PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

W J Anderson

Publications and source records attributed to W J Anderson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Appraisal of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

This paper reports the experience of three general surgeons performing 304 laparoscopic cholecystectomies in three private hospitals between October 1989 and November 1990. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy boasts two major advantages over the conventional procedure: the remarkable reduction in postoperative pain and economic benefit, largely due to the patient's early return to work. Revealing a complication rate of 2% and no deaths, this study has shown that this procedure can offer patients these advantages with a medical risk no greater than that accompanying conventional cholecystectomy. Patient safety must be paramount, and it is the responsibility of the surgical community to ensure that all surgeons receive the highest quality training and that the technique is applied appropriately.

Adolescent↗

Neoadjuvant therapy of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: role of resection and benefit in partial responders.

Twenty-eight patients were treated between 1981 and 1987 with a combination of radiation therapy and two courses of 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin followed by esophageal resection. Sixteen patients (57%) underwent resection. Operative mortality was 6% (1 of 16), and the 15 operative survivors have been followed for more than 23 months. Complete pathological response was achieved in 8 of the 15 patients, and 10 patients (66%) are alive with no evidence of disease; 4 patients (27%) have survived with no evidence of disease for more than 5 years. Four partial responders are alive, and 3 are alive with no evidence of disease for more than 5 years. An aggressive approach with a low mortality has demonstrated survival benefit to complete responders and, contrary to findings of previous reports, has established a role for surgical resection and survival benefit in patients with partial response, with 3 of 7 (47%) patients surviving more than 5 years.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Allograft bone for arthrodesis and repair of skeletal hand problems.

Banked freeze-dried allograft bone was used in 16 patients who underwent three types of wrist operation. Subjective, objective, roentgenographic and economic end-result evaluations were satisfactory. The mean time to union was 12.4 weeks, and the complication rate was low. Allograft bone compares favourably with autografts and avoids donor site morbidity, as well as the need for general anaesthesia.

Adult↗

Morphology of dendrite bundles in the cervical spinal cord of the rat: a light microscopic study.

Histological staining techniques and Golgi-Cox impregnation revealed three discrete dendrite bundles in the ventral horn of the rat cervical spinal cord. A midline dendrite bundle (MDB) traversed the ventromedial gray matter (C3-6), a central dendrite bundle (CDB) coursed the medial aspect of the ventral horn (C3-5), and a lateral dendrite bundle (LDB) traveled in the ventrolateral gray matter (C2-4). At the light microscopic level, the three dendrite bundles were composed of longitudinally oriented intertwined dendrites that coursed in close apposition among motoneuron perikarya, neuroglia, and capillaries. A gradient of packing density of dendrites in the bundles existed, the MDB displaying the greatest packing density and the LDB forming the most loosely interwoven dendritic plexus. Dendrites contributing to the bundles originated from several different motoneuron pools. Smaller transverse dendrite bundles radiated from the longitudinal dendrite bundles at right angles and appeared to interconnect the MDB, CDB, and LDB. Transverse dendrite bundles also exited the MDB and LDB to course into the anterior and lateral funiculi, respectively. The presence of dendrite bundles among fields of motoneurons suggests that dendrite bundles may provide an anatomical substrate for the synchronization of neuronal activity for coordination of muscle groups involved in particular movements. Dendrite bundles also would provide a means whereby functionally similar motoneurons can receive and integrate similar synaptic inputs, and thus allow these inputs to modulate and coordinate groups of neurons that act as a functional unit. The presence of transverse dendrite bundles interconnecting the longitudinal bundles may permit the fine tuning of motoneuron activity for better coordination of movements involving synergistic and antagonistic muscle groups.

Animals↗

Hydrofluoric acid burns of the hand: mechanism of injury and treatment.

Hydrofluoric acid is one of the strongest inorganic acids and is used extensively in industry and research. It differs from other acids in that the fluoride ion readily penetrates the skin, causing destruction of deep tissue layers and even bone. Authors have previously described numerous topical treatments. This report describes one method of treatment emphasizing immediate skin cleansing and the application of calcium gluconate gel, which is followed by calcium gluconate subcutaneous injections when necessary. An accurate occupational history and physical examination are important aspects of patient assessment. Prompt treatment resulted in relief of pain and a satisfactory clinical result in all cases. A significant delay in treatment was responsible for permanent impairment in 2 of 14 patients.

Adult↗

Postnatal development of cell columns and their associated dendritic bundles in the lumbosacral spinal cord of the rat. I. The ventrolateral cell column.

The postnatal development of the ventrolateral dendrite bundle (LDB) in the rat lumbosacral cord was studied quantitatively with Golgi-Cox impregnation. At birth, motoneuronal perikarya and their dendrites were not fully developed, and had not begun to form bundles; varicose dendritic shafts radiated symmetrically from motoneurons. Dendrites contained numerous spines and growth cones. At 5 days, dendritic shafts began to arrange themselves longitudinally, and by 10 days of age, dendrite bundling was apparent. Dendritic growth and bundling appeared complete by two months of age. LDB formation was a dynamic process; rapid dendritic growth occurred in discrete phases with brief intervals of slower dendritic development between them. The mean number of secondary and tertiary dendrites, and the mean branch length of all orders progressively increased. Motoneurons of the LDB primarily innervate the pelvic musculature. Selective horizontal orientation of dendrites into discrete compact bundles suggests that the LDB may serve as a specialized receiving and integrating system for autonomic control over excretory and reproductive functions. It is interesting to note that in patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, motoneurons in the LDB are resistant to destruction. This finding suggests that motoneurons in the LDB may express unique features that protect them from certain disease processes. A better understanding of the developmental anatomical, physiological and biochemical properties of the LDB may provide insight into the treatment of patients with disease processes involving spinal cord and brainstem lower motoneurons.

Animals↗

Postnatal development of cell columns and their associated dendritic bundles in the lumbosacral spinal cord of the rat. II. The ventromedial cell column.

Postnatal formation of the ventromedial dendrite bundle (MDB) in the rat lumboscral cord was examined quantitatively with Golgi-Cox impregnation. At birth, dendrites of motoneurons in the MDB had not achieved their total length, and had not begun to form bundles. Dendrites projected from the soma in a radially symmetric fashion. At 5 days, dendritic shafts reoriented into the longitudinal plane, and by 10 days of age dendrite bundling was apparent. Between day 1 and 60, primary, secondary and tertiary dendrites from motoneurons in the MDB increased both in number and in length, and the MDB became more compact and intertwined. Dendritic growth and bundling was complete by two months of age. The dendritic spatial arrangement of the MDB, as well as the LDB, may provide an important anatomical substrate for receiving appropriate developing axonal inputs. In turn, it is likely that specific incoming axonal inputs that arrive in this cell column early in development may signal the redirection of dendrites of ventromedial motoneurons into the longitudinal plane.

Animals↗

Simultaneous fracture of the scaphoid and capitate in a child.

An 11-year-old boy had an ipsilateral scaphoid fracture and a capitate fracture, a rare combination of injuries that has not been previously reported. The importance by identification by x-ray film of the fracture pattern is emphasized. A fall on the palm forcing the wrist in extreme extension is the most likely mechanism of injury in this patient. Bony union and normal painless wrist motion were obtained in these nondisplaced fractures with immobilization for 6 weeks.

Carpal Bones↗

Chondromyxoid fibroma of the proximal phalanx. A tumour that may be confused with chondrosarcoma.

Chondromyxoid fibroma is a rare benign tumour of chondral origin. The diagnosis is difficult, but as Jaffe emphasized, "its recognition is of some importance in that pathologically it may be mistaken for sarcoma and, as such, treated more radically than is necessary" (Jaffe, 1948). Salzer (1965) found only 136 cases in the world literature since 1948 when Jaffe defined the criteria for their histological diagnosis. Only six cases of chondromyxoid fibroma have been reported involving the hand (Frank, Rockwood, 1969; Zatyepin, Klimova, Lipkin, Perety, 1979).

Bone Neoplasms↗

Congenital absence of the triquetrum: a case report.

A case of congenital absence of the triquetrum in a 47-year-old man is reported. The etiology could be related to deficient chondrification or ossification. Conservative treatment relieved his symptoms of pain and weak grasp.

Carpal Bones↗

Intravenous pyogenic granuloma of the hand.

Intravenous tumors are rare. Intravenous pyogenic granuloma has recently been recognized. This case illustrates the characteristic findings and microscopic anatomy associated with this tumor when it occurs in the palm.

Female↗

Catecholamine innervation of cervical dendrite bundles: possible phrenic nucleus innervation.

The catecholaminergic innervation of three recently described dendrite bundles (midline, central and lateral) in the cervical spinal cord of the adult Long-Evans hooded rat [41] was examined using Golgi impregnation, fluorescence histochemistry for catecholamines, and cholinesterase histochemistry. The midline and lateral bundles were similar in appearance to those described by the Scheibel and Scheibel [50,51], while the central bundle, present in the region of the phrenic nucleus, has not been described previously. Analysis of Golgi-Cox impregnated horizontal sections demonstrated the presence of fine varicose fibers within all three bundles. These profiles entered the bundles at right angles, either singly or within small transverse dendritic subunits, then turned in a rostral or caudal direction, and coursed adjacent to dendrites of motoneurons in the bundles. Catecholamine histofluorescence in horizontal sections revealed abundant varicosities within all three bundles, similar in size and appearance to the varicose fibers seen in Golgi-Cox impregnated sections. Catecholamine fibers entered the dendrite bundles at right angles then turned rostrally or caudally and coursed horizontally within the bundles. Varicose fluorescent profiles formed pericellular rings around the motoneurons and linear profiles adjacent to the dendrites, sometimes outlining the entire proximal portion of primary dendrites. Catecholamine fibers entered the dendrite bundles at right angles then turned rostrally or caudally to course adjacent to the dendrites within the bundles. Cholinesterase histochemistry in alternate sections revealed staining of motoneurons and their dendrites, and confirmed the location of the catecholamine varicosities within the motoneuron dendrite bundles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Influence of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on the viability of ram spermatozoa undergoing cold shock.

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) significantly reduced the degree of acrosome damage which occurred to ram spermatozoa during cold shock. A higher percentage of spermatozoa were motile after cold shock in the presence of BHT than in its absence, but it had little effect on the quality of motility or the percentage of cells which stained with eosin. A concentration of 2-4 mM-BHT provided the maximum response. No advantage was gained by using the solvent, dimethyl sulphoxide, as a vehicle to introduce BHT to the cells. An osmotic stress test after cold shock also failed to demonstrate any advantage of BHT. It is concluded that BHT provides little protection to the functional capacity of ram spermatozoa undergoing cold stress and is unlikely to be of benefit for the preservation of ram semen.

Acrosome↗

Simultaneous fracture of the scaphoid and radius in a child.

A 15-year-old boy sustained an ipsilateral scaphoid and radius fracture, a combination of injuries that has only received brief mention in previous reports. Closed reduction and cast immobilization produced a satisfactory result. The distal radius injury was a comminuted fracture with a vertical component that extended to the physis without involvement of the epiphysis. The mechanism of injury may have been a severe impact delivered to the base of the hand with the wrist fixed in dorsiflexion, a force that would make a distal radial epiphyseal fracture unlikely.

Adolescent↗

The pathology and treatment of metastatic disease of the femur.

Two hundred eighty-three pathologic fractures and 23 impending fractures of the hip and femur were analyzed and compared after surgical treatment. One hundred ninety-six fractures were treated by internal fixation or prosthetic replacement and the adjunctive use of methylmethacrylate, and 110 were treated by surgery without the use of methylmethacrylate. Pain relief, ambulatory activities and survival rates were all enhanced in the methylmethacrylate group. The six failures of fixation in the nonacrylic group might have been prevented by the use of bone cement. Breast carcinoma was the most common metastasis, comprising 56% of the series. Kidney metastases, when treated aggressively, showed many long-term survivors. Lung metastases gave the worst prognoses. The overall series survival rates were 59% at six months and 48% at 12 months. The incidence of complications including infection were not related to the use of methylmethacrylate or preoperative radiation. Although many authors have reported the advantages of methylmethacrylate in stabilization of pathological fractures, none have compared the results by analyzing pain relief, ambulatory ability and survival times in those treated with and without bone cement. This study appears to clearly indicate that methylmethacrylate enhances the stability of the pathological fracture and contributes to achieving the goals of treatment in these severely compromised patients.

Acetabulum↗