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Biomedical subjects

K Sommer

Publications and source records attributed to K Sommer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Intramyocardial calcification in the elderly. A diagnostic and therapeutic puzzle.

A 70-year-old woman presented with anular and progressive intramyocardial calcification within a five-year period. She had become increasingly symptomatic with mitral regurgitation and coronary insufficiency during the same period. The subvalvular (mitral) calcified intramyocardial mass was found to be "grumous atherosclerosis." This was obliterated while the mitral valve was replaced with a prosthetic valve and the coronary arteries were bypassed x3. She is surviving and well four years postoperatively.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Advantage of three-dimensional treatment planning for localized radiotherapy of early stage prostatic cancer.

Conventional two-dimensional (2-d) treatment planning was compared to three-dimensional (3-d) treatment planning for patients with prostatic carcinoma. Both types of treatment planning were performed for all ten patients with five fixed fields. In 3-d planning we used irregular shaped fields. For further evaluation we performed conventional planning in rotation technique in two patients. The target volume included prostate, seminal vesicles and a surrounding security margin of 2 cm. Using the MPR-version of the MEVAPLAN planning system, the three-dimensional dose calculations were performed. For the volumes of interest (VOI's) we discussed quality of the dose distribution concerning homogeneity in the target volume and isodose distribution in the organs at risk, which are the rectum and the urinary bladder. We defined the tumor encompassing reference isodose (ca. 95%) for the calculation of the involved rectum- and bladder volume. Using the five-field technique our results show a reduction of the radiation related rectum- and bladder volume concerning the tumor encompassing reference isodose (ca. 95%) for the rectum in between 9.5 and 36.6% (median: 19%, n = 10) and for the urinary bladder in between 15.7 and 47.8% (median: 28%, n = 10). Calculated for 80% of the reference isodose the difference for the rectum was 15.7 to 31.3% (median: 23%) and for the urinary bladder 24.5 to 56.7% (median: 42%). A significant reduction of radiation related side-effects concerning rectum and urinary bladder can be expected by a reduction of volume involvement and a consecutive dosage limitation.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

[Radiotherapy of solitary and multiple eosinophilic granulomas of bone (stage I)].

Between 1957 and 1990 15 patients with solitary (stage Ia by Greenberger) and 2 patients with multiple (stage Ib) eosinophilic granuloma of the bone were treated by radiotherapy in 18 locations after previous surgery. The doses applied varied from 6 Gy to 42 Gy (median for patients under 18 years: 8 Gy, for patients over 18 years: 30 Gy). Median follow-up was 9 years (range, 0.3-33 years). Local control rate and survival were 100%. Three patients with granuloma developed a second granuloma within 13 years after primary diagnosis (two bone manifestations, one cutaneous manifestation). Long-term follow-up of patients with solitary eosinophilic granuloma is necessary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[The therapeutic results and early and late toxicities of the treatment of anal canal carcinoma by radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy].

From 1975 to 1989 114 patients with anal canal carcinoma were treated, 81 of these with radiotherapy (RT) alone and 33 with chemoradiotherapy (CRT), 80% respectively 82% of the patients were colostomy-free at the onset of therapy. RT was given to a total dose of 60 Gy in six weeks, for CRT additional simultaneous 5-fluorouracil (500 mg/m2 days 1 to 5 and 8 to 12) and mitomycin C (5 mg/m2 days 5 and 12) was administered. 67% respectively 82% of the patients had UICC stage II to IIIB disease predominantly with G2 and G3 squamous cell carcinomas. Local control after three years was 79% for the RT group vs. 82% for the CRT group. Three-year survival rate was 68% and 71%, respectively. These differences were not significant. Only for G1- compared to G3-tumors there is a significantly higher survival rate. Acute and late damage was slightly lower for the RT treatment group (77% and 25%) compared to the CRT group (79% and 30%). In both treatment groups there was one patient needing a permanent colostomy due to radiation induced proctitis. In conclusion, RT or CRT should be the primary form of treatment in patients with and canal carcinoma and abdominoperineal resection should only be performed in case of local recurrence or tumor persistence. The final decision about the indications for RT or CRT can only be made with the results of a prospective randomized trial.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Treatment results and acute and late toxicity of radiation therapy for testicular seminoma.

From 1977 to 1988, 215 patients with a diagnosis of testicular seminoma were referred to the University Hospital, Hamburg, West Germany, for radiation therapy (RT). In 15 patients a careful review of the histologic condition showed signs of embryonal cell carcinoma. Three patients refused completion of therapy. No patient was lost to follow-up. On this basis, a retrospective review of 197 patients was carried out. One hundred thirty-three patients were classified as Stage I (67%), 39 as Stage II (20%), 8 as Stage III (4%), and 17 as Stage IV (9%). One hundred eighty patients had classic seminoma and 17 had anaplastic seminoma. All patients underwent high inguinal orchiectomy before treatment. Seven patients with Stages III and IV received chemotherapy before RT. Patients with Stages I and II were treated with 40-Gy photons to paraaortic and parailiac fields. Ten patients with Stage III and IV seminoma received 30-Gy photons to mediastinal and supraclavicular fields as well. Sixty patients received additional inguinal RT. The overall 5-year survival rate (corrected for intercurrent death, except for treatment toxicity) was 100% for Stage I, 100% for Stage II, 87% for Stage III, and 87% for Stage IV. The mean follow-up time was 6.3 years (range, 0.6 to 11.9 years). An evaluation of all patients showed no difference according to histologic condition or prior chemotherapy. Mediastinal and supraclavicular irradiation showed no improvement in treatment results. Acute toxicity consisted of mild to moderate emesis, increased bowel frequency, erythema, and, in four cases leucopenia and thrombopenia (all World Health Organization [WHO] Grades I to II). However, one patient died of a pulmonary fibrosis 1 month after mediastinal irradiation and 2 months after polychemotherapy, and a gastroduodenal ulcer developed in another patient 1.5 months after paraaortic RT and prior polychemotherapy. Overall, the data suggest that to avoid overtreatment and consecutive treatment morbidity reduced doses of 30 Gy and a restrictive treatment planning adapted to the individual risk are sufficient for RT for testicular seminoma. An alternative to postoperative RT in Stage I (and possibly Stage II) seminoma could be no RT, but close follow-up instead.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed1990

[Pain symptoms in paraplegic patients].

The number of paraplegics who survive their initial trauma by decades is on the increase. A considerable percentage of these patients will, sooner or later, temporarily or permanently, manifest a pain syndrome and/or phantom pain. Accurate differentiation of the disagreeable sensations, which are often difficult to describe (dysesthesia, paresthesia), is frequently a big problem. The pathogenesis still remains unclear, and therapy often proves unsatisfactory.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[New aspects of assessment of physical development of children and adolescents by preventive examinations].

The results of the examinations of a representative cross-section were used as the basis for bringing up to date the standard values and ranges of variability of the body measurements of newborns according to gestational age, of head circumference up to the 3rd year and of body height and weight from 0-18 years. Tables and somatograms were also drawn up for the evaluation of body weight in relation to specific types of build, and standard values for skinfold thickness and total body fat were worked out in order to permit a biologically meaningful assessment of the physical development and nutritional status of children and adolescents. Alongside the description of the individual stages in the development of selected characteristics of maturation used in assessing sexual maturity, percentiles for the average age on reaching each of these stages of development will be available, together with a new series of photographs of breast, pubes and genital development.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1990

[Range of variation of sex maturation markers].

Nation-wide investigations on the sexual maturation (secondary sex characteristics) have been carried out for the first time in the GDR in 1984 and 1985. They were part of a research project of the Ministry of Health concerning health during childhood and adolescence. The study was organised and coordinated by our Institute of Anthropology in Berlin. More than 17,000 children and young persons of ages between 8 and 16 years have been recorded. The data have been analysed. The analysis was performed after the colour tables of van Wieringen and coworkers as well as using additional adapted tables. Most important results concerning the indicators of sexual maturation are being presented here.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Birth weight of newborn infants in relation to body height and body weight of parents with special reference to duration of pregnancy].

Using the data of the 1985 GDR somatogram standards (birthweight percentiles calculated from 51,570 liveborn singletons) the impact of parental weight and length on the birthweight were calculated. Peristatic factors in combination with the genetic 'anlage' act first of all via maternal weight. Body height and/or length of mother and father are more representative for the genetic constitution. Their impact on neonatal weight seems to be less significant, however statistically calculable. The paternal 'anlage' is relatively modified by the intrauterine environment (maternal constitution).

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1989

[The inadequate status of information of interested lay persons about the educational campaign regarding risk factors for cardiovascular diseases].

181 interested individuals (75 males, 106 females; range 16 to 84 years) responded to a questionnaire issued by the Styrian Cardiovascular Lay Society. The main topic of the questionnaire concerned information gained via media, about the possible risk factors related to cardiovascular diseases and about any changes in life style consequent to this information. The results show that the general knowledge in this field especially in younger subjects is disappointing and that there is need for further intensive information and education.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Status of information of interested lay persons: results of a questionnaire survey by the Styrian Heart Association].

181 interested individuals (75 males, 106 females; range 16 to 84 years) responded to a questionnaire issued within the information and instruction courses of the Styrian Cardiovascular Non-professional Society. The main topic of the questionnaire concerned information gained via media, possible risk factors leading to cardiovascular diseases and any changes in living conditions due to such facts. The results show clearly that the general knowledge in this field especially in younger subjects is disappointing and further intensive information and instruction would be urgently required.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Functional and histological restitution in the urinary tract after Nd:YAG laser coagulation.

Current development in endourologic equipment has made possible the endoscopic application of the Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of urothelial tumors of the whole urinary tract. The clinical results are rather promising. We controlled with various methods the healing processes of 14 rabbit ureters after Nd:YAG laser treatment as to morphological repair and physiological function. The ureters were irradiated transrenally with an energy of 60 J coagulating all wall layers. Healing of the laser lesions nearly to normal in all animals was observed 4 to 6 weeks after treatment. The prevailing histological and physiological changes in the ureter are extremely slight and do not disturb the normal ureteral function. The results show the complete healing process of the ureter after laser coagulation and make the application of Nd:YAG laser in the upper urinary tract much more predictable.

Animals↗