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Biomedical subjects

H J Griffiths

Publications and source records attributed to H J Griffiths.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Diffuse lymphangiomatosis of bone.

Two cases of lymphangiomatosis of bone, a very rare systemic condition characterized by both skeletal and parenchymal lesions, are presented. The skeletal changes have an appearance similar to haemangiomas in the spine, and soap-bubbly lesions in the flat bones. One case carried the diagnosis of eosinophilic granuloma for 18 years. The findings on MRI, which have not been previously well-established, are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The biomechanics of gravity-dependent traction of the lumbar spine.

STUDY DESIGN: This study evaluated the biomechanical responses evoked by the use of a gravity-dependent, self-operated traction device. These responses were determined by radiographs and were correlated with the body weight of the patient who was supported by a seat strap. OBJECTIVES: To examine the biomechanical effectiveness of the LTX 3000 Lumbar Rehabilitation System. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The LTX 3000 Lumbar Rehabilitation System (Spinal Designs International, Minneapolis, MN) was used to administer the lumbar fraction. No previous study has been conducted on this device. METHODS: For each of the 14 healthy male patients (age range, 19-69 years), lumbar lengthening, alterations in spinal curvature, and thoracic spine movement were assessed using radiographs taken: 1) before traction; 2) at 2, 10, and 15 minutes after the onset of traction; and 3) 2 minutes after traction was completed. Strain on the buttocks-supporting seat strap was recorded continuously during study sessions. RESULTS: The entire patient pool displayed an average maximal lumbar lengthening of 6.39 +/- 4.21 mm. The amount of lumbar lengthening was influenced by the degree of thoracic immobilization and by the amount of prior LTX 3000 (Spinal Designs International) use. Significant curvature reduction was observed during and after traction for the entire patient pool. Strain measurements correlated well with the measured response in the radiographs. CONCLUSIONS: Proper use of the LTX 3000 (Spinal Designs International) induces significant lumbar lengthening and curvature reduction in healthy patients. Measurements of body weight supported by the seat strap could help determine if thoracic immobilization has been achieved and if the patient is responding to the lumbar unloading.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The prevalence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in two large American Midwest metropolitan hospital populations.

OBJECTIVE: There are no published large-scale studies of the overall prevalence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) and it has been proposed that the prevalence is greater than previously reported. We thus decided to review chest radiographs in a population of patients over 50 years of age seen at two large but differing metropolitan hospitals in a major American Mid-west city. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: The posterior-anterior and lateral chest radiographs of 1363 patients were reviewed for evidence of DISH at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinic. There were 500 consecutive inpatient admissions, 540 consecutive patients who attended the outpatient clinics and 326 patients collected from our film archive. A population of 1001 patients seen at Hennepin County Medical Center was also studied. It was possible to subclassify this latter group with respect to race. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Using strict criteria, i.e., four or more levels involved, the overall prevalence of DISH in the male population over age 50 years was 25% and in the female population over age 50 years was 15%. This prevalence climbed to 28% in males over 80 years and to over 35% in males over age 70 years. In females over 80 years, the prevalence was found to be 26%. Although our population base was small, DISH was found to be less common in the black, Native-American and Asian populations. The prevalence of DISH was also found to be far lower in a similar white population with osteoporosis. The overall prevalence of DISH was higher than expected in a predominantly white population over age 50 years with a lesser incidence in the black, Native-American and Asian populations, suggesting a genetic origin of the condition.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

The use of MR imaging in the assessment and clinical management of stress reactions of bone in high-performance athletes.

Based on experience, the authors believe that MR imaging is a useful tool in the assessment and management of stress fractures and stress phenomenum of bone. The use of standard, graded MR evaluation aides the assessment of a repetitive stress injury to bone by allowing a more accurate diagnosis of bone injury. This more accurate assessment has predictive value in estimating the duration of disability. The use of a standard, graded MR evaluation aides the management of repetitive stress injuries to bone by defining a low grade of stress fracture (i.e., grade 1 and 2) injuries and a high grade of stress fracture (i.e., grade 3 and 4). This grading system has implications in the management of stress fractures, allowing more individualized treatment for the elite athlete.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed1997

Effects of capsular contracture on ultrasonic screening for silicone gel breast implant rupture.

Unlike computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound is an inexpensive test of potential use in detecting silicone gel breast implant (SBI) rupture. However, periprosthetic capsular contracture can make ultrasonic diagnosis of rupture difficult because the contracture-related radial folds inside the SBI can lead to a false-positive diagnosis of rupture. This study was conducted to determine the effects of capsular contracture on the ability of ultrasound to diagnose SBI rupture. Preoperative ultrasonic results of 122 SBIs were compared with surgical findings at the time of implant removal. The sensitivity and negative predictive values of ultrasound were lower in the presence of a contracted capsule (41.2% vs. 68.7%, p = 0.062; and 58.3% vs. 79.6%, p = 0.056 respectively). Ultrasound should be considered reliable in diagnosing SBI rupture only in the absence of a contracted capsule.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Use of MRI in evaluating postoperative changes in patients with bone and soft tissue tumors.

We reviewed the clinical, surgical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in 80 patients who underwent resection of primary benign or malignant bone or soft tissue tumors. There were 18 benign and 62 malignant tumors. Although 31 patients were originally thought to have recurrence, on review only 20 patients were considered to have recurred. Of these, three were found only to have postoperative changes at surgery. Seventeen patients actually had recurrence of tumor. We believe that the presence of an actual mass lesion on MRI is the cornerstone for the correct diagnosis of recurrent tumor.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Lipoblastoma of the foot.

Lipoblastoma is an uncommon benign lipomatous soft tissue mass of childhood, occurring most commonly in children less than 3 years of age. We present a case of lipoblastoma occurring in the foot of a 14-year-old boy and review the literature. The appearance of the mass on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is illustrated and is correlated with the findings at gross and microscopic pathological examination. A lobulated architecture, the presence of adipose tissue, thin nonenhancing septa, peripheral lobules of more immature and therefore less specific tissue, and a peripheral pseudocapsule were evident on MRI and at pathological examination.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1996

"Incisura" of the ascending aorta and vascular pedicle width in the cardiac transplant patient.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate three findings in cardiac transplant patients: the appearance, etiology, and incidence of "incisura" (a characteristic indentation) of the ascending aorta; the vascular pedicle width, which usually appears enlarged on standard chest radiographs; and clearing of the retrosternal clear space. MATERIAL: Two hundred sixty-one cardiac transplantations were performed at the University of Minnesota before December 31, 1992. The appearance, etiology, and incidence of an incisura were studied; the vascular pedicle width was measured; and the rate of clearing of the retrosternal clear space was determined. RESULTS: Forty-six percent of the patients whose ascending aorta could be visualized on the lateral chest radiogram showed an incisura. Approximately one third of the patients showed continued opacification of the retrosternal space postoperatively. The width of the vascular pedicle in this series of cardiac transplant patients measured 60.9 +/- 22.8 mm (standard deviation, 11.4 mm), in comparison to a normal of 48 +/- 5.0 mm. CONCLUSIONS: An incisura of the ascending aorta and the widened vascular pedicle are normal postoperative chest radiographic findings in cardiac transplant patients and should not be misconstrued as abnormalities.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗