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Biomedical subjects

W G Schmitt

Publications and source records attributed to W G Schmitt.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Rib enlargement in patients with chronic pleural disease.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the width of ribs in patients with chronic pleural disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On posteroanterior radiographs, we measured the horizontal width of ribs in the midaxillary line of four groups of patients: 41 selected patients with widened ribs and chronic pleural disease (group I), 30 consecutive patients with the clinical diagnosis of tuberculosis for 5 or more years who had radiographs that showed unilateral pulmonary or pleural disease (group II), 25 consecutive patients with the clinical diagnosis of empyema who had radiographs that showed unilateral pleural and often pulmonary parenchymal disease (group III), and 60 consecutive persons who received routine preemployment examinations that revealed no pulmonary or pleural disease (control subjects). Available clinical data were reviewed. RESULTS: We found a significant difference between the size of the ribs on the side of disease and the nondiseased side for groups I and II (p = .0008 and p = .045, respectively). We found no such difference for group III or the control group. The mean absolute values of the different widths of ribs on the side of disease and the nondiseased side were greater for groups I, II, and III than the absolute values of the different widths for the right and left ribs of the control subjects (p < .05). We identified tuberculosis, nontubercular empyema, thoracic surgery, blunt trauma, and metastatic tumor as causative agents in 24 (59%) of the 41 patients in group I. CONCLUSION: Rib enlargement is occasionally displayed radiographically in cases of chronic pleural disease and is confirmed by comparison of the two sides. In our selected patients (group I) with rib enlargement, tuberculosis was the most common cause of pleural disease, but nontubercular empyema, thoracic surgery, blunt trauma, and metastatic tumor were also found. Conversely, we found no rib enlargement in association with pleural disease of short duration. We have shown that rib enlargement can indicate the chronicity of pleural disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Computed tomography in traumatology with special regard to the advances of three-dimensional display.

There is a variety of methods to aid in the diagnosis of fractures requiring operative treatment. A computer program that produces pseudo-three-dimensional (3D) images from sets of axial computed tomograms is used for examining fractures in areas of complex skeletal anatomy. The resulting reconstructions, representing the surface in a form similar to that of anatomic preparations, can facilitate the process of diagnosis. They are also valuable for planning operations. The 3D information can be used to define the size, shape, and location of the various fracture types. We have used the technique in more than 500 patients with injuries to the skull, spine, acetabulum, sternoclavicular joint, shoulder, knee, and calcaneus and are able to demonstrate the benefit of special investigation protocols.

Calcaneus↗
PubMed1991

[Bony bridges of the lumbar transverse processes].

A traumatic osseous bridge between lumbar transverse processes is a bone formation occurring after severe or even mild trauma of the back. However, only few of the patients with a contusion of the back or a fracture of a lumbar transverse process develop such an osseous bridge. The localisation of the haematoma plays an important role in this process, but myositis ossificans is a mandatory condition. Anamnesis will not lead to traumatic aetiology in all cases, because sometimes the patient is not aware of the fact that a transverse process has been fractured. The diagnosis finally depends on the recognition of the different shapes. The traumatic osseous bridge is characterised by the kind of trauma that causes the fracture of the transverse process. The shapes can be classified as "h", "H", "K", or "Z". Among 72 patients with inter-transverse osseous bridges, only 11 patients have congenital bridges. The congenital osseous bridge shows typical features that can be explained by means of embryogenic and functional dynamic considerations. These symptoms are the O-shape, concavity of the lumbar spine of a pathological nature and the absence of degenerative changes in the corresponding intervertebral space.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Possibilities of phosphorus 31 spectroscopy in assessing the therapeutic effects on cellular energy metabolism of the myocardium].

We present a general review of the literature concerning the role of the 31 P spectroscopy in studying the metabolic effects of drugs like verapamil, chlorpromazin, propranolol, acebutolol, 2-mercaptopropionylglycine, insulin, 2-deoxyglucose, cardioplegic solutions, as well as perfluorocarbon solutions on the energy status of the ischemic myocardium. Using 31 P spectroscopy several important results have been found concerning the changes of the concentration of the high energy phosphates and of the intracellular pH during myocardial ischemia. It is now possible to gain interesting insights into the metabolic effects of different drugs. By using these drugs, changes in the high energy phosphates, as PCr and ATP were attenuated during the myocardial ischemia. A better recovery of the PCr and ATP contents during reperfusion was noted. The myocardial pH changes during ischemia are attenuated compared to controls. A good correlation between the preservation of the high energy phosphates and myocardial pH and the recovery of the ventricular function was described. An in vivo documentation of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is now possible. A short overview is presented about the phosphorylation potential and its prognostic value for various cardiac diseases. The 31 P spectroscopy successfully shifted the research interest towards biochemical processes at the cellular level in the diagnosis and therapy monitoring. It extends our knowledge on the pathophysiology of the myocardium.

Acebutolol↗
PubMed1988

[31-P-spectroscopy as a method for studying biochemical changes in skin tumors: exemplified by malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma].

We report on the basic principles concerning in vivo P-31 MR spectroscopy and give a short review of the corresponding studies on skin tumors described in the literature. Malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma are both characterized by high concentrations of phosphomonoester and phosphodiester. By means of the P-31 spectroscopy technique, we are able to detect changes regarding the tumor metabolism as a response to chemotherapy, irradiation, or biological immune modifiers (e.g. interferon).

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1988

MRI visualization of the aortic nipple.

The aortic nipple, a small "pseudotumor" adjacent to the aortic arch, is the left superior intercostal vein. In our series of 40 patients it was demonstrated in six; all had a right upper thoracic mass and four had a superior vena caval syndrome. Coronal magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the thorax were superior to all other imaging methods in demonstrating the nipple. It is concluded that in patients with masses in the right upper chest, coronal MR chest examinations are valuable in demonstrating an aortic nipple, a sign of impending present superior vena caval or innominate vein obstruction.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

[Extravasation of contrast medium from kidney calices in overfilling of the urinary bladder].

The most frequent cause of contrast media extravasation from the renal pelvis is a nephrourolithiasis. There are frequent causes enumerated in the literature, that are also characterized by a mechanical obstruction of the contrast media excretion. The presented case reports are characterized by a technical dependency, namely a long angiographic investigation and an overfilling of the urinary bladder without any indication of an organical excretory impediment. The clinical consequence of such observations should be discussed. 150 ml contrast media should not be exceeded during one examination.

Brachiocephalic Trunk↗