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Biomedical subjects

H Brisse

Publications and source records attributed to H Brisse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Improving the interpretation of bone marrow imaging in cancer patients.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best technique for bone marrow imaging. The MRI signal of bone marrow depends on the quantity of fat it contains and on its cellularity. Evaluation of marrow of patients treated for cancer is complicated by age and osseous site related changes in the distribution of normal haematopoietic (red) and fatty (yellow) marrow and by the changes induced by treatments: decrease in pathological cellularity, increase in fat proportion, conversion of red marrow to fatty marrow or, conversely, reconversion of fatty marrow in normal haematopoietic red marrow. The treatments used in oncology modify pathological marrow but also normal marrow and may sometimes lead to complications. These modifications may be focal or diffuse, homogeneous or patchy and symmetrical or asymmetric. The knowledge of bone marrow physiological status and post-therapeutic patterns is important for the interpretation of marrow disorders and effects of therapy and to avoid false-positive diagnosis of marrow metastases and tumour progression. The aim of this paper is to recall the MRI patterns of normal bone marrow and normal variations and to show the effects of treatments on bone tissue and normal bone marrow and treatment-related modifications on pathological marrow.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

[Rhabdomyosarcoma of the genitourinary sinus in children].

Genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) accounts for approximately 25% of all rhabdomyosarcomas. Management of RMS at this site has changed during the last 5 consecutive Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma (IRS) trials, with increasing emphasis of bladder and vaginal conservation. As more effective treatment regimens has improved survival, surgical approaches have evolved to less aggressive management of the primary tumour to improve conservation. Various combinations of chemotherapy, irradiation and surgery have resulted in a decreased late sequelae in the group of patients with sarcoma arising in the genitourinary tract.

Child↗

Portal vein thrombosis during antineoplastic chemotherapy in children: report of five cases and review of the literature.

We report five paediatric cases of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) occurring during chemotherapy, observed in two institutions over an 8-year time period. These children aged 2.5-15 years were treated for Burkitt's lymphoma, Ewing's tumour, small cell bone tumour or medulloblastoma. PVT was diagnosed on colour Doppler ultrasonography (US). In four patients, thrombosis occurred 2-45 days after severe hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) secondary to intensive chemotherapy containing busulfan. In one case, PVT occurred in the absence of HVOD in a patient with pre-existing periportal lymphomatous infiltration. Four patients experienced persistent portal hypertension, which resulted in death in one. PVT during chemotherapy in children is a rare event and appears to be closely related to intensive chemotherapy containing busulfan and to be associated with HVOD.

Adolescent↗

[Central neurological manifestations during chemotherapy in children].

The central neurotoxicity of cytotoxic drugs depends on their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The drugs with the highest neurotoxicity are therefore those that cross the BBB most easily: alkylating agents (metabolites of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide, thiotepa and high-dose melphalan), busulfan, platinum derivatives, aracytine and methotrexate. Apart from aracytine-induced cerebellar toxicity, the clinical signs suggestive of chemotherapy neurotoxicity are relatively nonspecific: altered level of consciousness, seizures, behavioural disorders and motor deficits. Nevertheless, a good knowledge of the various neurological syndromes likely to occur can allow them to be attributed to a drug-induced cause. However, as patients may be receiving several potentially neurotoxic treatments (chemotherapy, concomitant drugs, neurosurgery, radiotherapy), it is difficult to formally confirm the responsibility of the drug, which should only be considered after confirming the absence of radiological and metabolic abnormalities. A specific antagonist treatment can be administered in rare cases (ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy).

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Laparoscopic adrenal surgery for neuroblastomas in children.

PURPOSE: The role of laparoscopy in children with neuroblastomas has not been fully defined. The laparoscopic approach to the adrenal gland is already largely used in adults and a few cases have been reported in children. We report the experience of a single surgical team center with laparoscopic adrenal surgery for neuroblastomas in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2000 and October 2002 laparoscopic adrenalectomy for neuroblastoma was performed in 9 patients (6 girls and 3 boys) with a mean age of 38 months (range 2 months to 9 years). Two tumors were detected prenatally and 7 postnatally. Preoperative diagnosis was neuroblastoma stage I in 4 cases and stage IV in 3 cases, and nondetermined suprarenal calcified masses in 2 cases. A 4 or 5-trocar transperitoneal approach was used in all cases. The adrenal tumors were completely excised, placed into a plastic bag and removed through the umbilical trocar site. RESULTS: All of the adrenal tumors were well encapsulated and completely excised. One of the 9 procedures was converted to open surgery because of adhesions to renal vessels. In 1 case a second hepatic localization was removed simultaneously, and in 3 cases 1 or more lymph nodes were resected. Average operative time was 85 minutes (range 45 to 170). There were no deaths. There were no postoperative complications, except 1 port site infection that was treated locally. Blood transfusion was not required. Average hospital stay was 4.5 days (range 2 to 10). Histological analysis of the 9 specimens (maximum length 6 cm) confirmed the diagnosis of neuroblastoma. N-myc status was studied in 8 of the 9 resected neuroblastomas and was amplified in 2 cases (both stage IV with preoperative biopsy). Average postoperative followup was 15 months (range 1 to 25). There was no local recurrence or metastasis, except in the case that required conversion to open surgery (local recurrence 7 months later). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for neuroblastoma is safe and feasible in children, with good results. Experience with advanced laparoscopic surgery is required to achieve this result in optimal oncological conditions. Our short-term results must be reevaluated at long term, and further studies are needed to compare laparoscopy to open surgical techniques.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for extensive unilateral retinoblastoma.

AIM: The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was studied when first line enucleation cannot be safely performed in unilateral extensive retinoblastoma (major buphthalmia or radiologically detectable optic nerve involvement). METHODS: Six patients, referred for unilateral retinoblastoma, presented with major buphthalmia (two) or optic nerve invasion (four): they were treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy using etoposide and carboplatin. RESULTS: Good tumour response was observed in the two patients with buphthalmia and in three of four cases with optic nerve involvement. Meningeal progressive disease was observed in the last patient. The five patients without disease progression were then operated on: anterior enucleation in the patients with buphthalmia and enucleation via a double neurosurgical and ophthalmological approach with prechiasmatic optic nerve section in the other three cases. Postoperative chemotherapy was performed in these five patients. Local radiotherapy to the chiasmatic region and posterior part of the optic canal was necessary in only one patient. The non-operated patient died with disease progression 6 months after the diagnosis. The other five patients are alive with a follow up of 12, 15, 21, 36, and 40 months after stopping treatment. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be useful in extensive unilateral retinoblastoma with buphthalmia and/or radiological optic nerve invasion at diagnosis.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Fetal cerebral cortex: normal gestational landmarks identified using prenatal MR imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Few investigators have analyzed the MR imaging patterns of fetal gyration. Our purpose was to establish, with a large prospective series, the normal sulcation landmarks according to gestational age by using in utero MR imaging and to correlate our findings with established neuroanatomic timetables. METHODS: A standardized fetal cerebral MR examination was performed in 173 normal fetuses at 22 to 38 weeks' gestation. Eight T1- and T2-weighted coronal, axial, and sagittal slices were obtained for each fetus and systematically analyzed. The sequential development of the different fissures and sulci of the cerebral cortex with respect to gestational age were tabulated. RESULTS: Sulcation of the medial, lateral, and inferior surfaces of the brain was depicted, and a timetable for the MR depiction of the primary and secondary sulci was established for the 22- to 38-week gestational period. This timetable was in good agreement with the neuroanatomic standards of reference, with a mean lag time of 1 week. CONCLUSION: This analysis of fetal brain sulcation in a large series of fetuses contributes to a better understanding of the maturation of the fetal cortex on MR imaging studies. It furthermore provides a standard of reference that can be used to assess the normality of fetal sulcation and to diagnose gyrational abnormalities with prenatal MR imaging.

Cerebral Cortex↗

[Current strategy for the imaging of neuroblastoma].

Advances in the management of neuroblastoma lead radiologists and nuclear medicine specialists to optimize their procedures in order to propose a rational use of their techniques, adjusted to the various clinical presentations and to therapeutic management. The aim of this paper is to assess the imaging procedures for the diagnosis and follow-up of neuroblastoma in children according to current therapeutic European protocols. An imaging strategy at diagnosis is first proposed: optimal assessment of local extension of the primary tumour is made with MRI, or spiral-CT when MRI is not available, for all locations except for abdominal tumours for which CT remains the best imaging modality. Metastatic extension is assessed with mIBG scan and liver sonography. Indications for bone metastasis evaluation with either radiological or radionuclide techniques are detailed. Imaging follow-up during treatment for metastatic or unresectable tumours is described. A check-list of radiological main points to be evaluated before surgery is proposed for localized neuroblastoma. The imaging strategy for the diagnosis of "occult" neuroblastoma is considered. Finally, we explain the management of neuroblastoma detected during the prenatal or neonatal period.

Biopsy↗

[Ultrasound in pediatric urology].

UNLABELLED: GENERAL OBJECTIVE: To review technical considerations, indications, findings and limitations of ultrasound and Doppler in pediatric urology. EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: This course aims to help the reader improve his/her own technical skills and knowledge of ultrasound findings as well as their significance in pediatric urology. The most common causes of misinterpretation and limitations are reviewed. The scope of the article is limited to common diseases: infection, urinary tract malformation, trauma and tumor. Because ultrasound cannot be separated from other imaging modalities, the indications for each of these imaging modalities are provided in relevant sections.

Age Factors↗

Hepatic regenerating nodules: a mimic of recurrent cancer in children.

BACKGROUND: Pseudometastatic lesions of the liver may be discovered incidentally in children previously treated for malignant tumour. OBJECTIVE: To describe the radiological pattern of these lesions and to analyse their pathogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine children, 2-12 years' old at the time of diagnosis, are described in this retrospective multicentre report. The primary tumours were: nephroblastoma (n = 2), neuroblastoma (n = 2), Ewing's tumour/PNET (n = 2), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 1), and osteosarcoma (n = 2), treated by surgery (8/9), chemotherapy (9/9), intensive chemotherapy and bone-marrow transplantation (5/9), and radiotherapy (7/9). Three children suffered veno-occlusive disease (VOD) during treatment. The hepatic assessment was performed by sonography (8/9), Doppler (7/9), multiphase spiral CT (8/9) and MRI (7/9). RESULTS: Lesions were discovered 15 months to 16 years after completing treatment. CT was the most sensitive modality for diagnosis. Lesions were multiple in eight cases, measured 2-50 mm, and appeared hypervascular on the arterial phase of CT and/or MRI in every case. Metastases were excluded on the basis of histological verification (n = 2) and clinical and radiological follow-up. CONCLUSION: Pseudometastatic hypervascular hepatic nodules can appear after treatment of a malignant tumour in children. The hypothesis of benign regenerative lesions secondary to treatment and/or VOD is considered.

Child↗

Skeletal abnormalities in fetuses with Down's syndrome: a radiographic post-mortem study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate skeletal abnormalities on post-mortem radiographs of fetuses with Down's syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biometrical and morphological criteria, which are used for US prenatal detection of trisomy 21, were assessed. Limb long bones, biparietal diameter (BPD)/occipito-frontal diameter (OFD) ratio, ossification of nasal bones and appearance of the middle phalanx of the fifth digit (P2) in 60 fetuses with Down's syndrome were analysed and compared with 82 normal fetuses matched for gestational age (GA) from 15 to 40 weeks' gestation (WG). RESULTS: We observed reduced growth velocity of limb long bones during the third trimester in both groups, but the reduction was more pronounced in the trisomic group. Brachycephaly was found as early as 15 WG in Down's syndrome and continued throughout gestation (sensitivity 0.28, specificity 1). Ossification of the nasal bones, which can be detected in normal fetuses from 14 WG, was absent in one quarter of trisomic fetuses, regardless of GA. The middle phalanx of the fifth digit was evaluated by comparison with the distal phalanx (P3) of the same digit. We found that P2 was not ossified in 11/31 trisomic fetuses before 23 WG, and was either not ossified or hypoplastic in 17/29 cases after 24 WG (sensitivity 0.56, specificity 1). CONCLUSIONS: Three key skeletal signs were present in trisomic fetuses: brachycephaly, absence of nasal bone ossification, and hypoplasia of the middle phalanx of the fifth digit. All these signs are appropriate to prenatal US screening. When present, they fully justify determination of the fetal karyotype by amniocentesis.

Bone and Bones↗

[Intracranial hypertension in a newborn treated with quinolone].

BACKGROUND: Fluoroquinolones have not received administrative authorization for use in children, but because of multiresistant pathogens in neonatal intensive care, floroquinolones may be the only alternative. CASE REPORT: A premature infant exclusively nourished by parenteral nutrition developed enterobacteria sepsis. Ceftazidine was given initially but resistance led to the prescription of fluoroquinolone. Signs of intracranial hypertension developed 3 days after onset of fluoroquinolone treatment and regressed 48 hours after its withdrawal. DISCUSSION: The main potential adverse effects with fluoroquinone in the newborn are arthropathy, photosensitivity, discoloration of the teeth and neurological disorders. Intracranial hypertension is a known complication of nalidixic acid both in adults and children, but to our knowledge has not been previously with floroquinolone in the newborn.

4-Quinolones↗