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Biomedical subjects

P Roland

Publications and source records attributed to P Roland.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

In-vivo demonstration of reduced benzodiazepine receptor binding in human epileptic foci.

Ten patients with partial epilepsy and five healthy controls had positron emission tomography (PET) of the brain after intravenous administration of the 11C-labelled benzodiazepine (BZ) receptor ligand 'Ro-15 1788'. In all ten patients BZ receptor binding was significantly lower in the epileptic focus than in the contralateral homotopic reference region and the remaining neocortex. No asymmetries in BZ receptor binding were observed between homotopic reference regions in the controls or the non-epileptic regions of patients. These results demonstrate the potential of the BZ receptor as a biochemical marker for display of epileptic foci by PET, and also strengthen the hypothesis that inhibitory mechanisms are disturbed in the epileptic focus.

Adult↗

Vasodilator activity of human alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide in the feline mesenteric vascular bed.

Human alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a substance immunohistochemically present in a number of organ systems; however, the biologic significance of this peptide is uncertain. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of CGRP in the feline mesenteric vascular bed under conditions of controlled blood flow. Bolus injections of CGRP decreased mesenteric perfusion pressure in a dose-related fashion. When compared with nitroglycerin, CGRP possesses markedly greater vasodilator activity in the intestinal vascular bed of the cat. Because circulating levels of CGRP have been identified, the present data suggest CGRP may play a role in the regulation of systemic vasomotor tone and regional hemodynamics, as well as involve altered calcium metabolism seen with other calcium-regulating hormones in hypertensive states.

Animals↗

The preparation of 11C-labelled fluoromethane for the study of regional cerebral blood flow using positron emission tomography.

Fluoromethane, previously labelled with 18F and used as a tracer in the measurement of regional cerebral blood flow, was 11C-labelled by the reaction of 11C-methyl iodide with tetraethylammonium fluoride. Sufficient quantities of radiotracer were prepared with a minimum amount of handling from 15 min target irradiations in the 14N(p, alpha)11C reaction. Total synthesis time was 25 min from end-of-bombardment, allowing serial blood flow measurements 30 min apart. The use of 11C-fluoromethane as a cerebral blood flow tracer in positron emission tomography is discussed.

Adult↗

Neuromas of the skull base.

Ten skull-base neuromas treated at the Otology Group P.C. are presented. Each case is reported in detail. The method by which preoperative diagnosis was made is reviewed. Specific attention is paid to distinguishing these tumors from chemodectomas. Presenting signs and symptoms are enumerated. Operative--especially postoperative--management is discussed in detail.

Adolescent↗

Regional cerebral blood flow determined with single photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography. A comparative study.

The regional uptake of 99Tcm-labelled HMPAO has been measured with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The potential value of 99Tcm-HMPAO as a flow tracer was evaluated. The uptake of 99Tcm-HMPAO as a function of time indicated that the tracer was trapped in the brain. The uptake images were compared with results from quantitative regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) measurements using positron emission tomography (PET) and with 11C-fluoromethane used as a tracer. There was a strong correlation between the uptake of 99Tcm-HMPAO and rCBF. The conclusion was that the uptake of 99Tcm-HMPAO was dependent on rCBF.

Cerebrovascular Circulation↗

Brain damage following collapse of a polyvinyl tube: elasticity and permeability of the cuff.

A 13-year-old boy undergoing tympanoplasty lasting 3 1/2 hours developed serious airway obstruction at the end of surgery leading to permanent brain damage. It appeared that the no. 7 Portex "blue line" endotracheal tube had collapsed under the cuff. This was concluded because deflation of the cuff had promptly relieved the obstruction of the airway. Further support for this conclusion was the finding that shortly after extubation the inflation of 8 ml air caused the tube to collapse. Collapse of these tubes cannot normally be produced unless they have been made to collapse shortly before. Investigation of such tubes in vitro at 37 degrees C showed that overinflation of the cuff caused a symmetrical collapse of the tube wall along the x-ray opaque blue line. The collapse occurred with cuff pressures varying from 310 mmHg up to 460 mmHg for tubes from different batches. During anaesthesia with 66% nitrous oxide, this gas together with carbon dioxide were found to diffuse into the cuff at steady rates of 3.69 vol % and 0.36 vol % per hour, respectively. Corresponding increases in intracuff volumes were found. It is advised that disposable tubes should be carefully inspected before use and that endotracheal cuffs should be deflated periodically during anaesthesia to avoid excessive rise in cuff pressure.

Adolescent↗

Cortical benzodiazepine receptor binding in patients with generalized and partial epilepsy.

Impaired cortical inhibition may be involved in epileptogenic mechanisms. In a positron-emission tomography (PET) study, we demonstrated a reduction of the cortical benzodiazepine (BZD) receptor density in the epileptic foci of patients with partial epileptic seizures. In the present study, we used the same method in 10 patients with primary generalized epilepsy to determine whether an altered BZD receptor binding could also be demonstrated in this patient group. The [11C]-labeled BZD receptor antagonist Ro 15-1788 was used as ligand. Receptor affinities and densities were calculated in various cortical regions and then compared with the values from corresponding "nonepileptic" regions in the previously examined partial epilepsy patients. Focal alterations of the BZD receptor density or affinity were not demonstrated in patients with generalized epilepsy. This patient group had a slight tendency toward lower mean cortical BZD receptor density, however, as compared with corresponding values from 10 patients with partial epilepsy. Our results strongly suggest that a focal alteration of cortical inhibition is not a prominent feature of human generalized epilepsy. The observed tendency toward lower mean cortical BZD receptor density may be a consequence of diffusely impaired cortical inhibition. Further investigations of this issue are therefore indicated.

Adult↗

Meningitis following cochlear implantation: pathomechanisms, clinical symptoms, conservative and surgical treatments.

Pneumococcal otogenic meningitis is a rare postsurgical complication that can develop following stapedectomy or after cochlear implantation. The bacterial infection can be fatal in some instances. A recent increase in the incidence of otogenic meningitis among cochlear implant wearers is of concern. The majority of meningitis cases are associated with a 2-component electrode manufactured by one cochlear implant company. The device with the added 'positioner' component has been withdrawn from the market (FDA Public Health Web Notification: Cochlear Implant Recipients may be at Greater Risk for Meningitis, Updated: August 29, 2002, www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/cochlear.html). Not all cases have been subsequent to otitis media and symptoms have developed from less than 24 h up to a few years after implantation. The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss the pathogenesis, pathology/bacteriology and to elaborate on some clinical features of otogenic meningitis in implanted children and adults. Essential aspects of surgery, electrode design, and cochleostomy seal are discussed. Conclusions are drawn from the available data and recommendations are made for good practice in cochlear implantation and follow-up.

Acute Disease↗

Whole-abdominal radiation in endometrial carcinoma: an analysis of toxicity, patterns of recurrence, and survival.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the toxicity, patterns of recurrence, and survival in high-risk endometrial cancer patients treated with whole-abdominal radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with endometrial cancer treated at Northwestern University since 1994 and at Rush University since 1993 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients believed to be at high risk for intra-abdominal recurrence and who received whole-abdominal radiation were reviewed for this study. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients completed whole-abdominal radiation (WAR) and were available for study. The mean and median follow-up was 2.3 and 2.1 years, respectively, with a range of 0.13 to 6.1 years. Seventy-eight percent of the cohort received surgical staging with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy/total abdominal hysterectomy/lymph node sampling. Forty-seven percent of the patients were found to have serous histology as a component of their tumor. Surgical staging results included 19% stage 1B, 4% stage IC, 8% stage IIB, 37% stage IIIA, 26% stage IIIC, and 7% stage IVB. Two patients had gross residual disease at the completion of surgery. Megestrol acetate (Megace) was used as an adjuvant treatment in 37% of patients, and no cases received initial chemotherapy. All patients received WAR with a mean total dose and dose per fraction of 2620 and 143 cGy, respectively. Twenty-two percent of patients received a para-aortic boost. The mean total pelvic dose was 4956 cGy. Seventy percent of patients received a vaginal cuff boost. Eight percent of patients had grade 3 acute gastrointestinal morbidity, and 4% had grade 4 acute gastrointestinal morbidity. No other grade 3 or greater acute or long-term morbidity was noted. At last follow-up, seven (23%) patients had experienced recurrence. The pattern of first recurrence was 0% in the vaginal cuff, 3% other vaginal, 7% pelvic, 7% upper abdominal, 3% lung, 7% bone, and 7% para-aortic lymph nodes. Ultimate recurrences were similar. At last follow-up, 77% patients had no evidence of disease, 13% were alive with disease, and 10% had died of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing a conservatrive total whole-abdominal radiation dose and limited para-aortic nodal boost resulted in very tolerable treatments. The patterns of recurrence and survival in this early report are encouraging.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗