Biomedical subjects
S Govindan
Publications and source records attributed to S Govindan.
Inclusion body myositis and Sjogren's syndrome.
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Computer assisted tomography in rapidly growing brain tumor.
A case of undifferentiated astrocytoma with rapid increase in size of the tumor as documented by sequential computer assisted tomography (CAT) of the head is reported. The case also demonstrates the sensitivity of computer assisted tomography in the detection of intracranial pathology, in the presence of fals localizing neurological findings.
Intracranial choriocarcinoma.
A case of intracranial choriocarcinoma (probably primary), a rare variety of atypical teratoma, is reported. Diagnosis and treatment were based on radiological and hormonal studies. The usefulness of computed tomography (CT) in the follow-up and treatment of patients with tumors in areas not easily accessible for surgical exploration or biopsy is again documented. The CT findings correlated well with the documented hormonal changes as well as with the patient's clinical status.
Electromyographic abnormalities in osteosarcoma arising in Paget disease of the vertebral column.
The case of a patient with low back pain and Paget disease of the L5, S1 vertebrae is presented. Electromyography revealed dysfunction in both the paraspinal and gluteal muscles. Postmortem examination showed sarcomatous transformation of the vertebrae with nerve root compression and skeletal muscle infiltration by tumor. The electromyographic abnormalities are correlated with the pathologic findings. The clinical features of neurologic dysfunction in Paget disease of the vertebral column and in osteosarcoma arising in Paget disease of the vertebral column are reviewed. Electromyography can provide valuable information in the evaluation of the patient with Paget disease of the vertebral column who is suspected of having neurologic dysfunction.
Meningeal carcinomatosis from small cell carcinoma of the lung. Consequence of improved survival.
The cells of oat cell carcinoma of the lung can be identified in sputum because of their characteristic morphologic appearance. The cells from oat cell carcinomas can also be identified in other body fluids but are seen there less often. Spinal fluid involvement with oat cell carcinoma has been seen very infrequently, presumably because of a poor survival rate. Aggressive systemic chemotherapy has improved survival, and meningeal involvement is now being recognized as a complication. Of 62 patients treated by aggressive chemotherapy protocols, six (10%) were found to have leptomeningeal involvement by cytologic evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Involvement was found 6 to 13 months after the initiation of therapy. Two of the six patients had no evidence of CNS metastases by CAT brain scan. Necropsy was performed in three of the six cases and showed excellent histologic correlation with the cytologic findings. Because of most therapeutic drugs' poor penetration into the CSF, and because the spinal cord is not routinely irradiated, cytologic examination of the CSF from patients with oat cell carcinoma is necessary when there are new neurologic signs or symptoms to ensure proper, specific therapy.