Biomedical subjects

P A Zorab

Publications and source records attributed to P A Zorab.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1982

The influence of lung volume on gas transfer in scoliosis.

Single-breath carbon monoxide transfer factor (DLCO) and diffusion coefficient (KCO) have been compared with vital capacity and total lung capacity in 119 subjects with scoliosis, 74 with idiopathic scoliosis, 32 with congenital osteogenic scoliosis and 13 with paralytic scoliosis. In each group mean values of DLCO were below, and for KCO above, predicted values. Furthermore, in each group, DLCO was correlated with lung volume and KCO inversely correlated with lung volume. The reduction in DLCO is probably due to the reduction in the total alveolar surface area and the increased values for KCO probably result from an increase in pulmonary capillary blood volume per unit alveolar volume at low lung volumes.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1981

Pregnancy in thoracic scoliosis.

We present information about 118 pregnancies in 64 patients with thoracic scoliosis, two-thirds of whom had curves in excess of 60 degrees. Although increased breathlessness was experienced in 17% of pregnancies, no serious cardiorespiratory problems were encountered. Increased black pain occurred in 21% of pregnancies. Spontaneous vaginal delivery was achieved in 65% of pregnancies and caesarean section was performed in 17%. Operative delivery was almost invariably for purely obstetric indications. We conclude that even in severe thoracic scoliosis, pregnancy and labour are not associated with serious cardiorespiratory complications.

Female↗

PubMed1980

One year's study of growth and total hydroxyproline excretion in scoliotic children.

21 children with scoliosis were studied for a year during which time 24-hour urinary total hydroxyproline levels are estimated and anthropometric measurements were made on 4 occasions. The total hydroxyproline levels (using hydroxyproline centiles) and the uncorrected heights of the children were all normal. The sitting heights of the children were below average, but, although the sample was small, the findings indicate that the children's 'uncoiled' height would be greater than average.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1978

Causes of death, right ventricular hypertrophy, and congenital heart disease in scoliosis.

Among the causes of death of 43 scoliotics were 5 directly due to complications of congenital heart disease. Over half (57.9%) of the remaining 38 died of cardiac or respiratory causes. The paralytic scolitoics tended to die of pneumonia or respiratory failure, while the nonparalytic scoliotics died of cardiac failure. Right ventricular hypertrophy was present in 65% of the 17 subjects examined postmortem. Electrocardiographic evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy correlated well with the postmortem findings. The vital capacity was less than 1.75 liters in 84% of the dead subjects. The case records of a further 719 living scoliotics were examined for evidence of congenital heart disease. This was found in: 34 (4.5%) of the whole group of 762, 6.9% of the congenital ; 3.4% of the idiopathic scoliotics; 22.7% of those with Marfan's syndrome.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1977

Plasma somatomedin activity in normal and scoliotic children.

In a study of plasma somatomedin activity in childhood scoliosis a group of five patients with congenital scoliosis was found to have significantly lower plasma somatomedin levels compared with a group of 20 normal children. A group of 52 patients with "idiopathic" scoliosis had normal plasma somatomedin levels. There is no apparent difference in the plasma somatomedin activity between the sexes, and no change in plasma somatomedin activity with chronologic age in these children, suggesting that normal adult somatomedin levels have been reached.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1976

Spinal muscle in scoliosis. Comparison of normal and scoliotic rabbits.

Spinal muscle biopsies from 7 rabbits with experimentally-produced scoliosis and from 4 normal control rabbits, were examined histologically and histochemically. One scoliotic rabbit showed selective Type 2 fibre atrophy in its muscles, but in general there was no difference between the normal and the scoliotic rabbits. The percentage area of muscle occupied by Type 1 and Type 2 fibres was determined using a computer controlled microscope. There was no asymmetry in the muscles of either the normal or the scoliotic rabbits on the two sides of the spine. These results suggest that the abnormalities and asymmetry of fibre type proportions reported in human scoliotic muscles are not a consequence of the scoliosis. Within the limits of the study, it is suggested that the abnormalities reported in the muscles of human scoliotic patients are at least an important factor in the causation of "idiopathic" scoliosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1976

Spinal muscle in scoliosis. Part 1. Histology and histochemistry.

Histological and histochemical techniques were employed in a study of the spinal muscles from 35 adolescent scoliotic patients. Many abnormalities were found and, in general, the changes were indicative of denervation and neuropathy. None of the abnormalities were found at any one site more frequently than at any other, nor were they more often seen on one side or the other. None of the patients examined were normal at all sites of biopsy. These findings provide evidence of a neuropathic process being involved in the aetiology or progression of scoliosis. So-called "idiopathic" scoliosis may, perhaps, be the result of an otherwise sub-clinical lower motor neurone disorder.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1973