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H Dombrowski

Publications and source records attributed to H Dombrowski.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The second EURADOS intercomparison of national network systems used to provide early warning of a nuclear accident.

In 1999 and 2002, the EURADOS Working Group on Environmental Monitoring organised two European intercomparison exercises of national network systems used to provide early warning in case of a nuclear accident. In total, 12 European countries, represented by more than 40 scientists, participated in these two intercomparisons with more than 35 different dose rate detectors. In addition, an in situ gamma spectrometry intercomparison was performed by a group of European scientists during the 2002 exercise. Results of these spectrometry measurements will be reported elsewhere. This report summarises the results of the second intercomparison, performed in 2002, at the environmental dosimetry facilities of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Germany. The unique combination of the ultra-low background Underground Laboratory (UDO) and two free-field sites (a floating platform on a lake showing an almost pure cosmic radiation field and a free-field gamma ray irradiation facility) provide the particular opportunity to precisely quantify the inherent background of the detectors and to calibrate them almost free of any background and traceable to PTB's primary standards. In addition, the intercomparison comprised investigations on the energy and dose rate dependence of the detectors' response to gamma radiation as well as on the response to cosmic radiation. Finally, the sensitivity of the detector systems to small dose rate variations, similar to that caused by a passing overhead radioactive plume, was studied under realistic free-field conditions. Following the Council Directive 96/29/EURATOM, the participants of the 2002 intercomparison were asked to report their results in terms of the operational quantity ambient dose equivalent, H(*)(10). Although the verification of the individual calibrations showed smaller discrepancies than those in the 1999 intercomparison, in a few cases, these discrepancies would be still unacceptably high in the case of a real emergency situation as demonstrated by the plume results. This shows the clear need for further efforts towards a European harmonisation in environmental dosimetry. For this purpose, a further intercomparison shall be held at the PTB in 2006, especially with the participation of new members of the European Union.

Air Pollution, Radioactive↗

Recurrent acute pancreatitis and intraluminal duodenal diverticulum.

An intraluminal duodenal diverticulum (IDD) and a partial pancreas divisum were diagnosed in a 22-year-old man who exhibited recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis. Resection of the diverticulum resulted in a complete disappearance of symptoms. The possible etiological relationship between IDD and recurrent acute pancreatitis is discussed.

Acute Disease↗

Histamine release and pseudoallergic reactions induced by radiographic contrast media: comparison of Angiographin, Hexabrix and Telebrix using an in vivo canine model.

Radiographic contrast media (RCM) in clinical use cause unwanted allergic/pseudoallergic reactions of all grades of severity. They also induce histamine release from a variety of mast cell populations, the extent of the histamine release reaction depending on both the organ and species. In this study 3 RCM, which had been previously shown to be effective histamine releasing agents with canine liver cells, were investigated using an in vivo canine model based on the clinical situation. The dogs (n = 36) were randomly allocated to one of 3 treatment groups and received a bolus injection (2 ml/kg body weight) of either Angiographin, Hexabrix or Telebrix. Blood pressure was monitored continuously and blood sampling, for plasma histamine measurements, was performed before and 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 min after RCM injection. All 3 RCM caused elevated plasma histamine levels in some animals: Angiographin 9 of 12 dogs, 0.40 ng/ml, (0-1.9 ng/ml) median (range); Hexabrix 11/12, 0.5 ng/ml (0-3.8 ng/ml); Telebrix 7/12, 0.4 ng/ml (0-2.0 ng/ml). Cardiovascular reactions were observed in most animals. The hypotensive reactions occurred with a maximum 30 sec after RCM application and recovery was normally observed after 1-1.5 min. The response after Angiographin or Telebrix was significantly greater than after Hexabrix. Hypertensive reactions occurred later (15 min (5-25 min)) and did not differ between the groups. All 3 agents tested were able to elicit histamine release and cardiovascular reactions. In comparison to histamine release occurring after intravenous administration of other agents, such as hypnotics, the degree of histamine release was small.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[Segmental colonic stenosis in intestinal metastasis of breast carcinoma. A contribution to the differential diagnosis of colitis].

Four years after mastectomy for a scirrhous carcinoma a 71-year-old woman developed diarrhoea. Crohn's disease was suspected. At endoscopy a stenosis of the sigmoid colon was found which could not be passed: the mucosa was normal looking. Gastrointestinal radiography revealed segmental subtotal stenoses of the colon with linitis plastica, typical for tumour-caused infiltration, as well as indentations in the small intestine by mesenteric metastases. The diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography and, finally, operation. Chemotherapy failed to produce any regression of the colon stenoses, and the patient died from mechanical ileus. In case of a similar history and colon stenoses of uncertain aetiology the possibility of intestinal metastases should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Adenocarcinoma, Scirrhous↗

[Experience with the SIMEDOS radiology information system in a central department for x-ray diagnosis].

Implementation of the radiological information system SIMEDOS in the central department of diagnostic radiology in the Marburg University Hospital is discussed. Special attention is given to the clinical and organizational problems of the department, as well as the planning and preparation phases of system implementation. This system has been in use for 10 months and our experience concerning problem-solving and the various user groups is described.

Germany, West↗

The prognostic value of response to the first cycle of chemotherapy in small cell lung cancer. Results of a multicenter German trial.

The prognostic significance of evaluation of response according to chest X-ray after only one cycle of treatment was investigated in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Three hundred and six patients entered a multicenter randomized German trial testing alternating vs. sequential chemotherapy. Decrease of tumor size after the first cycle was seen to be 78% in the alternating group and 70% in the sequential group. Stable disease occurred in 25% of the sequentially treated and 19% of the alternatingly treated patients. No substantial differences in pretreatment characteristics were noticed between patients with stable disease in sequential and alternating treatment. In sequential therapy, median survival was 323 days for patients with decrease of tumor size after the first cycle and 219 days for patients with no change. Only five out of 21 patients with no change after one cycle responded to continuous administration of this regimen including one complete remission. In alternating therapy, median survival was 347 days for patients with decrease in tumor size after the first cycle and 378 days for patients with no change indicating no difference in prognosis. Twelve out of 18 patients with no change responded to continuous administration of alternating treatment including six complete remissions. We concluded that response to the first cycle according to chest X-ray is a reliable and prognostically valid response criterion if sequential therapy is used. In this treatment modality no change in tumor size after the first cycle indicates poor prognosis, and improvement of the patients' outcome may be achieved by a switch to a second non-cross resistant drug combination.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

[Case examples of rare locations of aneurysms].

We describe four cases of rare aneurysm localisations, one case of an aneurysm of the hepatic artery, two cases of aneurysms of the superior mesenteric artery and its branches and, as an extreme rarity, one case of an aneurysm of the superior gluteal artery (only three known cases up to now). All cases were documented by arteriography/DSA, ultrasonography and computed tomography. We refer to incidence, aetiology, symptomatology, and possible complications as indicated by literature.

Aged↗

[Differential diagnostic evaluation of chronic pancreatitis in relation to pancreatic cancer based on clinical, laboratory chemical and diagnostic parameters. Studies of 174 patients in 10 years].

174 patients with chronic pancreatic diseases, 30 patients with pancreatic carcinoma and 144 with chronic relapsing pancreatitis, 50 of them with calcifications, were observed in the Department of Internal Medicine of the University of Marburg/FRG between 1972 and 1982. In order to differentiate between carcinoma and relapsing pancreatitis the data of these patients were analysed retrospectively with regard to patient history, actual complaints, findings of laboratory, sonography, ERCP and X-ray investigations. The following results were obtained: Of discriminating value are steatorrhoe, local palpatory pain, alcohol ingestion, a history of earlier attacks and relapsing pain situations; however, general abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and weight loss (if not exactly specified) are not. Within the laboratory findings bilirubin, GOT, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-GT, serum potassium, blood sugar and chymotrypsin content of the stool were significant while serum and urine amylase were similarly distributed within the groups of patients. Carcinoma and chronic relapsing pancreatitis can be identified by sonography in the majority of patients, but calcifications of the pancreas were rarely demonstrated during this observation period. The obstruction of the extrahepatic bile ducts--mostly due to a carcinoma of the pancreas head--was usually well documented by sonography. Intraabdominal air proofed to be the most disturbing factor. In carcinoma patients, the ERCP is important in demonstrating a complete obstruction of the pancreatic duct and stenosis and dilatation of the extrahepatic bile ducts. In patients with chronic relapsing pancreatitis the pancreatic duct alterations such as dilatations and partial stenosis are well documented by ERCP especially if calcifications occur. In patients without calcifications, dilatation of the branches of the main duct are less relevant in the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases. Radiological demonstration of calcification of the pancreatic area is important for the differential diagnosis. Longstanding characteristical complaints, symptoms and calcifications within the pancreatic area are the most relevant factors in discriminating carcinoma and chronic relapsing pancreatitis.

Adult↗

[Ultrasound tomography and guided fine needle biopsy of intrathoracic space occupying lesions].

Pleural and pleural-based intrathoracic masses lead to a real sound transmission, thus allowing a sonomorphological diagnostic approach. Thoracic sonography is particularly helpful to evaluate the nature of pleural-based radiographic opacities. Moreover, fine needle biopsies guided by sonography permit cyto-histological diagnoses of intrathoracic masses. Ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy was performed in 15 patients with pleural-based space-occupying pulmonary lesions. True positive results were obtained in 12 of the 15 patients with two true negative results and one false negative aspiration. The overall accuracy of aspiration cytology was 14 out of 15 (93.3%). In one patient a small pneumothorax occurred as a complication of the transthoracic needle approach.

Adult↗

[Diagnostic value of clinical methods in the staging of abdominal Hodgkin's disease (author's transl)].

Explorative laparotomies were carried out on 68 patients with Hodgkin's disease in the University Hospital of Marburg from 1969 through 1978. These laparotomies were preceded by clinical examination, abdominal sonography in 27 cases, lymphography in 55 cases, scintigraphy of liver and spleen in 58 cases, and radiographic examinations of the intestinal tract in 18 cases. Sonography revealed a greater accuracy (90%) for splenic involvement than scintigraphy (74%); the results of sonography and scintigraphy of the liver were comparable. For the detection of para-aortal lymphomas ultrasound and lymphography can be regarded as complementary methods. Our results are compared with findings in the literature on abdominal sonography (n = 50), scintigraphy of liver and spleen (n = 185), and lymphography (n = 465) carried out before explorative laparotomy for lymphogranulomatosis. There was a better correlation for the systemic symptoms of the 68 patients with the clinical stage than with the pathologic stage. The importance of diagnosing different groups, e.g. in stage III, is stressed.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Real-time ultrasound examination in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal tumors.

Inflammatory and neoplastic infiltrations of the intestinal wall lead in advanced stages to a tumorous thickening that can be visualized by ultrasound as the so-called cockade sign. The possibilities and limitations of ultrasound diagnosis of gastrointestinal tumors are presented. Over a period of 2 years, 73 tumors were diagnosed, 39 primarily by means of ultrasound with the real-time technique; 15 tumors were curatively resected at the time of primary ultrasound diagnosis.

False Positive Reactions↗

[A new contrast medium emulsion for lymphography (author's transl)].

A new contrast medium for lymphography has been developed. It is suitable for direct, such as bi-pedal, lymphangiography, and has certain advantages compared with the commercially available contrast medium Ethiodol, such as absence of a lipogranulomatous reaction and less extensive oil emboli in the lungs. It is also possible to use the substance for indirect, retrosternal lymphography. The substance is indirect, retrosternal lymphography. The substance is an emulsion of triglycerides of iodinated poppy seed oil. The method of preparation of the emulsion is described.

Animals↗

[Intestinal pseudo-obstruction].

The report is the first on intestinal pseudoobstruction in german literature. The most impressive clinical signs and symptoms in our case were uncharacteristic abdominal discomfort, flatulence, and relapsing diarrhoe over a period of two decades. Finally we observed periods of inappetence, occasional vomiting a few hours after food intake and kachexia developing in 8 months. A localized dilatation of the duodenum and upper jejunum associated with complete atonia was found by laparatomy. The dilated segment of the intestine was largely resected. An impressive decrease in the thickness of the muscularis propria with splitting of muscle fibres and intact neural plexus was found by histology. After treatment with antibiotics it came to a satisfying restitution of the patient. The hitherto very rare clinical syndrome of localized dilatation of intestine with severe disturbance of motility and the published cases of the world literature are discussed.

Diagnosis, Differential↗