Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M S Ali.
Five patients suffered injuries around the wrist complicated by acute tunnel syndrome. Pain associated with median nerve paraesthesia or hypo-aesthesia are indications for urgent treatment; in four patients where operation was delayed, the outcome was poor.
Studies were carried out in Edinburgh to determine the nature, causes and economic consequences of hand injuries requiring more than one visit to hospital. Information on 236 out-patients was collected during a period of six weeks and on 122 in-patients during a period of six months. In both studies, follow-up was by postal questionnaire six weeks after injury. More serious injuries requiring admission to hospital occurred at home (39%) than at work (27%), and of injuries treated on an out-patient basis, the highest proportion (30%) happened at sport. As a result, demands on hospital services were highest in the later part of the day and evening. The main causes of injury were falls at home, at work, in the street or through violence, and only a few were caused by industrial machinery. Two-thirds of the patients were employed, and the mean time off work was three weeks for out-patients and seven weeks for in-patients. Although Edinburgh may not be typical of other cities in the United Kingdom, the studies suggest that even so-called 'trivial' hand injuries make considerable demands on hospital services, with related costs to the individual, the employer and the nation.
Malignant change at the site of a chronic osteomyelitis, a rare condition, is reported in a 45-year-old man, along with a review of the literature. This patient with a 30-year history of chronic osteomyelitis of the right femur and an intermittently discharging sinus had a large abscess in the lower thigh. The abscess was drained, and an ulcer developed at the mouth of the sinus tract. Soon afterward, he sustained a pathologic fracture through the lower femur. Biopsy specimens of the ulcer showed a well-differentiated squamous carcinoma. An amputation was performed at the level of the proximal 10 cm of the femur. The patient remains well 18 months later with no clinical or radiologic evidence of metastases. Changes in character of a previously innocuous osteomyelitis sinus tract should arouse suspicion of neoplastic transformation. Biopsy of various depths of the sinus tract, including the bone marrow, is essential. Early amputation for squamous cell carcinoma is indicated and offers a good prognosis.
Reports show striking regional and ethnic variations in the incidence and pattern of certain malignancies in the Middle East. In view of this, a study of 19 cases of malignant tumours of the bone seen at King Fahd University Hospital during the period 1981-1983 was carried out. Of these eight were primary and eleven secondary tumours. Lymphoma and Ewing's sarcoma formed 50% of the primary tumours. Breast and lungs were the chief sources of secondary deposits in the bone.
A case of iliofemoral thrombosis possibly related to chicken pox infection is reported. Treated with rest and anti-coagulants, the patient made a satisfactory recovery.
The results are reported of a trial on the management of collateral mechanism disruption of the proximal interphalangeal joints of fingers. The incidence of the injury in Edinburgh, over a seven month period, averaged one case per week. Most (80%) had proximal avulsion of the main ligament. In the operated group all reached the state of painless stability at about two months. In the unoperated group none reached this stage, even at the final follow up, 64% complained of functional disability. It is concluded that operation is the treatment of choice for this injury.
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Two cases of congenital pseudarthrosis of the ulna due to neurofibromatosis are reported. Similar radiographic changes in the ulna were found, with distortion of the capitulum and part of the trochlea and bowing of the radius. In one patient the head of the radius was dislocated and in the other it dislocated readily during pronation. A possible mechanism to explain the findings was suggested. On the basis of these and a review of the literature it is recommended that the main aim of treatment should be maintenance of the normal relative lengths of the radius and ulna by early excision of the pseudarthrosis to remove the restraining effect of the abnormal ulna. This will allow normal development of the lower end of the humerus and radius and prevent dislocation of the radial head.
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An aqueous alcoholic extract of fresh flowers of Yucca glauca Nutt. showed striking antitumor activity against B16 melanoma in mice. Systematic fractionation of the extract by means of solvent extraction and gel permeation chromatography led to separation of two galactose containing polysaccharide fractions with marked inhibitory activity against B16 melanoma in mice. The extraction, fractionation, purification and preliminary characterization of the active polysaccharide fractions are described. The materials showed no activity against L1210 or P388 leukemias in mice. The implications of the findings for searches for both natural and synthetic anticancer agents are discussed.
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A study was carried out in 100 patients aged between 70 and 90 years to investigate pathological and respiratory function changes in old age. Vitalograph and peak flow meter measurements were made, but blood gas analysis was only carried out in 6 patients in view of the technical difficulties. Analysis of the results showed that there was a definite, moderate, restrictive type of defect in pulmonary function in almost all the patients, in those with generalized senile changes as well as in those with a pathological condition. Blood gas analysis showed a minimum degree of alteration in oxygen tension and saturation with normal carbon dioxide tension.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.