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Biomedical subjects

S Braithwaite

Publications and source records attributed to S Braithwaite.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Melbourne AIDS vigil.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Follicular cell predominance in the cytologic examination of dominant thyroid nodules indicates a sixty percent incidence of neoplasia.

The interpretation of aspiration cytologic smears that contain a predominance of follicular components often presents a dilemma to the clinician who is treating a patient who has a dominant thyroid nodule, especially when thyroid-stimulating hormone suppression does not produce any significant involution of the dominant nodule. We reviewed a consecutive series of 555 fine-needle aspiration cytologic examinations of dominant thyroid nodules. All specimens that contained colloid or follicular cells mixed with lymphocytes or Hürthle cells were excluded from this review. Additionally, nine aspirates contained degenerated follicular cells with insufficient material for cytologic diagnosis. The remaining 76 specimens contained a predominance of follicular cells: 27 specimens were interpreted as containing "normal" follicular cells, and the remaining 49 specimens were read as "atypical" follicular cells. Histopathologic examination of the resected specimens indicated a 60% incidence of neoplasia (30% carcinoma, 30% adenoma) in which the aspiration cytologic study was interpreted as "normal" follicular cells. On the other hand, a 63% incidence of neoplasia (27% carcinoma, 36% adenoma) occurred in which the cytologic study was read as "atypical." In conclusion, aspirates showing a predominance of follicular cells, whether "normal" or "atypical" indicate a 60% incidence of neoplasia in dominant thyroid nodules that do not decrease significantly in size with thyroid-stimulating hormone suppression.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1988

Pheochromocytoma multisystem crisis. A surgical emergency.

Three of 27 patients treated for pheochromocytoma between 1974 and 1987 presented with pheochromocytoma multisystem crisis (PMC). This unusual presentation consists of multiple organ system failure, temperature often greater than 40 degrees C, encephalopathy, and hypertension and/or hypotension. Although urgent medical therapy achieved blood pressure control in all three patients, the other manifestations of PMC progressed rapidly in spite of alpha and even beta blockade. The first patient died during attempts to localize a septic focus. The other two patients underwent urgent adrenalectomy and had postoperative improvement in their multiple organ system failure. All three tumors were large and produced markedly elevated levels of epinephrine. In conclusion (1) PMC is an unusual presentation of pheochromocytoma; (2) its manifestations include multiple organ system failure, high fever, encephalopathy, and vascular lability; (3) it may result from increased epinephrine secretion; and (4) successful treatment of PMC demands prompt diagnosis, vigorous medical preparation, and emergency tumor removal if the patient's condition continues to deteriorate.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1988

Pheochromocytoma crisis.

Of 26 patients with pheochromocytoma treated between 1974 and 1986, two presented with pheochromocytoma crisis. This unusual presentation consists of hyper- and/or hypotension, high fevers (greater than 40 degrees C), encephalopathy, and multiple organ system failure. Both patients had large tumors associated with markedly elevated levels of epinephrine. Although hypertension was adequately controlled in both patients with phenoxybenzamine, phentolamine (1 patient) and nitroprusside, both patients deteriorated rapidly. The first patient expired during attempts to identify a source of sepsis. None was found at autopsy. The second patient underwent urgent adrenalectomy which reversed the multiple organ system failure and resulted in patient survival. We conclude from review of these patients and three others in the literature that (a) crisis is an unusual presentation of pheochromocytoma; (b) its manifestations include vascular lability, high fever, encephalopathy and multiple organ system failure; (c) it may be the result of increased epinephrine secretion; (d) successful treatment of pheochromocytoma crisis demands prompt diagnosis, vigorous medical therapy and emergent tumor removal if the patient continues to deteriorate.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1986

New guidelines on foregoing life-sustaining treatment in incompetent patients: an anti-cruelty policy.

When certain ailments are an overwhelming and irremediable encumbrance, treatment directed at other curable ailments, although life-saving, cannot effectively achieve the goals of medicine. We are morally constrained from perpetuating the effects of a hopeless injury without prospect of benefit to the patient. An anti-cruelty policy is proposed as a new guideline for foregoing life-sustaining treatment that transcends the doctrines of "substituted judgment" or "reasonable persons" for certain incompetent patients. We propose the use of "anti-cruelty care" as an active chart order or progress note, and suggest that institutional ethics committees or governing bodies recommend its implementation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Hyperparathyroid crisis. Successful treatment of ten comatose patients.

Hyperparathyroid crisis is a rare disease manifested by elevated serum calcium, weakness, nausea and vomiting, altered states of consciousness, and elevated circulating parathormone. This hypercalcemic state is noted for a frequently acute presentation and associated high mortality rate, approaching 60% in some series. Ten patients in parathyroid crisis were observed in a consecutive personal series of 325 cases of operatively proved hyperparthyroidism. All 10 patients were successfully treated. Each patient remained or lapsed into persistent coma despite extensive medical management and normalization of serum calcium in some instances. An emergency parathyroidectomy was performed in all cases. Reversal of the comatose state was noted in all patients within 24 hours, followed by gradual normalization of serum calcium. Serum calcium ranged from 15 to 19.6 mg/dl. The blood urea nitrogen level was elevated in six patients. A single adenoma was found in nine patients and multiglandular disease involving the neck and the mediastinum in one. All patients survived. The successful treatment of this disease demands prompt and accurate diagnosis coupled with vigorous medical therapy and emergency parathyroidectomy if the patient's status continues to deteriorate.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1977

Effect of thyroid state on estradiol-17beta metabolism in the rabbit.

It is well known that the metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of a hormone is influenced highly by the level of its specific binding protein. It was interesting, therefore, to study the metabolism of estradiol-17beta (E2) in an animal model such as the rabbit where there is a lack for a highly specific binding protein for the steroid. The kinetics of the hormone was studied in relation to the thyroid state, namely in rabbits receiving thyroxin or propylthiouracil. In the absence of any significant decrease of the level of the rabbit androgen binding protein (R-ABP), the accelerated MCRE2 and the elevated conversion ratio of estradiol to estrone (CR E2 leads to E1) observed in hyperthyroid rabbits were attributed to the important role of metabolizing enzymes in the liver and/or extrahepatic tissues. In hypothyroid rabbits, while the CR E2 leads to E1 decreased significantly the MCRE2 was not altered.

Animals↗