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Biomedical subjects

E Moritz

Publications and source records attributed to E Moritz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Subxiphoidal videomediastinoscopy for diagnostic access to the anterior mediastinum.

Access to the anterior mediastinum from the epigastric region through the retrosternal space, performed with a videomediastinoscope, is described. The method can be used to release the lower lobes of the thymus in transcervical thymectomy as well as for the diagnosis of retrosternal masses of uncertain origin on either side of the anterior mediastinum.

Endoscopy↗

Delayed diagnosis of malignant tumors missed at laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the significance of routine examinations prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with intraoperative abdominal investigation. Preoperative evaluation becomes increasingly important when laparoscopic procedures are performed for the removal of gallstones because other intraabdominal diseases may coexist in these patients, mimicking biliary tract disease. METHODS: Over the last 6 years, we treated 816 patients with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis using LC. Prior to surgery, routine tests such as upper abdominal ultrasonography, chest radiography, and standard laboratory blood tests were carried out. RESULTS: Despite these routine tests, coexisting colonic cancers escaped detection in four out of 816 cases. This indicates a risk of more "missed pathologies" during the course of laparoscopic operations compared to standard laparotomy. CONCLUSION: The risk of missing coexisting diseases during laparoscopic operations has to be minimized by placing additional emphasis on careful evaluation of anamnesis. Physical examination and additional laboratory tests--such as analysis of tumor markers and blood in the stool--combined with complete abdominal ultrasonography, gastroscopy, and/or complete colonoscopy should be performed prior to LC.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Tyramine pressor sensitivity in healthy subjects during combined treatment with moclobemide and selegiline.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this double-blind study were to assess the tolerability and i.v. tyramine pressor response during combined treatment with moclobemide and selegiline. SUBJECTS: Two parallel groups of 12 healthy male and female subjects were treated with 200 mg moclobemide or 5 mg selegiline b.d. for 14 days. On Day 7, selegiline or moclobemide was added to the other treatment. IV tyramine pressor tests were conducted at baseline and at steady state during mono- and combined treatment. RESULTS: Treatment with moclobemide and selegiline alone was well tolerated, whereas combined treatment led to a slight increase in adverse events. Tyramine pressor sensitivity during moclobemide, selegiline and moclobemide + selegiline treatment was enhanced, on average, by 2.4-, 1.3- and 8.4-times, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although combined treatment with moclobemide and selegiline was well tolerated, the supra-additive potentiation of the tyramine pressor effects means that dietary restriction of tyramine intake will be necessary during such combination therapy.

Adrenergic Agents↗

The role of laparoscopy in chronic and recurrent abdominal pain.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to determine the efficacy of laparoscopy on patients with a history of recurrent and chronic abdominal pain longer than 3 months, of unknown origin. METHODS: From September 1990 to May 1994, we performed 66 laparoscopic treatments on 59 patients. The assessment of life quality ensured the disability score, the McGill pain questionnaire, and the visual analogue pain scale, which were completed preoperatively, then on the day of discharge, and finally at a mean period follow-up of 75.3 weeks. Laparoscopy provided diagnosis on 53 of 59 patients (89.8%). RESULTS: All 66 attempted laparoscopic procedures were completed successfully, no conversion to laparotomy was necessary, and no postoperative complication occurred. Five out of 59 patients (8.5%) revealed no improvement of pain postoperatively, and 6 out of 56 (10.7%) still suffer from pain at the time of the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The pain assessment and disability score was statistically significant postoperatively and at the time of the follow-up in relation to the preoperative score.

Abdominal Pain↗

Bilateral tuberculous pleural effusions with markedly different characteristics.

A 72-year-old man presented with malaise, weight loss, and cough. Chest radiograph revealed bilateral pleural effusions. On thoracentesis, the left effusion was a clear yellow exudate with more than 90% lymphocytes, and the right effusion was a grossly bloody exudate with more than 90% neutrophils. Cultures of both effusions grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Aged↗

Mediastinal tumor and Klinefelter's syndrome.

Klinefelter's syndrome with karyotype 47,XXY in patients with primary extragonadal germ cell tumors rarely occurs. The endocrinology of Klinefelter's syndrome is changed; elevated beta-human choriomic gonadotropin levels are present. Chemotherapy and thoracic surgery brought complete remission in a patient with lung metastases.

Adolescent↗

[Ultrasound image of the gallbladder fossa after cholecystectomy in the immediate postoperative period].

70 patients clinically classified as n.a.d. were sonographically examined for evaluation of the gallbladder fossa within two weeks after cholecystectomy. Four marked signs were noted. In 35 patients (50%) we found homogeneous echogenic formations of triangular, band-like, or oval shape in the bed of the gallbladder. In 25 cases (35.7%) inhomogeneous structures were seen. In 6 cases (8.5%) cystic structures resembling the normal gallbladder were seen which were interpreted as representing seromas or liquified haematomas. In 4 patients (5.7%) the bed of the gallbladder was entirely normal. Whether the gallbladder bed was closed by sutures or not, had no statistically significant effect on ultrasound appearance.

Cholecystectomy↗

Regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor at the rat neuromuscular junction.

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) from the electric organ of T. californica is highly phosphorylated on tyrosine residues in vivo. In contrast, tyrosine phosphorylation of the AChR in rat myotube cultures is barely detectable. To determine whether this low level of tyrosine phosphorylation of the AChR in muscle cell cultures is due to a lack of neuronal innervation, we examined tyrosine phosphorylation of the AChR in rat diaphragm in vivo. Immunofluorescent double labeling of cryostat sections of rat diaphragm using antibodies specific for phosphotyrosine or the AChR showed a direct colocalization of phosphotyrosine with the AChR at the neuromuscular junction. Using anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, immunoblots of AChR partially purified from rat diaphragm demonstrated that the rat AChR contains high levels of phosphotyrosine. Denervation of rat diaphragm induced a time-dependent decrease in tyrosine phosphorylation of the AChR, as measured by immunocytochemical and immunoblot techniques. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the AChR occurred late in the development of the neuromuscular junction, between postnatal days 7 and 14. These studies suggest that muscle innervation regulates tyrosine phosphorylation of the AChR and that tyrosine phosphorylation may play an important role in the developmental regulation of the AChR.

Animals↗

Treatment of postpneumonectomy empyema.

Postpneumonectomy empyema with or without (bronchopleural) fistula is an infrequent but serious, and often life-threatening complication. In 20 of our patients postpneumonectomy empyema was discovered. The time interval between original operation and discovery of the empyema varied from 9 days to 9 years. In two cases, the empyema had been found and treated initially at another hospital but not adequately, so that at the time of treatment by us the bronchopleural fistula had already been present for 8 and 19 years. In 13 cases a bronchial stump fistula was discovered. In five patients the fistula was successfully closed endoscopically with glue. In one patient closure was performed by transmediastinal stump resection, in three patients with a fistula thoracoplasty was performed. In three patients we achieved closure by transposition of pedicled muscle flaps. In one of these patients a septic condition could be mastered by performing window thoracotomy. Two patients without fistula were successfully treated with irrigation, and two further patients with thoracostomy. In one patient recovery was achieved by medication after puncture. Two patients died of sepsis and after thoracoplasty. If a fistula is present, drainage with irrigation and endoscopical glueing should be the initial treatment. This should be followed by resection of the bronchial stump. If there is no fistula or if the stump is too short thoracostomy is the treatment of choice. If it is not successful thoracoplasty has to be performed.

Adhesives↗

Moclobemide versus clomipramine in the treatment of depression: a single-centre study, Federal Republic of Germany.

Moclobemide was compared with clomipramine for safety and efficacy in 2 groups of 15 patients each with endogenous depression. The drugs were given under double-blind conditions in increasing doses; 1 patient in the moclobemide group dropped out because of lack of efficacy. Mean final improvement on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression was 51% in the moclobemide group and 54% in the clomipramine group. Efficacy and tolerance were rated good or very good by 47% (moclobemide) and 53% (clomipramine) (NS). The results indicate that moclobemide is as effective as clomipramine in treating endogenous depression.

Antidepressive Agents↗

[Value of a new simple mechanical large intestine preparation in comparison with PEG lavage].

UNLABELLED: The subjective incommodation of the patient by the well established methods of colonic cleansing for operation or endoscopic examination gave a reason to evaluate the efficacy of a new mechanical method in a prospective randomized study. 60 patients were divided in two groups: Colonic preparation was performed by YAL-irrigation in group 1, by oral lavage with PEG (polyethylene glycol electrolyte) in group 2. We found no fecal residue in 29.6% of the YAL group compared to 22.2% in the PEG group, a small amount of liquid stool in 29.6% (YAL) compared to 48.1% (PEG), a large amount of liquid stool in 25.9% of both groups and a solid stool in 14.8% (YAL) compared to 3.7% (PEG). The examination of the mucosal surface was hindered by solid or large amounts of liquid stool in 14.8% of group 1 and in 11.1% in the PEG group, particularly localized in the right hemicolon. In group 1, a significantly better valuation in subjective patient tolerance was found: 18.9% (YAL) compared to 77.8% (PEG) (p less than 0,0001) showed symptoms of patient discomfort. IN CONCLUSION: The simple mechanical preparation with YAL has been shown not to be as safe as with the PEG lavage. However, the YAL method seems to be a useful alternative in patients with suspected stenosis, tendency for vomiting as well as for examination or operation of the left hemicolon.

Colon↗