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Biomedical subjects

D Glenn

Publications and source records attributed to D Glenn.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Cytoreductive surgery and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal carcinoma: non-mucinous tumour associated with an improved survival.

AIMS: Cytoreductive surgery combined with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy has been reported as a treatment option for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: Thirty patients with colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis underwent cytoreductive surgery and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. All appendiceal cancers were excluded. All patients were followed until January 2006 or death. Univariate analysis was performed to evaluate significant prognostic factors for overall survival, defined from the time of surgery. RESULTS: There were 13 male patients. The mean age at the time of surgery was 54years. There was no hospital mortality. The mean duration of hospital stay was 27days. The overall median survival was 29months, with 1- and 2-year survival of 72% and 64%, respectively. Twenty-one patients had complete cytoreduction and their 1- and 2-year survival rates were 85% and 71%, respectively. Univariate analysis demonstrated that patients with non-mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma, Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) < or =13, and complete cytoreduction were associated with an improved survival. CONCLUSIONS: This study reported on 30 patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy for colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis. Patients with mucinous tumour had relatively more extensive intraperitoneal disease. Non-mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma, PCI < or =13, and complete cytoreduction were associated with an improved survival.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Cytoreductive surgery and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy for pseudomyxoma peritonei from appendiceal mucinous neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (PIC) has been used to treat pseudomyxoma peritonei. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate survival outcome and treatment-related prognostic markers in patients who underwent CRS and PIC for pseudomyxoma peritonei from appendiceal mucinous neoplasms. METHODS: Survival data and 12 clinicopathological and treatment-related prognostic variables for survival were obtained prospectively in 50 consecutive patients (23 men). Univariate analysis was used to determine their prognostic significance for overall survival, determined from the time of CRS. RESULTS: The mean(s.d.) age was 52(12) years. Eighteen patients had moderate complications, and six patients had severe complications that required operation or intensive care support. Two patients died after surgery. The actuarial 5-year survival rate was 69 per cent. Univariate analysis demonstrated that the extent of previous surgery (P = 0.045) and Ronnett's histopathological classification (P < 0.001) were significantly related to overall survival. CONCLUSION: CRS combined with PIC was associated with improved survival in patients with less extensive previous surgery and diffuse peritoneal adenomucinosis histopathological type.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

Composition and dynamics of plasma in Saturn's magnetosphere.

During Cassini's initial orbit, we observed a dynamic magnetosphere composed primarily of a complex mixture of water-derived atomic and molecular ions. We have identified four distinct regions characterized by differences in both bulk plasma properties and ion composition. Protons are the dominant species outside about 9 RS (where RS is the radial distance from the center of Saturn), whereas inside, the plasma consists primarily of a corotating comet-like mix of water-derived ions with approximately 3% N+. Over the A and B rings, we found an ionosphere in which O2+ and O+ are dominant, which suggests the possible existence of a layer of O2 gas similar to the atmospheres of Europa and Ganymede.

Atmosphere↗

Radiologically placed temporary hepatic artery catheter for treatment of liver cancer.

Summary Hepatic artery infusion (HAI) chemotherapy is associated with higher response rates compared to systemic chemotherapy in those patients with unresectable liver malignancies. Operative hepatic artery catheter (HAC) insertion has significant morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with high-volume disease, some of whom may not respond to HAI chemotherapy. We report our experience in 45 patients with high-volume liver disease who were initially treated with HAI chemotherapy via a radiologically placed temporary HAC to try to select the responders who then went on to have an operative HAC. In these 45 patients who had 62 radiologically placed HAC, we found very few major complications, and certainly no complications such as cholecystitis, vascular or malperfusion problems.

Adult↗

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of pulmonary metastases in patients with colorectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of imaging-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for local control of lung metastases from colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: Twenty patients with lung metastases from CRC were treated with a RITA Starburst XL electrode and RITA 1500 generator using temperature control and impedance monitoring. Patients received intravenous sedation and analgesia, or local anaesthetic, and stayed in hospital for at least 24 h after treatment. RFA was assessed with computed tomography (CT) at 1 week and 1 month, and then every 3 months. RESULTS: Forty-four CRC lung metastases in 19 patients were treated successfully at 25 treatment sessions. Five of 19 patients were retreated for new lesions. There were 13 pneumothoraces following the 25 treatments, and six patients required drainage. The median length of follow-up was 730 (range 148-924) days. Six months after treatment CT demonstrated that three lesions had progressed, 25 metastases were stable or smaller, and 11 were no longer visible. At 12 months five metastases had progressed, 11 were smaller or stable, and nine were not visible. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous imaging-guided RFA was associated with modest morbidity. RFA can achieve local control of CRC lung metastases: nine of 25 metastases were not visible on CT at 12 months after treatment.

Adult↗

[Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of lung metastases from colorectal cancer (CRC)-one-year follow-up].

Assess the safety and evidence of efficacy of RFA for colorectal (CRC) lung metastases with follow up to 1 year. Twenty-three patients had percutaneous RFA for 52 colorectal pulmonary metastases under fluoro-CT. Patients received IV conscious sedation and local analgesia with routine hospitalisation/monitoring for 24 h post RFA. Patients had CT scanning at 1 month and then 3 monthly with serum CEA assessment monthly and 3 monthly. All ablations were technically successful. Tumor diameter ranged from 0.3 to 4.2 cm. Pneumothorax occurred in 43% (10 of 23) of patients. Six patients required intercostal chest drain placement. Six patients had a second RFA, 4 for new lesions and 2 patients had a previously treated lesion retreated. Median admission was 2.0 days (range 1-9). Median follow-up is 428 days (range 173-829), with data reported to 1 year in this paper. Five patients died at 5, 6, 8, 8 and 12 months post RFA from extra-pulmonary (1) or widespread (4) disease. One patient developed malignant pleural effusion at 6 months after RFA. Cavitation was seen in nine treated lesions (17%), all resolved with scar tissue contraction by 12 months. Eighteen patients with CT scan follow-up at one year have 40 lesions classified as: disappeared (17), decreased (5), stable/same size (4), increased (14). Percutaneous imaging-guided RFA of multiple CRC pulmonary metastases is a minimally invasive treatment option with modest morbidity. A significant proportion of patients show good evidence of successful local control at one year.

Adolescent↗

Dural arteriovenous fistulae causing pseudotumour cerebri syndrome in an elderly man.

The clinical presentation of dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVF) is dependent on their location and the nature of their venous drainage. The latter plays a critical part in determining whether or not the fistula gives rise to intracranial hypertension, which is present in only a minority of cases. We present a case of the pseudotumour cerebri syndrome in an elderly man with bilateral intracranial DAVF supplied by the occipital arteries. Cerebral angiography was required for definitive diagnosis, and to characterise the abnormal venous drainage. The pathophysiology of intracranial hypertension in DAVF is discussed.

Aged↗

Percutaneous pulmonary radiofrequency ablation: difficulty achieving complete ablations in big lung lesions.

The size of both primary and metastatic lung tumours often exceeds 3 cm in diameter at the time of diagnosis. The radiofrequency (RF) electrodes of the three leading companies currently in use are designed for a maximum ablation diameter of 5 cm. Therefore, the tumour to be ablated should not exceed 3 cm in maximum diameter, as a 1 cm safety ablation margin surrounding the tumour should ideally be achieved. A possible solution in treating larger tumours is to create overlapping ablations, a method successfully used in the radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of liver tumours. We report on the percutaneous overlapping ablation of three large lung metastases, 4 cm, 4.5 cm and 5 cm in their longest diameter. The largest of them showed incomplete ablation with residual viable tumour tissue. The overlapping percutaneous RFA of large lung tumours is feasible although the bigger the lesion, the higher the risk of incomplete ablation appears compared with smaller tumours treated by a single ablation.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Rectal cancer: changing patterns of referral for radiation therapy 1982-1997.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the changing role of radiation therapy in rectal cancer and to determine the patterns of referral of patients during a 15-year period. METHODS: From 1982 to 1997, 464 patients with carcinoma of the rectum were referred to the Department of Radiation Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital: 79% of patients had locoregional disease alone and 21% had distant metastasis. Radiation therapy consisted of irradiation (definitive or palliative) alone to the primary tumour in 9.7% of cases; preoperative radiation in 7.3% of cases: preoperative chemoradiation in 7.5% of patients: postoperative radiation in 15.3% of patients: postoperative chemoradiation in 12.31% of patients: treatment of pelvic recurrence in 23.5% of patients and treatment of metastases in 9.1% of patients. The remainder were treated elsewhere (1.9%) or not treated (13.4%). RESULTS: There was an average annual 14% increase in referrals over the accrual period. Recurrent rectal cancer decreased from approximately 30% of referrals during 1982-91 to approximately 10% in 1995-7. The use of postoperative adjuvant radiation reached a peak of 50% in 1993. The use of preoperative radiation increased suddenly in 1994 from < 10% to a sustained rate of approximately 30% of referrals. The use of chemoradiation commenced in 1990 for postoperative adjuvant treatment and in 1994 for preoperative treatment. The median survival time from initial diagnosis was 35 months, with 2- and 5-year survival rates of 62 and 28%, respectively. Survivals at 5 years for patients treated with preoperative and postoperative radiation (with or without chemotherapy) and with recurrent disease were 56, 44 and 21%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study illustrates the changing role of radiation therapy in the management of rectal cancer. The increase in referrals over the observation period was due to increased multidisciplinary input into the initial management of these patients, based on reported clinical trials. The steady increase in the use of adjuvant therapy has paralleled a decrease in referrals for treatment of recurrence and reflects current clinical results. The sequencing of adjuvant therapy is changing currently, with greater emphasis on preoperative adjuvant treatment. Currently most adjuvant therapy includes chemotherapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

What can the postanesthesia care unit manager do to decrease costs in the postanesthesia care unit?

The economic structure of the PACU dictates whether a cost-reducing intervention (e.g., reducing the length of time patients stay in the PACU) is likely to decrease hospital costs. Cost-reducing interventions, such as changes in medical practice patterns (e.g., to reduce PACU length of stay), only impact variable costs. How PACU nurses are paid (e.g., salaried v hourly) affects which strategies to decrease PACU staffing costs will actually save money. For example, decreases in PACU labor costs resulting from increases in the number of patients that bypass the PACU vary depending on how the staff is compensated. The choice of anesthetic drugs and the elimination of low morbidity side effects of anesthesia, such as postoperative nausea, are likely to have little effect on the peak numbers of patients in a PACU and PACU staffing costs. Because the major determinant of labor productivity in the PACU is hour-to-hour and day-to-day variability in the timing of admissions from the operating room, a more even inflow of patients into the PACU could be attained by appropriate sequencing of cases in the operating room suite (e.g., have long cases scheduled at the beginning of the day). However, this mathematically proven solution may not be desirable. Surgeons, for example, may not want to lose control over the order of their cases. Guidelines for analysis of past daily peak numbers of patients are provided that will provide data to predict the minimum adequate number of nurses needed. Though many managers already do this manually on an ad hoc basis statistical methods summarized in this article may increase the accuracy.

Cost Control↗

Carotenoid glycoside esters from the thermophilic bacterium meiothermusruber

The thermophilic bacterium Meiothermus ruber produces a series of carotenoid glycoside esters. The major carotenoid has been identified as 1'-beta-glucopyranosyl-3,4,3',4'-tetradehydro-1', 2'-dihydro-beta,psi-caroten-2-one (1). It is acylated at the 6' '-position of the glucose unit by a series of C10-C17 fatty acids. The structure of 1 was established by spectral means, including complete assignment of the 1H and 13C NMR resonances by inverse 2D NMR spectroscopy. These carotenoids are thought to play roles in stabilizing membranes of this thermophilic organism.

Journal Article↗

Fluorodeoxyuridine causes bilomas after hepatic cryotherapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hepatic cryotherapy is a method of in situ cytodestruction used for unresectable liver tumours that can be combined with regional cytotoxic administration. We have used intra-arterial chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) after hepatic cryotherapy but changed to 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUDR) because of the arterial toxicity of 5-FU. A new complication was seen. METHODS: A retrospective case note study was performed of 130 patients who had undergone hepatic cryotherapy followed by regional chemotherapy at our centre. Seven patients received FUDR; 123 received 5-FU. RESULTS: Biloma at the cryotherapy sites was seen in three patients in the FUDR group; two other patients in this group had other types of hepatic collection. Our previous experience with intra-arterial 5-FU in 123 patients after hepatic cryotherapy showed no evidence of this syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-arterial FUDR should not be used after hepatic cryotherapy, at least during the immediate postoperative period.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗

Radiologically placed hepatic artery catheter allows selection of patients with high-volume liver metastases for regional chemotherapy.

Regional chemotherapy has achieved high response rates in hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer and has been shown to improve survival significantly. The present paper reports the use of pre-operative regional therapy to establish marker response as a means of selection of patients for surgery. Fourteen patients underwent radiologically placed hepatic artery catheter (HAC) for chemotherapy. In the 11 patients with carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) fall the patient proceeded to open surgical placement of HAC. The predictive effect of CEA fall following radiological HAC was good. Non-responding patients are clearly spared the discomfort and inconvenience and costs of an unnecessary operation.

Adult↗

Multicenter evaluation of the MicroScan Rapid Gram-Negative Identification Type 3 Panel.

The accuracy and performance of the revised MicroScan Rapid Gram-Negative Identification Type 3 Panel (Dade MicroScan Inc., West Sacramento, Calif.) were examined in a multicenter evaluation. The revised panel database includes data for 119 taxa covering a total of 150 species, with data for 12 new species added. Testing was performed in three phases: the efficacy, challenge, and reproducibility testing phases. A total of 405 fresh and stock gram-negative isolates comprising 54 species were tested in the efficacy phase; 96.8% of these species were identified correctly in comparison to the identification obtained either with the API 20E system (bioMérieux Vitek, Hazelwood, Mo.) or by the conventional tube method. The number of correctly identified isolates in the challenge phase, including new species added to the database, was 221 of 247, or 89.5%, in comparison to the number correctly identified by the conventional tube method. A total of 465 isolates were examined for intra- and interlaboratory identification reproducibility and gave an agreement of 464 of 465, or 99.8%. The overall reproducibility of each individual identification test or substrate was 14,373 of 14,384, or 99.9%. The new Rapid Gram-Negative Identification Type 3 Panel gave accurate and highly reproducible results in this multiple-laboratory evaluation.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗

Computed tomography changes following cryotherapy for hepatic cancer.

Encouraging survival and tumour marker results have been described in patients where the focally destructive technique, hepatic cryotherapy, is used to treat primary and secondary hepatic malignancy. Radiology allows assessment of the cryotherapy procedure and follow-up treatment. This paper aims to review and describe the appearance of hepatic cryotherapy by CT.

Cryosurgery↗

Outpatient angioplasty: 4-year experience in one practice.

Angioplasty is often performed as an inpatient procedure after preliminary angiography. In order to increase efficiency and patient comfort we introduced a policy of performing angioplasty for chronic leg ischaemia as an outpatient whenever possible, using duplex scanning to select suitable lesions. This paper examines the safety and feasibility of this policy over a 4-year period. We prospectively assessed 168 consecutive cases which were planned for outpatient angioplasty from a total of 190 cases undergoing angioplasty and found full agreement between duplex scanning and angiography in 92%. Six patients (4%) developed complications of angioplasty requiring admission and another five were admitted for unexpected organisational reasons. Thus, the complication rate of outpatient angioplasty was 4%. All complications were noted at the time of angioplasty with no unexpected readmissions. Angioplasty for leg ischaemia is feasible and safe to perform as an outpatient using duplex scanning to select appropriate cases.

Adult↗

Tight linkage of pyruvate kinase (PKLR) and glucocerebrosidase (GBA) genes.

Two polymorphisms, one in the liver-type pyruvate kinase gene (PKLR) and one in the glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA), both of which are on band q21 of chromosome 1, were found to be tightly linked. Each of three Gaucher disease mutations in 112 chromosomes studied was associated with a unique haplotype. With a conservative assumption about the length of time that the Gaucher disease mutation has been present in the Jewish population, we deduce that the genetic distance between these two loci is probably under 0.2 centimorgans. Four haplotypes are produced by these polymorphic loci, but two of these are relatively uncommon because the polymorphic sites are in linkage disequilibrium. Nonetheless these markers are potentially useful in the prenatal diagnosis of pyruvate kinase deficiency in families who have at least one affected child and may also be helpful in heterozygote detection in families with Gaucher disease where a specific mutation producing the disease in unknown.

Base Sequence↗