Biomedical subjects

L Smircić-Duvnjak

Publications and source records attributed to L Smircić-Duvnjak.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

Diagnostic value of thyrotropin releasing hormone test in 129 patients with suspected tumoral hyperprolactinemia.

In 129 hyperprolactinemic (PRL > or = 100 ng/mL) and 100 normoprolactinemic patients (PRL 0-25 ng/mL), delta max. PRL (the difference between maximal prolactin (PRL) after thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) injection and basal value) was compared with basal PRL and computed tomography (CT) of the sellar region. In 122 hyperprolactinemic patients delta max. PRL was < 100%, while tumor was found in 106 of them. In the remainder seven hyperprolactinemic patients delta max. PRL was > or = 100% and CT showed no tumor. A significant difference in delta max. PRL between hyperprolactinemic patients without and those with verified adenoma was found and showed a significant negative correlation with basal PRL. Between 122 hyperprolactinemic patients with delta max. PRL < 100%, mean basal PRL and duration of clinical symptoms were significantly lower in 16 patients with normal CT compared to 106 patients with tumor. All normoprolactinemic patients showed delta max. PRL > or = 100% and no tumor on CT. PRL stimulation disturbance precedes tumor visualization and represents a decisive diagnostic parameter in hyperprolactinemic patients with no tumor signs.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Use of octreotide-acetate in preventing pancreatitis-like changes following therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Acute pancreatitis is a serious complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterectomy (EST). In addition, serum pancreatic enzymes increase without clinical symptoms in up to 75% of patients undergoing endoscopic procedures. The aim of this trial was to investigate the effects of octreotide in the prevention of these possible complications in patients undergoing therapeutic ERCP. The study was carried out in 209 subjects who were randomly allocated to two groups (A and B). Group A received 0.5 mg of octreotide-acetate subcutaneously one hour prior to ERCP; group B was given placebo. Serum amylase and lipase values were measured before premedication and 1.5, 2, 6 and 24 hours following endoscopy. Following ERCP, the increase in both amylase and lipase values was significantly greater in the control (placebo) group, but this significance disappeared 24 hours following the procedure. Symptoms of acute pancreatitis developed in 4 (3.85%) patients who were given octreotide-acetate, compared to 10 (9.52%) patients in the control group. The results obtained in our study seem to indicate that octreotide could prevent the increase in serum pancreatic enzymes, but no significant difference was observed in the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1998

Tuberculous peritonitis--a case report.

Tuberculosis continues to be a major health problem worldwide and, due to its systemic nature, its clinical presentation may be highly variable. The diagnosis may, therefore, be unduly delayed. A 67-year old male refugee was admitted to our Department with a diagnosis of intra-abdominal carcinomatosis. During hospitalization, tuberculous peritonitis was found to be the cause of his symptoms. Antituberculosis therapy was administered and the patient responded adequately, achieving total clinical remission. The importance of considering this polymorphous disease is emphasized.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

PubMed1998

Whipple's disease: a case study with unexpected prognosis.

Due to the systemic nature of Whipple's disease, its clinical presentation may be highly variable. The diagnosis may, therefore, be unduly delayed. Untreated, Whipple's disease is still potentially lethal. Although it traditionally presents with signs and symptoms of small intestine involvement, such as diarrhea and malabsorption, Whipple's disease can involve many other organs. Typically, the diagnosis is established by biopsy of the small intestine. The authors describe a case of Whipple's disease in order to stress the importance of bearing this polymorphic disease in mind, with special emphasis on its possible lethal outcome in spite of therapy.

Humans↗