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Biomedical subjects

S Nowak

Publications and source records attributed to S Nowak.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Injuries of the spinal cord and vertebral column in children and adolescents].

A review of 127 pediatric patients admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery between 1965 and 1993 because of spinal cord and vertebral column injuries is presented. The aim of this paper is to relate clinical appearance and age of the patient. Patients were subdivided into two age groups on the grounds of skeletal development features. The first included 22 patients (3-14 years of age), the second one included 105 patients (15-18 years of age). Accident type, injury mechanism, level of the spinal injury and type of treatment differed in these groups as was found clinically and statistically. Younger group was mostly treated conservatively and the results of treatment were better.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[The influence of noise increased arterial blood pressure in workers during the work day].

The arterial blood pressure was measured three times: before beginning of work on morning shift, after 3-4 hours of work, and after its completion in 2599 workers exposed to continuous or intermittent noise of over 90 dB intensity and in 2454 controls. The rise of the systolic and diastolic pressure during the working day depended on the initial pressure level, age and duration of employment as well as the exposure to noise. Among these variables the effect of noise was most significant, and the importance of this factor increased with increasing duration of employment. In the group exposed to noise and in the controls the greatest rises of the systolic and diastolic pressure during working day were noted in workers with borderline hypertension, and were low in those with normal pressure. On the other hand, workers with systolic hypertension were most prone to diastolic pressure rise. A reverse observation was made in workers with diastolic hypertension. In all groups exposure to noise increased the pressor reaction.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Effect of propranolol on portosystemic collateral circulation estimated by per-rectal portal scintigraphy with technetium-99m pertechnetate.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Propranolol is widely used in the prevention of variceal bleeding. However, in certain patients with cirrhosis, the portal hypotensive effect of propranolol cannot be obtained. An explanation for portal unresponsiveness to propranolol could be an increase in portocollateral vascular resistance mediated by this drug. METHODS: In 33 patients with cirrhosis the effect of chronic administration of propranolol on portocollateral blood flow from the inferior mesenteric vein was examined by means of per-rectal portal Tc-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy. RESULTS: Propranolol significantly reduced the shunt index by 15.3 +/- 4.2%. This reduction was observed only in patients with cirrhosis classified as Child-Pugh A and B groups, but not group C. Differences between groups in portosystemic shunt index changes after propranolol were significant (F = 3.4, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The data presented suggest that propranolol changes the distribution of blood between the portal and systemic circulation, which is probably due to the increase in vascular resistance of portocollateral vessels. The magnitude of the vascular response to propranolol depends on the severity of liver disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Clinical analysis of 126 patients with spinal metastases].

A series of 126 patients with spinal metastases and spinal cord lesion treated between 1963 and 1992 at Neurosurgery Department in Poznań has been presented. Neurological condition of the patient, neuroradiological and histological examinations are presented; modalities of management and results are discussed. Treatment was depended on the patient's conditions. Surgery was undertaken if spinal metastasis was the first symptom of the disease. Sixty-one per cent of patients died within 6 months after being diagnosed. Survival was longer in patients treated surgically. Fifty-six percent of them became ambulatory and in majority free of radicular pain. The longest survival was in prosthetic metastases, the shortest in pulmonary ones.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Disorders of the cranio-spinal junction].

Seventy-three patients were treated due to cranio-cerebral junction disorders between 1980 and 1993. All patients were categorized into three groups depending on the disorder type: congenital (38%), traumatic (47%), or neoplastic (15%). In every group character of the lesion, neurological symptoms and indications for surgical or conservative management were analyzed. The outcome was following: neurological status was improved in 24 cases, in 30 cases the condition was stabilized, progressed in 18 cases and 1 patient died.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[The importance of free oxygen radicals in perinatal medicine].

A review of free oxygen radicals and their role in the perinatal period is presented. Basic problems related to their formation, defence systems, pregnancy, delivery and the postnatal period are addressed. Special attention is given to acute and chronic diseases typical for prematurity. Current therapy and future prospects are discussed.

Female↗
PubMed1994

[Usefulness of determining tumor markers CEA, CA125 and CA72-4 in blood serum of patients with ovarian carcinoma].

Serum levels of 3 markers: CEA, CA125 and CA72-4 have been determined in 58 patients aged from 15-60 years with histologically diagnosed ovarian cancer. Serum CEA was determined by radioimmunoassay using kits POLATOM (Poland), CA72-4 was determined using kits CIS BIOINTERNATIONAL (France) and CA125 was determined by enzyme immunoassay using kits Hoffmann-la-Roche (Wien-Austria). We have observed the growth of sensitivity and specificity of serum levels: CA125 and CA72-4 if we have referred to the simultaneous elevation of CA125 and CA72-4 markers. We have observed that CA125 and CA72-4 elevated levels were proceeded clinical recurrent of the disease from 2 to 6 months.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Diagnostic significance of percutaneous needle biopsy in metastatic neoplasms of the spine].

A retrospective review of percutaneous needle biopsy due to the vertebral metastatic neoplasms performed in 92 patients treated from 1975 to 1992 at Department of Neurosurgery, K. Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences. Thoracic biopsies constituted 45 per cent, lumbar-32 per cent, cervical-18 per cent and sacral ones 5 per cent of all procedures. An accurate diagnosis was made in 70 per cent of all cases. The highest accuracy rate was noted in lesions compromising the entire vertebral body (84 per cent) and posterior elements of the vertebrae (89 per cent). Tomographic X-rays, CT and MRI were helpful in visualization of concomitant paravertebral mass. In these cases accuracy rate of the biopsy was 82 per cent. The technique of percutaneous biopsy and histological results were also discussed.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1994

[Per-rectal scintigraphy of the portal system with pertechnetate TC-99M: effect of propranolol on portosystemic collateral circulation in patients with cirrhosis. Part II].

Propranolol can reduce portal hypertension, therefore is recommended in prevention of variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis. However, in certain patients with cirrhosis portal hypotensive effect of propranolol cannot be obtained, and the reason of this finding is unknown. In 28 patients with cirrhosis the effect of seven days administration of propranolol on collateral blood flow from inferior mesenteric vein was examined by means of per-rectal portal scintigraphy. Portosystemic shunt index was significantly reduced by propranolol by 17.4 +/- 4.8%. This reduction was observed in cirrhotics classified to A and B, but not C Child-Pugh. These data suggest that propranolol increases vascular resistance in portosystemic circulation which depends on severity of liver failure. This mechanism opposes reduction of portal pressure.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Per-rectal scintigraphy of the portal system with pertechnetate TC-99M: clinically useful examination of patients with chronic liver disease.Part I].

Per-rectal portal scintigraphy with Tc-99m pertechnetate is a method to evaluate portosystemic shunting (shunt index) in inferior mesenteric vein. In this study the shunt index was estimated in patients with chronic liver disease in relation to the severity of liver injury, portal hypertension and incidence of oesophageal varices. Shunt index was elevated in patients with non-cirrhotic liver disease as compared with healthy normals (34 +/- 6% vs 8 +/- 2%; p < 0.0005). Moreover, patients with cirrhosis had the shunt index of 65 +/- 4% which was higher than in other groups. There was no correlation of the shunt index to the Child-Pugh classification, hepatic venous pressure gradient and varices size in the cirrhotic patients. Conversely, the shunt index differentiated variceal bleeders from non-bleeders (80 +/- 4% vx 59 +/- 6%; p < 0.005). These data show that peripheral collateral circulation develop in response to mild elevation of portal pressure, but its hemodynamic efficacy to alleviate portal hypertension seems to be unremarkable. High shunt index might reflect elevated risk of bleeding from varices.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Brain neoplasms in pregnancy. Two case histories].

The diagnosis of brain tumor in a pregnant women is a dramatic event. The nature and timing of therapy at intracranial neoplasm are affected by the existence of the pregnancy. The authors report a two cases of cerebral neoplasm in pregnancy. Clinical syndromes, diagnosis, neurosurgical and obstetrical management are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Levels of free fatty acids in plasma, K coefficient and insulin secretion stimulated by intravenous glucose load in patients with hyperthyroidism taking propranolol or acebutolol].

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between plasma free fatty acids levels (FFA) and impaired glucose tolerance in hyperthyroid patients in basal condition and after propranolol and acebutolol treatment, i.e. after lipolytic blockade leading to a decrease in plasma FFA levels. 31 untreated hyperthyroid patients and 12 normal subjects of matched control group were studied. In all IVGTT was performed. 19 patients with normal K values were randomized to treated with either propranolol 160 mg daily (10 persons) or acebutolol 400 mg daily (9 persons). 12 patients with low K values were randomized to treated with either propranolol (5 persons) or acebutolol (7 persons). After 7 days on treatment a second IVGTT was carried. In all blood samples were glucose, FFA and insulin levels determined, in samples taken at 0 T3 and T4 too. T3, T4 and insulin were measured by the radioimmunoassay, glucose by the glucose oxidase method, FFA by the colorimetric method. In hyperthyroid patients with low K value significantly higher plasma concentrations of FFA were found compared to control and after propranolol or acebutolol treatment no differences in FFA levels between hyperthyroid patients and control were observed. In patients with low K value acebutolol but not propranolol normalized K value and propranolol but not acebutolol significantly decreased acute phase of insulin secretion. In patients with normal K value plasma glucose and insulin concentrations as well K value were not altered during propranolol or acebutolol treatment. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Hyperthyroid patients with low K value differ from healthy subjects higher plasma FFA levels, 2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acebutolol↗
PubMed1994

Portal shunting in inferior mesenteric vein in cirrhosis: correlation with hemorrhage from esophageal varices.

OBJECTIVE: Certain patients with portal hypertension develop large esophageal varices, whereas others have small varices, or none. Our objective in this study was to determine whether this variability depends upon the amount of blood derived by peripheral portosystemic collaterals. METHODS: Esophagogastroscopy to determine presence and size of esophageal varices, and pre-rectal portal scintigraphy to assess portosystemic shunt index (PSI) in inferior mesenteric vein were performed in 45 cirrhotics and 17 patients with pre-cirrhotic liver disease. RESULTS: Patients with cirrhosis had higher PSI than normal controls (67 +/- 4 vs. 8 +/- 2%; p < 0.0001) and pre-cirrhotic patients (vs. 34 +/- 6%; p < 0.0001). Neither variceal size nor PSI was correlated with Child-Pugh classification or hepatic venous pressure gradient. PSI was not related to the presence of varices or their size. On the other hand, patients with variceal hemorrhage had elevated PSI, compared with non-bleeders (80 +/- 4% vs. 59 +/- 6%; p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that portosystemic collaterals in the inferior mesenteric vein do not prevent the formation of large varices. Furthermore, the magnitude of blood flow through peripheral collaterals might reflect the risk of variceal hemorrhage.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Injuries of the spine and spinal cord as isolated and multiple injuries].

A series of 511 patients after vertebral column and spinal trauma admitted to Department of Neurosurgery of University of Medical Sciences, Poznań from 1979 to 1992 has been analyzed. Isolated vertebral and spinal injuries in 49 per cent. In 51 per cent they were associated with multiple injuries. Traffic accidents constituted the main cause (50 per cent of multiple injuries). The severity of the injury was assessed on the base of AIS, ISS rating systems and spinal symptoms. The concomitant multiple injuries were no cause of delay to surgical intervention within vertebral column. The short-term results of the treatment were better in isolated spinal injuries, with 5 per cent mortality rate in both groups.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1993

[Impaired carbohydrate tolerance in patients with hyperthyroidism--evaluation of some influencing factors].

Relation between the appearance of impaired carbohydrate tolerance and such factors as the duration of hyperthyroidism, age of patients, blood serum concentrations of thyroxine, triiodothyronine and free fatty acids, as well as insulin secretion both basal and stimulated by oral and "intravenous glucose administration was studied in 62 patients with untreated hyperthyroidism. Control group consisted of 24 healthy subjects having performed oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests. Among the studied factors, high blood serum concentrations of thyroxine and triiodothyronine, elevated concentration of free fatty acids and defective insulin secretion influenced the appearance of impaired glucose tolerance in patients with hyperthyroidism. No relation was found, however, between the impaired glucose tolerance and the duration of hyperthyroidism or the age of patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Response of growth hormone to sandostatin and bromocriptine and prognostic value of prolactin levels in serum and thyroliberin test in patients with active acromegaly].

Usefulness of determination of blood serum prolactin concentration and the result of thyroliberin (TRH) stimulation test for predicting the magnitude of growth hormone (GH) response to the administration of sandostatin and bromocriptine has been evaluated in 14 patients with active acromegaly. No relation was found between the occurrence of hyperprolactinemia and the response of GH to the administration of sandostatin and bromocriptine. Analysis of GH secretion after TRH administration made possible the selection of a group of acromegalic patients with paradoxical increase in GH secretion in response to TRH in whom the administration of sandostatin caused a significant decrease in blood serum concentration of GH following the administration of sandostatin. TRH stimulation test had, however, no value in predicting the effect of bromocriptine on GH secretion.

Acromegaly↗