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Biomedical subjects

H T Ng

Publications and source records attributed to H T Ng.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Application of tumor markers CEA, TPA, and SCC-Ag in patients with low-risk FIGO stage IB and IIA squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the potential clinical utility of tumor markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) in patients with FIGO stage IB and IIA squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix with low-risk clinicopathologic factors (negative lymph node metastasis, no lymphovascular space involvement, no bulky tumor size, no parametrial invasion, no deep stromal invasion, and well-differentiated cellular histology). METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 558 patients with FIGO stage IB-IIA and pathology-proven invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix, treated at the Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, between December 1986 and November 1990. Serum specimens were drawn before operation. A total of 140 assessable patients were enrolled into the study (including 109 stage IB patients and 31 stage IIA patients; all patients had no clinicopathologic risk factors and had at least one tumor marker datum). Survival curves were constructed according to the Kaplan-Meier method and survival curves were compared using the log-rank test. RESULTS: In univariate analysis of survival, CEA, TPA, and SCC-Ag all have roles in the prediction of prognosis. In Cox proportional hazards model using CEA, TPA, and SCC-Ag as covariates, TPA demonstrated the most significant risk factor (P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that preoperative evaluation of serum TPA might be of great value in the prediction of survival of patients without any clinicopathologic risk factors and this special group of patients should be paid much attention in the follow-up period. From this study, preoperative elevation of TPA defines a group of otherwise low-risk invasive cervical cancer patients who are at high risk for recurrence. Adjuvant therapy might be necessary for this special subset of patients. A prospective study with a larger sample should be conducted to prove this particular finding.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Whole-body PET with (fluorine-18)-2-deoxyglucose for detecting recurrent primary serous peritoneal carcinoma: An initial report.

OBJECTIVE: Because of the limited sensitivity and specificity of conventional tools such as computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting persistent or recurrent primary serous peritoneal carcinoma (PSPC), a reliable means of diagnosis remains elusive. Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning may offer another approach to this problem. METHODS: A prospective study of three patients requiring surgical exploration for suspected recurrence of PSPC received a whole-body PET (fluorine-18)-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) scanning in a teaching hospital from July 1995 to December 1998. The suspected recurrence was based upon clinical findings including a detailed physical examination, serum CA-125 marker ultrasound, CT, and MRI. Three patients were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: In all three patients, PET images demonstrated increased FDG uptake in a distribution that correlated with surgical-pathologic findings (100%); on the contrary, CT can detect 33.3% of these patients with malignant diseases and MRI can detect two-thirds of cases. Serum CA-125 was also elevated in all three patients, although one patient showed an equivocal elevation of 25.7 IU/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional imaging studies are neither sensitive nor specific for detecting recurrent PSPC. In contrast, besides CA-125, PET might offer a relatively effective tool for detecting recurrent primary serous peritoneal carcinoma. Due to the very small number of patients available in this study, considerable research must be performed to clarify the impact of PET on detecting recurrence of PSPC.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Power Doppler angiographic appearance and blood flow velocity waveforms in invasive cervical carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of transvaginal power Doppler angiography in predicting cervical malignancy by detecting intratumoral blood flow and to understand the relationship between squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) serum levels and intratumoral blood flow analysis of invasive cervical carcinoma before treatment. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with cervical carcinoma (35 with stages Ia to IVb invasive carcinoma, 3 with cervical carcinoma in situ) were enrolled for the evaluation of tumor flow using transvaginal ultrasound accompanied with power Doppler angiography before surgery. The pulsatility, resistance index, and vascular index of tumor flow were measured. Thirty patients with proven healthy cervices were used as the control group. Pretreatment SCC serum levels were obtained in 34 women with cervical carcinoma. RESULTS: The pulsatility index and resistance index were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.0001). The vascular index was also significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences among patients with SCC type and non-SCC type cervical carcinoma (P > 0.05) among the six parameters. There was no significant correlation between the pretreatment SCC serum levels with any of the six parameters obtained from the intratumoral blood flow analysis in the SCC group. CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal ultrasound with power Doppler angiography is a valuable diagnostic tool for differentiating benign tumors of the cervix from malignant ones. Intratumoral blood flow of the cervix supplied us with practical diagnostic information before surgery and may aid in early prediction and management of cervical carcinoma. The use of transvaginal ultrasound with power Doppler angiography in the grading of vascularity ratio within cervical masses provided more sonographic characteristics among the different subclassifications of cervical cancer and is more useful than color Doppler imaging in the visualization of sonographic morphology.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

Disposable, low cost, silver-coated, piezoelectric quartz crystal biosensor and electrode protection.

The use of a commercial, silver-coated, piezoelectric quartz crystal as a disposable, low cost and reliable immunosensor is presented. The protection of the silver electrode from undesirable oxidation was achieved by polystyrene or carboxy-poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-COOH) modification. In addition to serving as protection for the electrode, polymer films provided a substrate for antibody immobilization by either physical adsorption or covalent linkage. Polystyrene modification showed an additional advantage of improvement of surface smoothness. The atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to evaluate the morphologies of polymer films obtained by dip or drop coating techniques. It was found that drop coating provided more significant improvement in surface smoothness than dip coating, and the resulting sensor surfaces were more suitable for in situ liquid phase assay. Although PVC-COOH-modified sensors were not suitable for liquid phase assay because of the high surface roughness, the covalent linkages (amide bonds) between antibodies and -COOH groups in the polymer film offered better sensor performance in ex situ assay in terms of a higher antibody binding capacity and better antigen detection sensitivity.

Biosensing Techniques↗
PubMed2000

Posterior uterine wall rupture during labour.

Vaginal births after Caesarean section (VBAC) are well-accepted procedures when pregnant women do not have any contra-indications. The possibilities of the uterine dehisence and rupture during VBAC should always be considered. This occurrence is usually related to the previous scar tissue and subsequent risk is acceptable. Nevertheless, rupture that occurs in presumably normal tissue areas of the uterus instead of in scar tissue areas with resultant perinatal death is extremely rare. We present a 31 year old woman who had posterior uterine rupture when she tried VBAC at 38 weeks gestation. During the course of VBAC, she had a smooth labour course without use of any augmentation medication, but her condition was complicated with uterine rupture without any premonitory signal. It resulted in maternal shock and sequentially the death of the newborn 7 days after delivery. By reviewing this case report, we should keep in mind that prompt response to every woman during labour is of paramount importance to avoid repeating the occurrence of uterine rupture, partly because uterine rupture could occur without prominent signals and partly because subsequent dangers seem to be those created by acts of omission. Finally, the benefits and safety of VBAC have not been undermined because this patient is an isolated and extremely rare case.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2000

Optimal debulking surgery is an independent prognostic factor in patients with FIGO IIIC primary epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is a well-known disease with a poor prognosis. Due to the relatively small number of cases in Taiwan, the outcome and prognostic factors of patients with primary epithelial ovarian carcinoma are unknown. METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients with proven surgical and pathologic (Federation Internationale de Gynecologie et d'Obstetrique) FIGO IIIC primary epithelial ovarian carcinoma. All patients underwent standard staging surgery, including washing cytology, total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy, infracolic omentectomy and excisional biopsy of all suspicious lesions followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with four to 12 courses of cyclophosphamide, epirubicin and cisplatin (CEP) or cyclophosphamide, adriamycin and cisplatin (CAP) intravenously, every three weeks. To avoid the coeffects of chemotherapy and surgical procedures upon the outcome, patients who received paclitaxel-based regimens or underwent incomplete surgery were excluded. Ninety-eight patients from 1990 to 1996 were identified. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 28.7 months, ranging from 5.4 months to 105.9 months. The cumulative five-year disease-free survival rate for all patients was 31.6%. Optimal debulking surgery was completed in 41.8% of patients, which contributed to long-term patient survival (54% vs 16%, p < 0.0001), compared to patients without optimal debulking surgery. Optimal debulking surgery was the only statistically significant independent prognostic factor for five-year disease-free survival using multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: To improve survival of patients with FIGO stage IIIC epithelial ovarian carcinoma, optimal debulking surgery should be performed as the initial form of surgical intervention.

CA-125 Antigen↗
PubMed2000

Ruptured metastatic ovarian carcinoma presenting as acute abdomen.

Acute abdomen is a challenge to first-line physicians because of frequently missed diagnoses and potential follow-on legal problems. Improving the management of these patients is of paramount importance, not only for saving lives, but also for reducing untoward problems associated with improper management. We present a case of a patient with acute abdomen due to intraperitoneal hemorrhage secondary to rupture of an ovarian tumor. Following emergency surgery, the patient was diagnosed with metastatic ovarian carcinoma. Because of improper preparation of the gastrointestinal tract, the patient underwent repeat exploratory laparotomy for colon carcinoma. Although this situation did not affect the outcome of the patient in this case, we are concerned that the patient did not benefit from a single operation, with primary complete excision of the tumor plus a colostomy. The outcome of patients with pelvic malignancy, especially those with ovarian carcinoma, might be better if initial surgery achieved optimal tumor debulking. This is possible with good preoperative planning and preparation. We emphasize the importance of preoperative preparation in spite of urgently needed care. Furthermore, every first-line physician should communicate the possibility of malignancy to patients and their families.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed2000

Prenatal diagnosis and management of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is a rare pulmonary malformation resulting from excessive overgrowth of the terminal bronchioles. We present two CCAM case studies: type I (macrocystic) and type III (microcystic), diagnosed by antenatal ultrasonography at 31 and 21 weeks' gestation, respectively. In the former, multiple dilated cystic masses in the fetal left lung, with polyhydramnios, were identified during the antepartum examination. A postnatal thoracotomy with lobectomy was performed due to persistent cyanosis and resulted in a good outcome. In the latter case, an echogenic mass with multiple cysts in the fetal right lung was detected by prenatal sonography. The parents decided to terminate the pregnancy after prenatal counseling.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Risk factors contributing to early occurrence of port site metastases of laparoscopic surgery for malignancy.

In this article, the authors present an up-to-date review of our experience and that of the medical literature encompassing all important aspects of port site metastases after laparoscopic surgery for malignancy and to search for potential risks with contribution to early occurrence of port site metastases after laparoscopic surgery. We used a Medline computer database search to conduct for pertinent articles through September 1996. Cross-referencing identified additional publications. We found that the majority of recurrences were in patients with adenocarcinoma cell type, advanced stage (far-advanced disease), and often with diffuse peritoneal carcinomatosis, suggesting that port site metastases may contribute to the highly aggressive nature of the disease. Risk factors that contributed to early occurrence of port site metastases were ovarian cancers, presence of ascites, and diagnostic or palliative procedures for malignancy (P < 0.0001, P = 0.008, and P < 0.001, respectively). Practitioners should exercise extreme caution when using laparoscopic techniques to manage the care of these patients.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

Rapid progression of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix after hyperbaric oxygenation.

The role of hyperbaric oxygenation in the treatment of radiation-induced sequelae and chronic ulcer is well established. On the contrary, a possible cancer-causing or growth-enhancing effect by hyperbaric oxygenation was highly controversial. Herein, we present a 55-year-old Chinese woman with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix on her left inguinal area. She received concurrent chemoradiation therapy followed by radical inguinal lymphadenectomy due to persistent tumor mass. The patient was complicated with severe radiation fibrosis and unhealed wounds, so she was treated with hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO). However, the patient died of complications of the disease after completing HBO therapy I month later and autopsy of the patient showed carcinomatosis of the abdominal cavity and lower abdominal wall. Because previous studies have been inconclusive regarding the effect of HBO on tumor cells, we reviewed the possible relation between the HBO and tumor cells.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1999

Sonographically guided intralesional antibiotic injection for treatment of a recalcitrant pelvic abscess: a case report.

A pelvic abscess occurred in an infertile woman with an endocervical gonococcal infection after hysterosalpingographical examination. The pelvic abscess was not cured despite rigorous antimicrobial chemotherapy until two intra-abscess ceftriaxone injections were administered. This shows that antibiotics administered systemically may not reach therapeutic concentration in an abscess and an intra-abscess antibiotic injection may help to cure it.

Abscess↗
PubMed1999

Color Doppler waveforms of maternal cervical internal carotid arteries in normotensive and preeclamptic gravidas.

The objective of this study was to investigate and determine fitted percentiles of blood flow resistance of cervical internal carotid arteries in normal pregnancies from gestational weeks 20 to 42 and to compare the resistance indices and mean velocities of the these arteries in normotensive and preeclamptic gravidas. A duplex color apparatus with pulsed Doppler ultrasound scanner (7.5 MHz) was used to determine the resistance index and mean velocity values of maternal cervical internal carotid arteries in 310 healthy singleton gravidas (group 1) and 74 singleton preeclamptic gravidas (group 2). The resistance index and mean velocity values of the maternal cervical internal carotid arteries decrease as the gestational age increases in normal gravidas, whereas in preeclamptic pregnancies these values are no different from those in normal gravidas during the second half of the gestational period.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Malignant mixed mesodermal tumor presenting as metastatic lymph node adenosquamous cell carcinoma: a case report.

A solitary inguinal lymph node metastasis from a poorly differentiated adenosquamous cell carcinoma of unknown origin in a 52-year-old female is described. The patient was reported to have had a 2-cm palpable mass in the left inguinal area for three years. She had made regular annual clinic visits for Pap smears since the age of 45 years. Her last visit was eight months prior to a complaint of progressive abdominal distention and dull pain of three months' duration. Physical examination showed a huge pelvic mass, and ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen showed a 12-cm complex solid mass on the left ovary. The patient underwent a complete excisional biopsy of the left inguinal lymph node. Frozen section pathology revealed a poorly differentiated adenosquamous cell carcinoma. Exploratory laparotomy immediately followed pathologic confirmation of malignancy of the left inguinal lymph node. Complete surgical staging including abdominal cytology, total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, infracolic omentectomy, retroperitoneal lymph node sampling and excisional biopsy was performed for all suspicious lesions. Stage IIIC malignant mixed mesodermal tumor (MMMT) was diagnosed due to positive left inguinal lymph node metastasis. However, the retroperitoneal lymph node and intra-abdominal cavity did not show spread of the tumors, except those confined to the left ovary with adhesion to the cul-de-sac, and sole lymph node metastasis in a left inguinal lymph node. Although we could not prove that the left inguinal lymph node metastasis had been present for the three years that it was palpable without histologic confirmation, we believe that any enlarged inguinal lymph node might be the first hint of underlying malignancy in the pelvic area, lower extremities or perineal area. In cases of a poorly differentiated carcinoma of inguinal lymph nodes of unknown origin, the abdomen should be carefully evaluated.

Carcinoma, Adenosquamous↗
PubMed1999

Ovarian tumors complicating pregnancy. Emergency and elective surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the different effects and characteristics of ovarian surgery performed under emergency conditions and electively during pregnancy and to search for risk factors contributing to emergency ovarian surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Between 1980 and 1996, 174 patients undergoing adnexal surgery during pregnancy or the puerperium were reviewed at Veterans General Hospital-Taipei. Of these 174 patients, 32 underwent emergency surgery (group A), while 142 patients underwent elective surgery (group B). In order to search for differences between the emergency and elective operations, patients in both groups were analyzed, with particular emphasis on the characteristics and outcome of pregnancy. RESULTS: In contrast to elective operations, there were five distinct aspects of emergency surgery. First, half of them occurred in the first trimester. Second, they contributed to 75% (9/12) of the total fetal wastage and 85.7% (6/7) of spontaneous fetal loss (P = .00016). Third, tumor sizes (11.1 +/- 4.2 cm) were significantly larger than those found (8.3 +/- 3.76 cm) in the elective surgery group (P < .05). Fourth, tumors less than 5 cm never caused symptoms requiring surgery. Fifth, an increasing incidence of completely extirpative surgery and general anesthesia was noted (P < .005). Incidence of tumors greater than 10 cm during pregnancy increased with malignancy (P = .0295) and before emergency surgery (P = .00001). CONCLUSION: We could remove ovarian tumors greater than 10 cm in diameter or with a teratoma component at earlier stages of pregnancy (after the seventh week of gestation) to avoid unpredictable complications. This reduces the risks of malignancy and emergency surgery. There was no evidence of increasing risk of fetal loss when surgery was performed after the seventh week of gestation.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Transhepatic artery chemoembolization for liver metastases of primary retroperitoneal endodermal sinus tumor. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Primary retroperitoneal endodermal sinus tumors (EST) are extremely rare and highly malignant. Hepatic metastases from EST are often very difficult to manage and carry a dismal prognosis. Transhepatic artery chemoembolization has been widely applied in primary unresectable hepatoma and had been reported to have antitumor activity for some metastatic tumors. We report a case in which transhepatic artery chemo-embolization was employed to control hepatic metastases from EST. CASE: A 35-year-old woman presented to our service with primary retroperitoneal EST associated with multiple hepatic metastases. The patient underwent aggressive debulking surgery followed by a combination chemotherapy regimen of cisplatin, vinblastine and bleomycin. Transhepatic artery chemoembolization with adriamycin, lipoidol and gelfoam was subsequently employed to treat hepatic metastases. CONCLUSION: The combination of transhepatic artery chemoembolization and systemic chemotherapy after surgical resection of primary retroperitoneal EST was effective in controlling the hepatic disease in this case.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Primary malignant lymphoma of the cervix in pregnancy. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Malignant lymphoma arising from the uterine cervix is a very rare entity. Only two such patients have been reported as pregnant at the time of diagnosis. CASE: A 35-year-old woman (negative Pap smear at antenatal clinics) was referred because of the accidental finding of a huge cervical mass during labor. The patient underwent cesarean section because of arrest of cervical dilatation and persistent floating of the fetal head. The final diagnosis of this cervical mass was malignant lymphoma, low grade B cell, after radical abdominal hysterectomy. CONCLUSION: Although labor obstructed by a tumor of the pelvic organs is a relatively rare event and the majority of cases are benign leiomyomas of the uterus or cervix, the risk of pelvic malignancies should be considered. Bimanual examination and pelvic ultrasound and/or color Doppler ultrasound should be applied without hesitancy in any uncertain situation during pregnancy or labor.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Urethral diverticulum presenting with chronic pelvic pain: a case report.

Urethral diverticula are rarely encountered in the gynecologic out-patient setting. However, this condition probably occurs more frequently than it is diagnosed. The patient frequently notes signs of lower urinary tract irritation. Urinary dribbling accompanied with dyspareunia and dysuria constitutes a classic triad for urethral diverticula. Symptoms of chronic pelvic pain only occur in a minority of patients. We report a case of urethral diverticulum presenting chiefly with chronic pelvic pain. The patient underwent multiple investigative operations before a correct diagnosis was made. When confronted with a patient presenting with chronic pelvic pain, a gynecologist should retain a high index of suspicion for a urethral diverticulum in addition to other gynecologic conditions.

Chronic Disease↗