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Biomedical subjects

D Lechevalier

Publications and source records attributed to D Lechevalier.

46 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Regional intravenous guanethidine blocks in algodystrophy.

Five-hundred-thirteen regional intravenous guanethidine blocks were carried out in 125 cases of algodystrophy (118 adults), after failure of other treatments in 120 cases (Group I) and without previous treatments in 5 (Group II). A positive result occurred in 85 cases of Group I (71%) and in the 5 cases of Group II, after 4.5 +/- 1.7 blocks. In Group I the results did not differ significantly between upper (33 cases) and lower (87 cases) limb or in regard to sex, age, duration of disease, nature of previous treatments. The presence of psychic disorders was accompanied by less frequent (p less than 0.02) positive results. The tolerance was satisfactory in 85.6% of cases: 22 moderate side effects authorized a continuation of the blocks, 22 serious ones indicated interruption, especially one case of thrombophlebitis and another one of very transitory acute ischaemia. The risk of intolerance was significantly raised (p less than 0.02) by age. The regional guanethidine blocks seemed to be a good treatment for algodystrophy after failure of other treatments.

Adult↗

[Plasma fibronectin and collagen type IV in diabetic patients. Influence of therapy].

Fibronectin (by laser nephelometry) and collagen IV blood levels (by radioimmunoassay) were studied in 183 diabetics and compared with 101 non diabetic patients. Diabetics have more collagen IV and less fibronectin than non diabetics. Divergence has increased since 20 years old; fibronectin blood levels is always low in diabetics, even in the young. Collagen IV is higher in diabetics with angiopathy, and specially if insulin dependent. Diabetics which have a good control have normals levels. In the other hand when HBA1C greater than or equal to 9%, collagen IV blood level increases quickly and fibronectin level decreases. The importance of the antidiabetic treatment is underlined.

Age Factors↗

Acute sacroiliitis as a manifestation of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease.

While radiographic lesions of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) are common in patients with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease, they are rarely accompanied by clinical symptoms. We report the case of a 69-year-old woman who presented with an acute sacoiliitis and a linear calcification in the right SIJ on CT scan. The patient recovered well after intra-articular steroid injections.

Acute Disease↗

Cauda equina syndrome with pagetic vertebral fusion. Clinical recovery under calcium-vitamin D supplementation plus clodronate after apparent failure of pamidronate and acquired resistance to etidronate.

A patient with an osteolytic L2-L3 pagetic block and pagetic lesions of L1 and the sacrum seen only as increased radionuclide activity became resistant to etidronate after the fifth course (5 mg/kg/d six months per year) and developed severe cauda equina syndrome (reduction in walking distance to 30 m and sphincter dysfunction) due primarily to vertebral hypertrophy. Five months after a ten-day course of intravenous pamidronate (22.5 mg/d), the clinical symptoms were unchanged, although the alkaline phosphatase level was down 50%. Oral clodronate (1,600 mg/day for six months per year) in combination with calcium and vitamin D supplementation dramatically improved the walking distance and sphincter disorders. Resolution of the neurological manifestations was complete after the second clodronate course. At last follow-up nine months after the fourth clodronate course, there was no evidence of a relapse and the alkaline phosphatase level was normal. The time course of events in this patient does not allow to affirm that pamidronate was ineffective and suggests that calcium and vitamin D supplementation improved mineralization of the pagetic block and enhanced the effect of bisphosphonate therapy.

Aged↗