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Biomedical subjects

J Sauvaget

Publications and source records attributed to J Sauvaget.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Mediastinal neuroectodermal tumor. Apropos of a case].

Peripheral malignant neuroectodermal tumors are rare and aggressive small-cell tumors seen predominantly in children and young adults. Mediastinal location is very uncommon. A mediastinal primitive neuroectodermal tumor was diagnosed in a 27-year-old man. Despite treatment combining surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, disease recurred locally along with lungs, spinal and epidural metastases, leading to death. CT and MRI examinations show heterogeneous masses with necrosis, hemorrhage and intense enhancement after Gadolinium injection. The CT and MRI findings are not specific and the diagnosis is based on pathologic, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic features. Although uncommon, peripheral neuroectodermal tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis of posterior mediastinal masses in children and young adults.

Adult

Winter pollinosis in Paris.

Pollen is rarely investigated as a cause of winter respiratory symptoms. Infectious coryza and asthma are particularly common during winter, and it has been shown that environmental antigens can cause at least some cases in Paris. Recent experimental data from Calhoun et al. (1991) indicate that pollen may act synergistically with viral respiratory infections, which are particularly prevalent in winter. In the present study, we investigated, in 130 consecutive patients presenting with winter aggravation of asthma or rhinitis, winter pollinosis by skin test, radioallergosorbent test (RAST), and specific endonasal challenge test. Totals of 35, 24, and 21 patients reacted positively in skin, RAST (> 0.70 PRU/ml), and endonasal tests, respectively. Clinical features during the season established the diagnosis of winter pollinosis in 20 cases; it was due to alder pollen in 10 patients and hazel pollen in 12. The positive predictive value of the skin test was only 0.57, as compared with 0.86 for the specific endonasal test, which had a negative predictive value of 1. Our results indicate that hazel and alder pollens should be prick-tested for more often as causes of winter respiratory symptoms in Paris, even if similar manifestations were absent during previous winters, were previously present during spring or summer, or were both absent in previous winters and present in spring or summer.

Adolescent

Superior vena cava syndrome in small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the features of the superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) as initial characteristics in small-cell lung cancer: incidence, dissemination of disease, diagnostic procedures, efficacy and toxic effects of chemotherapy, and median survival in patients with SVCS. METHODS: In a prospective series of 724 patients with biopsy-proved small-cell lung cancer seen during a 6-year period, we reviewed data from patients who also had SVCS. RESULTS: The incidence of SVCS was 87 of 724 at the time of diagnosis. Initial emergency radiation therapy was not used in these patients. Diagnostic procedures in these patients were not associated with mortality. Rapid initiation of intensive chemotherapy, often with heparin therapy, resulted in complete or partial responses in 81% and no response in 12%; data were not evaluable in 7%. Two of these 87 patients died of aplasia within 4 weeks of chemotherapy. Median survival was not significantly different in the patients with SVCS (median, 42 weeks) and without SVCS (median, 40 weeks). A significant increase in initial brain metastases at the time of diagnosis was observed in patients with SVCS (22% vs 11%). CONCLUSIONS: Intensive chemotherapy is the first line of therapy in small-cell lung cancer. Histologic diagnostic procedures must be performed in patients with SVCS to adapt the treatment to the underlying cause. Initial emergency radiotherapy, before diagnosis or chemotherapy, does not seem to be useful in these patients. Computed tomography of the brain should be performed routinely in patients with SVCS, and prophylactic brain irradiation could be helpful in such patients. Apparently SVCS is not a poor prognostic factor in treated small-cell lung cancer.

Adult

Evidence for chestnut pollinosis in Paris.

The existence of chestnut pollinosis in Paris is not generally accepted in spite of the production of very large quantities of chestnut pollen in July. We carried out systematic skin-prick testing with chestnut pollen on 81 patients seen in the allergology department. The results were positive in 17 of the 47 patients presenting seasonal symptoms and in none of the 34 patients with perennial symptoms (chi 2 test = 12.91, P < 0.001). Eight of the 17 positive patients had sIgE levels above 300 IU/ml, 15 had a positive RAST and 14 had a positive nasal provocation test result. On the basis of these findings and the results of the clinical examination during the peak period of pollen emission, we diagnosed chestnut pollinosis in 11 patients. We draw our conclusions from the evidence of this form of pollinosis in the Paris region, together with the reasons why it is, as yet, rarely recognized.

Adolescent

Comparison of costs linked to the preparation and administration of fluorouracil as a continuous infusion based on three techniques.

The approach in treatment in medical oncology and particularly in the management of solid tumours has to integrate--at least--two targets: the enhancement of therapeutic efficacy, and the respect of global budget assigned to health. Different teams are implicated in such an approach and especially physicians and pharmacists. We decided to conduct a comparative study of three techniques of administering drugs as a continuous infusion. We analysed time and materials required for the preparation in the centralized preparation unit, and for dispensing and nursing in the health units. The use of programmable pumps (CADD-1) leads to overall saving costs of 27 to 40% compared to administration by means of an infusion bag or a motor-drive syringe.

Catheterization, Central Venous

[Multicenter study of the clinical efficacy and tolerance of roxithromycin compared to erythromycin ethylsuccinate in lower respiratory tract infections].

In a double blind, randomised investigation in 193 hospitalized patients, with low respiratory infections, roxithromycin (150 mg bd) and erythromycin ethylsuccinate (1 g bd) were compared. Assessment of safety was made in 183 patients and clinical response in 155 patients. The mean duration of treatment was 11 days in both groups. Clinical effectiveness was 82% (67/82) for roxithromycin and 77% (56/73) for erythromycin ethylsuccinate. Roxithromycin appears to have a good effectiveness and to be effective as erythromycin ethylsuccinate. The safety profile is satisfactory in both groups.

Adolescent

[Reduction using an immunomodulator of the level of respiratory infections in chronic bronchitis].

Fifty-six patients with recurrent bronchopulmonary infections associated with chronic bronchitis were randomly allocated to 2 groups, to assess whether treatment with an immunomodulator, Diribiotin CK, could enhance resistance to infection. The double-blind, placebo-controlled prospective trial over a 9 month period showed that this immunomodulator was well tolerated and significantly reduced the rate of respiratory tract infection. The drug also significantly reduced the prescribing of antibiotic medication and the rate of absenteism from work. These effects have been demonstrated in a rigorously designed clinical study. This is the first time that a clear clinical activity has been attributed to an inducer of soluble mediators of immunity.

Adjuvants, Immunologic

[Occupational asthma caused by formalin in a hospital milieu. Apropos of 3 cases].

Three cases of formalin-induced occupational asthma observed in 2 hospital nurses and 1 hospital medical secretary are reported. The characteristics of this type of occupational asthma which seems to be infrequent, probably because it is often undiagnosed, are described. The prognosis is often severe, even after discontinuation of exposure to the risk. These patients are eligible to disability pensions as compensation for occupational disease.

Adult

[A case of diffuse pulmonary amyloidosis associated with peripheral neurologic signs].

The authors report a case of well-tolerated and prolonged diffuse parenchymal amyloidosis of the lungs associated with signs of peripheral neuropathy. The latest classifications of amyloidosis generally and of bronchopulmonary amyloidosis specifically are reviewed. The problems raised by this particular case, and notably its relation with the neurological signs observed, are discussed.

Aged

[Focus on Kartagener's syndrome. Apropos of a case].

Kartagener syndrome, identified 40 years ago, is an obstructive bronchopulmonary condition of early onset which rapidly becomes chronic and linked to immobility of the bronchial cilia. This clinical entity is based upon a kinetic problem secondary to ultrastructural abnormalities of the cilia. Current techniques for the study of ciliary movement and electron microscopy in particular are sufficiently accurate to be able to link certain ciliary abnormalities to particular clinical manifestations. Although it is a frequent neonatal condition, Kartagener syndrome may be compatible with prolonged survival. The authors report a case in an adult, with a favorable course, and give an updated review of the condition.

Bronchi

[A case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in a homosexual].

There is increasing number of cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and in France there have been about 100 cases. The authors report one case who died within 10 months. The patient presented a Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, extensive peri-anal herpes, gastro-intestinal candidiasis and, in the final stage, severe diarrhoea. In the context of this case, the authors review the principal manifestations of this new clinical entity.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

[Haemophagocytic sinus histiocytosis or Destombes-Rosai-Dorfman syndrome (author's transl)].

Haemophagocytic sinus histiocytosis usually presents as cervical lymphadenopathy developing in a context of severe inflammatory reaction. The lymph nodes contain numerous large cytophagic histiocytes capable of absorbing all kinds of blood cells, and diffuse plasmocytic infiltrates. Other organs may be involved, notably the skin and bones, as in the case presented here. The course of the disease if prolonged, irrespective of the treatment administered.

Bone Diseases