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Biomedical subjects

G Molas

Publications and source records attributed to G Molas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Calcitonin-secreting tumors of the pancreas: about six cases.

Calcitonin release has rarely been reported in patients (pts) with neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors (NPT). The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of calcitonin-secreting tumors (CST) of the pancreas. Serum calcitonin determination was part of the prospective evaluation of 66 pts with NPT referred to our institution over a 3-year period. Six pts (9%) had elevated calcitonin levels [at least twice the limit of the normal value (N)]. Abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography scan, and endoscopic ultrasound were performed to identify the primary tumor(s) and metastases. Immunostaining using anticalcitonin and other antibodies was performed on the surgical resection specimen (four pts) or biopsy of liver metastases (two pts). Three of the six pts (four males, two females; median age, 51.5 years) had diarrhea. Serum calcitonin levels (median, range) were 17.5 N (6N-40N). Slight elevations in serum somatostatin (1.2N-2.3N) were associated in three pts. Pancreatic tumors were single in five of six pts and evenly distributed in the head and in the tail. Five pts had metastases, mainly in the liver. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type I was present in one pt. Immunostaining using calcitonin and somatostatin antibodies was positive in four pts each, respectively, and areas that were positive for one peptide were negative for the other. Diarrhea disappeared in the two pts who responded to treatment of the tumor(s). Three of the four pts with liver metastases died from tumor progression after 2, 10, and 24 months, respectively. CST of the pancreas are often malignant and can be considered as functional in half of the cases, irrespective of the serum calcitonin levels. Somatostatin secretion is often associated. Although rare, calcitonin secretion should be investigated in NPT pts presenting with diarrhea that cannot be explained by an increase in other hormone levels or in patients with nonfunctioning NPT.

Adult

Detection of gastric mucins (M1 antigens) in cyst fluid for the diagnosis of cystic lesions of the pancreas.

Mucinous cystic tumors of the pancreas must be distinguished from other cystic lesions because of their potential malignancy. Our purpose was to assess the reliability of gastric M1 mucin analysis in the fluid of cystic lesions of the pancreas in comparison or association with carcinoembryonic antigen. M1 mucin and carcinoembryonic antigen were measured in cyst fluid obtained preoperatively by fine-needle aspiration. The lesions consisted of 12 serous cystadenomas, 9 mucinous cystadenomas, 8 cystadenocarcinomas and 6 intraductal mucinous hypersecreting neoplasms. Thirty pancreatic pseudocysts complicating well-documented chronic pancreatitis were also examined. In addition, M1 mucins were localized by immunoperoxidase staining in fetal and normal adult pancreas and in mucinous and serous tumors. Carcinoembryonic values of > 20 ng/ml and M1 mucin values of > 50 U M1/ml represented 82 and 78% sensitivity, respectively, as well as 100% specificity for distinguishing mucinous lesions from serous cystadenomas; the sensitivity for this purpose was 100% using these criteria in combination. Carcinoembryonic antigen values of > 300 ng/ml and M1 mucin values of > 1,200 U M1/ml represented 56 and 30% sensitivity, respectively, as well as 100% specificity for distinguishing mucinous lesions from pseudocysts; the sensitivity for this purpose was 60% using these criteria in combination. By immunohistology, M1 mucins were detected in the wall of mucinous lesions but not in fetal and normal adult pancreas and in serous cystadenomas. Measurement of M1 mucin antigen in cyst fluid could thus improve the diagnosis of mucinous cystic lesions of the pancreas.

Adolescent

Hepatic venous outflow block caused by short-length hepatic vein stenoses.

In contrast with the well-recognized membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava, short-length hepatic vein stenoses are not well-recognized causes of hepatic venous outflow block. The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence, causes, manifestations, and outcome of short-length hepatic vein stenoses. We performed a retrospective study of patients with short-length hepatic vein stenosis among 86 patients with hepatic venous outflow block who were seen between 1970 and 1992. There were 25 patients with short-length hepatic vein stenosis. A thrombogenic condition was identified in 14 patients (56%). The lesions of the accompanying hepatic veins in these patients were variable (short-length stenoses, thromboses, or nonspecific changes) and similar to that seen in patients without short-length hepatic vein stenosis. In 3 necropsied cases, the venous lesions were suggestive of fibrous sequela of prior thromboses. In patients with short-length hepatic vein stenosis, splenomegaly (28% vs. 55%, P < .05) and hypersplenism were significantly less common; serum transaminase (P < .001) and creatinine levels (P < .02) were lower, prothrombin was higher (P < .001), and 5-year survival was significantly better (Kaplan-Meier estimates: 80% vs. 50%, P < .05). In patients with hepatic venous outflow block, short-length hepatic vein stenosis is a common lesion that appears to be the sequela of localized thrombosis. Long-term anticoagulation and percutaneous angioplasty (with or without stenting) are potentially applicable in these lesions. The long-term results of these treatments merit further evaluation.

Adult

Chronic esophagitis dissecans: an unrecognized clinicopathologic entity?

BACKGROUND: We report the clinical and histologic features of a distinctive form of chronic esophagitis for which we propose the term chronic esophagitis dissecans. METHODS: The study group included five patients diagnosed at Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, from 1988 to 1994. Clinical and endoscopic examinations were performed. Samples of esophageal biopsy specimens were analyzed by histologic and ultrastructural examinations and by immunohistochemistry with antibodies directed against cell adhesion molecules. RESULTS: All patients were elderly (mean age, 66 years). They presented the following combination of clinical and endoscopic features: (1) long-standing history of chronic dysphagia, without symptoms of reflux, (2) shedding of mucosal fragments, occurring spontaneously or after mechanical trauma, (3) existence of localized esophageal strictures, (4) lack of concurrent chronic cutaneomucous lesions. Two patients presented with thymoma. Histologic examination showed evidence of mucosal blistering, in the absence of significant inflammatory lesions. Altered cell-cell adhesion was suggested by the reduced number of desmosomes on ultrastructural examination and the decreased expression of immunoreactive intercellular adhesion molecule E-cadherin. CONCLUSION: Chronic esophagitis dissecans likely represents a hitherto unrecognized clinicopathologic entity and must be added to the causes of chronic dysphagia.

Aged

Subfulminant syncytial giant cell hepatitis: recurrence after liver transplantation treated with ribavirin.

We report the case of an adult patient affected by acute syncytial giant cell hepatitis which had a subfulminant course leading to liver transplantation. Syncytial giant cell hepatitis recurred after transplantation and was efficiently treated with ribavirin. In this patient, the recurrence of the disease, the presence of filamentous strands on electron microscopy during both bouts of hepatitis and the efficacy of ribavirin on post-transplantation hepatitis suggest that the disease was caused by an original virus. This observation also suggests that early administration of ribavirin in patients affected by acute syncytia; giant cell hepatitis of unknown origin could avoid liver transplantation.

Acute Disease

In vivo assessment of lipid peroxidation in experimental edematous and necrotizing rat pancreatitis.

Lipid peroxidation, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis, is usually assessed in vitro or indirectly using antioxidants or free radical scavengers. We assessed lipid peroxidation in an in vivo model by measuring ethane exhalation in two models of acute pancreatitis. Edematous acute pancreatitis was induced by a supramaximal intraperitoneal injection of cerulein. Necrotizing acute pancreatitis was induced by retrograde infusion of sodium taurocholate into the pancreaticobiliary duct. Rats were placed in closed chambers and ethane exhalation was measured in aliquots. Ethane exhalation was significantly increased (p < 0.002) in cerulein (n = 12)- but not in taurocholate (n = 6)-induced pancreatitis compared to controls (n = 12 and 6, respectively). Our results suggest that free radicals may play a role in the pathogenesis of edematous pancreatitis but do not play an important role in the progression to necrotizing pancreatitis.

Acute Disease

[Pancreatoblastoma in adults].

Pancreatoblastoma is a rare pancreatic tumor, which usually occurs during childhood. We describe here the ninth adult case in a 21-year-old woman, who died 7 months after diagnosis despite complete surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy. Pancreatoblastoma in adults has a poor prognosis, at variance with what may be observed in childhood.

Adult

[Chondroblastoma of the temporal bone. Apropos of a case].

A case of temporal bone chrondroblastoma is reported. The presenting symptom was a serious otitis. The finding on physical examination was partial facial palsy. The tumor was removed through a middle fossa approach. Chondroblastoma is a rare tumor that represents 1% of all primary bone tumors. In the temporal bone only 34 cases have been reported. The histologic diagnostic should be difficult. Radical excision is suggested regarding its tendency to recur.

Adult

Release of nonesterified fatty acids during cerulein-induced pancreatitis in rats.

During acute pancreatitis, data obtained in vitro suggest that pancreatic lipase, acting on circulating or tissular triglycerides, might generate nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) that could promote pancreatic and fat tissue necrosis. This work determined whether NEFA were actually produced in vivo in pancreatic tissue and in blood during cerulein-induced pancreatitis in rats. Intraperitoneal injections of cerulein induced pancreatitis. To promote the possible NEFA release by pancreatic lipase, a venous infusion of human very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) was used to cause hypertriglyceridemia. NEFA were measured in portal and aortic blood and in tissue extracts prepared from pancreas homogenates. NEFA did not increase either in peripheral or in portal blood. In pancreatic tissue, NEFA levels did not differ from controls. The major hypertriglyceridemia produced by human VLDL intravenous infusion neither altered the course of the disease nor promoted plasma NEFA release. The role commonly attributed to NEFA in acute pancreatitis seems questionable.

Acute Disease

Nonesterified fatty acids in acute cerulein-induced pancreatitis in the rat. Are they really deleterious in vivo?

During acute pancreatitis, experimental data obtained in vitro suggested that pancreatic lipase generates nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), noxious for acinar cells, by hydrolysis of pancreatic or circulating triglycerides. The purpose of this work was to determine whether experimentally induced high plasma NEFA levels do indeed aggravate in vivo cerulein-induced pancreatitis. Anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats received cerulein and were simultaneously infused intravenously with either saline or a triglyceride + heparin mixture (TGH) in order to increase the amount of circulating NEFA. Plasma NEFA increased about fourfold (3.02 +/- 0.28 mumol/liter) in animals infused with TGH with respect to controls (0.75 +/- 0.05 mumol/liter). In rats receiving cerulein + TGH, pancreatic enzyme levels in plasma, ascites, and histological alterations of the pancreas did not differ from those observed in the rats receiving cerulein + saline. There was less macroscopic pancreatic edema (P < 0.01) in the cerulein + TGH group than in the cerulein + saline group. Separate infusion of either heparin alone or of triglycerides alone had no effect. We conclude that high levels of circulating NEFA do not aggravate cerulein pancreatitis in rats and may even induce a protective effect.

Acute Disease

Preoperative cyst fluid analysis is useful for the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It has been suggested that activity of pancreatic enzymes and concentrations of tumoral markers in cyst fluid may help to distinguish pseudocyst, serous, and mucinous cystadenomas. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the reliability of preoperative biochemical and tumor marker analysis in cyst fluids obtained by fine-needle aspiration for pathological diagnosis. METHODS: Cyst fluid was obtained preoperatively by fine-needle aspiration, and biochemical and tumoral marker values were measured. The diagnosis of cystic tumors (7 serous cystadenomas and 12 mucinous tumors) was established by surgical specimen analysis. Thirty-one pancreatic pseudocysts complicating well-documented chronic pancreatitis were also studied. RESULTS: Carbohydrate antigen 19.9 levels of > 50,000 U/mL had a 75% sensitivity and a 90% specificity for distinguishing mucinous tumors from other cystic lesions. Carcinoembryonic antigen levels of < 5 ng/mL had a 100% sensitivity and an 86% specificity for distinguishing serous cystadenomas from other cystic lesions. Amylase levels of > 5000 U/mL had a 94% sensitivity and a 74% specificity for distinguishing pseudocysts from other cystic lesions. CONCLUSIONS: High carbohydrate antigen 19.9, low carcinoembryonic antigen, and high amylase levels in cyst fluid are very indicative of mucinous tumors, serous cystadenomas, and pseudocysts, respectively.

Amylases

[Diagnosis of cystadenomas and cystadenocarcinomas of the pancreas. Study of 35 cases].

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to assess the circumstances of diagnosis and accuracy of imaging procedures in patients with cystic pancreatic tumours. METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive patients with cystic pancreatic tumours (serous cystadenomas: n = 19, mucinous cystadenomas: n = 9, cystadenocarcinomas: n = 7) were studied from 1988 to 1993. Respective diagnostic values of ultrasonography, endoscopic ultrasonography, CT scan and analysis of cyst fluid were evaluated. RESULTS: The circumstances of diagnosis were abdominal pain (74%), weight loss (23%), jaundice (8%), abdominal mass (6%), asymptomatic (6%). Initial diagnosis of cystadenoma was correctly made by ultrasonography, CT scan and endoscopic ultrasonography in 63%, 77% and 84%, and the type of cystadenoma was correctly diagnosed in 20%, 51% and 55%. A pseudocyst was falsely diagnosed in 28%, 12% and 3%, respectively. After blind review of CT scans and endoscopic ultrasonography records, the type of cystadenoma was correctly diagnosed in 82% by both procedures. Cytological examination of cyst fluid of 18 cystic tumours gave correct diagnosis in 10 cases with sufficient material. A low CEA (P < 0.002), Ca 19.9 (P < 0.003) and absence of mucins (P < 0.002) in cyst fluid was evocative of serous cystadenoma. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal pain was the main circumstance of diagnosis in cases of pancreatic cystadenomas. The type of cystadenoma was correctly diagnosed in 82% by CT scan and endoscopic ultrasonography. Cytological examination, tumoural marker and mucin levels in cyst fluid were helpful for an accurate diagnosis of cystic tumours.

Adult

Tracheal malacoplakia.

Malacoplakia is a rare granulomatous disease well described in the urinary tract but which rarely involves the lung. We report for the first time, to our knowledge, tracheal localization of this unusual disorder. The larynx and probably kidneys were also involved. Differential diagnosis, physiopathology, and treatments are discussed.

Adult

Cystic dystrophy of the gastric and duodenal wall developing in heterotopic pancreas: an unrecognised entity.

Ten patients in whom cystic dystrophy developed in a heterotopic pancreas of the duodenal (nine patients) or gastric (one patient) wall are reported. All were young or middle aged white men, only two of whom were alcoholic. The symptoms were caused by intestinal or biliary stenosis, or both, secondary to the inflammation and fibrosis. Only endosonography provided strong evidence for the diagnosis in three patients. All patients underwent surgery: a pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed in eight patients. The surgical specimen showed cystic lesions of the gut wall, occurring in inflammatory and fibrous heterotopic pancreatic tissue. The pancreas proper was normal in all patients. It is suggested that cystic dystrophy is an uncommon and serious complication of heterotopic pancreas. Similar cases associated with chronic pancreatitis of the pancreas have been observed and it is suggested that this process could be responsible for some of the chronic pancreatitis encountered in young, non-alcoholic patients.

Adult

[Pleomorphic adenoma of the nasal septum. Apropos of a case].

Pleomorphic adenoma is the common benign tumor of glandular tissue occurring in the head neck region. The authors report a case localised in the nasal septum, which is an uncommon site for this tumor. Symptoms include unilateral nasal obstruction and intermittent nasal bleeding. Local surgical resection with histologic clear margins is the treatment of choice but long term follow-up is recommended.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic

[Lingual rhabdomyosarcoma in an adult patient].

A case of rhabdomyosarcoma of the tongue in an adult male is reported. The diagnosis of this rare lesion is difficult and should be considered in every growing mass of the head and neck region. It is based on the pathologic examination of tissue samples guided by immunohistological methods. In this case the examination revealed an embryonal type. The tumoral progression is rapidly fatal unless an aggressive therapeutic regimen including surgery and radiotherapy is instituted. In this manner dramatic improvement in survival rate has been achieved in recent years.

Adult

[Is it possible to individualize microvillous large-cell lymphoma among sinusoid lymphomas?].

Microvillous non-hodgkin lymphomas are large cell malignant lymphomas with a sinus growth pattern and the presence of cytoplasmic processes detected by electron microscopy. Microvillous non-hodgkin lymphomas appear to be of B cell lineage. Neoplasms considered in the differential diagnosis include anaplastic large cell Ki-1 lymphomas, malignant histiocytosis and metastatic carcinoma or malignant melanoma. A panel of markers are usually sufficient to recognize all of these neoplasms except microvillous lymphomas. We report a case of microvillous non-hodgkin lymphoma characterized by a histologic pattern mimicking those of anaplastic large cell Ki-1 lymphoma. However, immunohistochemistry study failed to demonstrate presence of activation antigen such as Ki-1, EMA, interleukin 2 receptor. Ultrastructural study showed that neoplastic cells exhibited filliform cytoplasmic processes. This report raise the possibility of an overlap between microvillous non-hodgkin lymphomas and anaplastic large cell Ki-1 lymphomas of B-cell lineage. It must be emphasized that, initially, these two kinds of lymphomas were defined with different morphologic technologies.

Biomarkers, Tumor