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Biomedical subjects

J M Remes-Troche

Publications and source records attributed to J M Remes-Troche.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Response of thymectomy: clinical and pathological characteristics among seronegative and seropositive myasthenia gravis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the response to thymectomy in patients with seronegative and seropositive myasthenia gravis (SPMG). We analyzed the associated diseases, thymus histology, and the severity of symptoms between the two groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS - DESIGN: Descriptive, comparative. STUDY UNITS: Fourteen patients with seronegative myasthenia gravis (SNMG) and 57 patients with SPMG who had a thymectomy between 1987 and 1997, with at least 3 years of follow-up. The patients were divided into four groups; (1) Remission, (2) Improvement, (3) No change and (4) Deterioration. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (20%) were seronegative and 57 were seropositive (80%). In the group of patients with SNMG, three patients were in remission (21%), five with improvement (36%), five with no change (36%) and one with worsening (7%). In the group of patients with SPMG, 12 were in remission (21%), 17 with improvement (30%), 25 with no change (44%) and three (5%) with worsening. The patients with SNMG were older, with less associated diseases and with a lower frequency of thymomas. CONCLUSIONS: The response to thymectomy was similar between the two groups. It has been suggested that seronegative patients have a better prognosis, but our results show no differences.

Adult↗

The association of myasthenia gravis and connective tissue diseases. Effects of thymectomy in six cases with rheumatoid arthritis and one case with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the effects of thymectomy in a group of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) with associated connective tissue diseases (CTD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed six patients with CTD and myasthenia. They were followed-up for at least 3 years. RESULTS: Records of a cohort of 132 patients with established diagnosis of MG undergoing thymectomy in our institution between 1987-1999 were reviewed. The percentage of patients with CTD was 5 % (6/132). Five patients had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and one patient systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). All patients were women, and the mean age was 38.5 years old (SD 13.7). Mean time of MG diagnosis to operation was 16 months (range from 1 to 144 months). Preoperative Osserman classification was the following: stage IIb, four patients; stage III, one patient; and stage IV, one patient. Before surgery all patients were on anticholinesterase agent (pyridostigmine), and four patients were on corticosteroids. An extended transsternal thymectomy was practiced on five patients and a transcervical thymectomy was performed in the remaining patient. Pathologic findings were as follows: thymic hyperplasia in four patients and thymic atrophy in the other two. Good response (remission or improvement) was present in three patients (50 %) and poor response (no change or worse) in the other three (50 %). CONCLUSIONS: A low response to the thymectomy is observed in patients with MG and associated CTD (RA and an SLE).

Adult↗

Prognostic factors of thymectomy in patients with myasthenia gravis: a cohort of 132 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the response to thymectomy and the factors associated with a poor response, a nested case-control study was performed on 132 patients with an established diagnosis of myasthenia gravis who had had a thymectomy between 1987 and 1997 and had been followed up for at least 3 years. METHODS: In order to assess the response to thymectomy, the following two points were taken into account: (a) the dose of pyridostigmine and other drugs (steroids, azathioprine) that the patient took before and after thymectomy, and (b) the Osserman classification before and after thymectomy. The patients were divided into 4 groups: (1) patients in remission; (2) patients with improvement; (3) patients with no change, and (4) patients who were worse. RESULTS: 91 patients had a good response (69%) and 41 patients had a poor response (31%). The response by groups was as follows: 50 patients were found to be in remission; 41 patients had improved; 34 patients had no changes, and 7 got worse. Being more than 60 years old was associated with a poor prognosis (odds ratio 4.6, CI 1.11-20.32, p 0.01). The patients who had the disease for more than 3 years (odds ratio 2.97, CI 0.79-5.39, p 0.09) had a tendency towards a bad prognosis even though there was no statistical significance, and for those who had it for more than 4 years (odds ratio 2.58, CI 0.89-0.96, p 0.02) the bad prognosis was statistically significant. The patients who had the disease for more than 3 years between diagnosis and thymectomy (odds ratio 2.02, CI 0.69-5.90, p 0.15) and those with it for more than 4 years (odds ratio 2.53, CI 0.83-7.7, p 0.06) had a tendency towards a poor prognosis even though there was no statistical significance. In addition, having Osserman I was associated with a bad prognosis. Referring to the pathological findings, patients with thymoma (odds ratio 3.51, CI 0.43-31.5, p 0.15) and those with thymic atrophy (odds ratio 2.19, CI 0.93-5.16, p 0.04) had a poor prognosis. Finally, the use of steroids before thymectomy (odds ratio 2.26, CI 0.99-5.18, p 0.03) was associated with a worse prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The response to thymectomy was high (69%). The variables that had the most prognostic importance were age and the Osserman stage. Other variables of poor prognosis were: high doses of pyridostigmine and use of steroids before surgery; the total duration of the disease and the duration of the disease between diagnosis and the surgical procedure; history of previous thymectomy; use of plasmapheresis after surgery, and the discovery of thymic atrophy and thymoma in the histopathological result.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Longitudinal myelitis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus: clinical features and magnetic resonance imaging of six cases.

Myelopathy is a rare central nervous system (CNS) complication associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is the most frequent form of SLE-related myelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) typically shows increased signal intensity in T2-weighted images and cord swelling. In the present paper, we describe six cases of SLE-related myelopathy with multiple increased signals in the T2-weighted images involving continuous levels of the cervical and thoracic spinal cord, a distinctive feature recently named 'longitudinal myelitis'. The clinical and laboratory findings are similar to those presented by ATM patients, including paraparesis, sensory level and sphincter disturbances. Four patients had positive antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) suggesting that this could be a characteristic of longitudinal myelitis. Treatment in all cases included high doses of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents (intravenous (i.v.) cyclophosphamide). Anticoagulation therapy was given to one patient and two others received low doses of aspirin. The outcome was mainly unfavorable with slow improvement in only one case, no improvement in two and relapse of the myelopathy in the remaining three. In conclusion, longitudinal myelitis is an unusual form of SLE-related myelopathy, it might be associated with aPL and it has a poor prognosis.

Adult↗

[Retrorectal tumors].

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical presentation, and diagnostic and therapeutic implications in patients with retro-rectal tumors. METHODS: This paper reports two patients. Both patients had constipation and change in bowel habits, and the physical examination revealed the retro-rectal neoplasia. One of the patients had rectal intra-luminal invasion due to a schwannoma and underwent a transanal excision, with subsequent recurrence that required a combined abdomino perineal resection due to invasion of the tumor to the anorectal angle. The second patient had a teratoma and had a good outcome after a trans-sacral resection of the neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical suspicion is imperative to diagnose these rare tumors. Treatment of choice is complete resection of the tumor. Localization of the neoplasia, as evidenced by image studies will help to decide the best surgical approach.

Adult↗

[Quality of the presentation of free research papers in the National Congress of Gastroenterology: Morelia-1997].

BACKGROUND: The quality of the presentation of a free paper in a medical congress is not necessarily related to the quality of the methodology. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the quality of the presentation of the free papers in the National Congress of Gastroenterology in Mexico (Morelia-1997). METHODS: A prospective study was designed to evaluate the following aspects: Limitation to time assigned, adequate use and design of slides, and mentioning of the main methodologic characteristics. RESULTS: There was a high quality of presentation in the majority of papers. The most frequent problems identified, amenable to improvement, were non-limitation to assigned time (24%), as well as problems in the design of slides (too many lines/columns in 32% and excessive number in 23%). CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of the results may help to improve the presentations of the free papers in the national congresses of gastroenterology.

Congresses as Topic↗

[Surgical treatment of anorectal fistulas. A 17-year experience at the Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición "Salvador Zubirán"].

INTRODUCTION: Surgical treatment for anorectal fistula may be difficult because of the risk of recurrence, prolonged healing or anal incontinence following the operation. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the experience with the surgical management of ano-rectal fistula during a period of 17 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 105 patients with anorectal fistulas were reviewed retrospectively, with analysis of demographic and clinical data, operative treatment, and results. RESULTS: There were 73% men and 27% women. Mean age was 45 years. 86% had an underlying chronic disease, most frequently diabetes mellitus (21%) and obesity (14%). No anatomic classification of the fistulous tract was done in 86% of cases, and inter-sphincteric tracts were the most frequent type in the classified cases. In 90% of cases, treatment was fistulectomy. Complications occurred in 13% of cases, mainly delayed healing (6.5%). Recurrent disease was documented in 11 cases (10%), and the majority were treated with a new fistulectomy. There were no cases with anal incontinence following the operation. CONCLUSIONS: The necessity of performing the anatomic classification of ano-rectal fistula should be emphasized. Fistulectomy was the most frequent surgical procedure.

Adolescent↗

[Total proctocolectomy with ileo-anal reservoir in "J". Experience at the Salvador Zubirán National Institute of Nutrition].

BACKGROUND: Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (TPCIAA) is the procedure of choice for patients with Ulcerative Colitis and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis. The frequency of presentation of both diseases is low in Mexico, therefore the experience with the surgical procedure is limited. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the operative morbidity and mortality and long-term functional results in a series of patients operated upon with the TPCIAA in a referral center in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 44 consecutive patients operated upon from 1987 through 1997. The operation included resection of the anal transitional zone, handsewn anastomosis of a "J" pouch, and diverting ileostomy in all cases. Operative morbidity and mortality, and long-term functional results and complications were determined. RESULTS: Mean age was 33 +/- 15 years. There were 52% women and 48% men. Diagnoses were ulcerative colitis in 59% and familial polyposis in 36%. Global morbidity was 39%, and mortality 2%. With a mean follow-up of 24 months, mean number of bowel movements was 4, 10% of patients had diurnal spotting, 30% nocturnal spotting, and no patient had gross incontinence. Three patients presented pouchitis with adequate response to antibiotics. Two patients presented long-term pouch fistulas that did not require pouch excision. CONCLUSIONS: The TPCIAA is a feasible operation with acceptable rates of morbidity and mortality and satisfactory functional results.

Adolescent↗

[Pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus infection].

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Chronic hepatitis C is a mayor cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and HCV-related end-stage liver disease is, in many countries, the first cause of liver transplantation. HCV infection is characterized by its propensity to chronicity. Because of its high genetic variability, HCV has the capability to escape the immune response of the host. HCV is not directly cytopathic and liver lesions are mainly related to immune-mediated mechanisms that are characterized by a predominant type 1 helper cell response. Co-factor influencing the outcome of the disease including age, gender and alcohol consumption are poorly understood and other factors such as immunologic and genetic factors may play and important role. Recent studies have shown that the combination therapy with alpha interferon and ribavirin induces a sustained virological response in about 40% of patients with chronic hepatitis C. The lack of animal models and of in vitro cultures systems hampers the understanding of the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C and the development of new antivirals. The conjugation of polyethyleneglycol improved the pharmacodynamics and the efficacy of alpha interferon. The development of an effective vaccine remains the most difficult challenge. Because of the high protein variability of HCV, protective vaccines could be extremely difficult to produce and therapeutic vaccines seem more realistic. Considerable progress has been made in the field of HCV since its discovery 10 years ago but a major effort needs to be made in the next decade to control HCV-related disease.

Hepatitis C, Chronic↗

[Surgical treatment of colonic volvulus. 10-year experience at the Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición Salvador Zubirán].

OBJECTIVES: To analyze morbidity-mortality and results of surgical treatment for colonic volvulus. METHODS: Retrospective review of 33 patients who underwent surgical treatment for colonic volvulus from 1986 through 1996. RESULTS: Mean age was 62 +/- 20 years (SD) with predominance of female sex (2:1). There were 25 cases of sigmoid volvulus (76%), 7 in the cecum (21%) and 1 in the transverse colon (3%). Colonic necrosis and/or perforation were most frequently seen in the right and transverse colon (50%) than in the sigmoid (4%) (P < 0.002). Operative morbidity was 45% with mortality of 21%. Age was the only variable statistically significant for operative morbidity (52 +/- 23 years in patients without morbidity vs 71 +/- 17 years in patients with morbidity, P = 0.02). Surgical procedures for sigmoid volvulus were resection in 13 and fixation in 12. Recurrence after fixation was 38% to 12 months and 69% to 24 months (Kaplan-Meier), with associated mortality of 50%. There was no recurrence after resections. Treatment for cecal volvulus was cecopexy in 4 cases, with one recurrence; and right hemicolectomy without recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The results should encourage resective procedures in sigmoid volvulus because the risk of recurrence after fixation is high and the morbidity-mortality is similar. Elderly patients are more susceptible to complications.

Adult↗