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Biomedical subjects

E Stauffer

Publications and source records attributed to E Stauffer.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Large thoracic duct cyst - a case report and review of the literature.

Large thoracic duct cysts are rare and standard lateral thoracotomy is usually used for resection. In the reported case the combination of an antero-lateral thoracotomy with a partial longitudinal median sternotomy (hemiclamshell approach) allowed an excellent visualization and dissection of a large thoracic duct cyst expanding in the anterior cervico-thoracic junction, and was associated with an uncomplicated recovery.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed2000

Free nerve endings in the ligamentum capitis femoris.

We report the presence of free nerve endings (FNE) in the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF). Qualitative and quantitative measurements on the incidence of FNE, as assessed by immuno-histochemistry for the S-100 protein, were obtained from 18 patients undergoing hip surgery. We found FNE in all LCF, with no association to age. The presence of FNE in the LCF suggests a role in noci-/proprioception of the hip.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Mural aortic thrombi: An important cause of peripheral embolization.

PURPOSE: Arterial thromboembolism in patients with an unknown source of embolization is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The advent of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the more frequent use of computed tomography (CT) have led to the identification of mural aortic thrombi (MAT) as a source of distal embolization in a much higher proportion of patients than previously appreciated. The incidence, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with MAT is reported. METHODS: In a prospective study, from January 1996 to December 1998, 89 patients with acute embolic events underwent an extensive diagnostic workup, consisting of TEE, CT, or MRI, to detect the source of embolization. Patients in whom the heart (n = 51), occlusive aortoiliac disease (n = 16), or aortic aneurysms (n = 12) was identified as the source of embolization were excluded. RESULTS: Five female and three male patients, with a median age of 63 years (range, 35 to 76 years), with bilateral or repetitive embolic events resulting from MAT were identified, representing 9% of all patients with arterial thrombembolism. All patients had several risk factors for atherosclerosis, but only one young patient had a single risk factor that promoted thrombosis. Successful percutaneous catheter aspiration embolectomy was performed in six patients. The remaining two patients underwent surgical thromboembolectomy. A below-knee amputation had to be performed in two patients, thus representing a morbidity of the primary treatment of 25%. MAT of equal value were detected in the ascending (n = 1) and thoracic aorta (n = 3) by means of TEE, CT, or MRI. MAT in the abdominal aorta (n = 4) were identified by means of CT and MRI. Surgical removal of MAT was performed in seven patients by means of graft replacement of the ascending aorta (n = 1), open thrombectomy of the descending aorta (n = 2), and thrombendarterectomy of the abdominal aorta (n = 4), without intraoperative or postoperative complications. No recurrence of MAT occurred during a median follow-up period of 13 months (range, 4 to 24 months). CONCLUSION: MAT represent an important source of arterial thrombembolism. A diagnostic workup of the aorta, preferably by means of CT or MRI, should be performed in all patients in whom other sources of embolization have been ruled out. The ideal therapeutic approach to these patients still awaits prospective evaluation. However, based on our experience, MAT can be successfully treated with a definitive surgical procedure in selected patients, with low mortality and morbidity.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Cryopreserved arterial homografts. A treatment alternative for infected vascular reconstructions].

Deep wound infection or prosthetic vascular graft infection is one of the most challenging complications in vascular surgery with a substantial early and late morbidity and mortality. Surgical treatment usually consists of complete removal of infected vessels or prosthetic vascular grafts followed by extraanatomic bypass procedures. However, this method is associated with significant mortality and amputation rates. Herein, we report two patients with deep wound and prosthetic vascular graft infection who underwent successful in situ reconstruction with cryopreserved arterial homografts. Although the long-term results are missing, this approach may offer a possible treatment alternative for this potentially life-threatening complication.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Risk factor assessment of endoscopically removed malignant colorectal polyps.

BACKGROUND: Malignant colorectal polyps are defined as endoscopically removed polyps with cancerous tissue which has invaded the submucosa. Various histological criteria exist for managing these patients. AIMS: To determine the significance of histological findings of patients with malignant polyps. METHODS: Five pathologists reviewed the specimens of 85 patients initially diagnosed with malignant polyps. High risk malignant polyps were defined as having one of the following: incomplete polypectomy, a margin not clearly cancer-free, lymphatic or venous invasion, or grade III carcinoma. Adverse outcome was defined as residual cancer in a resection specimen and local or metastatic recurrence in the follow up period (mean 67 months). RESULTS: Malignant polyps were confirmed in 70 cases. In the 32 low risk malignant polyps, no adverse outcomes occurred; 16 (42%) of the 38 patients with high risk polyps had adverse outcomes (p<0.001). Independent adverse risk factors were incomplete polypectomy and a resected margin not clearly cancer-free; all other risk factors were only associated with adverse outcome when in combination. CONCLUSION: As no patients with low risk malignant polyps had adverse outcomes, polypectomy alone seems sufficient for these cases. In the high risk group, surgery is recommended when either of the two independent risk factors, incomplete polypectomy or a resection margin not clearly cancer-free, is present or if there is a combination of other risk factors. As lymphatic or venous invasion or grade III cancer did not have an adverse outcome when the sole risk factor, operations in such cases should be individually assessed on the basis of surgical risk.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Mechanism of the long tail-fiber deployment of bacteriophages T-even and its role in adsorption, infection and sedimentation.

Models for the tail-fiber deployment of T-even bacteriophages have been experimentally tested by correlating sedimentation constants, adsorption rates, protease inactivation kinetics, and fiber configurations of individual phages observed by electron microscopy. Neither the collective nor the individualistic model, i.e. coordinated fiber retraction and expansion or oscillation of fibers independently of each other, respectively, could satisfactorily account for the results presented. We propose a new intermediary model, in which the base-plate determines a collective behaviour by fixing the hinge angle, around which individual fibers oscillate freely. The bidisperse, so-called dual sedimentation was shown to occur mainly with nascent high-concentration phage stocks in potassium glutamate containing media. Indeed, when mature intracellular phages are released in 0.5 M potassium glutamate--a condition simulating the intracellular environment--only the fast form appears. Upon storage in the cold or release into 0.5 M chloride, both forms appear. Results confirming that the sedimentation constants of the fast and slow form roughly correspond to those of the monodisperse sedimentation, characteristic of the extreme pH values, i.e. 5 and 8, do not allow to conclude that fiber configuration is the only cause of the bidisperse sedimentation.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1996

Occurrence and distribution of free nerve endings in the distal iliotibial tract system of the knee.

Free nerve endings (FNE) are nociceptive sensory elements transmitting information on pain and inflammation from the connective tissues to the brain. They form an important part of the proprioceptive sensory system of the knee. We present a qualitative and quantitative analysis of FNEs in the distal iliotibial tract (ITT), documenting their occurrence in this structure as well as their specific distribution pattern. FNEs were found in all elements of the distal ITT, with their maximum density in the fixation sites of the distal ITT to the femur and the tibia. This finding correlates well with anatomical and biomechanical studies and stresses the importance of the deep ITT fibre system for lateral knee stability. The relative number of FNEs in the distal ITT ranges from 5 to 10 per 50 mm2 and is comparable to the frequency found in the synovial sheath of the cruciate ligaments. These findings have clinical implications for surgical procedures on the lateral side of the knee. The distinct anatomy of the distal ITT should be respected in all procedures, since extensive operations in this area may cause pain and loss of range-of-motion due to alterations of proprioceptive function.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Artefacts and morphological changes during chemical fixation.

The normally 'condensed' (darkly stained) chromosomes of dinoflagellates decondense by swelling. This occurs in an increasing number of cells when the concentration of added OsO4 is decreased. With different fixatives other types of disintegration can be observed, which vary with the concentration. With cryofixation and freeze-substitution the chromosomes are most 'condensed'. Escherichia coli infected with bacteriophage T4, with or without active lysozyme production, were studied by optical densitometry for partial lysis and by light and electron microscopy for observing swelling. When active lysozyme is present some of the acrolein (2.5%)-glutaraldehyde (2%)-fixed cells swell at 0 degrees C, but do not in the absence of lysozyme nor when fixed at room temperature. If OsO4 is added at concentrations < or = 0.5%, partial lysis occurs when lysozyme is present. The optical density decreases, the cells lose some matter and swell slightly. The corresponding electron micrographs show gap formation by curdling and/or a decreased concentration of the cytoplasm which reveals certain phage-related particles.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Glutamic acid group poisoning. So-called Chinese restaurant syndrome].

After eating a soup 10 persons (out of 100) fell sick; within 10 minutes they suffered from nervous muscle convulsions, trembling, mouth desiccation and dilatation of the pupils. The soup contained glutamate as flavour enhancer in an unusually high concentration of 31 grams per litre.

Flavoring Agents↗
PubMed1983

Continuous-flow cultures as in vitro models of the ecology of large intestinal flora.

An anaerobic continuous-flow (CF) culture method has been developed which reproduces a number of bacterial interactions that occur in the large intestine of mice. These were determined in the following ways. (i) Bacterial counts in smears stained with 37 specific fluorescent antisera showed that the numeric balance between 37 strict anaerobes isolated from conventional mice was maintained in CF culture of conventional mouse flora in the same manner as in conventional mice. (ii) Mixed populations of various complexity of bacteria isolated from conventional mice were able to suppress Escherichia coli populations to similar levels in gnotobiotic mice and in CF cultures. (iii) Contents of CF cultures when fed to germfree mice were found to redress the germfree abnormalities studied, namely, cecal size and size of the E. coli population. Furthermore, dense layers of bacterial growth formed on the wall of CF cultures of mouse cecal flora, in a manner analogous to the colonization of mouse large intestinal mucosa. In the absence of such bacterial layers, the culture no longer exhibited these interactions. Because of the complexity and diversity of the interactions studied it is highly probable that at least the major underlying ecological control mechanisms operating in the culture model resemble those of the mouse intestine. We speculate that the somewhat surprising similarity between the ecology of the mouse large intestine and that of a CF culture in a glass vessel is due to the fact that both are dominated by thick layers of complex bacterial flora, the composition of which is controlled by their metabolic activities and by their relative ability to adhere to each other.

Anaerobiosis↗
PubMed1981

In vitro studies of the fixation of DNA, nucleoprotamine, nucleohistone and proteins.

In view of improving fixation and embedding for thin sections of nuclear material we investigated the crosslinking of selected proteins, nucleic acid and nucleoproteins by observing the eventual gelation of solutions of these substances, which might be produced by current cytological fixatives. For those combinations where gelation occurs, we give thresholds of minimum concentrations required. We discuss the consequences of these findings for the preservation of thin sectioned nuclear structures within cells.

Chromatin↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the cystic duct.

Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the cystic duct are extremely rare. Only 4 cases have been described to date. We report 2 patients in whom a primary neuroendocrine tumor of the cystic duct was incidentally detected during histological examination following cholecystectomy. With regard to the primary neuroendocrine tumor both patients were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. However, histologic examination did not confirm that the neuroendocrine tumors had been completely removed. Both patients underwent a second procedure. They are well after 47 and 49 months, respectively.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma of the nose: pitfalls of pathology.

A 2-year-old Swiss boy was referred to our hospital because of an obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with suspected recurrent choanal polyp. During surgery, a polypoid soft mass was found in the right nose and extirpated. The histology of the resected polypoid tumor seemed compatible with a polyp; however, immunohistochemistry revealed a botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma. Rhabdomyosarcomas are rare. The most important differential diagnoses for rhabdomyosarcoma are discussed and methods available for differentiating are included.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Occurrence of free nerve endings in the soft tissue of the knee joint. A histologic investigation.

We present a comprehensive histologic study of neurologic structures in 18 static and dynamic knee structures of 8 cadaveric knees. Qualitative and quantitative measurements of the incidence of free nerve endings in the structures were recorded. The highest amounts of afferent nerve fibers type IVa were found in the retinacula, the patellar ligament, the pes anserinus, and in the ligaments of Wrisberg and Humphry; the lowest amount was found in the anterior cruciate ligament. There is a positive correlation between the number of mechanoreceptors per standardized area unit and the clinical presentation of certain knee disorders.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament↗