Three different assays for fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) were evaluated in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) as rapid screening tests with the aim of evaluating whether they could be used either as a substitute of ventilation/perfusion lung scanning or to supplement scintigraphy in patients in whom the scan was inconclusive (low or intermediate probability). D-Dimer by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and latex and total FDP by ELISA were measured prospectively in 85 consecutive patients with suspected PE. With a cutoff of 500 ng/ml, D-dimer by ELISA presented a 96% sensitivity and a 42% specificity, with positive and negative predictive values of 49 and 96%, respectively. D-Dimer by latex, also with a cutoff of 500 ng/ml showed a 93% sensitivity and 29% specificity, with positive and negative predictive values of 43 and 89%. For total FDP, with a cutoff of 900 ng/ml, the sensitivity and specificity were 96 and 26% respectively, with positive and negative predictive values of 42 and 93%. A normal assay may have reduced the necessity of a ventilation/perfusion only in 28% patients with D-dimer ELISA, 21% with D-dimer latex and 17% with total FDP ELISA and with a possible error of 4, 11 and 7%, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗

PubMed1994

[Mediastinal epithelioid hemangioendothelioma].

The epitheloid hemangioendothelioma (EH) is a rare tumor of vascular origin, which exceptionally manifestates as a mediastinic mass. We present a new case of location at the upper cava vein and we review the clinical, histological and therapeutic characteristics of the EH.

Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid↗

PubMed1993

[Value of duodenal drainage in the etiologic diagnosis of acute pancreatitis].

The most common etiology of acute pancreatitis (PA) in western Countries is gallstone disease. From recent data it has become clear that up to 30% of the so-called idiopathic AP are due to microlithiasis. Overlooking this diagnosis precludes to carry out a correct treatment and leads to relapses. In this prospective study bile for microscopic examination has been collected by duodenal intubation from 50 patients admitted because of AP of unknown etiology (history, laboratory data, ultrasound). In 21 patients the bile contained crystals, but only in 15 were considered as significant. Seven of these 15 patients underwent surgery which confirmed microlithiasis in all but one who had cholesterolosis. After cholecystectomy only one patient presented with a new episode of AP. In conclusion, microscopic examination of the bile may establish reliably a biliary origin in cases of AP of unknown etiology, allowing an adequate treatment of these patients and decreasing their risk of recurrences.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1989

Foreign body aspirate extraction.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Bronchoscopy↗

PubMed1989

[Pulmonary thromboembolism as the first manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Osteochondroplastic tracheopathy. Diagnostic confirmation. Experience with 8 cases].

We report our experience in 8 patients with osteochondroplastic tracheopathy and consider the importance of its diagnosis y biopsy in order to confirm histology and if possible etiology, because specific treatment could change the course of the disease. Methods such as radiology, CT-scan, respiratory function tests only give diagnostic suspicion, which is a previous step before confirmation by bronchoscopy with biopsy. To date, with the exception of a few cases, the diagnosis is made by necropsy. Thus, this justifies our emphasis in the diagnosis of this rare disease when it is suspected in living patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1988