Biomedical subjects

F Osterman

Publications and source records attributed to F Osterman.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Rapid parathyroid hormone measurement during venous localization.

The development of a rapid format for intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) immunometric assays has facilitated the use of these assays intraoperatively as a guide to parathyroid surgery. The near real-time characteristics of this rapid PTH assay led us to evaluate its utility in the angiography suite in a patient who underwent venous localization for persistent primary hyperparathyroidism. The assay provided the angiographers with almost immediate feedback and thereby facilitated accurate parathyroid adenoma localization. We conclude that the performance characteristics of the rapid PTH assay extend its diagnostic utility to near real-time analysis of plasma PTH levels in patients undergoing venous catheterization for parathyroid localization.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Family functioning of recovered alcohol-addicted patients: a comparative study.

Regaining the communication, concentration on role conflicts and strengthening of emotional ties are the central issues of socio-therapeutic approach to alcoholism. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to compare family functioning between two groups of recovered alcohol-addicted patients. They were all participants of treatment program where complex therapeutic interventions were used, and were abstaining for at least 1 year. A total of 30 patients with a spouse or partner participating in the treatment were compared to 20 patients without spouse or partner participation. In order to show a different perspective on family strengths and weaknesses, we used a multidimensional questionnaire of family functioning, Family Assessment Measure (FAM). A significant difference in family functioning between both groups was found. Family functioning difficulties in two dimensions: control and affective involvement, were found in families without spouse or partner participation in the treatment. Even after years of abstinence, family functioning was not satisfactory in these families.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Influence of prognostic groupings and treatment results in the management of unresectable hepatoma: experience with Cisplatinum-based chemoradiotherapy in 76 patients.

PURPOSE: Internationally, hepatoma is a common cause of cancer death. Although the only curative therapy is surgical, most tumors are unresectable and cause death. The value of nonsurgical, antineoplastic therapy for such tumors is controversial. This study was undertaken to extend and confirm promising, but preliminary, treatment observations in the unresectable context. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From 1988 to 1993, 76 patients with unresectable, biopsy proven, hepatoma underwent uniform pretreatment assessment followed by induction therapy with external beam radiotherapy (21 Gy/7 fractions/10 days) and intravenous Cisplatinum, 50 mg/m2. One month later patients began monthly intrahepatic artery Cisplatinum, 50 mg/m2. Clinical course and treatment outcomes were correlated with previously published prognostic factors and groupings (Nomura et al., Okuda et al., Stillwagon, et al.). RESULTS: The toxicity of this therapy was modest and nonlimiting. Twenty-four patients (32%) progressed during induction and prior to receiving two cycles of intrahepatic artery Cisplatinum without evidence of benefit. Patients showing this early progression were more likely to be Stillwagon unfavorable than favorable (p = 0.013), Okuda Stage II than Stage I (p = 0.024), and slightly but not statistically more likely to be alpha-fetoprotein positive than alpha-fetoprotein negative (p = 0.098). The overall objective response rate was 43% (38% among AFP positive and 62% among AFP negative patients) (p = 0.15). Although 21 patients had evidence of extra hepatic metastases, survival for these patients did not differ from patients without metastases (p = 0.09) and patients with extra hepatic metastases were just as likely to show intrahepatic response (p = 0.84). CONCLUSION: The chemoradiotherapy program utilized produced objective response and minimal toxicity. One-third of patients progressed rapidly in spite of treatment. Among the remaining patients, response occurred frequently. This treatment appears to represent an important therapeutic option for many, but not all, patients with unresectable hepatoma.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Selective vascular embolization in benign gynecologic conditions.

Eight patients with benign obstetric and gynecologic conditions required embolization. There was a total of 11 embolizations, and embolizing agents were chosen depending on the abnormality requiring embolization. Gelfoam, Ivalon and alcohol were used to treat vascular malformations. Ovarian veins were embolized with coils. Postoperative bleeding was managed with Gelfoam, coils and/or Ivalon. Four patients had bleeding after hysterectomy or vaginal suspension. One patient had postdelivery bleeding. All the bleeding was controlled after embolization. A uterine arteriovenous malformation was managed with embolization, allowing the patient to carry her next pregnancy to term. The symptoms of a vulvar hemangioma and ovarian syndrome were controlled with vascular embolization. Morbidity was minimal. Embolization is the primary treatment of choice in obstetric and gynecologic patients with postoperative bleeding or symptomatic vascular malformation.

Angiography↗

PubMed1991

Reduction of morbidity and mortality from biliary complications after liver transplantation.

Over a 4-yr period that began October 1, 1986, 103 orthotopic liver transplants were performed on 91 patients at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Biliary reconstruction at the time of transplantation was performed in standard fashion by an appropriately trained member of the surgical team. Six (7%) patients developed biliary complications, which included three cases of common bile duct stricture and one case each of bile duct obstruction caused by biopsy-related hemobilia, biloma and a retained fragment of a T tube after removal. Five of the six patients were treated successfully by nonoperative interventional radiological procedures performed under local anesthesia with light intravenous sedation. Reoperative surgery (to remove the T-tube fragment from subcutaneous tissue) was required for only one patient, and no deaths (0 of 91) were attributable to biliary complications. All six patients are alive and well 6 to 33 mo after the operation with excellent liver function. Our findings would suggest that most biliary complications of orthotopic liver transplants are avoidable and that the few that do appear can usually be managed both safely and effectively by an interventional radiological approach.

Adult↗