Biomedical subjects

J Birch

Publications and source records attributed to J Birch.

79 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Pediatric oncology and hematology in Manchester, England.

The Manchester pediatric oncology unit is the third largest unit in the United Kingdom, with approximately 120 new referred cases per annum (10% of the U.K. total). Research activities include a gene therapy program, peripheral blood stem cell studies, the genetic epidemiology of childhood cancer, late-effects research (growth, body composition, pulmonary, quality of life), psychosocial studies, and clinical trial organization. Both the clinical oncology service and research activities involve close team coordination and collaboration with scientists both within and outside Manchester. A comprehensive pediatric hematology service is provided. The unit contains the second largest children's hemophilia service in the United Kingdom, serving 200 patients with congenital blood disorders. Twenty-five bone marrow transplants are performed each year (allogeneic, unrelated donor, autologous, and peripheral stem cell) for malignant and nonmalignant disorders. These activities are closely related to local, national, and international research groups.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Adrenal cortical tumors in childhood.

In a 41-year period, 18 children with a diagnosis of an adrenal cortical tumor were identified (14 carcinoma: 4 adenoma). The majority of patients had clinical signs of endocrine dysfunction at presentation, with virilization (11 patients) and a cushingoid appearance (8 patients) the commonest findings. Abnormal biochemical activity was identified in 16 tumors (94%). The primary treatment in 17 patients was surgical. In addition, 12 children, all with carcinomas, had radiotherapy. Of those children with a carcinoma, 12 are dead, with a median survival of 52 months (range 1-317 months). The three second primary tumors all developed at sites within the field of previous radiotherapy; and proved fatal at 127, 176, and 317 months (median 207 months). This series confirms the poor prognosis in adrenocortical carcinoma in childhood, but a complete resection is compatible with cure of the primary disease. The frequency of second, fatal, primary tumors is of particular concern and long-term follow-up is mandatory in survivors, especially if radiotherapy was part of the treatment protocol.

Adenoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Metachondromatosis and avascular necrosis of the femoral head: a radiographic and histologic correlation.

We report the case histories, radiographic and computed tomographic studies, and histologic findings of two children with metachondromatosis who developed avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral ossific nucleus. The first was a 9-year-old boy with involvement of both femoral heads; the second was an 8-year-old girl with involvement of her right femoral head. The changes were associated with either exostoses or enchondromalike lesions of the femoral neck. Interference with the integrity of the lateral epiphyseal vessels by these lesions would explain the avascular changes that occurred. The findings in these cases and other reports associating AVN with skeletal dysplasia should encourage treating physicians to analyze carefully a sudden increase in hip pain or rapid radiographic development of femoral head collapse in a child with a skeletal dysplasia. Recognition of true AVN, in contrast to the gradual evolution of head shape change in typical skeletal dysplasia, may change treatment recommendations and prognosis.

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PubMedDate not supplied