Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A C Halvorsen.
A case of a 12 week unilateral ectopic twin pregnancy is presented. The condition is rare with less than one hundred reported cases. Only three reported cases of unilateral ectopic twin pregnancy have been diagnosed sonographically. In this case the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was made by ultrasound, but, despite the length of the pregnancy only one fetus was seen.
In order to establish guidelines for the management of a pregnancy that is complicated by acute appendicitis we carried out a retrospective review of 16 patients that had their appendix removed at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen in the period 1974-1988. The diagnostic accuracy was 12/16 (75%). The signs and symptoms were classic. Uterine contractions may occur. There was one foetal death in a case complicated by an intraperitoneal abscess, and two patients delivered prematurely. Three patients had infectious complications, none of these patients were given prophylactic antibiotics. In all uncomplicated cases the pregnancy proceeded to term and the deliveries were normal. The pregnancy ought not to divert the surgeon's attention from performing prompt appendectomy once the diagnosis is suspected. Prophylactic antibiotics and tocolytic drugs should be used in all cases. Simultaneous caesarean section should be performed only on obstetric indications.
In this study, we have measured the plasma concentration of lignocaine and its metabolite, monoethylglycinxylidin, in 19 premature neonates (gestational age < or = 33 weeks) when lignocaine gel was used for lubrication of an intranasal tube (during continuous positive airway pressure treatment) or an endotracheal tube (for intubation). We did not find any correlation between plasma concentration of lignocaine or monoethylglycinxylidin and weight of the infant (range 795-2530 g). None of the neonates had toxic levels of lignocaine. One neonate had an exceptionally high but not toxic plasma level of monoethylglycinxylidin. However, this neonate had been treated for severe seizures with an iv infusion of lignocaine up to 13 h before the study. In conclusion, we found it safe to use moderate amounts of lignocaine (i.e. 0.3 ml/kg of lignocaine gel 20 mg/ml) for lubricating both intranasal and endotracheal tubes.
During recent years, the frequency of Caesarean section has changed everywhere. Changes during a ten-year period in the Department of Gynaecology in Sønderborg Hospital were registered and involve mainly the groups of imminant foetal death, previous Caesarean section, foeto-pelvic disproportion and placental insufficiency. Alterations in the obstetric services in the County of South Jutland and improved neonatal service have played an important part in development of the frequency of Caesarean section of Sønderborg Hospital.
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The incidence, symptoms, clinical and paraclinical findings, and complications of appendicitis during pregnancy is reviewed. The symptoms and signs do not differ from those in non-pregnant women with the disease. Uterine contractions may occur. The pregnancy ought not to divert the clinicians attention from the disease which is complicated by a considerable foetal mortality, premature labour and abortion. These complications are especially connected with perforated appendicitis. The perforation frequency is related to the delay prior to operation. Immediate appendectomy is recommended as soon as the disease is suspected, making use of prophylactic tocolytic therapy. Antibiotics should be administered according to the usual recommendations. Abdominal delivery should be reserved for obstetric indications only.
The immune-deficient nude mouse with human tumor xenografts is an appropriate model system for performing detailed growth kinetic examinations. In the present study one estrogen and progesterone receptor-negative (T60) and three receptor-positive (Br-10, MCF-7, T61) human breast cancer xenografts in nude mice were investigated. The proliferative tumor characteristics were examined by growth curves, thymidine labelling technique, and flow cytometric DNA analysis performed on fine-needle aspirations. The results showed that the tumors had growth kinetics comparable to other human tumor types with cell generation times of 42 to 60 hours. The three receptor-positive tumors had slower growth rate, larger tumor volume doubling time, and smaller growth fraction and labelling index than the receptor-negative tumor. However, no single proliferation parameter was sufficient to characterize the growth kinetics of individual tumors or to describe proliferative differences between the tumors.
OBJECTIVE: To establish guidelines for the management of a pregnancy that is complicated by acute appendicitis. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. SUBJECTS: 16 patients operated on for symptoms of acute appendicitis during the 15 year period 1974-1988. RESULTS: In 12 patients (75%) the diagnosis was confirmed histologically. The signs and symptoms were classic, and three patients had contractions. One fetus died, in a patient with appendicitis complicated by intraperitoneal abscess. In all uncomplicated cases the pregnancy proceeded to term and the deliveries were normal. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy should not deter a surgeon from removing an appendix, once the diagnosis is suspected; no pregnancy was affected by removal of a normal appendix. We recommend that prophylactic antibiotics and tocolytic drugs be given in all cases. Simultaneous caesarean section should be done only if there are obstetric indications.