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Biomedical subjects

S Christopoulos

Publications and source records attributed to S Christopoulos.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Hormonal manipulation of benign metastasizing leiomyomas: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Benign metastasizing leiomyomas (BMLs) occur predominantly in women during reproductive years. The condition is characterized by uterine leiomyomas associated with the development, typically years later, of slow-growing metastatic lesions. The most commonly affected organs are the lungs, but BMLs have been reported in lymph nodes, deep soft tissues, mesentery, bones, the central nervous system, and the heart. In many cases, these lesions have an indolent course and are discovered rather incidentally. However, occasionally they can present with debilitating symptoms or even life-threatening complications. The presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors in these tumors supports their origin from uterine smooth muscle and, more importantly, makes them amenable to hormonal manipulation. Radical interventions, such as extensive tumor debulking and oophorectomy for hormonal control, although effective in many cases, are not always possible or desirable and carry significant morbidity. Here we present two cases of BMLs to illustrate the role of newer therapeutic agents, the estrogen receptor modulators and the aromatase inhibitors, in the hormonal manipulation of these tumors.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Male splenic-gonadal fusion of the continuous type: sonographic findings.

A new case of splenic-gonadal fusion in an 8-year-old boy is reported in which the sonographic findings were highly suggestive to include the condition in the differential diagnosis. A separate mass with medium-level echoes and a homogeneous echo texture, surrounded by a clearly visible echogenic capsule, was found in contact with the lower pole of the left testis. The particular character of this congenital anomaly is emphasized and the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed.

Child↗
PubMed2001

Effects in vivo of iohexol and diatrizoate on human plasma acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase activity.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two iodinate contrast agents (CA), iohexol and diatrizoate, on human plasma acetyl-(AC) and butyrylcholinesterase(BC) activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients (24 males and 24 females) scheduled for intravenous pyelography were randomly divided into four groups of 6 males and 6 females each, receiving as CA, respectively: iohexol (Omnipaque, Schering) 0.6 ml/kg body weight (G1); iohexol 1.2 mg/kg (G2); sodium and meglumine diatrizoate 58% (Urografin, Schering) 0.6 ml/kg (G3); sodium and meglumine diatrizoate 58% 1.2 ml/kg (G4). Blood samples were taken before and 5, 10, and 20 min after the injection. Enzymatic activity of AC and BC were measured by spectrophotometry. Plasma concentration of K, Na, Ca, and Mg was measured in all blood samples; blood pressure and plasma pH were measured after each sample collection. Statistical analysis was performed by Student's test. RESULTS: In G1 a reversible decrease of AC (12.9%) and BC (8.2%) plasma activity was observed at 10 min. In G2 a progressive decrease of AC (13.9%) and BC (18.4%) plasma activity was observed with a maximum at 20 min. In G3 a modest reversible decrease of BC plasma activity (5.4%) was observed. In G4 a modest progressive decrease of AC (7.3%) and BC (6.5%) plasma activities was observed. In all cases, AC and BC plasma activities remained within the normal range of values. Plasma concentration of K, Na, Ca, and Mg, as well as pH and systolic and diastolic pressure, did not show any change. No adverse effects was observed in our patients. CONCLUSIONS: Iohexol and diatrizoate induce in vivo a significant decrease of AC and BC plasma activities. The decrease is more pronounced for iohexol, a non ionic CA, which has a lower pharmacotoxicity than diatrizoate and adverse effects rate. No inference can be drawn about the relationship between plasma cholinesterase activity and adverse effects.

Butyrylcholinesterase↗
PubMed2001

Iohexol does not influence the levels of blood serum cation electrolytes during intravenous pyelography.

PURPOSE: The influence of the nonionic contrast agent iohexol on blood pH and the cation electrolytes Ca, Na, K and Mg was studied in vivo in humans during the intravenous pyelography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A population of 28 patients without renal function impairment or electrolyte imbalance was divided into two equal groups. The first group received an intravenous injection of 0.6 mL Omnipaque per kg of body weight (0.388g iohexol/kg and 0.18 g iodine/kg). The second group received a double dose of Omnipaque (1.2 mL iohexol/kg; 0.776g iohexol/kg and 0.36g iodine/kg). Blood samples (5 mL) were taken before the injection of the contrast medium and 5, 10 and 20 minutes (marking the end of the examination) after the injection. Blood pH was also determined immediately after each sample collection, while electrolytes were measured in the laboratory. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were also determined simultaneously with each sample collection using a mercury manometer. RESULTS: Iohexol in simple and double doses did not have any statistically significant effect either on blood pH or on blood serum electrolytes during intravenous pyelography. Blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic, remained stable in all the patients during the examination. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the nonionic contrast medium iohexol at the doses used in routine intravenous pyelography does not have any influence on blood pH and serum cardioactive cation electrolytes in humans. An electrolyte imbalance is always a risk factor that may contribute to the development of cardiovascular side effects. This factor is eliminated when iohexol is administered intravenously instead of an ionic agent.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The effect of some iodinated contrast media on human plasma butyrylcholinesterase activity.

The effect of three iodinated contrast media (CM) on human plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity was studied during the intravenous pyelography (i.v.P). BuChE is an enzyme that participates in the metabolism of acetylcholine and hydrolyzes food esters and drugs such as nondepolarizing muscle relaxants and local anesthetics. The three CM were: diatrizoate (an ionic substance) and iohexol and iopentol (two nonionic substances). Five minutes after the intravenous injection, iohexol reduces BuChE plasma activity by 8.5% but this effect disappears within 15 minutes. Diatrizoate and iopentol decrease BuChE plasma activity by 8% and 15.2%, respectively, 5 minutes after the injection and this effect remains stable for the next 15 minutes. The underlying mechanism is unknown. Plasma BuChE activity remains within the normal range in any case and no association with side effects can be made. Thus, according to the above findings, it is not possible to connect or exclude any relationship between BuChE plasma activity and CM-derived adverse reactions during the i.v.P.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sequential computed tomography in tuberculous meningitis in infants and children.

Clinical and serial CT findings in 9 children, mainly infants with advanced tuberculous meningitis are presented. Hydrocephalus, tuberculomas and brain infarction were common findings in the acute stage of the disease. CT scan, allowing the detection and follow-up of cerebral manifestations of tuberculosis, proved to be an accurate and effective diagnostic method, which should be used in all cases of tuberculous meningitis.

Acute Disease↗