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T Anthony

Publications and source records attributed to T Anthony.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The diagnostic accuracy of mammography in the evaluation of male breast disease.

BACKGROUND: The role of mammography in the evaluation of male patients presenting with breast disease is controversial. This controversy is a function of the lack of specific data concerning the diagnostic accuracy of mammography when used in this clinical setting. The purpose of this study was to define the diagnostic accuracy of mammography in the evaluation of male breast disease. METHODS: One hundred and four prebiopsy mammograms from 100 patients with tissue diagnoses were read blindly by two independent radiologists, and placed into one of five predetermined categories: definitely malignant, possibly malignant, gynecomastia, benign mass, and normal. Radiologic/pathologic correlation was performed and the sensitivity (Sn), specificity (Sp), positive (Ppv) and negative predictive value (Npv), and accuracy (Ac) for each of the mammographic diagnostic category determined. RESULTS: The pathologic diagnoses were 12 cancers, including 1 patient with bilateral breast cancer, 70 cases of gynecomastia, 16 benign masses, and 6 normals. The accuracy data for the mammographic diagnostic categories are as follows: malignant (combined definitely and possibly malignant), Sn 92%, Sp 90%, Ppv 55%, Npv 99%, Ac 90%; and overall benignity (combined gynecomastia, benign mass, and normal), Sn 90%, Sp 92%, Ppv 99%, Npv 55%, Ac 90%. Six cancers (50%) coexisted with gynecomastia. CONCLUSIONS: Mammography can accurately distinguish between malignant and benign male breast disease. Although not a replacement for clinical examination, its routine use could substantially reduce the need for biopsy in patients whose mammograms and clinical examination suggest benign disease.

Breast Neoplasms, Male↗

Tianeptine and its enantiomers: effects on spatial memory in rats with medial septum lesions.

Tianeptine, an atypical antidepressant that exhibits clinical efficacy in measures of depression and anxiety, has been reported to enhance learning and memory in rats under certain conditions, an effect not observed with other tricyclic antidepressants. The present study explores further the possibility that tianeptine or its enantiomers (S 16190 and S 16191) can enhance either learning or retention in animals in which the hippocampus has been made partially dysfunctional. The effects of tianeptine and its enantiomers were tested using an open field watermaze test, in rats with partial lesions of the medial septum/diagonal band of Broca (MSDB). When given to normal rats, tianeptine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) did not significantly affect learning as compared to animals injected with saline. We therefore created, in other animals, partial ibotenic acid lesions of MSDB and showed histochemically that these lesions reduced but did not abolish the density of acetylcholinesterase staining in the hippocampus. They impaired both the acquisition of place-navigation and the long-term retention of spatial information over 7 days. Against the baseline of impaired performance in animals with these lesions, neither tianeptine (10 mg/kg) nor its enantiomers (5 mg/kg) affected the rate of acquisition of place navigation. However, tianeptine did enhance the retention of spatial memory over 7 days. These results are discussed in relation to different effects that tianeptine may have on learning including its ability to block stress-induced dendritic re-modelling of the hippocampus.

Animals↗

Primary colonic lymphoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The colon is a rare location for gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). This study was undertaken to identify risk factors, presentation, treatment, and prognosis for primary colonic lymphoma (PCL) through review of a large tertiary care hospital system experience. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients with colonic malignancy and NHL was performed using pathology and cancer registry databases from January 1989 to December 1998. Criteria for inclusion were no evidence of extraperitoneal disease, no leukemic or lymphomatous abnormalities in the blood, and disease confined to the colon. RESULTS: Seven patients met the inclusion criteria (4 male, 3 female; 33-72 years). They represented 1.4% of all NHL, 14% of gastrointestinal NHL and 0.9% of all colonic malignancies diagnosed during this period. Three of the patients had positive serology for human immunodeficiency virus; one was taking steroids chronically for Addison disease. The most common presentation was nonspecific abdominal pain. The lack of specific symptoms delayed diagnosis from 1-12 months. All patients underwent laparotomy with resection. The most common tumor location was the cecum (5/7, 71%). Regional lymph nodes were affected in all but 1 patient. All tumors were B-cell lymphomas (5 small noncleaved cell, 2 large cell). Six of 7 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. Of the 6 patients available for follow-up four remain alive (12, 19, 23, and 25 months after diagnosis). In both patients who died the disease recurred diffusely. CONCLUSIONS: The colon is a rare location for NHL. Immunosuppression is the most common risk factor. Patients' frequently present with non-specific abdominal pain, this leads to lengthy delays in diagnosis. Most of these tumors are located in the cecal area. Surgery is the most widely utilized form of therapy. Although adjuvant therapy is frequently utilized, its' impact on survival is unclear.

Academic Medical Centers↗

A clinical pathway for inguinal hernia repair reduces hospital admissions.

BACKGROUND: Clinical pathways have been advocated as a means to improve and standardize patient care while reducing costs through improved efficiency. This study examines the hypothesis that development of a clinical pathway reduces hospital admissions in a Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the year prior to June 1997, 168 elective inguinal herniorrhaphies were performed. This constituted the prepathway (pre-P) group. One hundred ninety-six elective inguinal herniorrhaphies were performed during the year following institution of the clinical pathway-the postpathway (post-P) group. RESULTS: Hospital admissions were compared between the two groups. In the pre-P group 61 of the 168 patients (36%) were admitted while 29 of the 196 patients (15%) in the post-P group were admitted (P < 0.001). In the pre-P group 27 of the 53 patients reviewed (51%) had either no justification or inadequate justification for admission. In the post-P group 8 of the 29 patients admitted (28%) had inadequate justification (pre-P vs post-P, P = 0.124). Common reasons for admission included pain, perioperative complications, and concurrent medical problems or surgical procedures. The most common single cause other than pain was urinary retention. The average age of patients requiring admission was greater both pre-P and post-P. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that institution of a clinical pathway for inguinal herniorrhaphy decreased hospital admissions. The reasons for this decrease are probably multifactorial and include improvements in physician and staff awareness. The decrease in unnecessary admissions should result in more efficient use of hospital resources.

Age Factors↗

Factors affecting recurrence following incisional herniorrhaphy.

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of chronic illness, obesity, and type of repair on the likelihood of recurrence following incisional herniorrhaphy. The medical records of 77 patients who underwent elective repair of a midline incisional hernia at the Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center between 1991 and 1995 were reviewed. Demographic data, presence of chronic illnesses, type of repair, and presence of recurrence were noted. Ninety-six percent of the patients were men, with an average age of 59 years. More than 50% of the patients had chronic lung or cardiac diseases and more than 40% weighed > or = 120% of their ideal body weight and had a body mass index (BMI) > or = 30. Sixty-two percent of the patients underwent primary reapproximation of the fascia (tissue repair), whereas 38% underwent repair with prosthetic material (prosthetic repair). The overall recurrence rate was 45%, with a median follow-up of 45 months (range 6-73). Seventy-four percent of the recurrences presented within 3 years of repair. The recurrence rate for those patients undergoing a tissue repair was 54%, whereas the recurrence rate following prosthetic repair was 29%. The incidence of recurrence for patients with pulmonary or cardiac disease or diabetes mellitus was similar to that of patients without these illnesses. The percent ideal body weight and BMI of patients who developed a recurrent hernia, particularly following a prosthetic repair, were significantly greater than those of patients whose repairs remained intact. These data strongly support the use of prosthetic repairs for incisional hernias, particularly in patients who are overweight.

Aged↗

Streptococcus sanguis bacteremia and colorectal cancer.

Streptococcal bacteremia is an uncommon presentation for colorectal malignancy, yet most physicians are aware of the association between Streptococcus bovis infection and these malignancies. Many are unaware, however, that other streptococcal species are associated with colon and rectal cancers. In this case report and brief review, we highlight this association and discuss a case of Streptococcus sanguis bacteremia associated with an early invasive rectal cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Perianal mucinous adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Perianal mucinous adenocarcinoma is a rare variant of anal canal epithelioid tumors. Our objective in this report is to examine the clinical features, pathology, treatment, and outcome for patients with perianal mucinous adenocarcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective review identified four patients with histologically proven perianal mucinous adenocarcinoma. The medical records of these patients were reviewed for presentation, therapy, and outcome. RESULTS: Pain and bleeding were present in all cases. In three of four patients, chronic perirectal disease was present, including two abscesses and one fistula. All patients had extensive local disease at presentation. One patient presented with bilateral inguinal nodal metastases. Two patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation, with a third patient receiving radiation alone. Two of these three patients underwent abdominoperineal resection. Three patients subsequently died (all of progression and/or recurrence) 2-48 months after diagnosis. The fourth patient (who was treated with chemotherapy and radiation followed by abdominoperineal resection) is alive and disease free at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Perianal mucinous adenocarcinoma is a rare disease with a poor prognosis, mostly due to its advanced nature at the time of diagnosis. Chemoradiation followed by surgery may improve outcome in selected individuals.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the colon and rectum.

BACKGROUND: Primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the colon and rectum is a rare form of adenocarcinoma of the large intestine. The purpose of this study was to help better define the natural history of this entity. METHODS: The medical records of 3,690 patients with colorectal cancer seen at The Roswell Park Cancer Institute between September 1971 and December 1993 were reviewed. We report on 29 patients with pathologic confirmation of primary signet-ring cell carcinoma. Patient demographics, clinical, and histologic parameters were evaluated. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: There was a nearly equal distribution of primary signet-ring cell carcinoma between the right colon and left colon/rectum. In most cases the tumors were > 6 cm, ulcerated, and involved the full thickness of the bowel wall. Nodal or metastatic disease was present in 21 of 29 patients (72%) at the time of diagnosis. Four patients (14%) had synchronous colorectal adenocarcinomas. Twenty-two patients died of disease progression. At the time of death, two patients (9%) had failed in the liver, whereas all 22 patients had peritoneal carcinomatosis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with primary signet-ring cell colorectal carcinoma frequently present with late-stage disease. In 23 of 29 patients, the disease rapidly recurred or progressed. Peritoneal carcinomatosis is the most common pattern of failure.

Adolescent↗

Desmoid tumors.

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Diagnosis, Differential↗

Laser welding in the dental laboratory: an alternative to soldering.

Only recently has laser welding been applied to dental technology, primarily as an alternative to soldering. This article addresses how the laser is used for welding, the effect welding has on metals as the energy is converted into heat and reacts with the alloy's surface and the practicality of laser welding in the dental laboratory. A step-by-step procedure for accomplishing laser-welded connections in a fixed partial denture is included. A laser-welded clasp repair using wrought wire and the addition of custom cast parts welded to an existing removable partial denture framework on the master model are also shown.

Dental Soldering↗

Optimal outcome for "high-risk" carotid endarterectomy.

While carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can often be accomplished with a very low stroke risk, certain scenarios--prior ipsilateral stroke, contralateral carotid occlusion, or acute cerebral ischemia--have been associated with neurologic morbidity and mortality rates exceeding 10%. The routine use of temporary intraluminal carotid shunts has been thought to be obligatory in such patients, notwithstanding the fact that these devices are obtrusive and may be associated with an increased risk of perioperative stroke. Among 175 patients undergoing CEA, 68 could be classified as "high-risk" (contralateral carotid occlusion, n = 24; prior ipsilateral stroke, n = 28; acute cerebral ischemia, n = 16). CEA was performed under regional or local anesthetic block in all 68 patients. Sixty-six patients (97%), including 22 of 24 (92%) with contralateral carotid occlusion, underwent CEA (carotid occlusion times averaging 22 minutes [range: 12 to 42 minutes]) without insertion of a carotid shunt. Two patients (2.9%) with contralateral carotid occlusion lost consciousness 7 and 10 minutes after carotid clamping, but regained neurologic normalcy after shunt insertion. A single patient (1.5%) experienced a fatal stroke due to heparin-induced "white clot" syndrome. Rates of shunt insertion and of perioperative stroke did not differ from those in 107 "low-risk" CEA patients. Cerebral collateral circulation is well developed even in compromised CEA patients. The necessity for temporary carotid shunts may be reduced by the use of "awake" anesthesia in such cases. Carotid shunting may be no more necessary, and operative outcome no less favorable, in "high-risk" than in uncomplicated CEA patients.

Carotid Arteries↗

Charcoal hemoperfusion for the treatment of a combined diltiazem and metoprolol overdose.

We describe the management of a 49-year-old woman who ingested 1,200 mg diltiazem and 500 mg metoprolol. The patient was bradycardic and hypertensive, requiring large doses of inotropic agents and temporary transvenous pacing. Charcoal hemoperfusion was used as an adjunct technique to hasten drug elimination; it rapidly lowered plasma drug levels, with a parallel improvement in the patient's clinical condition.

Charcoal↗

The effect of treatment for colorectal cancer on long-term health-related quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Little information is available on the impact that therapies used in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) have on long-term, health-related quality of life (HRQL). Knowledge of how HRQL is affected by these therapies is essential in properly selecting patients for treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term impact that surgical and adjuvant therapy for resectable CRC has on patient-reported HRQL in a male veteran population through a case-control design. METHODS: All participating patients had completed therapy at least 6 months before enrollment. One hundred fifty-eight patients were accrued over a 3-year period (January 1, 1997 to December 31, 1999) at a single institution. The impact of CRC surgery on HRQL was measured by comparing a cohort of 61 patients undergoing surgery alone for the treatment of CRC (CRC-S group) with 44 patients undergoing surgery for benign colonic disease (BCD group). To study the effect of adjuvant therapy for CRC on HRQL, a third cohort of 53 patients undergoing both surgical and adjuvant treatment (CRC-S/A group) was compared with the CRC-S group. For each group, health status was measured by a health survey questionnaire, SHORT FORM 36 (SF36). For patients treated for CRC, an additional disease-specific supplemental questionnaire also was used. RESULTS: Self-reported health status, as measured by mean SF36 score, was significantly reduced for the BCD group compared with CRC-S patients on general health perception (41.9 +/- 3.9 vs. 52.2 +/- 3.0, P = .04) and the standardized physical component score (31.2 +/- 1.7 vs. 37.5 +/- 1.5, P < .005). Despite an increased number of distally located tumors, later stage cancers, and an increased number of recurrences in the CRC-S/A group compared with the CRC-S cohort, no significant differences were identified between these groups on any of the subscales or standardized scores of SF36. Using the supplemental questions, no differences were identified between the CRC groups with respect to appetite, weight, or gastrointestinal or urinary functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical therapy for CRC probably has minimal impact on long-term HRQL when compared with surgery for benign colonic processes. Similarly, there does not appear to be a measurable, lasting impact of CRC adjuvant therapy on HRQL when compared with surgery alone. Although overall impact of therapies for CRC on HRQL appears to be limited, measurement of therapeutic influence on an individual level and identification of selection criteria based on estimated impact on HRQL for these therapies requires prospective validation.

Adult↗