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Biomedical subjects

S Pollak

Publications and source records attributed to S Pollak.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

[2-stage rupture of the liver as a complication of external heart massage].

A delayed rupture of the liver after resuscitation is reported. In the case of a 27-year-old woman, pulmonary embolism was followed by asystolia, which was remedied by external cardiac massage. This procedure caused ruptures of the liver, which first led to the formation of a subcapsular hematoma and 5 1/2 hours later, due to a secondary rupture of the capsule, led to internal bleeding and death. Degenerative changes of the parenchyma cells in the vicinity of the rupture were recognized, as well as fibrin separations on the detached Glisson's capsule, as signs of a survival period of several hours. Histological investigation of the lungs revealed a hepatocellular embolism and--in the absence of rib or sternum fractures--fat and bone-marrow embolisms. The morphological findings are discussed with reference to pertinent reports in the literature.

Adult↗

Rapid ventricular tachycardia due to His-Purkinje reentry.

Two patients developed rapid His-Purkinje reentrant tachycardia during programmed ventricular stimulation for evaluation of recurrent ventricular tachycardia. In Patient 1, His-Purkinje reentry induced a morphologically distinct ventricular tachycardia which may have been a reentrant circuit operating independently for several cardiac cycles. His-Purkinje reentry was not inducible in Patient 2 until lidocaine was given. Following lidocaine administration, sustained His-Purkinje reentrant tachycardia was initiated by 2 premature ventricular stimuli. The tachycardia was rapid (240 beats per minute) and required cardioversion.

Adult↗

Transient osteoporosis of hip joint with liver cirrhosis.

We describe the association between transient osteoporosis of the hip (TOH) and liver cirrhosis in a female patient. The clinical course, radiographic and scintigraphic features were similar to cases of TOH described previously. The pathogenesis of this syndrome is unknown and we suggest there may be a relationship between the hemodynamic changes common in cirrhotic patients and in pregnant women and the development of TOH.

Adult↗

[Pulmonary lipids in fatal burns (author's transl)].

The pulmonary lipids were investigated at autopsy in 22 deaths from burns (3 scalds among them) by means of histological examination, thin-layer chromatography and gas liquid chromatography. Leaving out of consideration 4 cases with concomitant mechanical trauma 7 out of 18 burned victims showed fat embolism of the lungs, the degree varying from slight (4) to medium (3). Cases surviving for a short period showed fat embolism more frequently than those with a rapidly fatal course. The extracted pulmonary lipids were separated by thin-layer chromatography into 5 fractions (phospholipids, cholesterol, fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol esters) and evaluated densitometrically. The triglyceride fraction was increased in cases of fat embolism after burns, as well as in control cases of post-traumatic fat embolism. For further lipid characterisation the fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography. Calculation of the amounts of the individual fatty acids showed that in cases of at least medium intensity the ratio of oleic acid/linoleic acid and oleic acid/stearic acid is shifted towards oleic acid.

Adolescent↗

["Bolt projectiles" discharged from modified humane killers (author's transl)].

Some common types of "humane killers" are supplied with rubber bushings and recoil springs holding back the bolt, which afterwards is rebound into the barrel. Removal of the rubber bush and withdrawal spring before firing can cause the bolt to break and become a free projectile. A suicide case is reported, in which a livestock stunner discharged a steel bolt penetrating the forehead and getting stuck in the skull.

Craniocerebral Trauma↗

[Morphology of bullet entrance wounds in palms and plantae (author's transl)].

Tests shots with hand weapons of .22, .25, .32, .357, and .45 calibre were made to find out whether bullet entrance wounds in palms and plantae are very different from such wounds in other parts of the body. As far as shots without contact between muzzle and skin were concerned, the following characteristics were noticed: (1) Entrance holes from pistols and revolvers of the same calibre were smaller in palms and plantae than in other parts of the body. (2) There is no abrasion collar as typically found in other regions. (3) The corneum of epidermis around the entrance hole is lifted off and torn radially. These unusual findings are most probably the result of the particular texture of the palmar and plantar epithelium.

Female↗

[Pathomorphological constellation in death resulting from high voltage electricity].

Between 1968 and 1977 in Austria 38.6 per cent of all deaths due to electricity were caused by high voltages (in the decade before only 23.5 per cent). Victims are mostly middle-aged men. Three of four victims still die on the scene of accident. Based on 16 cases of fatal high tension electrocution some autopsy findings are discussed from the medico-legal point of view. One of four cases showed entrance and exit points of current resembling "typical" electric marks (as they are known from exposure to domestic voltages). In one case the marks produced by a 20,000 volts overhead-supply were so small that they have been overlooked by the medical examiner. Half the bodies exhibited major surface burns from involvement in electric arcs. About one third of the fatal accidents was accompanied by secondary mechanical traumas. Asphyxial findings (petechial hemorrhages in the eyelids and conjunctivae, as well as under the pleura and the epicardium, etc.) were noticed in two cases. Such unspecific signs of suffocation also are met, if death is caused by domestic voltages (in our material the frequency amounts to 13 per cent). One case-study deals with special morphological findings after long-time exposure to high tension electricity: besides charrings and severance of limbs also fat and gas embolism into the right ventricle (due to local tissue heating) was observed. By emission spectroscopy of residues on the copper wire calcium and phosphorus originating from melted bones could be detected.

Adult↗

[Suicides in hospitals of Vienna (author's transl)].

An analysis of the autopsies ordered by the Viennese Forensic and Health Authorities between 1967 and 1976 has shown that 2.3% of all suicides were committed in hospitals. Two thirds of the 77 examined cases were carried out by males. Thirty-five patients were in stationary psychiatric treatment; their average age was 50.7 years. In all other kinds of hospitals 42 (mostly male) patients committed suicide at an average age of 65.3 years. Preferred methods of performance were jump and fall from height (44.1%) and hanging (40.3%). Rare methods used were one case of abdominal incisions (harakiri), one self-strangulation, and one case of suffociation in plastic bags. The act was usually accomplished early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Among the suicidal patients who were hospitalized because of organic diseases those with malignant neoplasms [18] and cardiovascular diseases [12] were predominant. Also taking the suicides outside hospitals into consideration the numerical ratio between natural deaths due to cancer and the suicides of cancer patients is about 1:1,000. Amont the suicides in psychiatric institutions schizophrenics [11] and endogenous depressives [7] were the most numerous. In 4 cases the suicide was preceded by acts of injury or homicide.

Adult↗

Classification of support staff in a consortium medical library: a case study.

A representative committee of Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library staff and faculty, under the direction of the library administration, successfully redesigned a job classification system for the library's nonprofessional staff. In the new system all nonprofessionals are assigned to one of five grade levels, each with a corresponding salary range. To determine its appropriate grade level each job is analyzed and assigned a numerical value using a point system based on a set of five factors, each of which is assigned a relative number of points. The factors used to measure jobs are: education and experience, complexity of work, administrative accountability, manual skill, and contact with users. Each factor is described according to degrees, so that a job can be given partial credit for a factor. An advisory staff classification committee now participates in the ongoing administration of the classification system.

Classification↗

[Criminalistic aspects of iatrogenic air embolism (author's transl)].

With reference to 7 cases of iatrogenic air embolism examined by autopsies at the Vienna Institute of Forensic Medicine between 1968 and 1977, the most important causes of such complications are discussed. The wide-spread use of intensive therapeutic methods has led to the tendency that an increasing number of air embolic incidents happens during intravenous infusions. Four cases are reported: two of them occurred by incorrect handling of an automatic infusion pump; two further complications followed insertion or use of central venous catheters. Frequently outward circumstances refer to an air embolism even ante obductionem. In our cases the suspected diagnosis was based on the following signs: air filled venous catheters remaining on the body [3], striking manipulations on infusion apparatus [2], premortal X-ray film [1], typical clinical picture [1]. The analytical-chemical part deals with the infrared and mass spectroscopic investigation of adhesive residues. The traces, which were detected on the housing of an infusion pump, originated from an adhesive tape used to hold down a push button to turn off the warning device. Comparing the spectra of known adhesive tapes it was possible to adjoin the incriminated residues to the adhesive component of 'Normaplast'.

Adult↗