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B Grosbois

Publications and source records attributed to B Grosbois.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Thoracic infectious aortitis: microbiology, pathophysiology and treatment].

BACKGROUND: Thoracic infectious aortitis are currently rare. They are always lethal without any treatment. The microorganisms involved are numerous with particular pathophysiological characteristics for each bacterium. Treatment is difficult and must associate medical and surgical care. RECENT FINDINGS: Bacterial epidemiology of infectious aortitis has been profoundly modified with the large use of antibiotics. Syphilitic aortitis were frequent in the beginning of the twentieth century but its incidence has dramatically fallen. It still exists and its clinical presentation must be known to begin an adequate treatment. Other bacterial aetiologies of these aortitis are more classical with high frequencies of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus, which are often associated with infective endocarditis. Among Gram-negative bacteria, Salmonella spp are the most frequently met microorganisms. Atherosclerosis represents the principal risk factor of these infectious aortitis. It provokes arterial parietal damage useful for bacterial attach. A saccular aneurysm of infective origin can then appear. Treatment must consist on antibiotics before surgery; Tuberculous aortitis are also possible but are much more rare. CONCLUSION: Thoracic infectious aortitis are very rare but must be known because of their poor prognosis. Treatment is difficult and prevention of atherosclerosis which is the most important risk factor of these diseases is therefore of greatest importance.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

[Cryptococcal infections in non-HIV infected patients. Study of four cases and review of literature].

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcal infections are frequent in HIV-infected patients and are regularly looked after. This infection may occur in others immunosuppressives situations and, in those cases, diagnosis is often delayed. METHODS: We report four cases of cryptococcal infections in patients whose immunosuppression isn't related with HIV infection but due to chronic lymphocytic leukemia, giant cell temporal arteritis, gastric neoplasm and lupus. Diagnosis, prognostic and treatment are detailed. RESULTS: Four patients aged from 25 to 76 presented a cryptococcal infection (three meningitis). A woman died at the admission. Another died seven years later. The two others are still alive under treatment. When infected, all patients were immunodeficiency. CONCLUSION: Cryptococcal infection may occur in patients non-HIV-infected patients. Early detection is needed to improve prognostic.

Adult↗

[Syphilitic aortitis. Experience of an internal medicine unit].

INTRODUCTION: Infectious aortitis remains a rare disease. It is characterized by an endarteritis of infectious origin generally followed by the development of a so called mycotic aneurysm. Those infectious aneurysms account for 0.5 to 1.3% of all aortic aneurysms. Of the infectious agents, Treponema pallidum has a particular place. Cardiovascular syphilitic infection was very common at the beginning of the XX(th) century with a prevalence of 6.9% of all autopsies. In 1950-1960, the prevalence had decreased to less than 1%. Since 1990, syphilis was considered as disappeared. EXEGESIS: we report syphilitic aortitis in four patients. Diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis are detailed. CONCLUSION: A syphilitic infection of the aorta should be looked for in every patient suffering from an inflammatory or infectious disease of aorta.

Adult↗

[Digital flow exploration by color Doppler ultrasound in patients with Raynaud's disease or systemic sclerosis].

BACKGROUND: Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a frequent vascular paroxysmal syndrome of the extremities. Generally benign, the condition is called Raynaud's disease (RD), which may reveal a connective tIssue disease, particularly systemic sclerosis (SS). We evaluated digital blood flow in patients with RD and SS using color Doppler ultrasound. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ultrasound examination was performed with a newly developed multi-D linear array transducer (VFX 13-5 Siemens), which allows better resolution. We first measured the diameters of the digital arteries (appendix 1) then epidermal, dermal, and hypodermal thickness for each patient (appendix 3) and performed a qualitative and quantitative analysis of pulpar microcirculation (appendix 4 & 5). All measures were made at 25 degrees C, 45 degrees C, 11 degrees C and after recovery. Thirty-three patients were included: 14 with primary RD and 19 with SS as assessed by American College of Rheumatology criteria. RESULTS: The diameters of the digital arteries showed significant discrepancies allowed to distinguish primary RP from SS. At 11 degrees C, diameters were 0.6 +/- 0.2 mm for primary RP versus 0.2 +/- 0.3 mm for SS on lateral digital arteries (LDA) [p=0.005]; 0.7 +/- 0.2 mm for primary RP versus 0.4 +/- 0.3 mm for SS on medial digital arteries (MDA) [p=0.004]. After recovery, these diameters were respectively 1 +/- 0.2 mm versus 0.5 +/- 0.4 mm for LDA [p=0.000] and 1 +/- 0.2 mm versus 0.6 +/- 0.3 mm for MDA [p=0.000] (tables 1, 2, 3, 4). Similarly, pulpar vascularization was significantly higher in primary RP than in SS (tables 6, 7, 8). No difference was found in skin thickness nor in the epidermal aspect between the two groups (table 5). CONCLUSION: Color Doppler ultrasound shows morphological and dynamic differences between RD and SS.

Adult↗

[Cannabis arteritis: four new cases].

INTRODUCTION: The responsibility of cannabis in juvenile thromboangeitis has been suggested for few years. We describe four new cases. EXEGESIS: Young men presented with distal arteriopathy of the lower limbs in 3 cases, and of the left upper limb in the remaining patient. Symptoms occurred progressively, distal pulses had disappeared, and distal necrosis was constant. Three patients suffered from Raynaud phenomenon, none of them presented with venous thrombosis. Radiologic evaluation revealed distal abnormalities in all cases, and proximal arterial thrombosis in one case. The four patients were cannabis smokers for at least four years. With cannabis interruption and symptomatic treatment, lesions improved for three patients. For one of them, recurrence of arteriopathy occurred when he resumed to smoke cannabis. For the fourth one who never stopped cannabis, an amputation was necessary. CONCLUSION: Search for cannabis use is important because interruption may improve prognosis.

Adult↗

[Epidemiologic description of amyloidosis diagnosed at the University Hospital of Rennes from 1995 to 1999].

INTRODUCTION: The frequency of amyloidosis is not well known in France. We compiled a register of amyloidosis diagnosed from 1995 to 1999 in the University Hospital of Rennes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was performed between 01 January 1995 and 31 december 1999. Diagnosis was assessed on positivity of red Congo by anatomopathology. Immunohistochemistry allowed the definition the type of amyloidosis. Clinical data, staging and outcome of patients were analysed. RESULTS: Forty-three amyloidosis were diagnosed (27 women, 16 men) with an incidence of 8,6 new cases per year. Mean age was 63.7 years. Five diagnosis were realised in 1995, six in 1996, six in 1997, 12 in 1998, 14 in 1999. Twenty amyloidosis were AL type (46.5%), seven AA (16.3%), 1 beta2 microglobulin type, 15 (35%) remained of undetermined type. Thirty-three amyloidosis (77%) were systemic, 10 were localized to one organ (23%). When diagnosis was made, biopsies concerned affected organs in 86% of the cases, accessory sites (labial salivary glands, bone marrow) in only 14% of the cases. Twenty-five patients died (58%). Two deaths were treatment-related, 16 to amyloidois, seven patients died of another complaint. CONCLUSION: Increased incidence of amyloidosis needs to be confirmed. We emphasize the importance of immunohistochemical typing on frozen samples, the value of accessory biopsies and the need for complete extension staging.

Adult↗

Hyperferritinemia revealing Gaucher's disease.

Hyperferritinemia is frequently observed during Gaucher's disease but has never been described as an initial manifestation. We report the case of a 57-year-old woman without a previous medical history who presented with hyperferritinemia and IgG monoclonal gammopathy. The diagnostic procedure was negative except for the bone marrow biopsy, which revealed Gaucher's cells. Low beta-glucocerebrosidase activity in leukocytes confirmed the diagnosis of adult Gaucher's disease. We discuss the differential diagnosis and the mechanisms of hyperferritinemia in this disease.

Journal Article↗

Long-term outcome with pentostatin treatment in hairy cell leukemia patients. A French retrospective study of 238 patients.

With the introduction of new drugs such as alpha-interferon (IFN) and purine analogs, the management of hairy cell leukemia (HCL) patients has changed. However, deoxycoformycin (DCF) produced higher complete remission rates than IFN. The current study was undertaken to provide long-term data on duration of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) and incidence of subsequent malignancies. We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients treated with DCF (4 mg/m2/day, every 2 weeks) from 39 French centers. In 84 of 238 included patients, DCF was the first-line therapy. Pretreatment variables influencing the achievement of complete remission, DFS, and OS were identified by multivariate analysis. Two hundred and thirty-eight patients received a median of nine cycles (range, 1-19 cycles). A complete remission was obtained in 182 of 230 evaluable patients (79%) and a partial response was obtained in 38 patients, for an overall response rate of 95.6%. In the multivariate analysis hemoglobin level less than 100 g/l and leukocytes less than 2 x 10(9)/l were parameters adversely influencing complete remission achievement. With a median follow-up of 63.5 months (range, 0.39-138.4 months), disease recurrence was observed in 34 of 220 responding patients (15%). The estimated 5-years and 10-years DFS was 88.1% and 68.8%, respectively. Hemoglobin level less than 100 g/l and leukocytes less than 2 x 10(9)/l were the pre-treatment variables associated with a shorter DFS. The estimated 5-year and 10-year OS were 89.4% and 88.7%, respectively. Hemoglobin level less than 100 g/l, leukocytes less than 2 x 10(9)/l, and adenopathy were significant factors of reduced survival. Hematologic toxicity was the main side-effect, followed by infection and emesis. During the period of follow-up, 18 patients developed second cancer, but the standardized incidence ratio was 0.95. Pentostatin is a highly effective regimen for hairy cell leukemia that produces durable complete responses. Toxicity of DCF is acceptable. Subsequent malignancies do not appear to be increased with pentostatin treatment.

Adult↗

[Tracheobronchial amyloidosis: apropos of 2 cases].

INTRODUCTION: Tracheo-bronchial amyloidosis is an uncommon localized form of amyloidosis. We report two new cases. EXEGESIS: Two patients had developed expiratory dyspnea for several months. CT-scan and flexible bronchoscopy confirmed tracheal narrowing and a diagnosis of tracheo-bronchial amyloidosis was made by tissue biopsies. The immunohistochemical type was AL in one case, undetermined in the other case. There was no argument for systemic involvement. The two patients benefited from bronchoscopic dilatation. This treatment improved clinical symptoms and pulmonary function tests with a follow up of 12 and 18 months respectively. CONCLUSION: Tracheo-bronchial amyloidosis is a localised form of amyloidosis with various respiratory symptoms. Diagnosis is made by CT-scan and flexible bronchoscopy that allows biopsies. Immunohistochemical type is more often AL. Recurrence, respiratory insufficiency and tracheo-bronchial metaplasia are the most important complications. Treatment consists of bronchoscopic dilatation or excision, and bronchoscopic laser-YAG. Pulmonary function testing allows precise follow-up.

Aged↗

[Follow-up of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in a population of 51 patients older than 70 years ].

UNLABELLED: Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) are very frequent in the elderly. Its incidence is about 3% after 70 years. We have performed a retrospective study of patients aged of more than 70 years who were examined until 1995 for a MGUS. METHODS: The study included 51 patients: 24 men and 27 women. Information about evolution was obtained by medical file or by asking medical practitioner. We know the evolution of all patients until January 1st 2000. The median follow-up is 5.8 years (70 months). RESULTS: The MGUS remained stable for 34 patients (67%) with a median follow-up of 83 months (12 to 180 months). Nine patients (17%) developed malignant transformation of MGUS (6 multiple myeloma, 2 Waldenström macroglobulinemia, 1 malignant lymphoma). Eight (15%) developed a cancer. Twelve died without evidence of multiple myeloma or related disorder. The actuarial probability of malignant transformation at 5 years was 12%. CONCLUSION: The risk of malignant transformation of MGUS doesn't decrease in the elderly. A regular and prolonged follow-up is necessary.

Aged↗

[Nonsurgical treatment of chronic subdural hematoma with steroids: two case reports].

INTRODUCTION: Hemorrhages beneath the dura define a subdural hematoma. EXEGESIS: The course of chronic subdural hematoma may be asymptomatic for many months before diagnosis. Recovery is observed in 80% of patients after surgery. We report two cases of chronic subdural hematoma successfully treated with steroids. CONCLUSION: Steroids can be an alternative treatment of subdural hematoma, specially in elderly or alcoholic patients.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

patients with the description of a new scoring system and its validation on 253 other patients.

Using Cox models, we established a new prognostic system based on simple clinical parameters in a training series of 232 patients whose diagnoses were made before 1989. Adverse prognostic factors for survival (P <.01) were age 65 years or older, male gender, albumin level lower than 40 g/L, hemoglobin level lower than 12 g/dL, platelet count less than 150 x 10(9)/L, white blood cell count less than 4 x 10(9)/L, high number of cytopenias, and hepatomegaly. Taking age (age 65 years or older, 1 point; younger than 65 years, 0 points), albumin (less than 40 g/L, 1 point; 40 g/L or more, 0 points), and total number of cytopenias (no cytopenia, 0 points; 1 cytopenia, 1 point; 2 or 3 cytopenias, 2 points) into account, we separated the 232 patients into 3 groups with low (score 0 or 1), intermediate (score 2), or high (score 3 or 4) risk, associated with 5-year survival rates at 87%, 62%, and 25%, respectively (P <.0001). Only the presence of 2 or 3 cytopenias was an independent prognostic factor among patients younger than 65 years (P <.0001). Albumin level lower than 40 g/L and the presence of 1 or more cytopenia defined a prognostic system for patients 65 years and older. Patients at low risk, intermediate risk, and high risk had 5-year survival rates at 92%, 63%, and 27%, respectively (P <.0001). The 3 prognostic systems separated the 167 patients of a test series in groups with significantly different survival rates. The overall scoring system retained a significant prognostic value in 86 additional patients treated between 1990 and 1996. We conclude that the combination of age, albumin level, and blood cell counts might help to select patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia for treatment and to evaluate therapeutic results.

Adult↗

[Diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency].

The investigation of iron deficiency should be oriented by clinical background. In group at risk (infants and children, women of childbearing age, pregnant women) management is limited to nutritional inquiry and gynaecologic examination and oral iron treatment. In men and post menopausal women iron deficiency is assumed to be the result of occult gastro-intestinal blood loss; so, in these patients, upper and lower gastro-intestinal endoscopy are required. Benign lesions are more frequently found in upper digestive tract than lower digestive tract. When these investigations are negative and iron treatment unsuccessful, enteroscopy is recommended. Oral iron treatment is performed with ferrous salts (200 mg/d). Duration of treatment depends on severity of iron deficiency: three months for iron stores deficiency an iron deficient erythropoisis, six months for iron deficiency anaemia.

Female↗

[Monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance].

INTRODUCTION: Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance is an asymptomatic disorder associated with serum monoclonal immunoglobulin spike. Its incidence is about 1% in patients of 50 years of age, and rapidly increases in elderly patients. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS: Within the 20 years following diagnosis, about 25% of patients will evolve towards either multiple myeloma (for patients with IgG or IgA) or malignant lymphoproliferative disorder (for patients with IgM). Definition, circumstances associated with a transient monoclonal spike, and currently available parameters used for differential diagnosis with either multiple myeloma or malignant lymphoproliferative disorder are successively discussed. One part of the most usual biological parameters is of prognostic value, and is reviewed in more detail. Recent data concerning immunophenotype, cytogenetics and molecular biology of plasma cells reinforce the link between the asymptomatic condition and multiple myeloma. In monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, some plasma cells resemble normal or reactive plasma cells, whereas others mimic those found in multiple myeloma. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS: The most recent biological data are also discussed in order to evaluate whether some would help to discriminate those patients who will remain asymptomatic lifelong from those who will evolve towards multiple myeloma.

Disease Progression↗