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Biomedical subjects

M R Levine

Publications and source records attributed to M R Levine.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Barometric plethysmograph: advantages and limitations in recording infant respiration.

The barometric plethysmograph enables recordings to be made of respiration in undisturbed unrestrained infants. Its use has been limited by practical difficulties and errors in calculation of tidal volume (VT). We describe a modification of the method that overcomes the practical difficulties and a series of studies in which the barometric method was directly compared with pneumotachograph measurements of VT in infants. The effects of respiratory pattern and expired air temperature plus the most appropriate formula for calculation of VT under different conditions are described.

Body Temperature↗

Almitrine bismesylate in congenital central hypoventilation.

We have carried out sequential studies of respiration and sleep state, from two weeks to two years of age in a girl with congenital central hypoventilation. When awake her minute ventilation (VE) and blood gases are normal, and when asleep she shows hypoventilation, with progressive hypoxia, hypercarbia and respiratory acidosis, most marked in NREM sleep. There has been no consistent change in VE (expressed as ml/kg/min) with age, awake or asleep, and she remains ventilator dependent when asleep. Growth and development are normal. We report a trial of almitrine bismesylate at the age of 21 months. A dose of 1.5 mg/kg/day orally for eight days produced minimal changes in VE, but when given 2.6 mg/kg/day for a further seven days there was a significant increase in VE in both NREM (27% increase) and in REM sleep (30% increase). These changes were accompanied by substantial improvements in blood gases, with PaCO2 less than 50 mmHg and PaO2 greater than 60 mmHg throughout a four hour study period asleep, off the ventilator, in air. After stopping almitrine bismesylate VE and blood gas values returned to pretreatment values. Almitrine bismesylate may be of value as an alternative to artificial ventilation in this condition.

Almitrine↗

Changes in respiratory pattern resulting from the use of a facemask to record respiration in newborn infants.

Investigation of respiratory control requires an accurate measuring system which does not itself alter the pattern of respiration. We have used a transthoracic impedance pneumograph to investigate the effects of application of a face mask plus pneumotachograph or the face mask rim alone on tidal volume and respiratory frequency in 10 sleeping term infants aged 1-4 days. Application of the face mask rim led to a small but significant fall in respiratory frequency, 12% in quiet sleep (QS) and 17% in rapid eye movement (REM); with the application of the complete face mask plus pneumotachograph, changes were 10% and 14% in QS and REM, respectively. These changes were accompanied by rises in tidal volume of similar magnitude (15%, 11% in QS and 21%, 17% in REM, respectively). These results suggest that the change in respiratory pattern is due mainly to trigeminal stimulation rather than respiratory loading; thus, recordings obtained by methods utilising face masks cannot be considered to represent undisturbed respiration, for at least the first 15 min of recording.

Humans↗

Periorbital ecchymoses as the initial sign in multiple myeloma.

A 61-year-old man with bilateral recurrent periorbital ecchymoses was followed up for 36 months, at which time the diagnosis of multiple myeloma was established. However, in vitro tests of blood coagulation and platelet function gave normal findings. A biopsy specimen of the ecchymotic area showed no evidence of amyloid. Clinical and laboratory evaluation did not suggest another cause. The mechanism of the localized bleeding tendency could not be elucidated.

Blood Coagulation Tests↗

Superior sulcus deformity.

Two cases of late reconstruction of the orbit in which there had been moderate disruption of orbital anatomy are presented. Emphasis is given to correction of superior sulcus deformity by implantation of a light, porous biocompatible alloplastic material--Proplast. Surgical technique is described and considerations are offered for selecting patients for this procedure.

Adult↗

Primary mucinous sweat gland carcinoma of the eyelid simulating metastatic carcinoma.

A 78-year-old man suffered an unusual variant of sweat gland carcinoma of the eyelid. This disorder is seldom recognized, and is frequently confused with inflammation, benign neoplasms, and metastatic carcinomas. On the basis of clinicopathologic and ultrastructural features found by both light and electron microscopy, we diagnosed sweat gland carcinoma of the eyelid. We considered the possibility of metastasis from a primary carcinoma elsewhere in the patient.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

Use of latex particles for analysis of heterokaryon formation and cell fusion.

A simple method for the quick and accurate detection of cell fusion utilizing latex particles as cytoplasmic markers was developed and is reported here. The method is particularly useful for demonstrating human skin fibroblast heterokaryons. Ingestion of latex particles did not affect the growth of primary human and established BHK(21)/C(13) hamster fibroblasts. In addition, somatic cell hybridization between hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase-deficient (HPRT-) and thymidine kinase-deficient (TK-) mutants of BHK(21)/C(13) was also unaffected by lates particle ingestion.

Cell Fusion↗

Medical and surgical treatment of the dry eye.

An overview of the dry eye syndrome and its medical and surgical management has been presented. It is apparent that any single treatment is generally ineffective and that a combination of therapeutic modalities is required for success. The Experimental Slow Release Artificial Tear Insert (Ocusert) shows the most promise for a future solution.

Adult↗

Short fascial strip--what next?

A surgical technique has been developed that effectively utilizes a short fascial strip to obtain the required length needed for frontalis fixation. The technique is simple and the tensile strength adequate.

Blepharoptosis↗

Hypoplastic optic nerves studied with B-scan ultrasonography and axial tomography of the optic canals.

Radiologic studies of the optic foramina in cases of optic nerve hypoplasia have been inconsistent, some authors reporting normal foramina, others finding small foramina. The technique of axial tomography of the optic canals has been found more useful in this regard than plain foramen views, and has demonstrated small canals in cases of optic nerve hypoplasia. A case of bilateral hypoplasia is presented in which the discs were one half normal size, the optic nerves measured 2 mm in diameter on B-scan ultrasonography, and the optic canals were about 4 mm in diameter radiographically on the axial tomograms. These measurements are compared with normals of 4 to 4.5 mm for scans of the optic nerve, and a reported average optic canal width of 5.5 mm. A second case of less severe hypoplasia also presented a small ultrasonic nerve pattern of 3.5 mm. With the techniques of ultrasonography and axial tomography, the course of hypoplasic nerves can be followed from the level of the retina to the optic chiasm posteriorly. It is suggested that the optic canal dimensions correspond closely to the size of the optic nerve in cases of hypoplasia. When the nerve is only slightly hypoplastic the radiographic change in foramen or canal dimensions may not be detectable. Reasonably accurate measurements of the nerve may be more easily obtained with ultrasound.

Adolescent↗

Caruncular malignant melanoma in a black patient.

An 84-year-old black woman had a right caruncular lesion that had progressively enlarged over the past 3 months. Surgical excision and cryotherapy were performed. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of caruncular malignant melanoma, a rare lesion which, to our knowledge, has not been previously reported in a black patient.

Aged↗

Orbital inflammatory syndrome: an unusual presentation.

A 22-year-old woman had right unilateral proptosis. Evaluation revealed a large intraconal orbital mass, consistent with cavernous hemangioma. The mass was removed via a lateral orbitotomy. Histopathology, confirmed by electron microscopy, demonstrated fibroblasts with inflammatory histiocytes, but there was no evidence of cavernous hemangioma. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a well-circumscribed intraconal mass diagnosed as orbital inflammatory syndrome.

Adult↗

Chemosis following blepharoplasty: an unusual complication.

We observed four cases of chemosis associated with otherwise uneventful four-lid blepharoplasty. These patients experienced postoperative conjunctival chemosis (without associated globe injection), varied types of congestion, subconjunctival hemorrhage, retrobulbar hematoma, or corneal involvement. Postoperatively, the patients were treated with some combination of patching, topical and/or systemic steroids, decongestant eye drops, and observation. Regardless of the treatment, the chemosis resolved by 5 months, without permanent complication. Probable causes were blockage of orbital or eyelid lymphatics and excessive cautery during surgery.

Adult↗