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Biomedical subjects

D M Albert

Publications and source records attributed to D M Albert.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

The prevalence of vitiligo and poliosis in patients with uveitis.

Vitiligo is a disease of cutaneous pigment cells. Recently we reported that one third of patients with vitiligo had destructive lesions in the retinal pigment epithelium and/or the choroid which were visible by ophthalmologic examination. To determine whether abnormalities of the pigment system of the eye and skin are in fact associated, we examined for vitiligo the skin and hair of 107 patients with active uveitis. Thirty-four patients had an infectious or a known cause for their uveitis and none of these had vitiligo. In contrast, six of seventy-three patients (8%) with idiopathic uveitis had vitiligo or early graying of the hair. Seven other patients with active inflammatory diseases of the ocular pigment system were referred for evaluation of white spots on the skin. One of these patients was legally blind (correlated visual acuity less than 20/200 in both eyes) due to chorioretinal scars in the fovea. The finding that vitiligo is more common than expected in patients with uveitis is significant biologically and statistically. This observation supports our hypothesis that the same systemic factors, probably immunologic, are responsible for destroying pigment cells in the skin (vitiligo) and the eye (uveitis).

Adolescent↗

Rhinoscleroma with exophthalmos: a case report.

This is a report of a 20-year-old Nigerian man with a 15-year history of exophthalmos and nasal blockage caused by rhinoscleromatous. The diagnosis was made by histopathological examination of a biopsy specimen taken from the nasal passages. Despite protracted antibiotic therapy the patient experienced recurrent exophthalmos. Computerised axial tomography and sinus films showed the lesion to have invaded through the sinus passage into the orbit. Further histopathological examination of tissue removed at the time of surgical decompression also revealed rhinoscleroma. This appears to be the third report of rhinoscleromatous spread to the orbit.

Adult↗

Bilateral ocular melanocytosis with malignant melanoma of the choroid.

A woman with bilateral ocular melanocytosis developed a malignant melanoma of the choroid in one eye. The ocular melanotic hyperpigmentation, present since childhood, clinically involved the conjunctiva and episcleral and uveal tract of both eyes. To our knowledge this is only the second reported case of a uveal malignant melanoma in a patient with bilateral ocular melanocytosis. There is evidence that patients with ocular of oculodermal melanocytosis have an increased incidence of malignant melanoma of the uvea. It is possible that patients with bilateral ocular melanocytosis have a greater chance of developing of uveal malignant melanoma than do those with unilateral involvement.

Aged↗

Feline uveal melanoma model induced with feline sarcoma virus.

This paper described the first animal model of a virally induced uveal melanoma. Tumors developed following the injection of an RNA tumor virus, i.e., Gardner strain feline sarcoma virus, into the anterior chamber of newborn kittens. Histologically, the tumors were found to be iris and ciliary body melanomas, many of which showed invasion. The histology and ultrastructure of those tumors are described.

Animals↗

Feline uveal melanomas induced with feline sarcoma virus: potential model of the human counterpart.

Uveal melanomas were produced by injecting Gardner strain feline fibrosarcoma virus intraocularly into 10- to 15-day-old noninbred kittens. Tumors developed in about 90% of the cats' eyes receiving virus. Progressing tumors (62 eyes of 36 cats) began as small hyperpigmented lesions at the site of injection and grew to fill the anterior chamber by 3-5 months after infection. About 30% of cats with these tumors developed secondary tumors and died. Nonprogressive tumors characterized by flat, pigmented plaques on the iris at the site of injection developed in 25 eyes of 18 cats. These lesions did not enlarge except in proportion to the growth of the eye. Tumors were composed of pigmented spindle cells, pigmented epithelioid cells, and nonpigmented spindle cells. The cells could be grown for 5-8 passages in vitro. One culture assumed a transformed morphology and grew in noninbred athymic nu/nu mice. The lesions resembled human spindle cell melanomas.

Age Factors↗

Retinal dystrophy associated with a postnatal amelanosis in the chicken.

Melanin pigmentation changes were studied in a mutant (delayed amelanotic) line of chickens characterized by a postnatal, spontaneous cutaneous amelanosis and a high incidence of blindness. Cutaneous pigment loss was accompanied by destruction of the choroidal melanocytes throughout the orbit. The presence of blindness appeared to be correlated with the histopathologic finding of severe degenerative changes in the pigment epithelium and neural retina first seen near the base of the pecten and progressing radially in irregular patterns.

Animals↗

Experimental combined systemic and local chemotherapy for intraocular malignancy.

Greene melanoma was transplanted into the anterior chamber of rabbit eyes. These animal models were divided into four groups. Group 1 received carmustine (1,3 bis [2-chloroethyl]-1-nitrosourea) intravenously. Group 2 received the drug by sub-Tenon-retrobulbar (periocular) injection. Group 3 received both periocular and intravenous administration; the combined dose was the same as that in group 1. Group 4 served as untreated control. The effectiveness of the various administration routes was compared by clinical observation of the size of the tumor growing in the eye, weight of the enucleated eyes, and histopathologic examination. Administration of carmustine delayed the growth of Greene melanoma in rabbit eye of all three treated groups, but effectiveness of treatment was considerably enhanced by combining periocular and intravenous administration of a lower dose of carmustine.

Animals↗

Irradiation of choroidal melanoma with iodine 125 ophthalmic plaque.

Radioactive iodine 125 is a low-energy gamma isotope with physical characteristics suitable for irradiation of intraocular tumors. Metal ophthalmic applicators have been designed to shield vital ocular structures while allowing irradiation of the tumor. We compared the radiation effects of iodine 125 and cobalt 60. The Greene melanoma was transplanted into the suprachoroidal space of rabbits. The tumor then grew as an intraocular mass, was irradiated, and was followed up for two months before enucleation. Histopathologic examination defined the extent of the radiation damage to the tumor and other ocular structures from the iodine 125 and from the cobalt 60. The eye irradiated with iodine 125 suffered minimal radiation damage, whereas the tumor was sterilized. The eye irradiated with cobalt 60 showed substantial radiation damage, and the melanoma was incompletely treated. Our results support the use of iodine 125 in treating intraocular tumors. More research is needed as to optimum total dose and dose rate.

Animals↗

Lack of adrenergic influence on the pigmentation of iris nevus cells.

A 30-year-old woman was found to have iris heterochromia as a consequence of unilateral congenital Horner's syndrome, Iris nevi were present and were equally darkly pigmented in either eye. Based on these clinical observations, we conclude that the absence of sympathetic innervation does not influence the development and pigmentation of iris nevus cells.

Adolescent↗

Retinal anomalies in trisomy 18.

The eyes of three patients with trisomy 18, the second most common human autosomal trisomy, were examined histopathologically. In the posterior retina transmission and scanning electron microscopic examinations reveal cytological details characteristic of immature neural retinas. We are able to confirm the report that the posterior retinal pigment epithelium in trisomy 18 has a paucity of mature melanosomes and, in fact, resembles human albino retinal pigment epithelium. The asociation of hypopigmentation and retinal immaturity suggests pigmentation plays a role in the control of the maturation of the neural retina.

Chromosomes, Human, 16-18↗

Severe electrical burn of the eye.

The clinical and histopathologic findings in an 18-year-old male who sustained a severe orbital and ocular electrical burn as a result of contact with a "third rail" are described. The third rail was 600 volts positive with respect to the ground, and a maximum of 50,000 amperes was available as current. The anterior segment changes described are considered secondary to heat, as well as electrical energy; whereas the more discrete pathology in the posterior retina and optic nerve was thought to be caused by passage of electric current. Ocular and orbital electric injuries of this severity have rarely been described.

Adolescent↗

Hepatoma metastatic to the orbit.

A 69-year-old man with a history of cirrhosis of the liver had unilateral progressive proptosis without jaundice, abdominal pain, or gastrointestinal symptoms. Results of laboratory and radiographic studies were also normal. Orbital biopsy revealed hepatocellular carcinoma. Although hepatocellular carcinoma has often been shown to metastasize to the brain and often to the flat bones of the skull, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first histologically proven case of hepatoma metastatic to the orbit.

Aged↗

The role of viruses in the development of ocular tumors.

The role of viruses as a cause of human cancer has been investigated by a variety of techniques in recent years. While no definitive answer exists at present, several lines of evidence indicating a viral role in human tumors and reviewed. These include the well-documented role of viruses in causing animal tumors; evidence for an association of certain viruses with human tumors; and virally induced animal models of human tumors, melanoma, retinoblastoma, and ocular malignant melanoma.

Adenoviridae Infections↗

Idiopathic acquired melanosis.

Acquired melanosis is the clinical term used to describe a slowly enlarging, diffusely pigmented lesion of the conjunctiva which may also involve the lids, caruncle or cornea. The controversial histologic classifications are reviewed and suggestions made regarding useful and accurate terminology. In acquired melanosis, development of malignant melanoma may occur. Previous work indicates that the prognosis of the resulting melanoma may be assessed by histopathologic staging as is done in cutaneous melanoma. The suggested management of acquired melanosis is close observation with excisional biopsies of areas clinically suggestive of invasive melanomas. Examination of the entire biopsy by serial or staged sections is essential for accurate histopathologic diagnosis. Invasive melanomas have been conventionally treated by local excision or exenteration. Radiation therapy may be a beneficial adjunct.

Adult↗