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Biomedical subjects

Heinz Rode

Publications and source records attributed to Heinz Rode.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Wilms tumour experience in a South African centre.

BACKGROUND: In Africa, Wilms tumour frequently presents with advanced disease. This study reports our results over 25 years using the National Wilms Tumour Study Group (NWTSG) approach of primary surgery followed by chemotherapy. PROCEDURE: A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients diagnosed with unilateral Wilms tumour between January 1979 and December 2003. RESULTS: The records of 188 children with newly diagnosed Wilms tumour were examined. Of these 57 (30.3%) were stage I, 33 (17.6%) were stage II, 60 (31.9%) were stage III and 38 (20.2%) were stage IV. Twenty-four patients (12.8%) had unfavourable histology (UFH). The estimated 5-year overall survival (OS) for the whole group was 80.5% (84.8% for favourable histology (FH) and 51.6% for UFH). Among those with FH, estimated 5-year OS was 94.4% for stage I, 96.2% for stage II, 84.9% for stage III and 54.2% for stage IV. There was no difference in OS between those FH stage III tumours that were operable and those deemed inoperable. Intra-operative spillage was uncommon (8%), and did not increase local relapse rate. CONCLUSIONS: National Wilms Tumour Study Group protocols employed in an African setting with highly competent and experienced surgical care, produced results for non-metastatic FH Wilms tumour comparable to those of the NWTSG.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Glutaraldehyde-induced bowel injury after laparoscopy.

We document the sequelae of the inadvertent introduction of glutaraldehyde into the peritoneal cavity. It describes the clinical course, progressive histological changes to the bowel at different periods over the course of 1 year, and what long-term morbidity remains. The chemical structure, effects, and pathogenesis of glutaraldehyde are described as well as suggestions for avoiding similar problems in the future.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2006

Multiple injuries diagnosed using full-body digital x-ray.

Missed injuries in patients with multiple trauma are primarily attributable to inadequate radiography. A case is presented that demonstrates the value of a full-body digital radiography system in diagnosing pathology in pediatric multiple trauma patients. Full-body imaging allowed the identification of a ruptured diaphragm, a pelvic fracture, and a femoral fracture on a single radiographic projection in the resuscitation room, facilitating immediate intervention.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2006

Primary paraesophageal hernia in children.

BACKGROUND: Paraesophageal hernias are uncommon in children and are distinctively different from the more common sliding hiatus hernias and those occurring after antireflux surgery in anatomy, pathology, symptoms, complications, and management. We reviewed a single institution's experience with the pathology of paraesophageal hernias. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patient records. RESULTS: Fifty-nine children with paraesophageal hernias were treated during a 42-year period. Their mean age at presentation was 23.4 months (range, 1 day to 11 years). Presenting complaints were recurrent chest infections (n = 32), vomiting (n = 24), symptomatic anemia (n = 20), failure to thrive (n = 18), and dysphagia (n = 6). Five children were asymptomatic, and their diagnosis was established when they were investigated for incidentally noted asymptomatic anemia (n = 3), scoliosis (n = 2), and mumps (n = 1). Radiology typically showed cystic masses in the posterior mediastinum in the right lower chest and occasionally had an air-fluid level in the cystic mass or a dilated esophagus. None presented with strangulation or hematemesis. All patients were operated on. Surgical findings included a peritoneal lined sac and herniation through a widened diaphragmatic hiatus, containing the stomach and at times the transverse colon, spleen, and small bowel. The hernial sac usually occurred on the right. Principles of surgery included reduction of the contents, partial excision of the sac, crural approximation, and a fundoplication in 39 patients. No fundoplication was done in the earlier years in 20 patients, of whom 12 had recurrent reflux symptoms. Postoperative complications were bowel obstruction (n = 6), intussusception (n = 3), dysphagia (n = 3), breakdown of the repair (n = 3), and pneumothorax (n = 1). There was one mortality caused by preoperative aspiration. CONCLUSION: Paraesophageal hernias in children are uncommon and most likely caused by a congenital defect. They are associated with considerable morbidity. Strangulation is not a feature. Principles of repair are well established and should include an antireflux procedure.

Child↗
PubMed2006

The Budd-Chiari syndrome in children: the spectrum of management.

The Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), characterized by hepatic venous outflow occlusion, is rare in children. We describe the cases of 3 patients with BCS who presented at different stages of liver dysfunction that required tailored management. A 10-year-old boy who presented with a weeklong history of abdominal discomfort received an early diagnosis. Treatment with thrombolytic therapy and adjunctive percutaneous interventional radiologic management led to a favorable outcome in this patient. A 2-year-old girl referred with a 6-week illness not amenable to thrombolytic therapy was managed with a pericardial patch atriocavoplasty to restore hepatic venous outflow tract patency. The third patient, a 5-year-old girl, presented with established cirrhosis and massive ascites. After we controlled the ascites with an extracorporeal shunt system and nutritional resuscitation, we conducted an orthotopic liver transplantation on this patient. The stage of disease at diagnosis influences the management strategy, and an early diagnosis offers patients the best possible chance of cure without major surgery. However, a later presentation can still be successfully managed by more radical surgical interventions. The aims of this case report were to emphasize the importance of a high index of suspicion in the diagnosis of pediatric BCS and to highlight the importance of early referral to a specialized pediatric liver unit with the necessary facilities to deal with the medical and surgical aspects of management.

Ascites↗
PubMed2006

The evolving management of Burkitt's lymphoma at Red Cross Children's Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Treatment for Burkitt's lymphoma at Red Cross Children's Hospital has evolved from the use of aggressive surgery and less intensive chemotherapy to a conservative surgical approach with more intensive chemotherapy. METHODS: The study was a retrospective folder review of patients diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma at RCCH between 1984 and 2004. RESULTS: Ninety-two children were treated for Burkitt's lymphoma at RCCH between 1984 and 2004. There were 10 patients with group A or fully resected disease, 52 with group B or extensive localised disease, and 30 with dissemination to the bone marrow and/or central nervous system or group C disease. Protocol 1 (less intensive chemotherapy based on the COMP regimen) was used from 1984, with protocol 2 (more intensive chemotherapy based on the LMB regimen) introduced in 1988 for group C disease, 1991 for group B disease and 1996 for group A disease. Overall 5-year survival increased from 20% with protocol 1 to 66% with protocol 2 for group C disease, and from 76.5% with protocol 1 to 88.2% with protocol 2 for group B disease. There were more admissions for neutropenic fever in patients on protocol 2 and more episodes of mucositis, and these patients required more red cell and platelet transfusions. With a more conservative surgical approach, biopsy largely replaced attempts to partially resect the tumour at primary surgery, and there was a consequent decline in surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive chemotherapy with protocol 2 has resulted in improved survival for group C and group B patients, but with more morbidity. Protocol 1, which is less intensive with less morbidity, remains a viable strategy for group A and group B disease in resource-poor settings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Bilateral Wilms' tumors: a single-center experience with 19 cases.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Bilateral Wilms' tumors present a therapeutic challenge, particularly with delay in presentation, when there is poor response to chemotherapy and when associated with nephroblastomatosis. The primary aim of management is eradication of neoplasm, while at the same time preserving of renal function. METHODS: Nineteen bilateral Wilms' tumors were seen in our service between 1981 and 2003. This represented 10% of the 190 patients with Wilms' tumors seen during this period. There were 12 female and 7 male patients ranging in age from 7 months to 8 years. Fourteen had synchronous presentation, one of whom had liver metastasis at diagnosis. Of the 5 patients with metachronous tumors, 3 had their initial nephrectomies done elsewhere. Nephroblastomatosis was identified in 18 (95%) of the patients. Treatment was, in most cases, according to National Wilms Tumor Study Group protocols, with initial bilateral biopsy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and tumorectomy. Where indicated, nephrectomy (partial or complete) involved using ice dam topical cooling and vascular control, and in one case, bench surgery and extensive renal reconstruction with orthotopic autotransplantation. Revision tumorectomy was used on 3 occasions for recurrence in areas of nephroblastomatosis. There were 6 extrarenal relapses. RESULTS: Ten patients are alive and free of disease 1 to 15 years after treatment, all with well preserved renal function (lowest recorded glomerular filtration rate was 85 mL/min per 1.73 m2). Nine have died (2 of unrelated disease), including 6 of the 7 with spread outside the kidney. All 3 with unfavorable histology are alive. Of the 5 with metachronous presentations, 4 are alive, as are 7 of 10 who presented in the last decade. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate chemotherapy and conservative nephron-sparing and innovative surgery can achieve good results with preservation of adequate renal function in nearly all cases. Nephroblastomatosis was an almost universal finding and requires close monitoring because Wilms' tumors developed in residual suspect areas. Revision surgery was effective. Unfavorable histology did not have a reduced survival in our series. Metastatic spread outside the kidney had a poor prognosis.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed2004

Ischiopagus and pygopagus conjoined twins: neurosurgical considerations.

BACKGROUND: Neurosurgeons are familiar with the challenges presented by craniopagus twins, but other types of conjoined twins may also have neurosurgical implications. We report our experience in the management of ischiopagus and pygopagus conjoined twins. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of the management of conjoined twins at Red Cross Children's Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. RESULTS: Twenty-three pairs of symmetrical conjoined twins were managed over a 40-year period (1964-2003), of which 16 (70%) were separated. Of these cases, 6 are the focus of this study, namely 4 pairs of ischiopagus twins and 2 pairs of pygopagus twins seen between 1993 and 2003. In 2 cases, there was direct involvement of the nervous system at the site of union, with 1 pair of ischiopagi manifesting end-to-end union of their spinal cords, while a pair of pygopagi had back-to-back fusion of the conus. Another pair of ischiopagi had a fused dural sac without joined neural elements, but one of these children developed syringomyelia 2 years after separation. Neuroimaging was invaluable in detecting these abnormalities. The one pair of ischiopagi who died before separation were HIV positive and had severe brain atrophy and cystic encephalmalacia at autopsy. Nine of the 12 children (75%) had bony abnormalities of the spine remote from the area of conjunction. The most common finding was the presence of hemivertebrae, usually in the thoracic spine. Six children manifested scoliosis, which has already progressed in the oldest two. Technical aspects such as timing and sequence of separation, the division of neural tissues and reconstruction are discussed, as are the long-term complications of their spinal abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Ischiopagus and pygopagus conjoined twins manifest an interesting array of spinal abnormalities, which present challenges, not only at the time of separation, but also in their long-term management.

Buttocks↗
PubMed2003

Spinal cord involvement in pygopagus conjoined twins: case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Pygopagus conjoined twins are joined at the rump and have union of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems as well occasional involvement of neural elements. CASE REPORT: We report a case where the terminal spinal cords were fused, despite which there was only a minor motor deficit in the lower limbs after separation. The pre-operative and intra-operative findings are described and issues of long-term follow-up discussed. DISCUSSION: Seven other cases reported in the literature with varying degrees of involvement of the spinal cord and cauda equina are reviewed.

Follow-Up Studies↗