Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Lyons

Publications and source records attributed to K Lyons.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Accuracy of reported family histories of essential tremor.

We studied the accuracy of reported family histories of essential tremor (ET) by questioning the patients in our clinic and subsequently by mail and phone. For individuals who continued to report a negative family history, we mailed a screening questionnaire to their first-degree relatives to further ascertain the presence of ET. On initial assessment, 67.7% of patients reported a positive family history of ET, but following all assessments, 96.0% of patients had a positive family history. We conclude that a negative family history of ET is often inaccurate, and that ET is primarily a hereditary disease.

Family↗

Blood flow in breast cancer and fibroadenoma estimated by colour Doppler ultrasonography.

Blood flow was measured by colour Doppler ultrasonography in 33 fibroadenomas of size 5-31 mm and 28 malignant breast masses of 8-37 mm visible on ultrasonography. There was detectable blood flow in 11 fibroadenomas and 21 cancers (P < 0.01). The median peak systolic frequency was 1.0 (range 0.25-2.0) kHz in malignant tumours and 0.5 (range 0.2-1.25) kHz in fibroadenomas. Blood flow was not detected in the eight fibroadenomas of less than 13 mm but was present in five of seven cancers smaller than this. Five of six carcinomas with three or more detectable vessels were classified as grade III on histological examination, compared with two of 11 carcinomas with one or two vessels. Similarly, five of seven cancers with three or more detectable vessels had axillary lymph node metastases compared with two of 13 with only one or two vessels. Detectable blood flow in breast masses is more common in cancer than in fibroadenoma and is highly suggestive of malignancy if the mass is less than 13 mm in size. Malignant tumours with a larger number of vessels are more likely to be of high grade and to have associated axillary node metastases.

Adolescent↗

Metallothionein expression in duct carcinoma in situ of the breast.

In a previous study immunocytochemically detectable metallothionein (MT) expression in tumor cells of invasive duct carcinoma of the breast was shown to be associated with a more aggressive behavior and these findings have been subsequently confirmed by others. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and significance of MT positivity in preinvasive duct carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Fifty-five specimens of pure screen-detected DCIS were stained immunocytochemically for MT using the antibody E9. The intensity and distribution of MT staining were assessed using a semiquantitative method resulting in intensity distribution (ID) scores allowing duct by duct analysis in relation to architectural and cytological features of the DCIS. In general, myoepithelial cells around benign and malignant structures stained uniformly strongly for MT. Staining in DCIS was analyzed by architecture irrespective of cytology and by nuclear grade irrespective of architecture. The results showed that MT staining was significantly greater in comedo (ducts with necrosis) DCIS (ID = 97) compared with noncomedo (ducts without necrosis) DCIS (ID = 56) (P = .05 by Mann Whitney U statistic) and that low cytological grade (ID = 50) was associated with less MT staining than was high cytological grade (ID = 92) (P = .05 by Mann Whitney U statistic). These observations thus are consistent with the previously observed association between MT positivity and more aggressive behavior in invasive duct carcinoma of the breast.

Aged↗

Role of fine-needle aspiration cytology and needle-core biopsy in the diagnosis of lobular carcinoma of the breast.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) plays a key role in the preoperative diagnosis of carcinoma of the breast but is less reliable in the diagnosis of infiltrating lobular carcinoma. The method of diagnosis was reviewed in 56 patients with lobular carcinoma who had attended screening and symptomatic clinics. In 29 patients FNAC results demonstrated malignant cells; 15 of these had palpable disease and the mean tumour size was 21 mm. In 27 patients FNAC failed to demonstrate malignant cells; 13 lesions were palpable and the mean tumour size was 23 mm. Ten patients were diagnosed by needle-core biopsy when FNAC was not diagnostic. FNAC may fail to diagnose even large lobular carcinoma and needle-core biopsy is strongly recommended in this situation.

Aged↗

Speech accommodations to dementia.

This study investigated whether spouses would adopt a specialized speech register when communicating with adults with probable Alzheimer's disease. A picture description task was used so that the effectiveness of such speech accommodations could be assessed. The AD subjects did not vary the syntactic complexity, semantic complexity, or content of their descriptions when they were describing individual pictures versus directing their spouse to choose one of four pictures in a barrier task. The spouses' picture descriptions were more complex syntactically and semantically than the AD subjects' and included more highly salient elements. The spouses also varied the complexity and content of their descriptions, reducing syntactic and semantic complexity and increasing references to highly salient picture elements during the barrier task. These accommodations appeared to facilitate the AD subjects' performance on the picture description task.

Aged↗

Multiple fibroadenomas of the breast: a problem of uncertain incidence and management.

A case is presented of multiple fibroadenomas of the breasts in a young Caucasian woman followed over a period of 10 years. A total of 22 individual lesions have been identified. Review of the literature gives little guidance regarding incidence, natural history and management of this condition. It is proposed that a register be set up to obtain basic data on this rare condition. The authors would be willing to collate cases submitted to such a register.

Adenofibroma↗

Frequency and experience with carcinoma of the thyroid at a private, a Veterans Administration, and a university hospital.

We evaluated the treatment experiences with thyroid carcinoma at a private, a Veterans Administration, and a University hospital to determine the frequency, treatment, and outcome of patients with this uncommon malignant tumor. All 120 patients with thyroid carcinoma were identified through hospital tumor registries between 1953 and 1988, representing 0.3% of the total cancer registry cases during this period. Well-differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid represented 73%, medullary carcinoma 7%, poorly differentiated carcinoma 18%, and Hürthle cell carcinoma 2% of histologic varieties. Seventy-eight percent of patients were treated initially by surgery or by surgery plus postoperative irradiation. The remaining patients received other treatment. At 10 years after treatment, 90% of patients with well-differentiated carcinoma survived, while only 20% of patients with medullary and poorly differentiated carcinoma survived. Sixty percent of recurrences for all histologic types appeared within the first 12 months after treatment. Patients with well-differentiated carcinoma had sporadic recurrences over a 21-year-period. Recognition of these time intervals allows for better follow-up management.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Radiography of the paranasal sinuses--one or three views?

A prospective study of 100 adult patients undergoing paranasal sinus radiography was performed. Two experienced radiologists independently assessed a single occipitomental view and, at a later date, the traditional three projections, i.e. occipitomental, occipitofrontal and lateral. There was 99% intra-observer agreement between the diagnosis on a single projection compared with all three films. In five cases, the frontal sinuses were difficult to assess mainly due to poor radiography, and in defined circumstances additional views may be required occasionally. We conclude that with greater attention to radiographic technique the occipitomental view alone is sufficient for diagnostic purposes.

Adolescent↗

Vgr-1, a mammalian gene related to Xenopus Vg-1, is a member of the transforming growth factor beta gene superfamily.

The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)-related products of the Xenopus Vg-1 and Drosophila decapentaplegic (DPP) genes have been implicated in the control of growth and differentiation during embryogenesis. We have isolated a mouse cDNA, Vgr-1, that encodes a polypeptide structurally related to Xenopus Vg-1. Sequence comparisons indicate that the Vgr-1 protein belongs to a family of DPP-like gene products within the TGF-beta superfamily. The levels of Vgr-1 RNA were determined in embryos and tissues isolated at various stages of development. A 3.5-kilobase mRNA increases throughout development and into adulthood in many tissues and in F9 teratocarcinoma cells differentiating into endoderm in response to retinoic acid and cAMP. The amino acid homologies and patterns of expression suggest that, like the DPP gene product, Vgr-1 plays a role at various stages of development.

Aging↗

Bulimia in a pair of monozygotic twins.

Bulimia was diagnosed in a pair of monozygotic twins and was manifested in both sisters concurrently through their adolescent years. After a later separation only one continued to manifest the disorder with additional associated features of the bulimic syndrome. The case is presented and suggestions regarding the roles of environmental and genetic factors in the development and course of the disorder are discussed.

Adult↗

Bulimia nervosa in pregnancy: a case report.

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by secretive binge eating and purging with induced vomiting, laxatives, and diuretics. The disorder primarily afflicts young white women between 18-35 years of age. We report the case of a 30-year-old pregnant woman with a 17-year history of bulimia that involved up to six episodes of binging and purging daily. A multidisciplinary approach enabled outpatient management throughout gestation. The pregnancy resulted in the delivery of a normal 3000-g female infant at term. The ramifications for maternal and fetal well-being and the goals of therapeutic management are discussed.

Adult↗

Fatty retroperitoneal tumours--plain film and computed tomographic appearances.

Three patients with large fatty retroperitoneal tumours are presented. In all three the fatty mass was visible (but initially not recognized as such) on plain abdominal radiographs. Computed tomography (CT) confirmed the presence of fat within these tumours. Attention is drawn to the importance of the correct interpretation of the plain abdominal radiograph when such fatty tumours are present. Computed tomography then proves the presence of fat as well as site of origin of such tumours.

Aged↗