintaining Family Integration, Cooperation and Optimistic Definition of the Situation (r = .42, p less than .02). Parental attitude was also positively related to the coping pattern of Maintaining Social Support, Self-esteem and Psychological Stability (r = .32, p less than .05). Results suggest parents with positive attitudes toward their children's epilepsy use more positive coping behaviors than parents with less positive attitudes.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the larynx.

A rare case of moderately differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (atypical carcinoid) of the larynx is presented. The role of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of the lesion is described. The importance of considering the diagnosis in a patient with prolonged cervical pain with features of glossopharyngeal neuralgia, is discussed.

Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine↗