A micromethod has been developed for determination of plasma salicylate. Frequent determinations of plasma salicylate levels in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may be expected to provide greater therapeutic efficacy with reduced incidence of aspirin toxicity and consequently less need for use of secondary, more toxic, agents.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Fine needle aspiration of lymphoblastic lymphoma. A multiparameter diagnostic approach.

Sixteen fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies of lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) that were used to either initially diagnose disease (12) or document relapse (4) were reviewed. Cellular aspirates (2 x 10(7) cells) were readily obtained for immunologic, DNA/RNA flow cytometric and immunoglobulin and/or T-cell receptor gene rearrangement studies. Cytologically, aspirates were characterized by intermediate-sized cells (9.5-18.5 microns) with fine nuclear chromatin, small, inconspicuous nucleoli, irregular nuclear contours and scant basophilic cytoplasm. Frequent mitotic figures were seen (1-14 figures per 1,000 cells). Fourteen cases demonstrated a T-cell phenotype with considerable phenotypic variability. One case demonstrated a precursor B-cell phenotype, and another demonstrated biphenotypic expression with both T-cell and myeloid differentiation. Eleven of 14 cases (79%) were positive for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. Thirteen of 15 cases (87%) manifested diploid DNA content by flow cytometric analysis and were characterized by intermediate proliferative activity (S+G2M 12.7 +/- 8.7% SD) and intermediate mean RNA index (1.3 +/- .5 SD). T beta gene rearrangements were demonstrated in four of five phenotypic T-cell LBL cases analyzed, with concomitant JH gene rearrangements observed in three cases, confirming that bigenotypic rearrangements characterize some T-cell LBLs. We conclude that FNA samples are adequate for accurate characterization of LBL and may obviate the need for surgical biopsy.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Proquazone (Biarsan) in the treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. A segment I study.

Thirty-three patients with JRA were treated with proquazone during a 4-wk open-labeled, non-controlled trial. Increasing doses started at 400 mg/m2/d up to 800 mg/m2/d, not to exceed 960 mg/d. Oral administration was 4 times/d. One patient did not complete the study because an erythematous rash developed. Efficacy analysis showed significant decreases in the total number of active joints, the number and severity of joints with tenderness and LOM, DMS, and travel time (in all cases p less than .05). The drug appears to be similar in efficacy and safety to other NSAID that have been studied in children.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Aspiration cytology of proliferative myositis. A case report.

A case of proliferative myositis (PM) diagnosed by fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is described. A 72-year-old, white male presented with a 3.0-cm, firm, nontender mass involving the right sternocleidomastoid muscle. FNAB showed loose clusters of uniform, fibroblastlike spindle cells and admixed large, ganglion cell-like cells with eccentric nuclei, prominent nucleoli and abundant cytoplasm. The cytologic appearance of PM is characteristic, allowing exclusion of malignancy; reliable FNAB diagnosis when supported by clinical findings; and avoidance of unnecessary, radical surgery.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. A diagnostic problem in fine needle aspiration biopsy.

We report a case of low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma arising in a pleomorphic adenoma (ex pleomorphic adenoma) in the parotid salivary gland of a 32-year-old woman. Fine needle aspiration biopsy showed the typical biphasic pattern of pleomorphic adenoma: groups of benign-appearing epithelial cells and chondromyxoid stroma. In addition, features of low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma were identified retrospectively, consisting of background mucin and rare mucin-containing cells. This case illustrates that the presence of background mucin and mucin-containing cells in an otherwise usual pleomorphic adenoma may indicate the presence of a well-differentiated mucoepidermoid carcinoma. In cases such as this, a definitive diagnosis should be postponed until the lesion is examined histologically.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic↗