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Biomedical subjects

E Stauffer

Publications and source records attributed to E Stauffer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Monostotic fibrous dysplasia of the spine: report of a case involving a cervical vertebra.

Monostotic fibrous dysplasia of the spine is a rare entity. Only 26 cases, of which 11 were located in the cervical spine, are to be found in the literature. We report a 56-year-old male patient with cervicobrachialgia of half year's duration. Radiographs showed a diffuse destruction of the vertebral body and the spinous process of C4. A biopsy of the spinous process confirmed histopathologically a fibrous dysplasia. Due to minor symptoms, no surgical treatment was performed or is planned unless in case of increasing pain, an acute instability or neurological symptoms.

Cervical Vertebrae↗

Elective neck dissection versus observation in primary parotid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of elective neck dissection in the clinically negative neck of patients with primary carcinoma of the parotid gland. Study design and setting A retrospective analysis was undertaken at a university Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery on 83 previously untreated patients with primary carcinoma of the parotid gland and a clinically negative neck. The reliability of fine needle aspiration cytology, frozen section, and the clinico-pathologic findings of patients with occult neck metastases were analyzed. The regional recurrence rate and the outcome were compared among 2 groups; one with elective neck dissection (N = 41) and one without elective neck dissection (N = 42). RESULTS: The diagnosis of malignancy was known preoperatively in 59 (71%) cases, the exact histologic tumor type in 36 (43%) and the grade in 37 (44%) of 83 cases. Occult metastases were detected in 8 (20%) of 41 cNO patients, in 5 cases associated with a high-grade and in 3 cases with a low-grade carcinoma. Recurrence of disease developed in 5 (12%) patients in the elective neck dissection group and in 11 (26%) patients in the observation group. All of the 7 neck recurrences occurred in the observation group. The 5-year actuarial and disease-free survival rate was 80% and 86% for patients with elective neck dissection and 83% and 69% for patients without neck dissection. Conclusion and significance A routine elective neck dissection is suggested in all patients with primary carcinoma of the parotid gland. The efficacy of elective neck dissection, nevertheless, has never been evaluated prospectively.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Adductor insertion avulsion syndrome, "thigh splints": relevance of radiological follow-up.

We present a case of chronic osteomyelitis in a 13-year-old girl which was originally diagnosed as adductor insertion avulsion syndrome ("thigh splints") on the basis of the clinical presentation, patient history, initial radiographs and MRI examination. However, at follow-up with persistent pain and altered radiographic and MRI appearances, surgical biopsy was indicated. Histopathological findings confirmed a bone abscess. This case underlines the necessity of clinical follow-up and imaging in certain patients with apparent thigh splints.

Adolescent↗

Stewart-Treves syndrome: MR imaging of a postmastectomy upper-limb chronic lymphedema with angiosarcoma.

The rare occurrence of angiosarcoma in postmastectomy upper-limb lymphedema with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is discussed. Unfamiliarity with this aggressive vascular tumor and its harmless appearance often leads to delayed diagnosis. Angiosarcoma complicating chronic lymphedema may be low in signal intensity on T2-weighting and short tau inversion recovery (STIR) imaging reflecting the densely cellular, fibrous stroma, and sparsely vascularized tumor histology. Additional administration of intravenous contrast medium revealed significant enhancement of the tumorous lesions. Awareness of angiosarcoma and its MR imaging appearance in patients with chronic lymphedema may be a key to early diagnosis or allow at least inclusion in the differential diagnosis.

Aged, 80 and over↗

Intermediate outcome and risk factor assessment of bovine vascular heterografts used as AV-fistulas for hemodialysis access.

OBJECTIVES: This observational study was set up to prospectively follow all bovine heterograft (ProCol) fistulas implanted for hemodialysis access between 1998 and 2002. METHODS: ProCol was implanted if autogenous vein was not available or if patients presented with a history of failed, infected or otherwise complicated ePTFE grafts and/or on immunosuppressive therapy. Fistula patency was the primary outcome; secondary outcomes were clinical events and the rate of access revisions. RESULTS: Sixty-two ProCol grafts were implanted in 56 patients. The mean primary (PP) and secondary patency (SP) was 334 (SEM 57) and 528 (SEM 59) days, respectively. Coronary heart disease was associated with a significantly better SP (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.9) whilst diabetes mellitus was associated with a significantly worse SP (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.9). Reinterventions were performed at a mean rate of 1.23 (SEM 0.17) per fistula. The relative risk of access revision was significantly higher in patients with diabetes mellitus (OR 9.2, 95% CI 2.3-37.2). CONCLUSIONS: ProCol grafts, used for AV-fistulas, demonstrate acceptable patency rates in high-risk haemodialysis patients. Diabetes mellitus jeopardizes the patency of these fistulas and is associated with a high revision rate.

Animals↗

Imaging of chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis of childhood first presenting with isolated primary spinal involvement.

OBJECTIVE: Initial presentation with primary spinal involvement in chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis of childhood (CRMO) is rare. Our objective was to review the imaging appearances of three patients who had CRMO who initially presented with isolated primary spinal involvement. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: The imaging, clinical, laboratory and histology findings of the three patients were retrospectively reviewed. Imaging included seven spinal MR imaging scans, one computed tomography scan, nine bone scans, two tomograms and 16 radiographs. These were reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists and a consensus view is reported. All three patients presented with atraumatic spinal pain and had extensive bone spinal pathology. The patients were aged 11, 13 and 12 years. There were two females and one male. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The initial patient had thoracic T6 and T8 vertebra plana. Bone scan showed additional vertebral body involvement. Follow-up was available over a 3 year period. The second patient had partial collapse of T9 and, 2 years later, of C6. Subsequently extensive multifocal disease ensued and follow-up was available over 8 years. The third patient initially had L3 inferior partial collapse and 1 year later T8 involvement with multifocal disease. Follow-up was available over 3 years. The imaging findings of the three patients include partial and complete vertebra plana with a subchondral line adjacent to endplates associated with bone marrow MR signal alterations. Awareness of the imaging appearances may help the radiologist to include this entity in the differential diagnosis in children who present with spinal pathology and no history of trauma. Histopathological examination excludes tumor and infection but with typical imaging findings may not always be necessary.

Adolescent↗

Early osteoarthritic changes of human femoral head cartilage subsequent to femoro-acetabular impingement.

OBJECTIVE: To use the surgical samples of patients with femoro-acetabular impingement due to a nonspherical head to analyze tissue morphology and early cartilage changes in a mechanical model of hip osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: An aberrant nonspherical shape of the femoral head has been assumed to cause an abutment conflict (impingement mechanism) of the hip with subsequent cartilage lesions of the acetabular rim and surface alterations of the nonspherical portion of the head. In this study, 22 samples of the nonspherical portions of the head have been obtained during hip surgery from young adults (mean 30.4 years, range 19-45 years) with an impingement conflict. The samples were first compared with tissue from the same area obtained from six age-matched deceased persons (control group) with normal hip morphology and second with cartilage from 14 older patients with advanced OA. All samples were characterized histologically and hyaline cartilage was graded according to the Mankin criteria. They were further subjected to examination on a molecular basis by immunohistology for cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), tenascin-C and a collagenase cleavage product (COL2-3/4C(long)) and by in situ hybridization for collagen type I and collagen type II. RESULTS: All samples from the patient group revealed hyaline cartilage with degenerative signs. According to the Mankin criteria, the cartilage alterations were significantly different when compared with the control group (p=0.007) but were less distinct when compared with cartilage from patients with advanced OA (p=0.014). Positive staining and distribution pattern for COMP, tenascin-C and COL2-3/4C(long) showed similarities between the samples from the impingement group and osteoarthritic cartilage but they were distinctly different when compared with healthy cartilage. Levels of collagen I and II transcripts were upregulated in 6 and 10, respectively, of the 14 samples with OA and in 9 and 12, respectively, of the 22 samples from the impingement group. None of the samples from the control group showed upregulation of Collagen I and II mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: The aberrant nonspherical portion of the femoral head in young patients with an impingement conflict consists of hyaline cartilage which shows clear degenerative signs similar to the findings in osteoarthritic cartilage. The tissue alterations are distinctly different when compared with a control group, which substantiates an impingement conflict as an early mechanism for degeneration at the hip joint periphery.

Adult↗

Imaging features of pseudoaneurysms of the hand in children and adults.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to review the imaging features of pseudoaneurysms of the hand in 25 patients. The patients presented with a mass, peripheral paresthesia, or ischemia. Pseudoaneurysm of the hand is a rare and often clinically unsuspected diagnosis. Correct diagnosis is important because there are risks for distal embolic disease with ischemia or gangrene of the fingers, ulnar or digital nerve dysfunction, rupture, or bone erosion and joint destruction. Scant reports appear in the world literature, and this report is the first review, to our knowledge, of the imaging features. The cause may be a history of a single direct trauma or chronic trauma, as seen in patients with hypothenar or thenar hammer syndrome. CONCLUSION: Awareness of the specific imaging appearances of pseudoaneurysms of the hand and their complications may improve the accuracy of radiologic diagnosis, advance the preoperative workup, and prevent possible clinical complications such as digital gangrene, nerve dysfunction, and aneurysm rupture.

Adolescent↗

[Clinico-histologic comparison of allogenic and autologous bone-tendon-bone using one-third of the patellar tendon in reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament].

Reconstruction of the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) using modern techniques achieves successful long-term results in up to 90% of all cases. Yet the discussion continues as to the suitable implant to replace the ACL in terms of donor morbidity, implant reaction, long-term results, and potenzial risk of carrier concerning the allograft. The clinical and histological results from 2 years experience with the BPTB allograft (Tutoplast) and the BPTB autograft for ACL reconstruction are compared with reference to stability, functionality, rerupture rate, and histological reaction of the remodelling process. A BTB patella tendon allograft was implanted into 132 patients and a BPTB autograft into 136 patients. The patients were randomly allocated to the two groups. The results were recorded by an independent researcher and assessed according to the IKDC and Lysholm score. In the allograft group, a total of 20 patients (2.6%) reruptured within an average period of 11.75 months. In the autograft group, the transplant reruptured in five patients (4.8%) after an average of 17 months. Histological reappraisal indicated delayed incorporation and extended reconstruction in the BPTB allograft. There were clearer and more protracted indications of hypercellularity and hypervascularity, and the collagen matrix had not regularly aligned longitudinally even 1 year later. A detailed analysis of the BPTB allograft group indicated that especially in young and very sporty patients there is increased elongation of the implant and a clearly higher rerupture rate. Hence, according to the data we have collected, it would seem that the use of the BPTB allograft (Tutoplast) is not suitable especially in young patients who frequently practice high-level sports involving high knee stress.

Adult↗

Isolated amelanotic malignant melanoma of the heart.

We report a 58-year-old woman presenting with dyspnoea and recurrent pulmonary embolism. Echocardiography revealed pericardial effusion and a tumour located in the atrioventricular groove. Surgical exploration showed tumorous infiltration of the ventricle wall and of parts of the atrium. Curative excision was not possible and the operation was discontinued. Histology revealed an amelanotic malignant melanoma. No other tumour location was detected by scanning procedures. This case represents a very rare manifestation of melanoma exclusively located in the atrioventricular groove of the heart leading to recurrent pulmonary embolism. A review of the literature on cardiac involvement of melanoma is provided.

Female↗

Minimizing aortic manipulation during OPCAB using the symmetry aortic connector system for proximal vein graft anastomoses.

BACKGROUND: Since minimal invasive techniques have become increasingly common in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), there has been renewed interest in facilitated mechanical anastomoses devices that might have the potential of replacing the standard suturing techniques in vascular anastomoses. We report our initial experience with the successful creation of mechanical proximal vein graft anastomoses in off-pump coronary artery bypass operations. METHODS: From August to December 2000, we investigated the first 20 consecutive patients who underwent CABG on the beating heart without extracorporeal circulation and who received at least one mechanical proximal vein graft anastomosis with the St. Jude Medical Symmetry aortic connector system without side-clamping of the aorta. We evaluated the different components of the system, the feasibility of such anastomoses, and the intraoperative flow measurements of the grafts using transit time methods. RESULTS: A total of 32 proximal vein graft anastomoses were performed with the aortic connector system. Hemostasis was instantaneous in all cases except one, in which the connector was removed and the anastomosis was hand-sewn without complications. All other vein grafts were patent at the end of the procedure; intraoperative flow measurements were 39 +/- 25 mL/min for single vein grafts (n = 20) and 69 +/- 25 mL/min for sequential grafts (n = 11). CONCLUSIONS: The St. Jude Medical Symmetry aortic connector system is a user-friendly, effective, quick, and reliable device for sutureless proximal vein graft anastomosis in CABG. This system allows the construction of uniform and geometrically perfect anastomoses and does not require aortic side-biting. This technology is attractive for all CABG procedures because aortic manipulation is reduced. In off-pump surgical procedures the connector system allows aortic manipulation to be minimized, potentially reducing embolization from aortic wall debris.

Adult↗

Ischaemia/reperfusion contributes to colonic injury following experimental aortic surgery.

OBJECTIVES: ischaemia of the colon is an important complication of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. The aim of this animal study was to investigate the effect of sequential ischaemia and reperfusion on sigmoid mucosal pO2 and its association with local ET-1 release. MATERIAL AND METHODS: twelve pigs underwent colonic ischaemia followed by complete reperfusion. Six other animals were sham controls. A Clark-type microcatheter was used for continuous mucosal pO2 measurements. Serial systemic and inferior mesenteric vein blood samples were obtained for determination of ET-1 concentration. Neutrophil extravasation was assessed by tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. RESULTS: arterial occlusion was associated with a gradual decrease of mucosal pO2 and local release of ET-1. After restoration of blood flow, mucosal pO2 returned to near baseline values, whereas ET-1 reached its maximum concentration during the reperfusion period. MPO activity was significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: colonic ischaemia and reperfusion causes neutrophil extravasation and local ET-1.

Animals↗

Surgical confirmation of ProstaScint abnormalities in two patients with high risk prostate cancer.

We describe our initial experience using ProstaScint scanning in addition to conventional imaging modalities for staging of high risk prostate cancer. Using our protocol, ProstaScint images detected abnormalities in pelvic lymph nodes not seen on CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in two patients. Subsequent surgical pelvic lymphadenectomy confirmed these abnormalities. Further patients will be accrued on this study to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of ProstaScint scanning.

Aged↗

Free nerve endings in the medial and posteromedial capsuloligamentous complexes: occurrence and distribution.

Free nerve endings (FNEs) of type IVa play a distinctive role in the articular nociceptive and sensorimotor system of the knee. This study qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed FNEs in the medial and posteromedial capsuloligamentous complexes. Biopsy specimens from ten precisely defined anatomical locations were taken from seven fresh cadaver knee joints. The specimens were fixed with 4% formaldehyde solution and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. The results were examined using immunohistochemistry. The occurrence of FNEs is described in combination with their specific pattern of distribution. A high number of FNEs were found in all investigated elements with a maximum relative density in the insertion of the semimembranosus muscle in the direct attachment on the tibial margin. The number was lowest in the superficial medial collateral ligament. The results were correlated with anatomical and biomechanical functions of the stabilizing effect of the medial capsuloligamentous complex. Our findings indicate that lesions and surgical procedures can alter normal sensory feedback and coordination by modifying the use of muscle fiber during specific movements.

Humans↗

Rare presentation of cardiac hemangiomas.

Cardiac hemangiomas are exceptionally rare tumors with an incidence of 1% to 2% of all detected benign heart neoplasms. The clinical appearance of the tumor varies considerably and may mimic other pathological findings of definite heart structures. We report two cases of cardiac hemangiomas presenting with an unusual location and clinical course.

Aged↗