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Biomedical subjects

David R Berk

Publications and source records attributed to David R Berk.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Localized persistent pulmonary interstitial emphysema in a preterm infant in the absence of mechanical ventilation.

Localized persistent pulmonary interstitial emphysema has rarely been reported in preterm infants in the absence of utilization of mechanical ventilation or continuous positive airway pressure. The relative rarity of this condition might preclude rendering of the correct diagnosis, making patients susceptible to unnecessary surgery and increased morbidity and mortality associated with such intervention. We present a preterm infant who developed respiratory distress and radiographic findings of pulmonary interstitial emphysema on the first day after birth, prior to receiving continuous positive airway pressure or mechanical ventilation. It is important for radiologists to consider localized persistent pulmonary interstitial emphysema in the differential diagnosis of cystic lung lesions in preterm infants, even in the absence of mechanical ventilation. In cases where there is uncertainty, CT imaging can be useful in making the correct diagnosis.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Temporal trends in early clinical manifestations of perinatal HIV infection in a population-based cohort.

CONTEXT: The effect of early antiretroviral therapy (ART) on the early progression of perinatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is not well defined. OBJECTIVE: To examine early disease progression and survival in a population-based cohort with perinatal HIV infection in relation to year of birth and use of ART. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Retrospective study of temporal trends in early progression of perinatal HIV infection among 205 HIV-infected children in Northern California born between January 1, 1988, and December 31, 2001, and followed up through age 3 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of and age at progression to a first US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention category C diagnosis relative to year of birth, type of ART, and age at initiation of therapy. RESULTS: Of 205 children, 134 (65%) received ART and/or Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia prophylaxis. By age 3 years, 81 (40%) progressed to a category C diagnosis, 41 (51%) of whom died. Untreated children were significantly more likely to progress to a category C diagnosis (62% [44/71] untreated vs 28% [37/134] treated children, P<.001); none of 23 infants who received triple ART progressed to category C. However, even without triple ART, very early mono/dual ART (by age 2 months vs 3-4 months) was associated with delayed and decreased progression to category C (P = .02). Of 33 children born between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2001, only 7 (21%) progressed to category C (P = .02 compared with 1988-1995), 6 of 7 of whom received no therapy. More recent year of birth and more advanced therapy were associated with improved survival. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based cohort demonstrated decreased early HIV progression and improved survival at age 3 years, associated with more advanced therapy. Although limited by small sample size, the findings suggest that very early treatment, even without triple ART, was associated with improved outcome.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active↗

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for cutaneous melanoma: the Stanford experience, 1997-2004.

OBJECTIVE: To review sentinel lymph node (SLN) data from Stanford University Medical Center from January 1, 1997, to January 1, 2004, including rates of SLN positivity according to 2002 American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor classification, relation to other clinical and pathologic prognostic factors, and rates and sites of melanoma recurrence. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Stanford University Medical Center and Stanford melanoma clinics. PATIENTS: A total of 274 consecutive patients with primary melanoma who underwent SLN biopsy (SLNB) between January 1, 1997, and January 1, 2004, or who were referred to the Stanford melanoma clinics after SLNB and were followed up through March 2005. INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent standard wide local excision of their primary tumors and SLNB with intradermal injection of isosulfan blue dye and/or technetium sulfur colloid. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Rates of SLN positivity per 2002 AJCC tumor classification, relation to other clinical and pathologic prognostic factors, and rates and sites of melanoma recurrence in node-negative and node-positive patients. RESULTS: Positive SLNs were detected in 39 (15%) of 260 cases, including 0 (0%) of 45 for cutaneous melanomas 1.0 mm thick or less (T1), 21 (18%) of 115 for melanomas 1.01 to 2.0 mm thick (T2), 12 (19%) of 64 for melanomas 2.01 to 4.0 mm thick (T3), and 5 (16%) of 32 for melanomas thicker than 4.0 mm (T4). Median Breslow depths were 1.89 mm for SLN-positive biopsy specimens and 1.50 mm for SLN-negative biopsy specimens (P = .07). The recurrence rate was 46% among SLN-positive patients, with a median time to recurrence of 8 months. Bivariate analysis revealed SLN positivity to be associated with AJCC tumor classification (P = .02), location on the trunk (P = .03), and presence of ulceration (P = .03). By multivariate logistic regression, ulceration (P = .01) was predictive of SLN positivity, whereas SLN status (P< .001), ulceration (P = .02), and location (P = .03) were predictive of recurrent disease. CONCLUSION: Data from the past 8 years confirm the accuracy and prognostic value of SLNB in cutaneous melanoma and the low rate of regional nodal recurrence for SLN-negative patients.

Adolescent↗

Congenital tuberculosis presenting as progressive liver dysfunction.

We report a case of congenital tuberculosis with an unusual presentation as progressive liver dysfunction, in the absence of respiratory symptoms. Several uncommon features were present, including petechiae, cutaneous lesions, ascites and positive peritoneal fluid culture.

Antitubercular Agents↗

Orange juice-induced hyperkalemia in schizophrenia.

Some fruit juices have very high potassium content. However, only several cases of juice-induced hyperkalemia have been reported that involved non-psychiatric, diabetic outpatients with renal compromise. We present a highly unusual case of a 66-year-old non-diabetic, schizophrenic woman with psychogenic polydipsia and normal renal function who developed hyperkalemia secondary to excessive orange juice consumption while an inpatient. In addition to demonstrating this previously undescribed medical comorbidity of schizophrenia, this case highlights the need for careful attention when communicating with both nursing and patients when managing psychogenic polydipsia.

Aged↗