Tubercular pseudoaneurysm of aorta: a rare association with vertebral tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Pseudoaneurysm of the aorta in association with vertebral tuberculosis is a rare phenomenon. With the resurgence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and associated resistant tuberculosis, this life-threatening complication requires greater awareness. PURPOSE: Our purpose is to report the rare presentation and successful management of tubercular pseudoaneurysm of the aorta in association with vertebral tuberculosis, and to highlight the clinicoradiological features for early and prompt diagnosis of this potentially fatal, but treatable, disease. STUDY DESIGN: A single case report and overview of the disease comprises the design of this study. PATIENT SAMPLE: The patient, already surgically intervened, is a 27-year-old male with increasing abdominal and back pain, upper motor neuron signs, and constitutional signs and symptoms. OUTCOME MEASURES: At 33 months follow-up, there is complete resolution of the signs and symptoms, and the patient is back to his previous vocation. METHODS: The diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and contrast computed tomography. Endoaneurysmorrhaphy of the pseudoaneurysm along with a complete course of antitubercular treatment was given to the patient, and he has presently been followed up for 33 months. RESULTS: The patient's signs and symptoms have been completely resolved without any recurrence. CONCLUSION: Despite the use of modern chemotherapy and imaging techniques, this disastrous complication still occurs and reinforces the need for early suspicion, diagnosis, surgical resection, and antitubercular therapy along with close postoperative follow-up to prevent recurrence. With the resurgence of HIV (and other immunocompromised states) associated and resistant tuberculosis, we should be more alert than ever to this life-threatening complication.     

Modulation of cytokine production from an EpiOcular corneal cell culture model in response to Staphylococcus aureus superantigen

The present study investigated the hypothesis that Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEE) produces epithelial cell death and releases inflammatory cytokines that produce stromal infiltration during contact lens induced peripheral ulceration. Epithelial cells were incubated with different doses of SEB for various time periods. Culture supernatants were assayed for cytokines IL- lo, IL-6 and chemotactic agents IL-8 and LTB,. SEE induced the production of IL- I p and IL-8. Epithelial cells exposed for longer periods (48 h) with low concentrations of SEB produced significantly higher levels (N0.02) of IL-Ip and IL-8 (P<0.05) compared t o a 24 h exposure. SEB did not induce the production o f IL-6 and     

Role of interleukin 6 in the growth of myeloma-derived cell lines.

The role of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the growth of five multiple myeloma-derived cell lines was characterized. The U266 and RPMI 8226 cell lines demonstrated increased DNA synthesis when cultured with exogenous IL-6, expressed IL-6 cell surface receptors (IL-6Rs) and expressed mRNA for IL-6R. However, these cells did not secrete detectable IL-6 protein, and a neutralizing antibody to IL-6 did not inhibit their growth. Three other myeloma-derived cell lines ARH-77, IM-9 and HS-Sultan did not respond to exogenous IL-6, secrete IL-6 or express cell surface IL-6Rs. The IL-6 responsive cell lines bore late B-cell surface antigens (Ags), CD38 and PCA-1, whereas those lines which were non-IL-6 responsive strongly expressed B1 (CD20) and B4 (CD19) Ags, representing earlier stages in B-cell differentiation. Finally, the two IL-6 responsive cell lines did not express Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) proteins; in contrast, EBV encoded proteins typically expressed during latency could be detected in the three non-IL-6 responsive lines, confirming infection with virus. These studies clarify the heterogeneity observed in the myeloma cell line phenotype and biology and suggest that the U266 and RPMI 8226 cell lines, which express IL-6 cell surface receptors and are IL-6 responsive, may be useful for further study of IL-6 signal transduction in and related IL-6 mediated growth of myeloma in vivo. In contrast, those cell lines which are IL-6-independent provide a model for further study of EBV transformation and IL-6-dependent growth mechanisms in malignancy.     

Cytokines and growth factors in keratinocytes and sweat glands in chronic venous leg ulcers. An immunohistochemical study

The role of growth factors and cytokines in the impaired healing of chronic leg ulcers remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine whether changes in the amount and location of cytokines and growth factors may be associated with impaired healing in chronic leg ulcers. Biopsies from leg ulcers of 21 patients and from normal skin of nine healthy volunteers were examined immunohistochemically for selected growth factors and cytokines. Greater staining intensity was found in keratinocytes at the edges of ulcers compared to normal skin, or skin adjacent to the ulcers. Staining at the ulcer edge was more intense in nonhealing ulcers for only vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor, whereas staining in the adjacent skin was more intense for all factors in the nonhealing phase. For all factors staining was cytoplasmic, suggesting production in these areas. This study shows up-regulation of the production of cytokines and growth factors in keratinocytes of chronic leg ulcers that is greater when the ulcers are nonhealing.     

A cluster analysis for threshold perimetry

Cluster analysis in perimetry is a technique used in the evaluation of localised visual field loss. It has previously been applied to suprathreshold data and, unlike the indices currently available to indicate localised loss, it is influenced by the relative positions of individual defects. This paper describes a cluster analysis for use with data from Program 31 of the Octopus perimeter. To demonstrate the technique, sensitivity values of normal 60-year-old subject were altered to simulate localised loss. Illustrative examples of clinical cases are given, showing differing degrees of localised loss that do not influence the corrected loss variance (CLV) but influence the computed cluster parameters. It is hoped that the value of this form of analysis will be demonstrated in clinical follow-up of glaucoma patients.     

Tc-99m(V) DMSA imaging. A new approach to studying metastases from breast carcinoma.

Combined Tc-99m MDP skeletal imaging and Tc-99m(V) DMSA whole body scans to detect metastases were performed during the follow-up of 30 patients who underwent surgery for breast carcinoma. Eight patients had normal Tc-99m MDP and Tc-99m(V) DMSA scans and were declared free of metastatic disease, further confirmed by no change in symptomatology over a 1-year follow-up period. Twenty-two patients had positive Tc-99m MDP scans with varied skeletal involvement. Tc-99m(V) DMSA scans showed matched areas of increased radiotracer concentration in bony metastases in 20 of these patients. Tc-99m(V) DMSA concentration was not seen in traumatic vertebral collapse or in coexistent osteoarthritic disease in vertebral metastatic involvement. Interestingly, Tc-99m(V) DMSA showed increased concentration in brain and liver metastases. Pentavalent Tc-99m(V) DMSA appears useful for detecting skeletal and soft-tissue metastases in breast carcinoma, and can improve the specificity of Tc-99m MDP bone scans in screening for bone metastases.