The incidence of infection in 56 patients with Hodgkin's disease who had undergone staging laparotomy with splenectomy was compared with that of 28 non-splenectomized patients with Hodgkin's disease treated concurrently. The results suggest that splenectomy does not result in a major change in the incidence of infection experienced by such patients with stage II or stage III disease. Aggressive therapy may be of greater importance in increasing the susceptibility to infection in Hodgkin's disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1980

Pulmonary function in nonsmoking chronic alcoholics.

To our knowledge, this is the first published report to describe pulmonary function in nonsmoking alcoholics who also do not have a history of respiratory illness. This study, in sharp contrast to those that include smokers, shows that pulmonary function, including diffusing capacity, is within normal limits. The "true shunt" noted in all subjects who underwent blood gas studies is probably related to liver disease. Our study also suggests that gas exchange may be impaired even in patients with mild alcoholic liver disease (table 3). When the airway closes prematurely as a result of blood vessel dilatation and/or interstitial pulmonary edema, ventilation decreases. This results in appreciable shunting via portopulmonary and intrapulmonary communications and in a very low ventilation/perfusion ratio of the dependent lung zones. We consider that application of any formula to separate the effects of tobacco from those of alcohol will produce, at best, approximate values.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

Extrapleural mass.

The occurrence of an extrapleural fluid collection as a complication is presented. Review of the literature on central venous catheterization revealed different kinds of associated complications.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

Leukemoid reaction in pulmonary carcinoma.

Leukemoid reaction with pulmonary carcinoma has been a rare observation. Three cases are presented in detail with possible mechanisms contributing to the production of a leukemoid blood picture.

Aged↗

PubMed1979

Primary Pseudomonas maltophilia infection of the lung.

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of primary Pseudomonas maltophilia pneumonia. Presenting symptoms were fever and chills of two days' duration and a density in the right upper lobe. Sputum culture showed normal flora, and multiple blood cultures were negative. Antibiotic therapy initially with penicillin and then with carbenicillin was unsuccessful. Selective bronchial aspiration yielded pure cultures of P maltophilia. When an appropriate antibiotic, chloramphenicol, was given, a prompt therapeutic response followed.

Aged↗

PubMed1977

Postictal pulmonary edema.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

PubMed1976

Case report: prolonged high fever as a primary manifestation of sarcoidosis.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

PubMed1975

Erythropoiesis and erythropoietin in hypo- and hyperthyroidism.

Qualitative and quantitative studies of erythropoiesis in 23 patients with hypothyroidism and 21 patients with hyperthryoidism included routine hematologic evaluation, bone marrow morphology, status of serum iron, B12 and folate red blood cell mass and plasma volume by radioisotope methods, erythrokinetics and radiobioassay of plasma erythropoietin. A majority of patients with the hypothyroid state had significant reduction in red blood cell mas per kg of body weight. The presence of anemia in many of these patients was not evident from hemoglobin and hematocrit values due to concomitant reduction of plasma volume. The erythrokinetic data in hypothyroid patients provided evidence of significant decline of the erythropoietic activity of the bone marrow. Erythroid cells in the marrow were depleted and also showed reduced proliferative activity as indicated by lower 3H-thymidine labeling index. Plasma erythropoietin levels were reduced, often being immeasurable by the polycythemic mouse bioassay technique. These changes in erythropoiesis in the hypothyroid state appear to be a part of physiological adjustment to the reduced oxygen requirement of the tissues due to diminished basal metabolic rate. Similar investigations revealed mild erythrocytosis in a significant proportion of patients with hyperthyroidism. Failure of erythrocytosis to occur in other patients of this group was associated with impaired erythropoiesis due to a deficiency of hemopoietic nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12 and folate. The mean plasma erythropoietin level of these patients was significantly elevated; in 4 patients the levels were in the upper normal range whereas in the rest, the values were above the normal range. The bone marrow showed erythyroid hyperplasia in all patients with hyperthyroidism. The mean 3H-thymidine labeling index of the erythroblasts was also significantly higher than normal in hyperthyroidism; in 8 patients the index was within the normal range whereas in the remaining 13 it was above the normal range. Erythrokinetic studies also provided evidences of increased erythropoietic activity in the bone marrow. It is postulated that thyroid hormones stimulate erythropoiesis, sometimes leading to erythrocytosis provided there is no deficiency of hemopoietic nutrients. Stimulation of erythropoiesis by thryoid hormones appears to be mediated through erythropoietin.

Biological Assay↗

PubMed1973