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Biomedical subjects

David M Menke

Publications and source records attributed to David M Menke.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Thalidomide therapy in adult patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. A North Central Cancer Treatment Group phase II trial.

BACKGROUND: Thalidomide has shown promise for the treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. The current prospective multicenter study examined the efficacy and toxicity of thalidomide in adult patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. METHODS: Using the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS), patients were stratified into 2 groups: favorable (IPSS score, 0-1.0) or unfavorable (IPSS score, 1.5-3.5). Seventy-two patients (42 of whom were favorable and 30 of whom were unfavorable) received a starting dose of oral thalidomide of 200 mg daily. The dose was increased by 50 mg per week to a targeted maximum daily dose of 1000 mg. RESULTS: According to the International Working Group response criteria for myelodysplastic syndrome, 1 patient in the unfavorable group achieved a partial remission with a complete cytogenetic response. Overall, 2 patients (5%) in the favorable group and 4 patients (14%) in the unfavorable group experienced either a hematologic improvement or a partial response. The most frequent Grade 3 or 4 (grading was based on the National Cancer Institute's Common Toxicity Criteria [version 2.0]) nonhematologic adverse events were fatigue (24%), infection (19%), neuropathy (13%), dyspnea (8%), and constipation (7%). CONCLUSIONS: Thalidomide alone, at the schedule and dose levels used in the current study, is not a safe and viable therapeutic option for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. Limited efficacy and increased toxicity were observed in the current Phase II trial.

Aged↗

The spectrum of localized amyloidosis: a case series of 20 patients and review of the literature.

Localized deposition of amyloid may occur in individual organs, in the absence of systemic involvement. The reason for localized deposition is unknown, but it is hypothesized that deposits result from local synthesis of amyloid protein, rather than the deposition of light chains produced elsewhere. We identified 20 cases of localized amyloidosis at our institution between 1993 and 2003. There were 11 males and nine females in the group. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 65.5 years. Organs involved included skin, soft tissues, oropharynx, larynx, lung, bladder, colon, conjunctiva, and lymph node. In six of nine patients typed, the amyloid light chain was lambda. In those patients where follow-up was available (mean 7.6 years), none developed systemic disease. Localized amyloidosis occurs in a variety of organ systems. Evolution into systemic amyloidosis was not seen in our series of patients, supporting the hypothesis of local production of amyloid protein in these cases.

Aged↗

Solitary breast mass as initial presentation of clinically silent metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Metastasis to the breast from extramammary tumors is rare. Breast metastases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) origin have been described in sporadic case reports. We present a patient with a solitary breast mass representing the manifestation of clinically silent, metastatic RCC. A 76-year-old female was 12 years prior removed from radical nephrectomy for localized RCC. Her new breast mass was identified on physical examination. Pathology of the resected mass was diagnostic of metastatic RCC and subsequent imaging studies demonstrated a 1.9 cm renal mass in her solitary kidney. The patient elected subcutaneous Interleukin-2 immunotherapy as primary treatment for her recurrent RCC.

Aged↗

Palmar fasciitis and arthritis syndrome associated with metastatic ovarian carcinoma: a report of four cases.

Palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis syndrome (PFPAS) is an uncommon paraneoplastic syndrome associated with several malignant neoplasms. We identified 4 patients with PFPAS and ovarian carcinoma. Palmar fasciitis, at times severe, and inflammatory polyarthritis dominated the clinical presentation in all 4 patients. In 3 of our 4 patients the presentation of palmar fasciitis and inflammatory polyarthritis preceded the diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma. Magnetic resonance scanning and biopsy examination of palmar nodules in one patient revealed findings of inflammation and fibrosis. A literature review found 10 other cases of PFPAS associated with ovarian carcinoma. Improvement in palmar fasciitis and inflammatory arthritis often occurs after successful treatment of the ovarian carcinoma. Digital contractures, however, can persist. We recommend a gynecologic examination in any woman presenting with the sudden onset of unexplained hand pain, palmar inflammatory fasciitis, palmar fibromatosis, and digital contractures.

Aged↗

Imaging characteristics of cherubism.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the radiographic and imaging features of cherubism. CONCLUSION: Cherubism is a rare osseous disorder of children and adolescents. Although the radiologic characteristics of cherubism are not pathognomonic, the diagnosis is strongly suggested by bilateral relatively symmetric jaw involvement that is limited to the maxilla and mandible. Imaging typically shows expansile remodeling of the involved bones, thinning of the cortexes, and multilocular radiolucencies with a coarse trabecular pattern.

Adolescent↗

Whipple's disease with destructive arthritis, abdominal lymphadenopathy, and central nervous system involvement.

We describe a patient with Whipple's disease who had an unusual erosive and destructive polyarthritis, massive abdominal lymphadenopathy, asymptomatic central nervous system involvement, and rare manifestations of orbital pseudotumor and orchitis with epididymitis. Taking oral therapy with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole he had recurrent flares of orbital pseudotumor, an episode of orchitis with epididymitis, and persistent polymerase chain reaction T. whipplei-positive cerebrospinal fluid. Resolution was achieved with a one month course of intravenous ceftriaxone and a 6 month course of azithromycin, and no relapse occurred during 24 months of followup.

Abdomen↗

Analysis of the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) genome and HHV-8 vIL-6 expression in archival cases of castleman disease at low risk for HIV infection.

Lymph nodes from 44 patients with Castleman disease (CD) without risk factors for HIV infection were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in situ hybridization (ISH), and immunohistochemical analysis for human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and viral interleukin-6 (vIL-6). PCR detected HHV-8 genome in 2 of 4 cases; ISH detected it in 9 of 16 cases. HHV-8 vIL-6 peptides were detected in 2 of 44 cases. vIL-6- and ISH-positive cells were found in large transformed and small lymphocytes of the follicular mantle, respectively. Of 9 cases of plasma cell (PC) CD that demonstrated HHV-8 genome by PCR or ISH, 1 expressed vIL-6. Clonal populations of PCs in CD by immunohistochemical analysis or immunoelectrophoresis of serum and urine were associated with neuropathy. HHV-8 vIL-6 detection was associated with poor survival and lack of HHV-8 IL-6, with low risk for subsequent lymphoma. Although HHV-8 genome was detected in a considerable number of patients with PC CD, vIL-6 expression was infrequent. Expression of HHV-8 vIL-6 in CD may indicate poor prognosis in patients at risk for lymphoma who may prospectively require more aggressive treatment. The lack of vIL-6 expression in CD with HHV-8 genome suggests that human IL-6 rather than vIL-6 may be the principal pathogenic cytokine.

Castleman Disease↗

Intramuscular myxoma: characteristic MR imaging features.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to identify the characteristic MR imaging features of intramuscular myxoma. MATERIALS AND MATERIALS: We retrospectively reviewed the MR imaging features of 20 patients with intramuscular myxoma. Clinical assessment included the age and sex of the patient and location of the tumor. Radiologic evaluation included the lesion size and shape, border definition, signal on T1- and T2-weighted or fluid-sensitive MR sequences, enhancement pattern, presence or absence of a fat rind, and presence or absence of increased signal in the adjacent muscle on T2-weighted or fluid-sensitive MR sequences. RESULTS: The mean age of patients presenting with intramuscular myxoma was 61 years (range, 15-85 years; median, 64 years). The mean lesion size was 6.9 cm (range, 3-17 cm; median, 6.3 cm). A peritumoral fat rind was present in 13 of the patients (65%) with myxoma, and an increased signal in the adjacent muscle on fluid-sensitive sequences was present in 11 patients (55%). Intramuscular myxomas were homogeneously low in signal intensity on T1-weighted MR sequences in 19 patients (95%), with all lesions showing a high signal intensity on T2-weighted or fluid-sensitive MR sequences. Twelve of the myxomas had well-defined borders, and eight had borders that were partially ill defined. Of the 11 lesions imaged after gadolinium administration, six (55%) showed intense heterogeneous enhancement. CONCLUSION: Findings of a mass that on MR images shows a perilesional fat rind, the signal intensity of fluid, and an increased signal in the adjacent muscle on T2-weighted or fluid-sensitive MR sequences are strongly suggestive of intramuscular myxoma. The degree of lesion enhancement varies but is most frequently intense and heterogeneous. Although the recognition of these features likely will not obviate biopsy of any individual lesion, it will allow more accurate prebiopsy diagnosis and preoperative planning.

Adolescent↗

Utility of subcutaneous fat aspiration for diagnosing amyloidosis in patients with isolated peripheral neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of subcutaneous fat aspiration in patients with sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients undergoing subcutaneous fat aspiration for suspected amyloidosis from January 1, 1994, through December 31,1999. We classified patients undergoing subcutaneous fat aspiration due to peripheral neuropathy into 2 groups: (A) those with isolated peripheral neuropathy and (B) those with any family history and laboratory or clinical findings typically associated with systemic amyloidosis. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 450 patients with peripheral neuropathy in whom fat aspiration was performed for suspected amyloidosis. This constituted 56% of all fat aspirations performed during the study period. Group A had 143 patients, and group B had 307 patients. None of the patients in group A had a positive subcutaneous fat aspirate, whereas 17 patients (6%) in group B had a positive subcutaneous fat aspirate (P=.002, Fisher exact test). The subcutaneous fat aspirate was most commonly positive in patients with a monoclonal protein or other clinical findings associated with amyloidosis. CONCLUSIONS: The yield of a subcutaneous fat aspirate in patients with isolated peripheral neuropathy and no other associated family history, signs, or symptoms of amyloidosis is low. Subcutaneous fat aspiration should be reserved for evaluating patients with peripheral neuropathy who also have findings associated with systemic amyloidosis.

Adipose Tissue↗

Imaging characteristics of bone graft materials.

Bone graft materials are widely used in reconstructive orthopedic procedures to promote new bone formation and bone healing, provide a substrate and scaffolding for development of bone structure, and function as a means for direct antibiotic delivery. Bone graft materials include autografts, allografts, and synthetic substitutes. An autograft (from the patient's own bone) supplies both bone volume and osteogenic cells capable of new bone formation. The imaging appearance of an autograft depends on its type, composition, and age. Autografts often appear as osseous fragments at radiography. At computed tomography (CT), autografts appear similar to the adjacent cortical bone. At magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, however, autografts have a variable appearance as a consequence of the viable marrow inside them, a feature not present in other graft materials. An allograft (from cadaveric bone) has an appearance similar to that of cortical bone on radiographs and CT images. An allograft in the form of bone chips or morsels does not show those features on radiographs and CT images, but instead appears as a conglomerate with medium to high opacity and attenuation within the bone defect. In the immediate postoperative period, allografts appear hypointense on both T1- and T2-weighted MR images. Hematopoietic tissue replaces the normal fatty marrow in the later phases of graft incorporation. Synthetic bone substitutes are much more variable in imaging appearance. As the use of bone allografts and synthetic substitutes increases, familiarity with postoperative imaging features is essential for differentiation between grafts and residual or recurrent disease.

Bone Substitutes↗