Biomedical subjects

G W Atkinson

Publications and source records attributed to G W Atkinson.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1985

Biofeedback and hypnosis in weaning from mechanical ventilators.

Weaning patients from mechanical ventilation can be hindered by both physical and psychologic factors. Biofeedback has been used successfully as an adjunct in difficult weaning problems. We have used a combination of hypnosis and biofeedback to wean a patient with neurologic disease who previously failed weaning by standard procedures. A 30-year-old woman with respiratory failure secondary to multiple sclerosis with transverse myelitis was given eight sessions of biofeedback over 12 days in which the movements of her chest wall, as monitored by magnetometers, were displayed on an oscilloscope. The patient was praised for targeted respiratory rate, amplitude, and rhythm. These sessions included hypnosis in which the patient was given suggestions of well-being and that she could breathe as she had five years earlier. In this manner the patient was successfully weaned. Respiratory biofeedback and hypnosis appear to be useful adjuncts in weaning patients from ventilators.

Adult↗

PubMed1978

Pulmonary cystic disease in ankylosing spondylitis: two cases with unusual superinfection.

Two ankylosing spondylitis patients with upper lobe fibrocystic disease are reported. The occurrence of pulmonary parenchymal disease as part of the primary pathologic process in ankylosing spondylitis is now accepted as an integral part of the disease. The frequency of superinfection of cavitary lung disease with Aspergillus is noted. Another unusual superinfection, Mycobacterium scrofulaceum, is reported.

Aspergillosis↗

PubMed1977

Pulmonary angiitis and granulomatosis. The relationship between histological features, organ involvement, and response to treatment.

The histologic findings, natural history, and response to treatment were investigated in 62 patients with pulmonary angiitis andgranulomatosis seen over a 23 year period. Three histologic types were recognized: lymphocyte depleted angiitis and granulomatosis, 24 cases (39 per cent); benign lymphocytic angiitis and granulomatosis, 14 cases (22 per cent); and malignant lymphoproiferative angiitis and granulomatosis, 24 cases (39 per cent). Lymphocyte depleted angiitis and granulomatosis corresponds to Wegener's granulomatosis of either the "limited" or "classic" variant. The lesions frequently show extensive liquefactive necrosis. Eosinophils may be abundant, but lymphocytes and plasma cells are relatively scarce. Histiocytic proliferation with the occasional presence of sarcoid-like granulomas was observed only in cases with no evidence of glomerular involvement. Cyclophosphamide is highly effective regardless of whether extrapulmonary manifestations are present. Benign lymphocytic angiitis and granulomatosis is characterized by dense benign infiltrates of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and histiocytes. Necrosis may be absent or minimal; the angiitis is usually mild to moderate. Only one of 14 patients (7 per cent) had extrapulmonary involvement (skin). Chlorambucil is highly effective, sometimes resulting in dramatic cures. Malignant lymphoproliferative angiitis and granulomatosis corresponds to lymphomatoid granulomatosis. Its lesions show extensive coagulative necrosis, a highly atypical lymphoreticular infiltrate with frequent mitoses, and angioinvasion. Extrapulmonary involvement is frequent (83 per cent), particularly in the skin (46 per cent) and central nervous system (33 per cent). The mortality is high: 65 per cent of the patients were dead within the first year of disease. Although cytotoxic drugs were of no value, corticosteroids were associated with prolonged remissions in three young patients.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed1974