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Biomedical subjects

M L Silverman

Publications and source records attributed to M L Silverman.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Surgically incurable well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Prognostic factors and results of therapy.

A series of 97 consecutive patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma treated between 1941 and 1970 presented with distant metastatic disease or extensive nonresectable local neck disease or had residual carcinoma after thyroid resection. Men 40 years of age or younger and women 50 years of age or younger were considered at low risk for dying of disease; older patients were considered at high risk for dying of disease. Of 17 patients with distant metastatic carcinoma, 40% of younger patients in the low-risk group and 92% of older patients in the high-risk group died. Of 80 patients with unresectable or residual local neck cancer, only 13% of younger patients but 71% of older patients died. Survival related better to risk group classification as defined by age and sex than to any details of disease presentation or management. Treatment was far more successful in patients in the low-risk group.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Acute fulminating fatal leukoencephalopathy as the only manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

A case of acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection manifested by a rapidly fulminating, necrotizing, demyelinating encephalopathy that led to brain death in 5 days is reported. Autopsy demonstrated predominant white matter lesions, acute neuronal damage, and scanty cellular response. Cultures of cerebrospinal fluid were positive for HIV, suggesting an acute infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

S-100 protein positivity in breast carcinomas: a potential pitfall in diagnostic immunohistochemistry.

S-100 protein, originally isolated from neural tissues, has also been identified in various normal and neoplastic cells, including malignant melanomas. A systematic immunohistochemical investigation of this antigen was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of benign and malignant breast tissues with use of the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex immunoperoxidase technique and a polyclonal antiserum that recognizes both the alpha and beta subunits of S-100 protein. In benign breast tissue, S-100 protein was present in both epithelial and myoepithelial cells of terminal ducts and lobules; the staining was cytoplasmic and sometimes nuclear. Of 100 randomly selected invasive breast carcinomas, 48 per cent contained S-100 protein-positive tumor cells. Lobular and medullary carcinomas (60 per cent and 80 per cent, respectively) were more frequently positive than ductal carcinomas (45 per cent). Dendritic cells, most likely Langerhans' cells, were present in some carcinomas and were also positive for S-100. There was no relationship of S-100 positivity to histologic differentiation, recurrence interval, or the expression of various tumor markers. The presence of S-100 protein positivity in metastatic breast carcinomas may lead to the erroneous diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Our observations underscore the importance of testing for a broad panel of tumor markers rather than relying on single antigens in evaluating metastatic malignancies of undetermined origin.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

Carcinomas arising in cystic conditions of the bile ducts. A clinical and pathologic study.

Thirty patients with cystic disease of the bile ducts operated on between 1965 and 1985 were reviewed. Three patients (10%) had a synchronous adenocarcinoma, and in three patients (10%) a metachronous carcinoma developed for a total incidence of malignancy of 20%. All patients died within 1 year of the diagnosis of malignancy. Of 19 benign cysts available for pathologic examination, one third had proliferative epithelial changes, and in two of these patients a metachronous carcinoma developed. Goblet cell metaplasia was prominent in four patients. This suggests the possibility that dysplastic changes and metaplasia of the epithelium could give rise to carcinoma. Resection of benign cysts of the bile ducts is favored, when feasible, in an attempt to decrease the incidence of malignancy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Multilocular renal cyst. A hamartoma with potential for neoplastic transformation?

Multilocular renal cyst is a pathologically distinctive lesion of uncertain pathogenesis that usually presents as a large abdominal mass in male infants or middle-aged women. We performed detailed light and electron microscopic studies of three nephrectomy specimens that contained multilocular cysts and attempted to correlate their morphology with various theories of pathogenesis. In one of our cases, a microscopic focus of clear cells that resembled renal cell adenocarcinoma was observed in the wall of one locule. Although such a finding has been reported previously, the lack of well-documented cases with metastases suggests that the prognosis for patients with this lesion remains uniformly excellent.

Adult↗

Management of bile duct cysts in adults.

In 31 adult patients with bile duct cysts seen at the Lahey Clinic (Burlington, Mass) during a 20-year period, the median age at time of initial therapy at Lahey Clinic was 34 years. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom, followed by jaundice and fever. The 31 patients underwent a total of 86 biliary tract procedures, of which 37 were performed at Lahey Clinic. Internal drainage was the most common operation, but it frequently resulted in recurrent symptoms requiring reoperation. Cyst excision was associated with a significantly lower incidence of recurrent cholangitis and need for reoperation and was not associated with increased operative mortality. Cystic disease was frequently associated with other hepatobiliary diseases. Biliary carcinoma occurred in five (16%) of our patients, and late deaths from biliary-related disease occurred in seven patients (22%). When technically possible, cyst excision is the treatment of choice.

Adolescent↗

An adrenocorticotropic hormone-producing pheochromocytoma: diagnostic and immunohistochemical studies.

A patient is described with Cushing's syndrome owing to a pheochromocytoma that was producing adrenocorticotropic hormone. Preoperative diagnosis was suggested by finding bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia plus a separate unilateral adrenal medullary mass and was confirmed laboratory studies. Proper preoperative preparation was followed by a unilateral adrenalectomy and a clinical cure of both conditions. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed the ectopic production of adrenocorticotropic hormone and its related peptides more thoroughly than previous reports. The hormone production appeared clinically and immunocytochemically to resemble pituitary Cushing's disease more closely than ectopic production of adrenocorticotropic hormone by other tumors. The clinical aspects of this case illustrate the importance of proper preoperative recognition to reduce the high known percentage of morbidity and mortality.

ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic↗

New diagnostic techniques in anatomic pathology.

A variety of methods involving better instrumentation and the use of immunologic techniques enables the anatomic pathologist to provide precise diagnoses on a timely basis. A shift in the emphasis toward endoscopic biopsy places the pathologist on the front line with the clinician.

Endoscopy↗

Lymphatic and blood vessel invasion in breast carcinoma: a useful prognostic indicator?

Recent studies have presented compelling evidence to support the prognostic importance of peritumoral lymphatic and blood vessel invasion in breast cancer. This parameter appears to be particularly valuable in the hands of pathologists who are experienced in diseases of the breast and who have developed standardized criteria and expertise in their recognition. However, its application is seriously hampered by various factors, especially interobserver and intraobserver differences in interpretation. A more uniform and objective approach, such as the use of immunohistochemical techniques, may be helpful in overcoming these obstacles. This may render lymphatic and blood vessel invasion a reliably reproducible indicator that a practicing pathologist can utilize to recognize high-risk patients and recommend appropriate therapy. The extension of this approach to evaluate neoplasms of other organs--such as malignant melanomas and thyroid, uterine, and cervical carcinomas--should also be explored.

Blood Vessels↗

Segmental pancreatic autotransplantation with pancreatic ductal occlusion after near total or total pancreatic resection for chronic pancreatitis. Results at 5- to 54-month follow-up evaluation.

Reported are eight patients with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis and two patients with alcoholic pancreatitis who had near total distal pancreatectomy for disabling pain and underwent simultaneous segmental pancreatic autotransplantation of the body and tail of the gland to the femoral area in an attempt to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. The median follow-up period was 31 months, and follow-up study in nine patients ranged from 24 to 54 months. Patency of the grafts was determined by angiography and selected percutaneous venous assays for insulin. Islet cell function was determined by oral glucose tolerance tests, intravenous (I.V.) glucose tolerance tests, and I.V. glucagon stimulation studies. Segmental autotransplantation was technically successful in eight patients, only one of whom required insulin (at 2 years after grafting). The other seven patients with technically successful grafts have remained insulin independent, including two patients who later underwent pyloric preserving pancreatoduodenectomy for completion pancreatectomy. Variable pain relief was observed in patients who underwent near total pancreatectomy, but pain was unrelieved in those patients who underwent limited distal resection. Patients with idiopathic pancreatitis appear to have better pain relief and preservation of endocrine function than alcoholic patients. Segmental pancreatic autotransplantation prevents or delays the onset of diabetes mellitus and should be considered as an alternative for those patients who require extensive pancreatic resection for chronic pancreatitis.

Adult↗

Eosinophilic fasciitis and the carpal tunnel syndrome.

Eosinophilic fasciitis is characterised by induration and inflammation of the fascia of the extremities. It is a nosologically distinct clinical entity typified by swelling, tenderness, and stiffness of the extremities associated with peripheral eosinophilia. Six of our eight patients with eosinophilic fasciitis seen in a 3 1/2 year period have had an associated carpal tunnel syndrome. The presenting complaints in three patients were those of carpal tunnel syndrome and in the other three patients were muscle aching, swelling, and tightness. Diagnosis was made by EMG and deep fascial biopsy. Although small doses of corticosteroid medications were helpful initially in five of the six patients, two patients later required surgical decompression.

Adult↗

Brain necrosis after radiotherapy for primary intracerebral tumor.

Radiotherapy is a standard postoperative treatment for cerebral glioma. We have observed the onset of symptoms related to brain necrosis, as opposed to recurrent tumor, in surviving patients. This has been manifest as dementia with a computed tomographic pattern of low density in the frontal lobe uninvolved with tumor, but within the field of radiotherapy. Two patients presented with mass lesions also unrelated to recurrent tumor. We question the necessity of full brain irradiation and suggest that radiotherapy techniques be altered to target the tumor and not encompass the entire brain.

Adult↗

Early somatostatinoma of the papilla of the duct of Santorini.

We studied a patient with a very small somatostatinoma that arose from the prominence of the orifice of the duct of Santorini. The patient presented clinically with epigastric discomfort, marked loss of weight, diarrhea, exertional dyspnea, and chest pain. He flushed intermittently and had occasional tachycardia and hypertension. Levels of serum serotonin and urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were normal. A small ampullary tumor was resected and identified by immunohistochemical staining to be a somatostatinoma. The patient had gained 6.75 kg and was essentially free of symptoms 16 months after surgery.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

Esophagogastric polyps: radiographic and endoscopic findings.

Radiographic, endoscopic, and pathological findings were correlated in 20 patients with polypoid esophagogastric lesions. In 16 patients, pathological examination showed chronic inflammatory change and epithelial hyperplasia; the polyp was located on the gastric side of the squamocolumnar junction, usually in association with a prominent gastric fold, and probably represented a localized form of gastritis. In the other 4 patients, the lesion was adenocarcinoma. An inflammatory esophagogastric polyp may be differentiated from polypoid carcinoma when adequate radiographs are available and specific diagnostic criteria are followed. Endoscopic biopsy is recommended if the lesion does not fulfill the criteria of an inflammatory esophagogastric polyp.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Fine-needle aspiration. Why it deserves another look.

Fine-needle aspiration of solid tumors other than cervical neoplasms has, until recently, been held in low esteem by US physicians. Its disfavor is undeserved, contend the authors of this article, who base their opinion on the findings from 545 aspirations done over a two-year period. They assert that in experienced hands, in the appropriate setting, and with discriminate use, this diagnostic technique yields accurate results safely and rapidly.

Biopsy, Needle↗