Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Slowik

Publications and source records attributed to F Slowik.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Surgical treatment of pituitary apoplexy].

Hypophysis apoplexy is a clinical syndrome characterized by the sudden development of headache, visual disturbance, associated with nausea, vomiting, signs of meningeal irritation and ophthalmoplegia. The symptoms are caused by the hemorrhage of a hypophyseal adenoma. This leads to the swelling of the tumor and compression of the perisellar structures. The authors processed the clinical and pathological characteristics of 28 cases occurring among the patient material of the National Institute of Neurosurgery of the past 10 years. According to the experiences the most important factor of a successful treatment of hypophyseal apoplexy is an early diagnosis and quick admittance to an institute of neurosurgery of satisfactory conditions. Thereafter a steroid hormone therapy of large doses and decompression operation performed by transnasal-transsphenoidal approach leads in the majority of cases to recovery.

Adult↗

Membranous changes in primary malignant CNS lymphomas.

Ultrastructural studies of 17 primary malignant CNS lymphomas revealed 6 tumors with abnormal intracytoplasmic and/or intranuclear membranous structures, most frequently associated with the endoplasmic reticulum or perinuclear envelope. In most cases, tubuloreticular inclusions and paired cisternae were present. Less frequent were accumulation of microtubules, concentric lamellar bodies, and rod-like or paracrystalline intranuclear inclusions. The specificity and significance of these membranous structures remain questionable because of their frequent occurrence in a variety of normal and pathological conditions. Some of these changes may be considered as cellular reactions to viral infections, others may indicate cellular activity or degeneration.

Humans↗

Contribution to the problem of giant cell astrocytomas.

Histological, immunocytochemical, and biological features of 38 giant cell gliomas were investigated. The invasion of these tumors and its giant cells by histiocytes, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and especially by eosinophilic granulocytes is viewed as an immune response, which may explain a favorable clinical course. Fifty-three percent of the patients were younger than 45 years at the time of surgery. The average postoperative survival of 27.4 months was clearly longer than in glioblastoma. These biological features suggest a differentiation from glioblastoma multiforme. The classification of this entity as "monstrocellular astrocytoma" is proposed.

Adolescent↗

Supratentorial lobar pilocytic astrocytomas: report of 45 operated cases, including 9 recurrences.

45 cases with supratentorial, lobar--mainly temporo-parietal--pilocytic astrocytoma are analysed. The mostly highly vascularized tumours frequently present with histologically different tissue components. Formation of cysts of various size was found in 67%. The tumour usually ran a benign clinical course with a comparatively low incidence of recurrence. Malignant transformation of recurrent tumours was not observed. Radiotherapy of conventional dosage did not prove to have any influence on survival, neither post-operatively nor after re-operation. Transformation of persisting pluripotential cells of the subependymal periventricular plate after migration to the surface of the brain is being discussed as the origin of this variant of pilocytic astrocytoma.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of the serum hormone levels and histological findings in pituitary adenomas.

UNLABELLED: Thirty patients with pituitary adenomas were investigated: 20 with growth hormone producing acromegaly, 7 with prolactinoma and 3 with hormonal inactive adenoma. The correlation between the serum PRL, GH, TSH, levels, their response to 200 micrograms i.v. TRH, measured before the transsphenoidal adenomectomy and the size, the light microscopic (H.E. and Mallory staining), immunocytochemical and ultrastructural (performed in 17 cases) picture of the adenomas were evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: (a) there is no close correlation between the hormone granules detected in the pituitary adenoma cells - by light microscopic, immunocytochemical and electron microscopic methods - and the serum hormone levels, their response to TRH; (b) in hormonally active adenomas the immunocytochemical as well as the ultrastructural findings could be negative; (c) in one disease more hormones could give an immunopositive reaction; (d) in any types of investigated adenomas the TSH immunopositivity was always accompanied by PRL immunopositivity (6 cases); (e) the size and the clinical (serum) or cytological hormone activity of the adenomas were independent of one another; (f) the basal serum hormone level shows the hormonal activity of the pituitary adenoma best of all.

Acromegaly↗

Gliosarcomas: histological, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and tissue culture studies.

Thirty-nine cases of gliosarcomas, two initiating as fibrosarcomas, 25 as mixed gliomas and sarcomas, and 12 as anaplastic gliomas with secondary sarcomas, were studied by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, using GFAP, factor VIII/RAg, and Ulex europaeus I agglutinin (UEA I), electron microscopy and tissue culture. GFAP was found variably positive in the glial areas; F VIII/RAg and UEA I, markers of both normal and neoplastic endothelial cells and their derivatives, were found in vessels of both gliomatous and sarcomatous parts of GS, less intensive in hyperplastic glomeruloid structures and, with decreasing intensity, in adjacent fibrosarcomatous areas, while UEA I, giving stronger reaction than F VIII/RAg, was occasionally demonstrated in sarcomatous cells. In vitro studies confirmed previous data of a separate growth of glial and mesenchymal cells with a divergent migratory speed. Electron microscopy demonstrated the frequent close admixture of glial and mesenchymal tumor cells, which showed the feature of either fibrosarcoma or angiosarcoma. The frequent resemblance of the latter with endothelial cells was supported by the occasional demonstration of Weibel-Palade-like bodies in both vascular endothelial and adjacent sarcomatous cells. These observations confirm the hypothesis that at least part of the sarcomatous components in many GS originate from vascular endothelial proliferation and obviously represent the final stage of a process starting with the endothelial hyperplasia in anaplastic gliomas.

Adolescent↗

Supratentorial lobar ependymomas: reports on the grading and survival periods in 80 cases, including 46 recurrences.

We report 80 supratentorial lobar ependymomas, including 46 recurrences. All underwent operation. In the total collection 34.5% survived for more than 5 years. The behaviour of children and adults was nearly identical. Based on a histological grading into three steps of malignancy (E1, E2, E3), the ependymomas in low grade 1 showed a 5 years' survival time of 41.5%. Compared to a 28.5% survival in group E2 at the same time. Results in group E3, which histologically resembled malignant glioma or glioblastoma, are not relevant because of the small number of cases. More than 50% of the E1 recurrences showed transformation to E2. No transformation into a lower grade of malignancy has been observed.

Adolescent↗

Prognosis of benign cerebellar astrocytomas in children.

Between 1954 and 1975, in the Children's Department of our Institute, 137 patients under the age of 14 were treated for cerebellar astrocytoma. Histological re-examination--in accordance with Gjerris and Klinken--showed that only 128 cases could be included into the group of benign cerebellar astrocytomas. The short follow-up period in one part of our material does not allow the establishment of significant differences between the so-called 'juvenile' and 'diffuse' type of astrocytomas. From our investigations, it seems that the only significant factor in the recurrences and in the survival time is the involvement of the brain stem. This involvement is more frequent in the diffuse type. However, we could find long-term survivors in both histological groups.

Adolescent↗

Morphological investigations of mixed pituitary adenomas.

Thirteen pituitary adenomas were investigated by light and electron microscopy and in tissue culture. In all adenomas the production of growth hormone and prolactin was proved by endocrine symptoms of the patients and by laboratory tests. Histopathological findings were compared with culture characteristics. In 3 cases the adenoma consisted of three kinds of cell population, in 7 cases of two kinds, and in other 3 cases of one kind. In cases where 3 kinds of cell population were found, beside the granulated cells star-shaped forms without secretion granules could be observed. They probably corresponded to follicular cells. In three cases one single cell population was found. In these cases two different hormones might have been produced by one type of cell. These cells could be considered stem-like cellular elements or differentiated committed cells.

Adenoma↗

Respiratory effect of Haemophilus influenzae endotoxin in mice.

The effect of the endotoxin of a noncapsulated Haemophilus influenzae strain isolated from bronchitis was studied on the respiration of mice. Inhalation of the H. influenzae endotoxin resulted in heavy attacks of dyspnoea with non-specific histological changes in the lung. The endotoxin elicited no direct response in isolated organs, but produced cytotoxic changes in HEp-2 tissue cultures. The experiments led to the conclusion that the clinical signs and the histological changes may be explained by the direct damaging effect of endotoxin on the cells and by the released mediator substances.

Animals↗

Effect of irradiated haemophilus influenzae endotoxin preparations in mice.

A detoxified substance (rdLPS) was produced from Haemophilus influenzae endotoxin by ionizing radiation and its capacity to prevent attacks of dyspnoea elicited by endotoxin inhalation in mice has been studied. The rdLPS proved to be an effective stimulant of aspecific immune resistance of mice but it could only partly prevent attacks of dyspnoea.

Animals↗

Medulloblastoma: survey of factors possibly influencing the prognosis.

In a series of 310 cases the role of the factors age, sex, location of the tumour (midline or lateral), and medulloblastoma type (classic or desmoplastic) were analysed with regard to the prognosis. The influence of therapy is not considered because of the inhomogeneity of the material and the view nowadays that treatment is insufficient. The occurrence of lateral (or hemispheric) medulloblastomas increases in the group of the 11-15 years old patients. The proportion of the desmoplastic type is greater in adults than in children, but they are distributed almost equally medially and laterally. There seems to be no definite correlation between sex and the survival time. The mean survival time increases with age. With regard to the histological subclassification into children and adults, the mean survival times are nearly identical. The only obvious factor with a decisive influence on the prognosis seems to be the time of appearance of the tumour. Additionally, the data support the conclusion that a desmoplastic medulloblastoma should be considered as a histological variant without clinical relevance.

Adolescent↗

Extracranial spreading of glioblastoma multiforme.

On the basis of 4 observations, the formation of extracranial metastases of multiform glioblastomas is dealth with which complied with all the criteria established by Weiss (histological identification of a primary brain tumour, connection of clinical data between cerebral tumour and metastases, ruling out of another primary tumour not belonging to the neuraxis by a complete autopsy). All 4 patients were--in some cases several times--trephined, subjected to postoperative irradiation and some of them were also treated with chemotherapeutics. The postoperative survival time was between 16 and 24 months, the average age of the patients was 35 years which was strikingly low. 3 patients showed infiltrations of bones and neighbouring soft parts, in one case the tumour penetrated into the sinus, in one patient paranasal sinuses and orbitae were affected, two cases showed metastases in the vertebral column and in one case metastases were found in the cervical gland nodes. One glioblastoma accompanied by a fibrosarcoma showed a particularly extensive extracranial formation of metastases. As regards the reasons for the formation of extracranial metastases of intracranial tumors many hypotheses have been established which are critically discussed by the authors.

Adult↗

Late post-irradiation necrosis of the brain.

Three examples of late post-irradiation brain necrosis are reported. In two cases operation was performed on account of the space-occupying effects of the lesions, and in the third case the lesion was found post-mortem. The aetiology and pathology of the condition are discussed. Our findings in the three cases described are contrasted with those in 29 patients who had been submitted to similar doses of irradiation, but had not developed necrosis. The literature on pathogenesis is briefly reviewed.

Adult↗

Primary intracranial malignant lymphomas a fine structural cytochemical and CSF immunological study.

Cytochemical and electron microscopical studies in six cases of primary intracranial malignant lymphomas, four of which were diagnosed by biopsy, confirmed their ultrastructural identity with extraneural malignant lymphomas classified as immunoblastomas and immunocytomas. Demonstration of transformation of 'blast-like' cells (immunoblasts) toward rough E. R. developing cells in all these tumours argue for the B-dell origin of these types of cerebral lymphomas, previously referred to as reticulum cell sarcomas/microgliomas. CSF studies showed increased levels of B cells with surface IgG in two cases of immunoblastoma, and increased IgG levels with light chains in two cases each immunoblastoma and of pleomorphic immunocytoma, while one case of immunoblastoma showed a normal T cell to B cell ratio with increased monoclonal and surface, IgM suggesting some morphological and immunological heterogeneity of these lymphomas.

B-Lymphocytes↗

The ultrastructure of human pituitary adenomas.

Ultrastructural examination of 28 human pituitary adenomas was performed. Findings were correlated to the clinical history and light microscopic observations. As revealed by light and electron microscopy 15 adenomas were of the chromophobe type causing no endocrine dysfunction. In 8 cases acidophilic adenomas were associated with endocrine symptoms. In this group two adenomas were of the densely granulated type, whereas 6 of the sparsely granulated type. The latter showed marked ultrastructural signs of enhanced secretory activity. Five cases corresponding electronmicroscopically to sparsely granulated acidophilic adenomas but causing no endocrine symptoms constituted a separate group. They suggest the possibility of the production of abnormal proteins by this type of adenoma cells. Oncocyte cell-groups were seen in chromophobe adenomas. Morphometric data on granule size and distribution proved to be useful in the differentiation of chromophobe and acidophilic adenomas. Hypertrophic cell organelles, filamentous and tubular structures are interpreted as ultrastructural signs of cellular adaptation.

Adenoma↗