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Biomedical subjects

S Nowak

Publications and source records attributed to S Nowak.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Dysontogenetic tumors of the vertebral column].

13 patients were managed surgically for dysontogenetic tumours of vertebral column between 1970 and 1997. 6 males and 7 females aged from 3 to 45 years (average age = 28.46 +/- SD 12.81 years). At the cranio-vertebral junction one tumour was localised. Other tumours were in different segments of vertebral column as follows: 3 cases in thoracic segment, 6--in lumbar and 2--in lumbo-sacral region. X-ray examination revealed coexistence of dysraphic or other spinal defects in 10 cases. Surgery was carried out in all cases using various technique. Histological examination disclosed: epidermoid cyst 6, dermoid cyst 3 and teratoma 4. Good results of treatment were achieved in 11 patients, while in 2 cases neurological deficit symptoms were exacerbated. In patients after teratoma removal post-operative radiotherapy was indicated.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acrylic bone cement use for internal spondylodesis in neurosurgical operations].

Vertebral column stabilization relying on performing of surgical internal spondylodesis with acrylic bone cement (methylmethacrylate, MMA) was carried out in 27 cases treated surgically in Department and Clinic of Neurosurgery in Poznań from 1996 to 1999. The age of patients was 16-69 (mean age 50.29 +/- 15.29) years. Male patients predominated (2:1). The vertebral lesion was caused by neoplasm (55% of cases), degenerative disease (26%), trauma (19%). Pathological changes were found in cervical region in 16 (59%), in thoracic region in 6 (22%) and in lumbar region in 5 (19%) patients. The anterior surgical approach to vertebral column was chosen in 17 (63%), posterolateral approach in 8 (30%) and posterior approach in 2 (7%) patients. Bone acrylic cement was used for reconstruction of vertebral body damaged by neoplasm or trauma, whereas it substituted the removed intervertebral disc or vertebral body in degenerative diseases. The acrylic cement graft in all cases maintained the proper anterior and medial vertebral column alignment. Semiliquid acrylic cement was used for filling of defects after tumour removal in thoracic and lumbar vertebral bodies. Acrylic cement graft was properly prepared in cuboid form and was inserted into the intervertebral spaces in patients with trauma or degenerative diseases. In all cases involving bone acrylic cement, stabilization of the vertebral segment was completed by metallic implants (cervical plates, "Z" plates, intrapedicular screws and rods). No postoperative complications (wound infections or implant dislocation) were observed. Postoperative, neurological signs were intensified in 3 cases (12%) and were regressive. Mortality rate was 4%. This type of internal spondylodesis makes possible to restore the anterior and medial columns and immobilisation of the proper vertebral segments.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Diplomyelia and diastematomyelia. Case reports].

Diplomyelia and diastematomyelia. Case report. Three cases of diplomyelia [1] and diastematomyelia [2] were studied and treated between 1980 and 1990 years. All patients had symptomatic onset in adulthood. Pathological features were caused by localization on the lesion in cervical, thoracic and lumbar segment of the spinal cord. Plain X-rays showed a variety of osseous malformations associated with spinal dysraphism. The most usefull radiographic examination was computerized tomography (CT). Indications to surgical treatment are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Biochemical neoplasm markers in selected neurological diseases].

Using radioimmunoassay methods the authors assayed the concentration of biochemical neoplasm markers (BMN) in 106 patients with neurological diseases (M-56, F-50) in the serum, and in 20 cases in the cerebrospinal fluid. In certain cases these markers were present, and sometimes their concentration was raised: ferritin in multiple sclerosis from 200 to 1365 ng/ml, in ischaemic stroke up to 327.9 ng/ml, in Parkinson's disease up to 423 ng/ml in the serum. In some cases of other diseases the levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), acid prostatic phosphatase (PAP) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were raised, similarly as that of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Further studies are being conducted on BMN, including also other markers (CA 125, CA 199), with monoclonal antibodies, beta-endorphins and prostaglandins in neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis. It is suggested (Nowak) that BMN may have an indirect role in the aetiology and pathogenesis of certain diseases of the nervous system and that they may have connections with prostaglandins.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[ACTH in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in patients with multiple sclerosis].

In 1984 and at the beginning of 1985 the authors carried out radioimmunoassays (SORIN-CIS kit) the plasma levels of ACTH in 116 multiple sclerosis patients (m-52, f-64) and in 10 cases this radioimmunoassay was done in the cerebrospinal fluid (m-5, f-5). The control group comprised 90 patients with ischialgia and neuroses. The normal value in the plasma was from 0 to 80.86 pg/ml, and in the fluid it was from 0 to 77.08 pg/ml. In multiple sclerosis patients the plasma ACTH level was from 0 to 286.9 pg/ml, in the cerebrospinal fluid from 0 to 89 pg/ml. The values of ACTH were significantly higher in multiple sclerosis patients, mainly in males. In the fluid the level of ACTH was significantly higher in the studied patients. No significant differences in ACTH levels were found between males and females with multiple sclerosis, and in the control group this level was higher in females. Raised ACTH level was found mainly in multiple sclerosis with lung duration of the disease (10 years) at the time of exacerbations. The authors continue studies on the axis hypothalamus-hypophysis-adrenals, on various hormones, prostaglandins, beta-endorphin, biochemical markers, cAMP, cCMP, arylosulphatase A and B MBC etc.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Growth hormone levels in the blood serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis].

In 1984 the authors determined by radioimmunoassay (ORIPI-RIA kit) the serum growth hormone levels in 35 patients with multiple sclerosis (20 M, 15 F) aged from 20 to 54 years, and in 10 cases the determination was carried out in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The control group comprised 40 patients with ischialgia or neuroses. The normal range of GH values in the serum determined with this kit was from 0 to 80 microIU/ml, and the laboratory normal range was from 0 to 10 microIU/ml. The normal GH value for the CSF is being established (calculations based on mean values). No significant differences were observed in the GH concentrations in the serum between the patients and the control group, and between males and females in either group. No significant differences were found also in the GH level in the CSF of males and females with multiple sclerosis. Treatment with corticosteroids received by over 80% of the patients (at least 6 months before the study) caused no significant rise in GH concentration. However, an increasing tendency was observed of GH concentration in patients which requires confirmation in a greater number of cases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Epileptic seizures in patients with vascular brain lesions].

In a group of 1621 patients with vascular brain lesions (849 males, 772 females) the authors found seizures in 108 cases (56 males, 52 females): in 26 cases of subarachnoid haemorrhage (aneurysms), 6 cerebral haemorrhages, 24 cerebral arterial thromboses, 18 atherosclerosis of brain vessels, 13 cases of embolia, 4 cases of transient cerebral ischaemia, 4 cases of vertebrobasilar insufficiency, 4 cases of cerebrocardiac syndromes, 2 cases of cerebral form of the Winiwarter-Buerger disease and 1 cases each of cerebellar haemorrhage and aortic arch syndrome. In 8 cases family history of epilepsy was elicited. The authors suggest administration of anticonvulsants in justified cases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prolactin in the blood serum of patients with multiple sclerosis].

The authors determined in 1984 by radioimmunoassay (INEP kit) the serum prolactin concentration in 76 multiple sclerosis patients (33 males and 34 females) aged from 21 to 53 years, with disease duration from 2 to 30 years. The control group comprised 110 healthy subjects. Normal prolactin values were 150-750 mIU/ml in females and 150-500 mIU/ml in males. In about one-third of the patients raised prolactin level was found which failed to correlate with the age of the patients and with increased beta-endorphin level in them. The authors suppose that hyperprolactinaemia may be of importance in certain clinical signs of multiple sclerosis. Further investigations on prolactin are conducted with reference to the circadian rhythm of prolactin secretion and dynamic tests.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Analysis of clinico-social features of epilepsy].

The authors studied 286 patients with epilepsy with disease onset past the age of 20 years (176 males, 110 females) from the urban and rural populations. In 57% of cases the aetiology of epilepsy was undetermined. Among the known aetiological factors head trauma accounted for 15.5% of cases, inflammatory processes in the central nervous system for 4.5%, alcoholism for 7%, vascular lesions for 6%, tumours for 5.2%, degenerative and atrophic changes for 1.5%. Over 40% of patients had had attacks for up to 15 years and over 18% for over 20 years. In 80% of cases grand mal seizures occurred, and in 33% of these cases more than 12 attacks occurred annually. Six cases of status epilepticus were observed with 2 deaths. The attacks were precipitated by menstruation, alcohol abuse, infection, stressed, television watching. Among the signs accompanying or following the seizures tongue biting and urination prevailed. Neurological signs were demonstrated in 21% of cases, encephalopathy in 65%, other psychic disturbances in 9.5%. Systematic treatment was received by 75% of the patients (over 80% in urban population), and therapy with multiple drugs was most frequent. Drug-resistant epilepsy was found in 34% of cases. The patients from the rural population had a lower educational level and had more children. About 70% of the patients were in employment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗