Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Cramer

Publications and source records attributed to B Cramer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Young children with Velo-Cardio-Facial syndrome (CATCH-22). Psychological and language phenotypes.

This is the first clinical description of a detailed psychological, speech, and language phenotype of four young children (< 5 years) with Velo-Cardio-Facial syndrome (VCFS) due to a deletion on chromosome 22 (22q11.2). The reported elevated risk of developing schizophrenia or bipolar disorder in adolescence for individuals with this chromosomal deletion led us to examine the psychiatric and cognitive status of young children with VCFS. Our observations suggest a phenotype comprised of a borderline to mildly retarded level of intellectual functioning, a language delay, a general deficit in social initiation, difficulties with attention/concentration, and a perturbed train of thought.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2000

[Depression in the child].

Since Spitz's description of anaclitic depression in 1945, it has been widely recognized that children, even very young, suffer from depression. Recent research suggests that depression persists during the developmental stages and depressed children are more likely to become depressed adults than their peers. This underlines the importance of diagnosing and treating depression at a young age. Pediatricians should be fully aware of the signs and symptoms of depression as they are first in line to identify and prevent it. This article covers clinical description of depression in infants and young children, as well as its etiology and treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Nephrocalcinosis in rabbits--correlation of ultrasound, computed tomography, pathology and renal function.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to induce nephrocalcinosis (NC) in rabbits with phosphate, vitamin D, oxalate and furosemide, to determine the effect on renal function and to correlate detection on ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) with pathology. Materials and methods. Seventy-five immature New Zealand white rabbits were divided into five groups of 15. In each group, 5 animals were controls and 10 were given oral phosphate, furosemide, vitamin D or oxalate. Unilateral nephrectomy was performed at 3-6 weeks, and 5 rabbits of each test group were withdrawn from the substance. Weekly US was performed as well as US, CT and measurement of serum creatinine at the time of nephrectomy and prior to planned demise. Results. A total of 140 kidneys in 75 rabbits had both pathological and US correlation, with CT correlation in 126. Forty rabbits developed nephrocalcinosis with early (post nephrectomy at 3-6 weeks) or late (post demise at 12-20 weeks) pathological correlation obtained in 53 kidneys. Forty-one of these kidneys were from test animals: 23 developed NC early, 18 late. Twelve controls developed NC: 4 early, 8 late. Comparing US and CT to pathology, the sensitivity was 96% for US, 64% for CT. Specificity was 85% for US and 96% for CT. In 109 kidneys, information on serum creatinine level was available to correlate with pathology. The mean creatinine level was 138 mmol/l for those with NC and 118 mmol/l for those without NC (P<0.001). Conclusion. In this study, the presence of NC was significantly associated with increasing serum creatinine. Overall, US was more sensitive and CT was more specific in the detection of NC.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Pattern and permanence of phosphate-induced nephrocalcinosis in rabbits.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to observe the pattern and permanence of phosphate-induced nephrocalcinosis (NC) in rabbits. Materials and methods. Thirty immature New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 10 controls and 20 test subjects who were given oral phosphate. Unilateral nephrectomy was performed at 3-6 weeks, and 10 of the test group were withdrawn from the substance. All surviving rabbits were terminated at 6-14 weeks post nephrectomy. Weekly US was performed, as well as US, CT and serum creatinine evaluation at the time of nephrectomy and prior to planned demise. Results. Of the 20 rabbits that received oral phosphate, 16 had NC by 3 weeks and the remainder by 6 weeks. The severity was proportional to intake. NC occurred in the cortex in 69%, the corticomedullary junction (CMJ) in 81% and the medulla in 27% of cases. Only 5 of 10 rabbits that returned to oral water post nephrectomy were suitable for follow-up on pathology. NC improved in 3 of these animals. Conclusion. NC in rabbits occurs maximally at the CMJ but also frequently in the cortex. NC was not permanent or static but improved in 3 of 5 rabbits when phosphate was withdrawn.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1995

Sclerosing of recurrent lymphangioma using OK-432.

The authors present two cases of lymphangioma of the cervicofacial region, treated with a new investigational drug in North America, OK-432 (picibanil), a sclerosing agent intralesionally injected. Both patients had been treated surgically and had recurrence of the tumor. Intralesional injection of OK-432 without aspiration was employed for the first patient, and after aspiration in the second patient. A change in consistency of the tumor, manifested by softening, was followed by marked shrinkage. No complication either locally or systemically has occurred during the follow-up period (10 to 16 months). In both cases, satisfactory results were obtained, resulting in definite reduction in size and improvement in cosmetic appearance. The authors recommend OK-432 intralesional injection for surgically challenging lymphangioma. Their results support those of a recent Japanese study using OK-432 as sclerosing therapy for unresectable lymphangioma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Mother-infant relations: beginnings of the psychological structure].

The practice of joint mother-infant psychotherapy is a good setting for studying parental contributions to the formation of the child's psychic structure. Parents organize their infant's experience in terms of their own cognitive and emotional predilections. Through projective identifications they lend meaning to the infant's behaviors and attitudes. We are presenting two cases where one can witness the production of shared interactive scenarios between mother and child. In the first case a mother constantly interferes with the alimentary initiative of her baby, as if she wanted to control the baby's impulsive oral demands. In the second case mother defines the child's solicitations in terms of aggressive intentions. Those two cases are used as illustration of the powerfully impact of maternal predilection and aversion onto the development of expressions and controls in the infant. The general topic of this paper is communication between mother and infant and the transmission of values and attitudes through behaviors from mothers to babies.

Feeding and Eating Disorders↗
PubMed1993

Idiopathic acute portal vein thrombosis: a case report.

There are few reported cases of acute portal vein thrombosis presenting as an acute abdomen in adolescent age group. Most published series concern chronic extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis. Acute portal vein thrombosis is rare, but can develop into serious complications. Hence, prompt diagnosis and heparinization can prevent the development of lethal complications such as venous gangrene of the bowel and portal hypertension.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1993

Nonrenal cystic masses in neonates and children.

With the increasing use of ultrasonography (US) in children, abdominal cystic masses, many of them nonrenal, are being detected more frequently both before and after birth. Between 1986 and 1991, 20 predominantly cystic abdominal or pelvic masses of nonrenal origin were detected by US in patients less than 10 years of age. Ten of the 20 patients were neonates; in 5 of these the masses were detected antenatally. Pathological correlation was obtained for 16 of the patients. Six of the cysts were ovarian; two represented cystic teratoma, two exhibited torsion and hemorrhage, one was a giant simple cyst and one was a simple cyst with herniation. Six of the lesions were duplication cysts; two were found in the antral region, of which one was ulcerated and had perforated. In the remaining group of eight cysts, three were found in newborns; one represented colonic atresia and another was a choledochal cyst. Several of these nonrenal cystic masses were detected incidentally or in patients with nonspecific abdominal pain. US correctly predicted the location of the cyst and the diagnosis in most patients. In many of the patients the masses were complicated by other problems that required diagnosis and treatment.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1992

[The role of liaison psychiatry in the framework of chronic disease].

Liaison psychiatry in paediatrics should not be confined to psychiatric cases. Due to their special skills, psychiatrists can be helpful in the long term care of chronically ill children. The case of cystic fibrosis is cited to show how this disease affects the family; how educating patients (and their parents) about the disease and treatments is essential; how compliance is affected by factors such as family characteristics and psychological characteristics of young patients. Poor compliance is seen as a symptom that can, to a certain extent, be treated by psychological analysis of all the factors involved.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1991

MRI for evaluation of scrotal pathology.

Since 1986, 205 patients, age 2-84 years, mean age 33 years, with scrotal pathology were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 1.5-T Siemens Magnetom and specially designed external coils were used for obtaining T1- and T2-weighted images. Of these, 88 patients underwent MRI studies for suspicion of testicular cancer, and 117 for a variety of benign scrotal lesions. MRI studies yielded excellent diagnostic information of scrotal pathology: predictive value for diagnosing testicular cancer was 100% with 62% of correct differentiation between seminoma and non-seminomatous tumors. In future, the incidence of diagnostic surgical explorations of scrotal pathology can be reduced by MRI studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Percutaneous needle aspiration of neonatal lung abscesses.

Three premature infants (mean gestational age 27 weeks) ranging in age from 3 to 11 weeks, were treated for lung abscesses, with a combination of antibiotics and percutaneous needle aspiration under either ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance. Antibiotics, to which microorganisms cultured from aspirated pus were sensitive, were continued for a further period of two weeks, with no relapse in any of the patients. The lung abscesses resolved in all cases without the need for catheter drainage or surgery. In conclusion, needle aspiration under either ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance is a simple and effective diagnostic and therapeutic method of managing neonatal lung abscesses. Its early use allows selection of the most appropriate antibiotics and may hasten recovery, prevent further complications and obviate the need for surgery. The use of a drainage catheter does not appear to be necessary for resolution of the abscesses. The procedure appears reasonably safe, since complications arising from the procedure were benign.

Female↗
PubMed1990

Pancreatic echogenicity in premature and newborn infants.

Little information is available regarding pancreatic echogenicity in premature infants and neonates. We prospectively studied 65 patients (30 premature infants and 35 neonates) and compared pancreatic echogenicity to a control group of 25 infants and 35 older children. Pancreatic echogenicity was graded relative to hepatic echogenicity measured at a similar depth. In the premature infants and neonates the initial ultrasounds were hyperechoic in 71% compared to 5% in both control groups. Follow up ultrasounds were obtained in 73% of the premature infants and 17% of the neonates. The pancreatic echogenicity became isoechoic in 14 of 19 premature infants and 3 of 4 neonates in whom the initial ultrasound was hyperechoic. We conclude that the normal pancreatic echogenicity in premature infants and neonates is usually hyperechoic relative to liver. Pancreatic hyperechogenicity in premature infants and neonates is not necessarily indicative of disease.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

Sonographic and urographic correlation in Bardet-Biedl syndrome (formerly Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome).

To determine the spectrum of urologic disease and the value of ultrasound as a screening mechanism, renal imaging was performed on 23 patients with Bardet-Biedl syndrome. On intravenous urography (IVU), abnormal calices were present in 22 patients, with communicating cortical cysts/diverticula in 17. Ultrasound detected caliceal or cystic changes in 70%. On IVU, 21 patients had fetal-type lobular outlines that were detected on sonography in 95%. Renal structural abnormalities are characteristic of the Bardet-Biedl syndrome, and are still best imaged by urography.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Ultrasonographic screening of childhood hematuria.

We examined 184 children with hematuria, aged two days to 18 years, by ultrasonography (US). Of these, 108 also had an intravenous urogram (IVU) and 28 had a voiding cystourethrogram (VCU). Of these 28, 18 had both an IVU and VCU and 10 had only a VCU in addition to US. The remaining 66 children had US alone. Comparing the results of the 108 US and IVU examinations, these modalities were in agreement in 83% of patients as to the main diagnosis. US gave pertinent additional information in 44 patients (40%) with 56 findings (renal cysts, splenic injuries, ascites, etc.) not detected using IVU. In six patients (5.5%), lesions were missed using US but detected using IVU (e.g. lithiasis, papillary necrosis). In the remaining 58 patients, IVU and US were equally informative. US is an excellent screening method for use in childhood hematuria. It can replace IVU in patients with minor posttraumatic hematuria and in most with glomerular disease (i.e. benign familial hematuria). It will direct the sequence of further radiological investigations in patients with abnormal findings.

Child↗
PubMed1986

Renal ultrasound in metabolic bone disease.

Fifty-one patients aged 1 year to 56 years with metabolic bone disease underwent renal ultrasound. Medullary nephrocalcinosis was found in nine of 24 patients with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets and is considered to be iatrogenic, related to vitamin D therapy. Another three in this group of 24 with both medullary and cortical increased renal echogenicity had suffered from repeated episodes of vitamin D intoxication and had secondary hyperparathyroidism. Nephrocalcinosis was less frequent in patients with treated vitamin D-dependent rickets or hypophosphatemic bone disease where generally smaller doses of vitamin D are given. Patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism, on small doses of vitamin D, had a normal renal ultrasound. In cystinosis and Fanconi's syndrome, the kidneys are small, echodense (both the cortex and medulla) with a tendency to cyst formation.

Adolescent↗