Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Salomon

Publications and source records attributed to F Salomon.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Growth hormone deficiency and quality of life.

Quality of life research in adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a developing field. It has been recognised that adults with childhood onset GHD suffer social and psychological disadvantages. The effects of GHD of adult onset have only been shown relatively recently. Assessment of these patients, using measures of physical and psychological well-being, has demonstrated that adults with GHD perceive themselves as much less healthy compared with matched controls. The majority of studies investigating the effects of growth hormone replacement therapy indicate that quality of life improves with treatment, although this is not a consistent finding.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[A new technique for implantation of venous port systems].

A new method of implantation of venous port systems is described. The advantage is very safe placement of the catheter with an intra-atrial ECG lead. A special transducer system allows control of the catheter tip.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗
PubMed1995

[Amyloid struma].

A 71-year-old woman with a seven-year history of seronegative polyarthritis had to be intubated and ventilated because of acute respiratory failure. The chest radiograph and computed tomography revealed bilateral pleural effusions and massive enlargement of the thyroid which compressed the trachea. Concentration of the thyroid-stimulating hormone was slightly reduced, while that of peripheral thyroid hormone was normal. Histological examination of a goitre specimen after strumectomy showed macrofollicular goitre with massive amyloid deposits. Amyloid was subsequently also demonstrated in the gastrointestinal tract. The patient died 5 months later from respiratory failure. A second patient, 47 years old at hospitalization, had been suffering from arthritic psoriasis since she was a child and had been undergoing haemodialysis for renal failure caused by amyloid. She had undergone angiography because the haemodialysis shunt had become occluded. She had been admitted because of an increase in goitre size during the last 6 months and a malignancy was suspected. Computed tomography showed the thyroid enlargement with retrosternal extension and a nodule in the thyroid isthmus. After injection of contrast medium for the angiography she developed, on the basis of probably already existing hyperthyroidism with an increased level of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin, clinically and biochemically manifest hyperthyroidism, which was treated with thiamazole (15 mg daily) and propranolol (40 mg twice daily). Cytological examination of a fine-needle biopsy of thyroid tissue revealed amyloid deposits. The patient died 4 years later, shortly after bilateral hip replacement for femoral neck fractures. At autopsy a large amyloid goitre and amyloid deposits in the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and coronary arteries were found.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Acute liver failure following tetrabamate].

Tetrabamate (Atrium), a composite preparation of phenobarbital, difebarbamate and febarbamate, is widely used to reduce ethanol withdrawal symptoms such as tremor, agitation and anxiety. Generally this drug is well tolerated and a few cases of reversible hepatitis as well as clinically mild symptoms of asthenia have been described. We report on a 28-year-old female patient admitted to hospital with acute liver failure after treatment with tetrabamate because of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Liver biopsy revealed a drug-induced toxic alteration with extensive panlobular necrosis without signs of alcoholic hepatitis. Under supportive therapy liver parameters normalized in 3 months. In view of this potentially lethal adverse effect of tetrabamate, it should not be used for ethanol withdrawal symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Thoracic peri-aortic fibrosis and Ormond disease].

Two cases of thoracic periaortal fibrosis as a manifestation of retroperitoneal fibrosis (Ormond's disease) are shown on CT and MRI. Thoracic periaortal fibrosis can result in an inflammatory aneurysmo with chronic dissection. Manifestation of thoracic periaortal fibrosis may typically occur intermittently over decades.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Scurvy--a mistakenly forgotten disease].

Four cases of scurvy diagnosed within a period of two years are reported. They comprised 2 male patients with heavy nicotine and alcohol abuse, a 35-year-old woman with malnutrition due to food supplements phobia, and a 69-year-old woman with malnutrition due to dementia and social isolation. All four patients were adynamic and anemic. Three patients showed typical dermatologic signs with hemorrhagic hyperceratosis, suffusions or cork-screw hair. Two patients complained of parodontol disorders. Other symptoms were gastrointestinal bleeding, sicca syndrome, retinal bleeding, subdural hematoma, edema and arthralgia. Associated disorders were folic acid and vitamin B12 depletion in two cases, and nephropathy and pneumonia with pneumothorax in one case each. In all cases the serum asorbic acid concentration was below the scorbutic level of 11 mumol/l. Historical data, pathogenesis, incidence, clinical presentation, diagnosis and therapy of scurvy are discussed. We conclude that scurvy can be observed even in a developed country such as Switzerland at the end of the 20th century. The real incidence may be underestimated because symptoms are not well known and disappear rapidly after admission because of sufficient vitamin C content in normal diet. Patients at risk are socially isolated alcoholics, old people, psychiatric patients and diet enthusiasts. Usually scurvy occurs in conjunction with other deficiencies. Smoking and acute illness enhance ascorbic acid depletion. With a knowledge of the symptomatology of scurvy, it is easy to diagnose and treatment is simple and effective.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Acute dyspnea in fluid overload: pathogenesis and differential diagnosis].

Pulmonary edema is a frequent complication in patients undergoing intravenous fluid therapy. Thorough and repeated clinical workup of the patients, along with few relevant laboratory data, are in most cases sufficient to analyze the factors which influence the Starling forces. This approach allows early detection of fluid overload and the development of pulmonary edema can be avoided.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

[Alcoholic pellagra encephalopathy: an underestimated treatable entity].

Alcoholic pellagra-encephalopathy is an underestimated entity, which is characterized by alteration in the level and content of consciousness, marked oppositional hypertonus and myoclonus. This entity should be included in the differential diagnosis of encephalopathy in ethanol abusers. The spontaneous course is potentially lethal. Therapy consists of substitution of nicotinic acid in the form of nicotinamide. It is emphasized that any chronic ethanol abuser with neurological symptoms should receive substitution of all B-group vitamins including nicotinamide.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1994

Interactions of body fat and muscle mass with substrate concentrations and fasting insulin levels in adults with growth hormone deficiency.

1. Adults with growth hormone deficiency have an abnormal body composition. Alterations in body composition are closely related to substrate concentrations and insulin action. The lack of growth hormone has been associated with increased insulin sensitivity. 2. We investigated the correlations of body composition with fasting insulin levels and substrate concentrations in 24 adults with growth hormone deficiency over a wide range of adiposity (body mass index 18.8-42.3 kg/m2). 3. Lean body mass was measured by total body potassium, computer tomography of the thigh and urinary creatinine excretion. Muscle fibre distribution was evaluated from vastus lateralis biopsies. Fat mass was assessed by skinfold thickness measurements, computer tomography of the thigh, and waist and hip girth. 4. Fasting plasma insulin level increased with fat mass (r = 0.67, P = 0.0004) and with waist girth (r = 0.76, P = 0.0001). Fasting plasma insulin level increased with fasting plasma glucose level (r = 0.53, P = 0.01). Fasting plasma glucose level in turn was positively correlated with lean body mass (r = 0.49, P = 0.01) and with total thigh muscle area (r = 0.54, P = 0.01). There was no correlation between lean body mass and fat mass (r = 0.17, not significant) nor between muscle fibre types and fat mass or fat distribution. Fasting plasma insulin level showed no correlation with any measurement of lean body mass or muscle fibre type.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Glucose and fat metabolism in adults with growth hormone deficiency.

OBJECTIVE: Adults with long-standing GH deficiency have a decreased lean body mass and an increased fat mass. We investigated the effects of the abnormal body composition on glucose turnover and fuel metabolism. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. PATIENTS: Twenty-four adults with acquired GH deficiency and a wide range of adiposity (body mass index from 18.8 to 42.3 kg/m2). MEASUREMENTS: In the post-absorptive state glucose turnover was measured following intravenous injection of 3-3H-glucose and leucine oxidation was assessed following intravenous injection of 1-14C-leucine. Glucose and fat oxidation were calculated from indirect calorimetry using protein oxidation derived from leucine oxidation. RESULTS: Total glucose turnover was 692 +/- 146 mumol/min (mean +/- SD) and increased with height (r = 0.70, P = 0.0003) and with lean body mass (LBM) (r = 0.80, P < 0.0001). Glucose turnover expressed per kg LBM was in the published normal range (14.2 +/- 2.1 mumol/kg LBM min). Glucose oxidation was 47 +/- 27% of glucose turnover and increased with LBM (r = 0.59, P = 0.008) but not with height (r = 0.32, NS). Glucose turnover increased with increasing fat oxidation (r = 0.61, P = 0.006). The non-oxidative part of glucose turnover was positively correlated with fat oxidation (r = 0.82, P = 0.0001) and inversely with the respiratory quotient (r = -0.81, P < 0.0001). Ketone body concentration (r = 0.55, P = 0.03), but not free fatty acid levels (r = 0.21, NS), correlated with fat oxidation. Fasting plasma glucagon levels were elevated (35 +/- 13 vs 9 +/- 19 pmol/l (published controls)) and inversely related to lean body mass (r = -0.44, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Adults with GH deficiency studied after an overnight fast have changes in glucose and fuel metabolism seen in normal subjects after more prolonged fasting suggesting that adults with hormone deficiency have reduced carbohydrate stores.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

Symptomatic hypoparathyroidism in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Involvement of endocrine organs is frequent in patients with HIV infections. We report the first case of symptomatic hypoparathyroidism in a patient in the course of HIV infection. He presented with tetany and hypocalcemia in the presence of decreased levels of parathyroid hormone, which persisted after correction of hypomagnesemia. The family history was negative and none of the autoimmune diseases associated with hypoparathyroidism was present. No local destruction by tumor or infection could be demonstrated apart from HIV infection. We propose a causal role of HIV infection in the development of hypoparathyroidism and discuss the possible mechanisms of parathyroid involvement in AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Ventricular fibrillation in a patient with exercise-induced anaphylaxis, normal coronary arteries, and a positive ergonovine test.

Exercise-induced anaphylaxis (EIA) is a rare form of physical allergy. Although histamine release is a feature of EIA, and histamine provocation of coronary spasm has been described, serious cardiac arrhythmias in EIA have not been reported. Exercise-induced anaphylaxis was diagnosed in a survivor of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation after ECG signs of coronary spasm. Coronary artery disease was excluded. Ergonovine provocation induced coronary spasm in this patient. This is, to the authors' knowledge, the first description of ventricular fibrillation in EIA, possibly due to coronary spasm.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed1994

Cytomegalovirus disease of late onset following renal transplantation: a potentially fatal entity.

CMV disease (CMVD) is a recognized problem of the early post-transplant period (PTP) in renal transplant recipients. Information on CMVD in the late (> or = 2 years) PTP is scarce. We have observed 5 cases of CMVD during late (3-8 years) PTP during the last 15 years. Three of these patients died from CMVD. One of the patients with late-onset CMVD recovered spontaneously from mild pneumonitis, 1 patient with severe CMVD after therapy with ganciclovir/anti-CMV-IgG. CMVD was ascribed to primary infection in 4/5 patients, and transmission was attributed to blood products in 2 cases. At the time of CMVD, 4/5 patients were on stable immunosuppression with azathioprine/prednisone; 1 patient who died had received prednisone pulses 1 month prior to CMVD. Late onset CMVD is an underreported disease in renal transplant recipients, which warrants preventive measures and consideration of antiviral therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Fatal Shigella sepsis in a neutropenic patient.

Bacteremia during infection with Shigella is relatively rare and usually self-limited. Bacteremia during shigellosis bearing a high fatality rate has been reported in young infants and in persons with malnutrition or with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We report a case of Shigella sonnei septicemia in a severely neutropenic patient who had fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, malnutrition, and dehydration. She died after five days despite intensive care. We emphasize that Shigella should be considered among the possible pathogens causing sepsis in neutropenic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Giant cell arteritis and aortic dissection in 2 siblings].

We present the case of two female siblings with temporal arteritis, polymyalgia and type B aortic dissection. Aortic aneurysms in families are well known in Marfan's and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; they can, however, occur without signs of a collagen disorder. In patients with arteritis temporalis the incidence of aortic aneurysms is higher than normal. In a retrospective survey of 20,591 autopsies there were 443 aortic aneurysms (2%), 30 (7%) being a consequence of arteritis. Arteritic processes caused 15% of the thoracic and 5% of the abdominal aneurysms. This is the first description of temporal arteritis, polymyalgia and aortic dissection in siblings. The observation illustrates the danger of aneurysmatic aortic dilatation and/or dissection at a later or chronic stage of arteritis.

Aged↗