PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S C Kaste

Publications and source records attributed to S C Kaste.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Ultrasonic characterization of cancellous bone using apparent integrated backscatter.

Apparent integrated backscatter (AIB) is a measure of the frequency-averaged (integrated) backscattered power contained in some portion of a backscattered ultrasonic signal. AIB has been used extensively to study soft tissues, but its usefulness as a tissue characterization technique for cancellous bone has not been demonstrated. To address this, we performed measurements on 17 specimens of cancellous bone over two different frequency ranges using a 1 MHz and 5 MHz broadband ultrasonic transducer. Specimens were obtained from bovine tibiae and prepared in the shape of cubes (15 mm side length) with faces oriented along transverse (anterior, posterior, medial and lateral) and longitudinal (superior and inferior) principal anatomic directions. A mechanical scanning system was used to acquire multiple backscatter signals from each direction for each cube. AIB demonstrated highly significant linear correlations with bone mineral density (BMD) for both the transverse (R2 = 0.817) and longitudinal (R2 = 0.488) directions using the 5 MHz transducer. In contrast, the correlations with density were much weaker for the 1 MHz transducer (R2 = 0.007 transverse, R2 = 0.228 longitudinal). In all cases where a significant correlation was observed, AIB was found to decrease with increasing BMD.

Animals↗

Dental abnormalities in children preparing for pediatric bone marrow transplantation.

The purpose of our study was to describe the types and frequencies of altered dental development in pediatric patients preparing for bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Retrospective review of the medical records and panoramic radiographs of all patients who underwent BMT at St Jude Children's Research Hospital between 1990 and 2000 for whom pre-BMT dental examination and panoramic radiography records were available. All patients were treated on institutional protocols. We recorded patient demographics and radiographic evidence of microdontia, hypodontia, taurodontia, root stunting, caries, enamel pearls, and pulpal calcifications. The 259 patients identified (150 male and 109 female) had a median age of 12.82 years (range, 3.18-25.93 years) at the time of BMT. In total, 203 were Caucasian, 38 were African-American, and 18 were of other races. In all, 150 (57.9%) had abnormal dentition. The most common dental abnormalities were caries (n=84), pulpal calcifications (n = 34), and dental extractions (n = 33). Developmental abnormalities occurred less frequently: taurodontia (n = 8), hypodontia (n = 10), microdontia (n = 11), and root stunting (n = 11). Dental abnormalities are prevalent in children undergoing BMT. Pre-transplant oral hygiene and dental examination should be standard care in order to minimize potential sites of infection.

Adolescent↗

Dental abnormalities after pediatric bone marrow transplantation.

Our purpose was to describe the types and frequencies of altered dental development in pediatric patients following bone marrow transplantation (BMT). A retrospective review of the medical records and panoramic radiographs of all patients who underwent BMT at St Jude Children's Research Hospital between 1990 and 2000, for whom pre-BMT and post-BMT dental examination and panoramic radiography records were available, is presented. All patients were treated on institutional protocols. We recorded patient demographics and radiographic evidence of microdontia, hypodontia, taurodontia, root stunting, caries, enamel pearls, dental restorations/extractions and pulpal calcification. The 99 patients identified (52 males, 47 females) had a median age of 13.5 years (range, 3.4-25.9 years) at the time of BMT. In all, 73 were Caucasian, 15 were African-American, and 11 were of other races. The frequency of radiographically evident root stunting in permanent teeth was significantly increased after BMT (P<0.001), but there was no significant change in the frequency of other dental abnormalities after BMT. Dental abnormalities are prevalent in survivors of childhood BMT, but only root stunting appeared to progress with BMT.

Adolescent↗

Bone mineral density and osteonecrosis in survivors of childhood allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Our purpose was to evaluate frequency and severity of bone mineral decrements and frequency of osteonecrosis in survivors of pediatric allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (alloBMT). We retrospectively reviewed demographic information, treatment, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies (hips and knees), and bone mineral density (BMD) studies of 48 patients as measured by quantitative computed tomography (QCT). In all, 24 patients were male; 37 were Caucasian. Median age at alloBMT was 10.3 years (1.6-20.4 years). Of the 48 patients, 43 underwent QCT. Median time between alloBMT and imaging was 5.1 years (1.0-10.2 years). Median BMD Z-score was -0.89 (-4.06 to 3.05). BMD Z-score tended to be associated with female sex (P=0.0559) but not with age at BMT, race, primary diagnosis, time from alloBMT, T-cell depletion of graft, total-body irradiation, or acute/chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). MR showed osteonecrosis in 19 of 43 (44%). We found no associations between osteonecrosis and sex, race, diagnosis, age at BMT, history of GVHD, time from BMT, or T-cell depletion. Seven patients (15%) had MR changes of osteonecrosis and BMD Z-scores of less than -1 s.d. We conclude that pediatric alloBMT survivors have decreased BMD and are at risk of osteonecrosis. They should be monitored to assure early intervention that may ameliorate adverse outcomes.

Adolescent↗

Effect of collagen and mineral content on the high-frequency ultrasonic properties of human cancellous bone.

The technology surrounding ultrasonic bone assessment is evolving rapidly as investigators explore the utility of new ultrasonic parameters and different ultrasonic frequencies. This study had three main goals. The first was to perform in vitro measurements of the speed of sound (SOS) and normalized broadband ultrasonic attenuation (nBUA) in specimens of normal human cancellous bone using a 2.25 MHz broadband measurement system. The second was to explore the utility of a backscatter-based parameter called apparent integrated backscatter (AIB). The third goal was to investigate the roles that collagen and mineral content play in affecting each of these three ultrasonic parameters. This was accomplished by chemically treating the specimens to remove one or the other of these two important constituents of bone. Our results showed that in most cases SOS and nBUA correlated well (p < 0.05) with bone mineral density (BMD) as measured by quantitative computed tomography (QCT). In contrast, AIB did not correlate strongly with BMD. When the specimens were demineralized, decreases were produced in SOS (19-39%) and nBUA (44-58%). Changes produced in AIB were not significant except along the superoinferior direction, in which a 12% decrease was measured. When the specimens were decollagenized, decreases were produced in SOS (10-12%). In contrast, increases were produced in both nBUA (35-77%) and AIB (14-15%). From this study we conclude that high-frequency ultrasonic measurements may yield useful information about the content and organization of both collagen and mineral in cancellous bone.

Bone Density↗

Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging of regional contrast access as an additional prognostic factor in pediatric osteosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this article was to evaluate the utility of a pharmacokinetically modeled measure of regional contrast access, based on dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies after preoperative chemotherapy, as a predictor of disease free survival in osteosarcoma. METHODS: The kinetic parameters of a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model of MRI contrast agent accumulation were analyzed in relation to disease free survival in 31 patients who received protocol-based therapy for nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the extremities. The modeled exchange rate of contrast between the plasma and the tumor extravascular extracellular fluid space served as a measure of regional contrast access. The prognostic impact of both the clinically accepted standard of histologic evaluation of tumor necrosis and the regional contrast access were analyzed with tumor size as an influential factor. RESULTS: Although the histologic grade of response was not a statistically significant prognostic factor in these patients (P = 0.884), regional contrast access after preoperative chemotherapy was significantly predictive of disease free survival (P = 0.035) in the Cox proportional hazards model. Lower regional access before surgery and smaller tumor size were associated with a better treatment outcome. Log-rank analyses of Kaplan-Meier curves indicated that the impact of regional access was most pronounced in patients with larger tumors (P = 0.052). Higher regional access at presentation also was associated significantly with greater decreases during therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic MRI estimates of regional contrast access after preoperative chemotherapy, when combined with tumor size, holds promise for the early identification of patients at risk of recurrence. The availability of such response predictors could facilitate the development of risk-adapted treatment approaches.

Adolescent↗

Prognostic factors and imaging patterns of recurrent pulmonary nodules after thoracotomy in children with osteosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: In children with osteosarcoma who have undergone thoracotomy, it often is difficult to distinguish metastatic from benign recurrent pulmonary nodules. The authors of this study sought to identify any computed tomography (CT) imaging pattern of recurrent pulmonary metastases in this patient population. The authors also sought to identify associated prognostic factors. METHODS: CT scans obtained after thoracotomy were available for 35 patients with osteosarcoma who had undergone resection of presumed pulmonary metastases at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (Memphis, TN). CT scans obtained before the initial thoracotomy were available for 33 of the 35. The authors recorded location, histologic diagnosis, and time of development of the original pulmonary nodules, time of recurrence of pulmonary disease; the location of recurrent nodules, and the presence of calcification, adenopathy, or progressive pleural disease, as well as patient demographic data, survival data, and location of the primary tumor site. RESULTS: Pulmonary nodules recurred in 32 of the 35 patients after thoracotomy. Nineteen of these patients underwent resection of the recurrent lesions and 1 who died underwent an autopsy; 18 of the 20 patients had metastatic disease. The only CT finding consistently associated with recurrent metastatic disease was progressive pleural thickening, which predicted a poor outcome. The occurrence of a solitary pulmonary nodule in the lung contralateral to the previous surgery was associated almost always with a benign process. CONCLUSIONS: CT imaging cannot distinguish reliably between benign and metastatic recurrent pulmonary disease after thoracotomy in patients with osteosarcoma. Recurrent pulmonary disease in this set of patients is likely to be metastatic, and aggressive surgical intervention is probably warranted. In this study, patients who had progressive pleural disease after thoracotomy consistently experienced pulmonary metastatic recurrence and had a poor prognosis.

Adolescent↗

Complications of limb-sparing procedures using endoprosthetic replacements about the knee for pediatric skeletal sarcomas.

Ninety-five percent of bone tumors are now managed with limb-sparing techniques. For pediatric patients with bone cancer, such limb reconstruction techniques often involve the placement of large endoprosthetic devices with the goal of improving survivors' quality of life. Nevertheless, few radiologic publications discuss the use of these techniques in children and adolescents. This pictorial essay describes the imaging characteristics of the complications associated with endoprosthetic devices and discusses the conditions that may simulate them.

Adolescent↗

Thallium bone imaging as an indicator of response and outcome in nonmetastatic primary extremity osteosarcoma.

PURPOSE: We investigated one 201Tl bone scintigraphy method as a predictor of histologic response and event-free survival (EFS) of nonmetastatic extremity osteosarcoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated images of the primary tumor to determine whether they exhibited a donut of avidity for 40 patients enrolled on a single institutional protocol. Participants underwent three serial 201Tl bone scintigraphy studies during preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Intra- and interobserver variability of the method was assessed, and the presence of the donut of avidity was examined as a predictor of EFS and histologic response. RESULTS: Fifty-three percent of patients were female and 75% were Caucasian; the median age at diagnosis was 13.5 years. Intraobserver agreement was moderate to very good, ranging from 0.595 to 0.865. Interobserver agreement was moderate to good for all time points, ranging from 0.576 to 0.708. There was a significant difference in EFS among patients with and without the donut-shape at any of the three time points (P = 0.049); patients whose tumors displayed a donutshape had inferior EFS. CONCLUSION: The pattern of donut avidity in extremity OS is a predictor of lower EFS, but does not correlate with histologic response to therapy.

Adolescent↗

Bone mineral decrements in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: frequency of occurrence and risk factors for their development.

We assessed the clinical and treatment factors that predispose survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to low bone mineral density (BMD). Using quantitative computed tomography, we determined the frequency of low BMD (defined as >1.645 standard deviations (SD) below the mean) in leukemia survivors treated with multiagent chemotherapy including prednisone and antimetabolite. All participants had completed therapy at least 4 years earlier, remained in continuous complete remission, and had no second malignancies. We statistically correlated BMD results with patient characteristics and treatment histories. Among 141 survivors (median age, 15.9 years; median time after diagnosis, 11.5 years), median BMD z score was -0.78 SD (range, -3.23 to 3.61 SDs). Thirty participants (21%; 95% confidence interval, 15% to 29%) had abnormally low BMD, a proportion significantly (P < 0.0001) greater than the expected 5% in normal populations. Risk factors for BMD decrements included male sex (P = 0.038), Caucasian race (P < 0.0001), and cranial irradiation (P= 0.0087). BMD inversely correlated with cranial irradiation dose. BMD z scores of patients who received higher doses of antimetabolites were lower than those of other patients. Childhood ALL survivors are at risk to have low BMD, especially males, Caucasians, and those who received cranial irradiation.

Adolescent↗

Magnetic resonance imaging detection of avascular necrosis of the bone in children receiving intensive prednisone therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency with which magnetic resonance (MR) imaging detects avascular necrosis of the bone (AVNB) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or advanced-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) who receive prednisone during remission induction, reinduction, and maintenance chemotherapy; to assess the clinical significance of these findings; and to identify factors predictive of AVNB. We prospectively obtained MR imaging of the hips and knees of 116 children who had completed at least 1 year of treatment for ALL or advanced-stage NHL on identical prednisone-containing regimens between December 1991 and October 1994. MR imaging findings of AVNB were compared with clinical outcomes, and the effect of therapeutic and patient factors on the frequency of AVNB was analyzed. The MR imaging findings of 17 of the 116 participating patients were consistent with AVNB. The most common clinical manifestation was joint pain (11 patients). Only one patient had progressive joint deterioration that necessitated surgical replacement. Only age 10 years or more at the time of the primary diagnosis was significantly associated with the development of AVNB (P = 0.004). MR imaging showed changes consistent with AVNB in approximately 15% of this patient population. However, most patients in this study who had MR imaging signs of AVNB did not experience progressive joint destruction, even with continued prednisone therapy. Therefore, the clinical usefulness of MR imaging as a screening tool for AVNB in this set of patients remains uncertain.

Adolescent↗

Metastatic osteosarcoma to the liver after treatment for synovial sarcoma: a case report.

Metastatic osteosarcoma most commonly affects the lungs and other bones. Hepatic metastasis at the time of diagnosis is extremely rare. A 14-year-old boy with synovial sarcoma of the left popliteal fossa was treated with surgical resection, radiotherapy for microscopic residual disease, and 1 year of chemotherapy (vincristine, cyclophosphamide, dactinomycin, and doxorubicin). Approximately 10 years after the initial diagnosis, a secondary osteosarcoma developed in the left proximal tibia. Computed tomography at presentation showed bilateral pulmonary metastases and large ossified nodules in the liver that demonstrated abnormal avidity on 99mTc MDP bone scan indicating hepatic metastasis. Despite chemotherapy (cisplatin, ifosfamide, high-dose methotrexate, and dacarbazine), the patient died of progressive disease 4 months after the diagnosis of the second cancer. Hepatic metastasis was found at the time of diagnosis of a secondary osteosarcoma and manifested as ossified nodules. The risk of radiation-induced osteosarcoma should always be considered in decisions about treatment for soft-tissue sarcoma.

Adolescent↗

Bone sarcomas of the head and neck in children: the St Jude Children's Research Hospital experience.

BACKGROUND: Bone sarcomas of the head and neck are difficult to resect. The authors reviewed their institutional experience with these tumors to characterize patients' clinical findings and to assess the impact of surgical resection on outcome. METHODS: The records of the 28 patients with bone sarcomas originating in the head and neck treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital between March 1962 and January 1998 were reviewed. RESULTS: There were 10 males and 18 females (median age, 12.6 years) each with a single sarcoma: osteosarcoma (18), Ewing sarcoma (7), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) (2), and fibrosarcoma (1). Primary tumor sites included the maxilla (13), skull (10), mandible (2), and other sites (3). All but one patient with Ewing sarcoma had localized disease at the time of diagnosis. All patients underwent surgery: complete resection, 8; gross total resection, 4; incomplete resection, 14; and biopsy only, 2; 22 also received chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was given to all patients with Ewing sarcoma and to four patients with primary osteosarcoma. Twelve patients survived a median of 8.4 years after diagnosis, 14 died of disease, and 2 died of unrelated causes. Local disease progression was evident in 12 patients (9 with osteosarcoma, 2 with MFH, and 1 with Ewing sarcoma) who died of disease, 9 of whom had the initial treatment of biopsy alone or incomplete resection. Patients with osteosarcoma who had the initial treatment of incomplete resection or biopsy alone were more likely to experience local failure (P = 0.001) and had poorer survival (P = 0.014) than those who underwent complete or gross total resection. CONCLUSIONS: Bone sarcomas of the head and neck are rare among children and most often are localized at the time of diagnosis. Incomplete resection of osteosarcoma is associated with local failure and poor outcome. Although aggressive surgery is essential for the cure of osteosarcoma, its necessity in the treatment of Ewing sarcomas remains controversial.

Adolescent↗

Splenic rupture in children with hematologic malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Splenic rupture is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of leukemias and lymphomas, and is reported mostly in adults. The authors investigated the frequency with which splenic rupture is diagnosed in pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies and reviewed its clinical profile and outcome. METHODS: The data base of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was searched for cases coded as splenic laceration or rupture, splenic infarction, or splenectomy in patients diagnosed with lymphoma or leukemia between January 1962 and December 1997. The medical records of patients with histopathologic or radiologic evidence of splenic rupture were reviewed. The time spanned by the study was divided into early (1962-1990) and recent (1991-1997) eras to reflect the availability of modern diagnostic imaging techniques. RESULTS: Seven children experienced splenic rupture. They were between ages 5-17 years. There were four males and three females. Primary diagnoses included acute myeloid leukemia (four patients), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (two patients), and Hodgkin lymphoma (one patient). Five patients were diagnosed in the recent era and two in the early era. Four patients had radiologic or bacteriologic evidence of fungal infection concomitant with the splenic event. Of five deaths, only two were related causally to splenic rupture; these occurred in the early era. All seven acute episodes of splenic rupture were managed conservatively without surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The overall frequency with which splenic rupture was detected in children with hematologic malignancy at the study institution was 0.18%. In the recent era, the frequency of detection was 9-fold higher (0.55%) than that of the early era (0.06%). Improved imaging techniques and increased utilization of imaging studies may account for the increased incidental detection of "preclinical" splenic rupture. Adolescent age group, acute myeloid leukemia (especially acute promyelocytic leukemia), a high leukocyte count, thrombocytopenia, and coagulopathy may predispose children with leukemia to pathologic splenic rupture. Fungal infection frequently was associated with splenic rupture and may play a role in its pathogenesis.

Adolescent↗

Hemangiopericytoma in children and infants.

BACKGROUND: Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a soft-tissue neoplasm most commonly seen in adults; only 5-10% of cases occur in children. Childhood HPC comprises two distinct clinical entities. In children older than 1 year, it behaves in a manner similar to adult HPC. Infantile HPC, however, although histologically identical to adult HPC, has a more benign clinical course. The reasons for these differences in the natural history of HPC are not well understood. METHODS: The authors reviewed the clinicopathologic features of HPC as well as the treatment and outcomes of the 12 children (9 males and 3 females) treated for this disease at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital over a 35-year period. RESULTS: At diagnosis, 9 patients were older than 1 year and 3 were younger than 1 year. Among the 9 older patients, tumors were most commonly found in the lower extremities (n = 5). One patient had been treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia 15 years earlier. One patient had metastatic disease at diagnosis, and three had unresectable tumors. Two patients experienced objective responses to chemotherapy. Three patients died of disease progression. Among the three infants, two had unresectable disease at diagnosis, and both experienced excellent responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In one case, the response of the tumor to chemotherapy correlated with maturation to hemangioma. All three infants are alive without evidence of disease. CONCLUSIONS: HPC in children older than 1 year does not differ from adult HPC, and aggressive multimodality therapy is required. Infantile HPC, on the other hand, is characterized by better clinical behavior, with documented chemoresponsiveness and spontaneous regression, and requires a more conservative surgical approach. In some cases of infantile HPC, this benign behavior correlates with maturation to hemangioma.

Child↗

Imaging aspects of neurologic emergencies in children treated for non-CNS malignancies.

There is a paucity of radiologic literature addressing neurologic emergencies in children receiving therapy for non-CNS primary malignancies. In the acute setting, many of these children present to local community hospitals. This pictorial is from a single institutional experience describing the spectrum of neurologic emergencies seen in children with non-CNS cancers. We hope to familiarize pediatric radiologists with these entities in order to expedite diagnosis, facilitate treatment, and minimize morbidity and mortality that may be associated with these complications.

Adolescent↗

Reversal of optic canal stenosis in osteopetrosis after bone marrow transplant.

PURPOSE: To describe a patient with infantile osteopetrosis and optic atrophy secondary to optic canal stenosis who demonstrated optic canal enlargement after bone marrow transplant. METHODS: Case report. A 3-month-old infant with infantile "malignant" osteopetrosis underwent ophthalmic examination, including visual evoked potentials, electroretinogram, and computed tomography (CT). Bone marrow transplant was performed at 8 months of age. RESULTS: Examination revealed visual loss and optic atrophy, left eye greater than right eye, secondary to optic canal stenosis. Flash visual evoked potentials revealed a normal waveform in both eyes with increased latency in the left eye. Electroretinogram was normal in both eyes. CT after bone marrow transplant showed enlargement of the optic canals. Vision remains stable 43 months after bone marrow transplant. CONCLUSIONS: Bone marrow transplant in infantile osteopetrosis may be followed by reversal of optic canal stenosis and preservation of vision.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗