Biomedical subjects
C Germer
Publications and source records attributed to C Germer.
Laser-induced thermotherapy for the treatment of liver metastasis. Correlation of gadolinium-DTPA-enhanced MRI with histomorphologic findings to determine criteria for follow-up monitoring.
PURPOSE: To evaluate gadolinium (Gd)-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic-acid (DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for follow-up monitoring of laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) and to determine a useful examination schedule. METHODS: LITT of the liver was performed in 55 rabbits using a neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (4-W power output, 840-s exposure time). Gd-DTPA MRI and histologic examinations were performed at different times (0-168 days). RESULTS: Laser-induced lesions underwent regeneration and volume size reduction (69% after 168 days). The correlation coefficient (MR vs. macroscopic analysis) for the mean lesion diameter was r = 0.96. Histology of lesions comprised the four zones that correlated best with MRI findings. Coagulation necroses immediately after LITT was seen as an area of no enhancement on Gd-DTPA MRI. Circular enhancement was first seen 72-96 h after LITT, which was due to early mesenchymal proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: Gd-DTPA MRI is a good monitoring procedure for LITT. MRI should be performed 24 and 96 h after LITT.
[Applicator development and irradiation planning in laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT)].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
[Laser-induced thermotherapy for palliative treatment of malignant liver tumors: results of a clinical study].
In a clinical study, it was investigated whether local tumor control is attainable with laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) in the treatment of malignant liver tumors. Local control of tumor growth was obtainable in completely hyperthermic tumors. Due to the small and inhomogeneous patient population (n = 20), an assessment of the method regarding prognostic gain for the patient is not possible in such a short follow-up period.
Comparison of computed tomography, endosonography, and intraoperative assessment in TN staging of gastric carcinoma.
From 1986 to 1990 a prospective comparative study was undertaken to compare the relative accuracy of computed tomography, endogastric ultrasonography, and intraoperative surgical assessment in evaluating the depth of invasion (T category) and involvement of lymph nodes (N category) of patients with gastric carcinoma. One hundred and eight consecutive patients, who were treated by total gastrectomy and previously evaluated with computed tomography, endogastric ultrasonography, and intraoperative surgical assessment, entered the study. Results (T and N category) were compared with those of histopathological staging (pT and pN category). T categories were correctly staged in 43% of cases with computed tomography, 86% with endogastric ultrasonography, and 56% with intraoperative surgical assessment. Computed tomography scanning correctly staged 51% of all N1 and N2 lymph nodes compared with 74% for endogastric ultrasonography and 54% for intraoperative surgical assessment. In general, computed tomography was more accurate for advanced stages of cancer and showed a tendency to overstage the T category and understage N category of gastric tumours. By contrast, endogastric ultrasonography was equally accurate for all T categories and showed an understaging for N categories. Intraoperative surgical assessment overstaged early T stages, understaged T4 tumours, and was equally accurate for all grades of N categories. Computed tomography scanning and intraoperative surgical assessment of T and N categories were of little value in staging of gastric carcinoma. Endogastric ultrasonography is more accurate than computed tomography scanning and intraoperative surgical assessment. Therefore endogastric ultrasonography should be introduced in the preoperative assessment of patients with gastric carcinoma.
Epstein-Barr virus and carcinomas. Expression of the viral genome in an undifferentiated gastric carcinoma.
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs). Recently, EBV DNA has been demonstrated also in some cases of gastric carcinoma with similar morphology as undifferentiated NPC. Here we report on the expression of EBV genes in a gastric undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type (UCNT). The small EBV-encoded nuclear RNAs, EBERs, were expressed in all tumor cells. The BZLF1 transactivator protein, which disrupts viral latency, was detectable in a small subset of tumor cells. The latent membrane protein and the nuclear antigen EBNA2 were not expressed. These results indicate that lytic EBV infection may be possible in undifferentiated epithelial cells. Our findings add to the growing body of evidence suggesting a strong association of gastric UCNT with EBV and point to the possibility of an involvement of the virus in the pathogenesis of this neoplasm.
[Hemorrhage from esophageal varices in non-cirrhotic portal hypertension].
Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) is a rare cause of bleeding oesophageal varices. The prognosis for patients with NCPH is generally better than that of patients suffering from cirrhotic portal hypertension. Gastrointestinal bleeding or asymptomatic splenomegaly is the usual clinical presentation. If surgery becomes necessary splenectomy alone is therapeutically insufficient. Definitive reduction of portal pressure by complete or incomplete shunts provide the lowest rate of recurrent bleeding and an excellent long-term prognosis. Exact diagnosis of the aetiology of NCPH is of great importance in the correct choice of operative procedure.
[Esophagitis--hiatal hernia--indications and choice of procedure: fundoplication].
The fundoplication, described by Nissen in 1956, is still an excellent and the most frequently applied antireflux operation in cases of refluxesophagitis. Accurate preoperative evaluation and subtile operative technique are imperative, however. Typical postoperative syndromes will be discussed. Details of the results will be given with particular regard to 214 fundoplications carried out on our own patients: mortality rate 0%, recurrence rate 4.7%, content with the result of the operation 88%.