PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

W P Cockshott

Publications and source records attributed to W P Cockshott.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Impact of age and cranial irradiation on radiographic skeletal pathology in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic osteopenia is a common form of morbidity in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) before, during, and after treatment. A causal role for corticosteroids has been proposed, but other investigators have suggested that cranial irradiation is an important factor contributing to this disorder. PROCEDURE: In this study of children with ALL, all of whom received steroids, skeletal morbidity was assessed radiographically by an observer who was blinded to the ages of the children, their risk categorization (and related treatment), and the timing of the assessments with respect to the administration of therapy. DISCUSSION: Skeletal morbidity was most prevalent in older subjects who had been given cranial radiotherapy. However, there was no difference in the frequency of fractures in two groups of younger children (< or = 9 years of age), one irradiated and the other not. CONCLUSIONS: It is likely that corticosteroid therapy plays an important part in the pathogenesis of this disorder. The role played by cranial irradiation is much less certain.

Age Factors

Mineral homeostasis and bone mass at diagnosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the osteopenia and unusual fractures observed in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were related to the disease rather than to its treatment. DESIGN: Prospective analysis of the bone and mineral status in 40 consecutive children with ALL seen in a pediatric tertiary-care referral center. METHODS: Biochemical indicators of mineral, endocrine, and vitamin D status were measured before initiation of therapy. Bone mass was determined radiographically and by dual-photon absorptiometry of the lumbar region of the spine (L2-L4). Correlations between clinical observations, leukemia variables, bone mass, and biochemical assessment were determined. RESULTS: At the time of diagnosis musculoskeletal pain was present in 36% of patients and was more common in children with CD10-positive leukemia and leukocyte counts less than 20 x 10(9) cells/L. Radiographic evidence of osteopenia and fractures was observed in 13% and 10% of children, respectively. The mean bone mineral content was normal. Bone mass measurement z scores correlated with plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations (r = 0.43, p < 0.05). Plasma calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels were normal. Low plasma osteocalcin (mean +/- SD, 1.6 +/- 1.6 nmol/L) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (33.4 +/- 26.4 pmol/L) values were observed. Parathyroid hormone levels were low in 14% of children. Hypercalciuria was detected in 64% of children. Urinary deoxypyridinoline was lower (p < 0.01) than in age-matched control subjects. Histomorphometric measurements of iliac bone showed abnormalities in mineralization in the biopsy specimens from three of nine children. CONCLUSION: Most children with ALL have alterations in bone metabolism and bone mass when first examined. These data suggest defective mineralization as the mechanism for decreased bone mass and implicate the leukemic process as causative.

Adolescent

Focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia and tibia vara: a case report.

A 2-year-old black boy with focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia is described with illustrations of the typical radiographic appearances supplemented by computed tomographic and magnetic resonance images. Since this rare condition is self-correcting, diagnosis is important so that surgical intervention and biopsy can be avoided and conservative management instituted.

Bone Diseases, Developmental

Proliferative periosteal processes of phalanges: a unitary hypothesis.

A unitary hypothesis is offered to explain the various proliferative processes occurring around the phalanges. In the past, these have been separately designated as proliferative periostitis, bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation, and turret exostosis. Because the appearances of these entities depend on temporal factors, breaching of the periosteum, and local anatomic features, we suggest a single term, proliferative periosteal processes of phalanges.

Bone Diseases

The geography of coracoclavicular joints.

On the basis of published anatomical and skeletal anthropological surveys supplemented by published and unpublished commissioned radiologic surveys, the distribution of coracoclavicular joints in the world is described. The findings are in keeping with a focus having developed in central Asia in Pleistocene times. Thus, this anatomical variant can serve, by regression, as a marker for population migration from prehistoric times to the present.

Anthropology, Physical

NOMID--a neonatal syndrome of multisystem inflammation.

Neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease is a rare disorder first described by Lorber in 1973. An additional 29 cases have been recorded. Two patients are described here, one with a 17 year follow-up. The typical features are a rash, fever, adenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and a severe, deforming arthropathy predominantly affecting large joints. The most striking feature is the onset in the neonatal period. Other associated features include inflammation, chronic meningitis, anemia, and persistent leukocytosis. Most, if not all, patients develop bizarre epiphyseal radiographic findings that are virtually pathognomonic. This disease is distinct from Still disease.

Diagnosis, Differential

Metaphyseal impaction fractures in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Patients with acute lymphatic leukaemia frequently are osteoporotic. A small subset of these develop disabling metaphyseal transverse fractures, usually bilateral and in the lower limb. These impaction fractures have a characteristic appearance and develop in recently laid down bone. They may develop ab initio or during therapy. Magnesium deficiency is found in these patients.

Child

Radiological changes in rheumatoid arthritis: measurement of area of juxta-articular bone as outcome event in clinical therapeutic trials of antirheumatic drugs.

A high degree of intra - and inter - rater reproducibility was obtained in measurement of a standardized area of the head of the first right metacarpal using a precision digitizer. This instrument had an accuracy for every point digitized of 0.127 mm. Intra-rater difference between readings at approximately a month's interval showed no significant differences. The method is reasonably simple to perform and is applicable to small joints such as the proximal interphalangeal joints. The method may prove useful in following progression of joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Spinal column damage from water ski jumping.

We conducted a radiographic survey of 117 competitive water ski jumpers to determine whether this sport can cause spinal column damage and, if so, whether damage is more likely to occur in those who participate during the period of spinal growth and development (age 15 years or younger). We found a high prevalence of two types of abnormality: Scheuermann (adolescent) spondylodystrophy (present in 26% of the skiers) and vertebral body wedging (present in 34%). The prevalence of adolescent spondylodystrophy increased with the number of years of participation in the sport before age 15 years or less. Of those in this age group who had skied for 5 years or more, 57 showed adolescent spondylodystrophy; of those in the same age group who had skied for 9 years or more, 100% were affected. Wedged vertebrae increased as time of participation increased, regardless of the age at which exposure began. We conclude that competitive water ski jumping may damage the spinal column and that consideration should be given to regulating this sport, particularly for children.

Adolescent

Measurement of absolute bone blood flow by positron emission tomography.

A method of measuring bone blood flow has been developed using 18F sodium fluoride and positron emission tomography. The blood flow levels are in line with those obtained experimentally from microsphere embolisation. This investigative method could be applied to elucidate a number of clinical questions involving bone perfusion.

Animals

Pseudarthrosis following proximal humeral fractures: a possible mechanism.

A small series of four patients with pseudarthrosis of the proximal humeral shaft is reported. These patients all had restricted movement of the shoulder joint prior to the trauma, three as a result of rheumatoid arthritis and one due a surgical fusion of the glenohumeral joint. It is suggested that pseudarthrosis is more likely under these circumstances and that pursuit of union of the fracture in such patients may not always be necessary.

Aged

Use of radiographic projections of knee.

A study to determine the routine radiography practice for the investigation of acute trauma cases and those with suspected arthritis of the knee was carried out by questionnaires sent to radiologists in 41 countries. The role of radiology in the investigation of chondromalacia patellae was also ascertained. Some of the reasons for the diversities of practice are discussed. The necessity for further views of the knee to supplement the two standard projections was assessed for various diagnostic entities. It became clear that if occult fractures were not to be missed, patients with knee effusions following acute trauma required additional views if a lesion was not shown by the anteroposterior (AP) and lateral views. In contrast, two views of the knee sufficed for examination of most entities affecting the knee.

Africa

Resolution of myositis ossificans in a hemophiliac.

Hemophilic myositis ossificans at the site of previous hemorrhage is a well recognised entity. A phenomenon, not previously described, is gradual absorption of a well corticated heterotopic bone over a period of five-and-a-half years. We here report this happening in a patient.

Child

Can a calcaneal morphologic index determine the degree of osteoporosis?

The proposal that a scoring system of the radiographic trabecular patterns of the os calcis could be related to degree of osteoporosis was tested. The technique fails as it showed no correlation with actual bone density determined by a Compton scatter technique and because of a low level of observer concordance. Possible reasons for the poor performance of the index developed in India when applied to North Americans are discussed.

Age Factors

Perception--a problem in the grading of sacro-iliac joint radiographs.

Reliability in the assessment of radiographic abnormalities in the sacro-iliac joint was investigated by rheumatologists and radiologists experienced in the reading of such films. This study differs from previous ones in that films were masked to reduce cueing from the radiographic appearance of other pelvic bone and joint structures. Agreement was greatest (greater than or equal to 80%) when only the presence or absence of abnormality was considered. When corrected for chance, agreement on the individual radiographic abnormalities was frequently poor or modest. The use of reference radiographs reduced absolute disagreement and had a modest influence on absolute agreement. The scoring of films for epidemiologic purposes should preferably be delegated to senior radiologists using standard reference films. Nevertheless, there remains a considerable margin of error in the interpretation of sacroiliac joint radiographs which is of clinical and epidemiological importance considering the weight that radiographs of this joint carry in diagnostic rheumatology.

Ankylosis

Is the vacuum sign in the sacro-iliac joint a useful radiological sign of chondrocalcinosis?

To test the contention that intra-articular gas is a radiological finding in chondrocalcinosis (CPPD), the prevalence of the sign was assessed in 44 patients with the disorder and compared to a control group of 272. We conclude that sacro-iliac gas is an inconstant finding occurring no more frequently in those with CPPD than in controls of the same age and sex. Consequently, this radiological finding is of limited clinical value.

Adult