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Biomedical subjects

K Gellert

Publications and source records attributed to K Gellert.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Pancreatic heterotopia as a rare diagnosis of a size increasing gastric tumor].

A 39 years old woman was noted to have a submucosal gastric tumor during gastroscopy for cholecystectomy. She was asymptomatic regarding this tumor. The patient was primarily observed, but the tumor size increased. The lesion was biopsied with a negative result. A local excision with simultaneous endoscopy was done laparoscopically. Malignancy was excluded by immediate sectioning. Histological examination revealed pancreatic heterotopy Type I by Heinrichs- with exocrine and endocrine cells. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course. Eight months after resection the patient was free from recurrence and symptoms.

Adult↗

[Prospective multicenter trial of gastric cancer surgery--a contribution to clinical research on quality control].

By the mean of a prospective multicenter observational study (East German Gastric Cancer Study - EGGCS), 1 139 consecutive patients with gastric cancer were enrolled in 80 East German surgical departments from January 1 to December 31, 2002. Out of them, 1,031 (90.5%) underwent surgical intervention. The resection rate was 86.4% (n = 891); the R0 resection rate (n = 726) was 81.5%. Gastrectomy was performed in 79.8 % (n = 649) of subjects with radical resections (n = 813). In approximately 70 % of the interventions with curative intention, lymph node resection of the D2 compartment was carried out. The postoperative hospital mortality was 8.3%. The results were compared with the data obtained in the German Gastric Cancer Study (GGCS 1992); relevant differences and aspects were discussed.

Adolescent↗

[The thoracoscopic thymectomy for myasthenia gravis].

UNLABELLED: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune disease that usually responds positively to treatment with thymectomy. Standard surgical procedures have been shown to result in a favorite outcome. The optimal surgical access, however, is under discussion. PATIENTS AND METHOD: In a prospective study conducted between 8/97 and 4/05, 173 patients with MG underwent thoracoscopic thymectomy, for which a left-sided approach was generally applied. An analysis of the intraoperative and postoperative course was performed in 137 patients (8/97 and 12/03), as well as of the impact of the surgical procedure on further development of the disease. The results obtained were compared with those published in the literature, with particular reference to results obtained with open surgery. In 8 patients, the procedure was converted to an anterolateral thoracotomy or sternotomy, so we examined 129 patients, which were operated thoracoscopically. RESULTS: The patients in this study were 93 females and 36 males, with a mean age of 35.8 (range: 9-83) years. The mean preoperative duration of the disease was 22.9 (range: 1-140) months. The duration of operation was 50 to 85 minutes, the blood loss was lower than 100 ml. The mean follow up was 24.7 (range: 1-57) months. Complete remission was noted in 30 patients (23.3 %), and improvements reflected either in a reduction of the required medication, or a decrease in symptom severity, were seen in a total of 86 patients (66.6 %). CONCLUSION: Complete thoracoscopic thymectomy is a technically feasible operation, and as effective as conventional open surgery. Remissions or symptomatic improvements were observed in more than 89 % of the patients. The low morbidity rate, in combination with excellent cosmetic results, has led to increasing acceptance of the operation both by patients and neurologists. Therefore, thoracoscopic thymectomy represents a new, alternative method for treatment of patients with MG.

Adolescent↗

Invasive staging of non-small cell lung cancer--a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Clinical prognosis and treatment schedules of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are dependent on tumor stage. This explains the importance of an exact pretreatment staging of the primary tumor and lymph nodes especially in locally advanced NSCLC, to differentiate between resectable and non-resectable disease. To assess the lymph node status of the upper mediastinum, the diagnostic value of mediastinoscopy is accepted to be superior to radiological methods. In contrast, thoracoscopy is not yet established as a standard staging tool. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-three consecutive patients with CT-based suspicion of advanced NSCLC have been investigated as part of a phase II study on neoadjuvant treatment of NSCLC. All patients underwent mediastinoscopy and mediastinal lymph node sampling. In the case of a negative result we performed additional thoracoscopy. RESULTS: In 52.1% (n = 38) of the patients the invasive diagnostic methods led to results that were effectively different from those of the radiological findings. In 11 patients (15.1%) CT-assessed lymph node metastases could invasively not be confirmed, whereas nine patients (12.3%) had positive mediastinal lymph nodes but no corresponding CT signs (diameter <1 cm). The results were achieved by mediastinoscopy in 15 (20.5%) and by thoracoscopy in five (6.8.%) patients. A radiologically unexpected T4 stage has been found in four (5.5%) and a M1 stage in four (5.5%) patients by thoracoscopy. On the contrary, in seven patients a suspected infiltration of mediastinum or parietal pleura could be thoracoscopically excluded. Four patients have been in an unexpected high stage of tumor progression at the moment of diagnostic procedures and therefore have been included in palliative therapy schedules. Ten patients have been 'overstaged' by radiological methods and benefited from a primarily curative resection after invasive staging. CONCLUSIONS: Of the 73 prospectively studied patients with locally advanced NSCLC, 12 (16.4%) have been staged too low and 13 (17.8%) too high. If exclusively staged by radiological methods, about 34% of lung cancers have been classified incorrectly. Therefore, these tools are not a sufficient basis for diagnosis of stage III NSCLC disease. Mediastinoscopy with consecutive thoracoscopy is an essential part of the therapeutic planning in locally advanced NSCLC, and results are significantly superior to clinical staging.

Adult↗

Chromosomal alterations in the clonal evolution to the metastatic stage of squamous cell carcinomas of the lung.

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was applied to squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the lung to define chromosomal imbalances that are associated with the metastatic phenotype. In total, 64 lung SCC from 50 patients were investigated, 25 each with or without evidence of metastasis formation. The chromosomal imbalances summarized by a CGH histogram of the 50 cases revealed deletions most frequently on chromosomes 1p21-p31, 2q34-q36, 3p, 4p, 4q, 5q, 6q14-q24, 8p, 9p, 10q, 11p12-p14, 13q13-qter, 18q12-qter and 21q21. DNA over-representations were most pronounced for chromosomes 1q11-q25, 1q32-q41, 3q, 5p, 8q22-qter, 11q13, 12p, 17q21-q22, 17q24-q25, 19, 20q and 22q. In ten cases, paired samples of primaries and at least one metastasis were analysed. The comparison revealed a considerable chromosomal instability and genetic heterogeneity; however, the CGH pattern indicated a clonal relationship in each case. The difference in histograms from the metastatic and non-metastatic tumour groups was most useful in pinpointing chromosomal imbalances associated with the metastatic phenotype, indicating that the deletions at 3p12-p14, 3p21, 4p15-p16, 6q24-qter, 8p22-p23, 10q21-qter and 21q22, as well as the over-representations at 1q21-q25, 8q, 9q34, 14q12 and 15q12-q15, occurred significantly more often in the metastatic tumour group. The comparison of the paired samples confirmed these findings in individual cases and suggested distinct genetic changes, in particular the extension of small interstitial deletions, during tumour progression. Importantly, metastasis-associated lesions were frequently detectable in the primary tumour providing a method of identifying patients at risk for tumour dissemination. Individual profiles and histograms are accessible at our web site http://amba.charite.de/cgh.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Operative technique for thoracoscopic thymectomy.

In most cases, myasthenia gravis (MG) and thymoma require complete removal of the thymus gland and resection of the pericardial fatty tissue. There is some debate however, over which surgical approach is best for thymectomy. We have developed a new technique for complete thoracoscopic thymectomy. Between October 1994 and February 1998, we performed a prospective observational study of thoracoscopic thymectomy in 19 patients. The results were analyzed with special reference to perioperative morbidity, short- and intermediate-term improvement of MG, and quality of life. This study showed the feasibility of complete thoracoscopic thymectomy. The procedure was successfully applied in 19 of 20 cases. Thoracoscopic thymectomy was accomplished with zero mortality and a very low perioperative morbidity. While the short-term improvement of MG after this procedure was comparable to that seen with conventional surgery, the short- and intermediate-term quality of life was much better. The preliminary results of thoracoscopic thymectomy appear to be excellent for both patients and neurologists. A prospective randomized trial has been designed to compare thoracoscopic thymectomy with the gold standard of median sternotomy for thymectomy.

Adult↗

[Askin's tumor--a rare entity. Case report with references to the literature].

Askin's Tumour (synonym: primitive neuroectodermal tumour) is a rare neoplasm of the chest wall. In 1979 Askin and Rosai described an unique clinicopathological entity, characterised as a malignant small-cell tumour of the soft tissues of the chest wall in childhood and adolescence. We report on a case of a 28-year old male who had a massive tumour in the left thorax with association to the chest wall. The clinical symptoms were dyspnoea and increasing chest pain. The tumour was revealed as a sarcoma of the lung by CT-guided fine needle aspiration. A pneumectomy of the left lung with partial resection of ribs IV. and V. was performed. Postoperative histology revealed an Askin's tumour of the chest wall with infiltration of the lung. After surgical treatment in our hospital we transferred the patient to an oncological centre for adjuvant chemotherapy. As a consequence of aggressive growth of tumour therapy should be performed in oncological centres in clinical studies. The treatment includes radical surgical resection, neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy plus radiation. In our case the primary resection was performed because of increasing symptoms. It is difficult to establish an accurate preoperative diagnosis of Askin's tumour. Microscopy and immunohistological stain of the specific marker--neuron-specific enolase--are essential. Multimodal treatment allows a long-term survival, but often the prognosis is infaust.

Adult↗

Distinct regions of allelic imbalance on chromosome 10q22-q26 in squamous cell carcinomas of the lung.

The genetic mechanisms underlying the progression to the metastatic phenotype of lung cancer are poorly understood. We recently showed that small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and metastasizing squamous cell carcinomas are characterized by an increased incidence of allelic loss on chromosome 10q. In the present study we performed a deletion mapping using 24 polymorphic markers on chromosome 10q22-q26 in 39 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the lung identifying 14 metastatic carcinomas (74%) and three non-metastatic SCC (15%) with allelic imbalance. The allelotype analysis indicated three regions of allelic loss that were clustered at the loci Afm086/D10S541, D10S185 and D10S1782/D10S169. A localized microsatellite instability was observed in two carcinomas for the markers D10S1686 and D10S1782. In addition the PTEN/MMAC1 gene was analysed by direct DNA sequencing and Southern blot analysis in 25 and 28 carcinomas, respectively, without detecting any genomic alterations. Similarly, no altered transcript was detected in 15 tumor cell lines and 20 primary tumors by Northern blot analysis or RT-PCR. In summary, three distinct regions of allelic imbalance were identified suggesting that multiple tumor suppressor genes on chromosome 10q contribute to tumor progression and metastases formation of lung cancer.

Alleles↗

Allelic loss on chromosome 10q in human lung cancer: association with tumour progression and metastatic phenotype.

We analysed 78 carcinomas of the lung for allelic losses on chromosome 10q. The tumours were of different stage and grade and comprised 22 small-cell lung carcinomas (SCLC), 40 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), 11 adenocarcinomas, four large-cell carcinomas and one carcinoid. They were investigated by six polymorphic markers located between 10q21 and 10qter. We observed a high incidence of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in SCLC (91%) and metastatic SCC (56%). Non-metastatic SCC showed deletions in three cases (14%) and no LOH was found in the other types of non-small-cell lung cancer. The statistical analysis indicated that the presence of LOH correlated significantly with advanced tumour stages in the entire collective and in particular within the SCLC and SCC subgroups. For SCC, a positive association was found between LOH and metastases formation, while in SCLC the number of non-metastatic tumours was too small for a final conclusion. Whereas SCLC was frequently characterized by multiple allelic losses, suggesting the deletion of the entire chromosomal arm, SCC showed interstitial imbalances. A high incidence of allelic loss was observed between the markers D10S677 and D10S1223. The analysis of five informative cases suggested the presence of two non-overlapping regions between the loci D10S677/D10S1237 and D10S1213/D10S1223. In SCLC, we did not find mutations in the putative tumour-suppressor gene MXI1. The data indicate that LOH on chromosome 10q is associated with tumour progression in SCC and SCLC. Thus it may become a useful genetic marker in the assessment of the malignant potential of these tumour types.

Alleles↗

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptides relax human pulmonary arteries by opening of KATP and KCa channels.

BACKGROUND: Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptides (PACAPs) are potent endothelium independent dilators of human coronary arteries; however, their effects on human pulmonary arteries are unknown. METHODS: The vasorelaxant effects of PACAP27 on human pulmonary segmental arteries were studied and the specific potassium (K+) channel regulatory mechanisms in the vasorelaxant effects were tested by means of isometric contraction experiments. RESULTS: PACAP27 produced dose dependent relaxations of 10 microM rings preconstricted with prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) with half maximal relaxation (IC50) at 17 nM. Pretreatment of the vessels with the ATP sensitive K+ (KATP) channel blocker glibenclamide (1 microM) or with the Ca2+ activated K+ (KCa) channel blocker iberiotoxin (100 nM) inhibited the PACAP27 induced relaxation. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that PACAPs are potent vasodilators of human pulmonary arteries and that this relaxation might be mediated by opening of KATP and KCa channels.

Analysis of Variance↗

[Surgical therapy of chest wall infiltrating local recurrence of breast carcinoma].

Chest wall resection and--reconstruction for malignant tumors have to fulfill oncological, functional and cosmetic demands. We report on 19 operated patients with chest wall recurrence or metastasis from breast cancer. Resection included excision of the thoracic shield (n = 14), additional partial resection of breast bone (n = 5) and of clavicle (n = 1). Chest wall stability was achieved by PTFE-patches and lyophilized bone, soft tissue reconstruction was performed by myocutaneous flaps. Resection rate was 95%, morbidity rate was 23%, we saw no in-hospital deaths. 1-year-survival was 95%.

Adolescent↗

Patterns of chromosomal imbalances in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

Comparative genomic hybridization was used to screen 25 adenocarcinomas and 25 squamous cell carcinomas of the lung for chromosomal imbalances. DNA copy number decreases common to both entities were observed on chromosomes 1p, 3p, 4q, 5q, 6q, 8p, 9p, 13q, 18q, and 21q. Similarly, DNA gains were observed for chromosomes 5p, 8q, 11q13, 16p, 17q, and 19q. Adenocarcinomas showed more frequently DNA overrepresentations of chromosome 1q and DNA losses on chromosomes 3q, 9q, 10p, and 19, whereas squamous cell carcinomas were characterized by increased overrepresentations of chromosome 3q and 12p as well as deletions of 2q. For the first time, we used a histogram representation and statistical analysis to evaluate the differences between both tumor groups. In particular, the overrepresentation of the chromosomal band 1q23 and the deletion at 9q22 were significantly associated with adenoid differentiation, whereas the DNA loss of chromosomal band 2q36-37 and the overrepresentations at 3q21-22 and 3q24-qter were statistically significant markers for the squamous cell type. The study strengthens the notion that different tumor subgroups of the respiratory tract are characterized by distinct patterns of chromosomal alterations.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Histologic specimen collection in pulmonary hypertension using percutaneous, transvascular biopsy--animal experiment and initial clinical data].

Pulmonary hypertension is a severe multietiological disease largely resistant to treatment. Biopsy is often necessary to establish differential diagnosis. In pulmonary hypertension transbronchial pulmonary biopsy is contraindicated and open lung biopsy is the method of choice. In our paper we report about experimental results in animals and first clinical data on a new biopsy technique (percutaneous transluminal biopsy, PTB) providing access to histology in pulmonary hypertension without the need of surgery. In a subset of animals pulmonary hypertension was produced experimentally. In addition, we carried out the PTB in patients with bronchial carcinoma. Our preliminary results demonstrate that sufficient material could be gained for the histologic evaluation of pulmonary parenchyma and in pulmonary vessels. No complications have been noted so far.

Animals↗

Acute right-sided heart failure due to hemorrhage into a pericardial cyst.

This is a description of a rare complication of a pericardial cyst with spontaneous internal hemorrhage and following tamponade. The noninvasive diagnosis was done by transesophageal echocardiography and computed thoracic tomography. The cyst was thoracoscopically removed and pathologically examined. This case demonstrates a rare but important and life-threatening complication of mostly asymptomatic pericardial cysts.

Acute Disease↗

Open window thoracostomy in the treatment of esophageal or bronchopleural fistula with advanced mediastinitis and septic shock.

Mediastinitis and septic shock following esophageal or bronchopleural fistula are rare but serious conditions with a high mortality rate. Six patients were treated with open window thoracostomy (OWT) after primary suture repair and closed tube drainage had failed to cure the patient's condition. In all cases the clinical condition improved immediately. Two patients died later because of unrelated diseases. OWT should be considered in critically ill patients with broncho- or esophagopleural fistula when primary therapy fails to control the septic focus.

Bronchial Fistula↗

Laparoscopic Billroth-II gastrectomy.

Although the use of laparoscopic techniques in gastric surgery had become a focus in upper gastrointestinal surgery, standardized procedures have not yet been developed. The purpose of the study was to develop a standardized technique for laparoscopic Billroth-II resection in a cadaver model. End points were intraoperative complications and patency of the gastro jejunostomy. Laparoscopic partial stomach resection was performed in seven cadavers. The specimen was removed through an enlarged trocar incision. The first part of the jejunum was temporarily taken out through the same incision and a side-to-side jejuno-jejunostomy created. The gastrojejunostomy was stapled intracorporally. After surgery, all cadavers underwent autopsy. No lesions of intraabdominal organs were found, and the gastrojejunostomy was patent with correct stapling. No major intraoperative complications were recorded. Using the described technique, a laparoscopic Billroth-II operation can safely be accomplished. The technique has been successfully performed in three patients in the last month.

Aged↗