Cerebral perfusion imaging in asymptomatic carotid artery occlusion following gun shot.

Recognition of brain injury in asymptomatic carotid artery injuries with conventional methods can be difficult. We present a case of angiographically proven asymptomatic left internal carotid artery occlusion with normal CT after a gunshot wound. The SPECT brain perfusion imaging showed mild generalized supratentorial hypoperfusion of the bilateral cerebral cortices on the left side and severe left temporal lobe hypoperfusion.

Comparison between 201Tl-chloride and 99Tc(m)-sestamibi SPET brain imaging for differentiating intracranial lymphoma from non-malignant lesions in AIDS patients.

The aim of this study was to compare 201Tl-chloride and 99Tc(m)-sestamibi (MIBI) SPET brain imaging for differentiating brain lymphoma from other intracranial lesions in AIDS patients. Both studies were performed on the same day in 17 AIDS patients with intracranial enhancing lesions on either CT or MRI. Eleven patients underwent brain biopsy and six patients were followed clinically.

Acyclovir use and survival among human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with CD4 cell counts of < 500/mm3. The Terry Beirn Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS (CPCRA).

To examine the relationship between acyclovir use and survival in AIDS, we performed a retrospective analysis of data collected through an observational cohort of the 17-site Community Program for Clinical Research on AIDS (CPCRA), under the sponsorship of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Data were analyzed regarding 2,368 patients with CD4+ lymphocyte counts of < 500/mm3, and 7,836 follow-up visits were conducted from September 1990 to July 1994. Factors associated with use of acyclovir were studied by stratified analysis of variance and Mantel-Haenzel chi 2 tests.

The role of tracheostomy in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Background: Tracheostomy tube (TT) insertion for respiratory failure in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome has been associated with an early mortality rate of 100%. We have reviewed our experience with tracheostomy to determine if there is a role for this procedure among certain subgroups.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 47 patients diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who underwent tracheostomy from 1988 to 1995.

Adjuvant immunotherapy for patients with melanoma: are patients with melanoma of the head and neck candidates for this therapy?

Background: Although a wealth of information is available on adjuvant immunotherapy for melanoma, little is known about adjuvant immunotherapy for head and neck melanoma. Interestingly, a few immunotherapy clinical trials report the observation of clinical responses in a subset of patients with head and neck melanoma.

Method: An up-to-date literature search was performed to identify the current information on adjuvant immunotherapy for patients with melanoma, including head and neck melanoma.

Thoracoscopy in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Objective: The role of thoracic surgery in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) continues to evolve. This review seeks to evaluate the outcome, morbidity, and mortality associated with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for empyema and pneumothorax in patients with AIDS.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of patients with AIDS in whom video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed for empyema (group 1) or intractable pneumothorax (group 2).

Increased survival of patients treated with a vaccinia melanoma oncolysate vaccine: second interim analysis of data from a phase III, multi-institutional trial.

Objective: The efficacy of vaccinia melanoma oncolysate (VMO) vaccine to increase overall survival and disease-free survival of patients with surgically resected International Union Against Cancer (UICC) stage II melanoma was studied in a phase III, randomized, multi-institutional trial.

Summary Background Data: Phase I and II trials with VMO showed minimal toxicity and clinical efficacy in patients with melanoma. In a recently completed phase III VMO trial, the first interim analysis performed in April 1994 showed an increasing trend in the survival of patients treated with VMO.

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in HIV-associated nephropathy.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (ACEI) delays progression of diabetic and nondiabetic renal disease. This study examined the effect of fosinopril, 10 mg by mouth daily, in HIV-associated nephropathy (HIV-AN). Twenty patients with HIV-AN were studied.

Preparing physicians for careers in primary care internal medicine: 17 years of residency experience.

The objective of this survey was to demonstrate whether a primary care track internal medicine residency program emphasizing community-based health care of the urban sick poor trains physicians who will continue to practice in general internal medicine or similar fields. Thirty-five primary care residents (100% of graduates) who trained from 1976 through 1993 in the Adult Primary Care Track of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at St. Vincent's Hospital, New York were used as participants.

Use of epidural anesthesia and spontaneous ventilation during transabdominal colon and rectal procedures in selected high-risk patient groups.

Purpose: Patients with cardiopulmonary compromise who require transabdominal colon and rectal procedures are at increased risk for postoperative cardiac and pulmonary complications and prolonged hospital stays. Because epidural anesthesia has been shown to minimize reductions in functional residual capacity and consequently improve pulmonary function, we sought to determine its impact on patients undergoing colon and rectal procedures who were at high risk for postoperative cardiopulmonary morbidity.

Methods: We prospectively studied 31 patients undergoing colon and rectal procedures in whom epidural anesthesia with spontaneous ventilation were used.

Atovaquone for salvage treatment and suppression of toxoplasmic encephalitis in patients with AIDS. Atovaquone/Toxoplasmic Encephalitis Study Group.

To examine the efficacy of atovaquone as salvage therapy in patients with AIDS-related toxoplasmic encephalitis, 93 patients with AIDS and toxoplasmic encephalitis who were intolerant of standard therapy (pyrimethamine plus sulfadiazine or clindamycin) or for whom such therapy was failing were treated with atovaquone tablets (750 mg four times daily) for 18 weeks. Plasma levels of atovaquone were measured with high-pressure liquid chromatography, and the clinical and radiological responses and survival were compared according to median plasma concentration groups. During the acute-therapy phase (the first 6 weeks), the conditions of 52% and 37% of the patients, respectively, were clinically or radiologically improved; the conditions of 26% and 15% remained clinically or radiologically improved by week 18.

The role of cholecystectomy in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Background: Hepatobiliary disease is a common manifestation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, although the role of surgical intervention in the spectrum of therapy is unclear.

Study Design: A retrospective review was designed to evaluate the characteristics of patients given a diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and undergoing cholecystectomy between January 1, 1986, and November 1, 1995.

Results: The study included 40 patients (35 men, 5 women; mean age, 42 +/- 9 years), 33 (82.

Incidence of subclavian vein thrombosis detected during first-pass phase of radionuclide angiocardiogram.

A 79-yr-old woman with asymptomatic subclavian vein thrombosis associated with transvenous pacemaker electrode and congestive heart failure is reported. The subclavian thrombosis was discovered accidentally from the first-pass radionuclide angiogram that is routinely performed with the intravenous bolus injection of the radiopharmaceutical for a gated blood-pool study. It demonstrated venous obstruction at the level of the subclavian vein and abnormal collateral circulation over the chest wall consistent with subclavian thrombosis.

Monocyte response to bacterial toxins, expression of cell surface receptors, and release of anti-inflammatory cytokines during sepsis.

Exposure to endotoxin produces a state of macrophage hyporesponsiveness on subsequent stimulation. Monocytes in patients with septic shock demonstrate a similar hyporesponsiveness to endotoxin. The purpose of this study was to examine whether this state of hyporesponsiveness extends to other inflammatory stimuli and the relationship of this state to cell surface receptor expression and the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Radiotherapy for age-related macular degeneration: preliminary results of a potentially new treatment.

Purpose: Neovascular macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe blindness in North America today. Limited treatments are available for this disease process. A Phase I/II study was performed to determine the toxicity and efficacy of external beam radiotherapy in patients with age-related subfoveal neovascularization.

Sleep and degenerative neurologic disorders.

This article summarizes sleep disturbances in a variety of neuro-degenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Sleep complaints in these conditions include insomnia, hypersomnia, abnormal motor activity and behavior during sleep, sleep-related breathing problems, and circadian rhythm sleep disturbances. Clinical examination followed in selected cases by polysomnographic, multiple sleep latency, and other laboratory tests is essential for correct diagnosis and treatment of these sleep disturbances.

Accuracy of IgM immunoblotting to confirm the clinical diagnosis of early Lyme disease.

Background: A 2-test approach for the serologic diagnosis of Lyme disease has recently been proposed. A positive or equivocal result on a first-stage test (eg, an enzyme immunoassay) is followed by a Western immunoblot test. For a sample to be considered seropositive for Lyme disease, the immunoblot result must be positive.

Evaluation of sequential thallium and gallium scans of the chest in AIDS patients.

Unlabelled: With decreasing incidence of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in AIDS as a result of prophylactic regimens, there is a higher incidence of tuberculosis (TB), mycobacterium avii complex (MAC), kaposi sarcoma and malignant lymphoma. There is a need for differentiating these various pathological entities. The purpose of this study was for a retrospective evaluation of sequential thallium and gallium scans in AIDS patients for differentiating intrathoracic kaposi sarcoma from malignant lymphoma and opportunistic infections.

Lower Helicobacter pylori infection and peptic ulcer disease prevalence in patients with AIDS and suppressed CD4 counts.

Objective: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) has previously been reported to be lower in AIDS patients. This study evaluated the prevalence of HP and peptic ulcer disease in relation to absolute CD4 counts in HIV-seropositive patients with GI symptoms.

Design: Seventy-two patients (48 HIV-positive and 24 HIV-negative) with GI symptoms were evaluated with upper endoscopy and antral gastric biopsy.

Are peripheral neurectomies of value in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia? An analysis of new cases and cases involving previous radiofrequency gasserian thermocoagulation.

The indications, advantages, complications, and benefits of peripheral neurectomy in patients with trigeminal neuralgia were studied in detail in 40 patients treated between 1982 and 1991. Twenty-eight patients had previously received radiofrequency thermocoagulation: peripheral neurectomy was performed for pain recurrence. These patients had excellent or good pain relief for at least 5 years postsurgery.

AAEM case report #13: diabetic amyotrophy.

A case fulfilling the criteria for the diagnosis of diabetic amyotrophy is reported. Based on the clinical and electrodiagnostic features, it is concluded that diabetic amyotrophy is a recognizable clinical entity that can be differentiated from other diabetic neuropathies. The site of the lesion and the pathogenesis in diabetic amyotrophy remain controversial.

Disseminated mycobacterium avium complex. Review of Ga-67 and TI-201 scans and autopsy findings.

A retrospective analysis of the files and Ga-67 scan findings of 32 AIDS patients with established diagnosis of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) was conducted in order to determine the sensitivity of Ga-67 scans for the diagnosis of this disease and the sites of MAC organ involvement. Fourteen of the 32 patients had early and delayed TI-201 scans that were also reviewed. Autopsy findings of AIDS patients in the 5 years (January 1990 to December 1994) were reviewed to determine the incidence and sites of involvement of disseminated MAC in AIDS autopsies.