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Biomedical subjects

M Giger

Publications and source records attributed to M Giger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

[Prevalence of upper abdominal complaints and their effect on the quality of life and utilization of medical resources. Swiss Primary Care Group].

The authors present the results obtained in Switzerland, as part of an international survey (DIGEST), on 3 months' prevalence of upper digestive symptoms (UDS) and their influence on quality of life and consumption of medical services. 514 randomized adults from the general population in 8 different cities were interviewed. In these interviews data were recorded concerning demographic and socio economic aspects, quality of life, severity and frequency of UDS, consultations and medication. The sub-population with relevant UDS (i.e. UDS at least once a week and/or of moderate to severe degree) was compared with the rest of the population interviewed. 19% of the interviewees reported relevant UDS; of these, two thirds were women. No differences were found between people with and without UDS as far as education, professional activities, consumption of alcohol or smoking are concerned. The most frequent symptoms reported were fullness, bloating and nausea. However, daily activities were most impaired by nausea, epigastric pain and heartburn. Interviewees with UDS more frequently reported "life events" in the preceding year (48% vs 33%). Interviewees with UDS also more frequently reported back pain (7% vs 2%) and migraine (10% vs 6%). Furthermore, more interviewees with UDS reported sick leave (11% vs 3%); they also had a poorer life quality score (74 vs 89, PGWBI), reported more medical visits (50% vs 19%) and consumed more medication, both prescribed (65% vs 25%) and non-prescribed (OTC: 70% vs 31%).

Absenteeism↗
PubMed1996

Portable chest radiography techniques and teleradiology.

Despite the large number of portable examinations performed, the quality of bedside radiography is highly variable and has lagged behind the rapid advances in other fields of medical imaging. The authors discuss the technical factors of image production in relation to methods for improving image quality in portable radiography. Digital radiography has significant practical technical advantages in portable applications and also allows transmission and accessibility of images on a computer network.

Humans↗
PubMed1996

Image processing and computer-aided diagnosis.

The future of image processing and CAD in diagnostic radiology is more promising now than ever, with increasingly impressive results being reported from various observer performance studies in both mammography and chest radiography. Clinical trials in years to come will help optimize the accuracy of the programs and determine the actual contribution of CAD to the interpretation process. Radiologists using output from computer analyses of images, however, will still make the final decision regarding diagnosis and patient management. Nonetheless, studies have indicated that the computer output need not have greater overall accuracy than a given radiologist in order to improve his or her performance. A systematic and gradual introduction of CAD into radiology departments will be necessary so that radiologists can become familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of each CAD program, thereby avoiding either excessive reliance or a dismissive attitude toward the computer output. This should ensure the acceptance of CAD and optimal diagnostic performance by the radiologist. Thus, an appropriate role for each CAD program will be determined for each radiologist, according to his or her individual training and observational skills, reducing intraobserver variations and improving diagnostic performance.

Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted↗
PubMed1993

[Are classical medicine and alternative medicine compatible?].

The interest in alternative medicine in the general population is spread widely. About one fourth of swiss family doctors use alternative medical methods. The increasing practise of these methods does, inspite of some reservations towards classic medicine, not legitimate their uncritical acceptance. Effective methods, however, should be integrated into classic medicine. By increasingly anthropocentric orientation, acceptance of illness as part of life and support for individual responsibility for health classic medicine itself becomes alternative, namely more friendly for man and his environment.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1991

Direct comparison of conventional and computed radiography with a dual-image recording technique.

To compare the image quality of computed radiographic (CR) with conventional screen-film images, the authors used a dual-image recording technique. Images were simultaneously acquired with a conventional screen-film combination and a storage-phosphor imaging plate loaded into a single cassette. Wiener spectra and modulation transfer function were compared for both image types. A preliminary observer performance test was conducted with chest images obtained with the dual-image recording technique on portable and fixed equipment. Analysis of physical parameters and observer test results suggests that the conventional screen-film system can provide slightly superior image quality, although the CR system has some advantage in bedside applications.

Confidence Intervals↗
PubMed1983

[Can prevention of hepatitis B following exposure to hepatitis virus be improved by immediate administration of HB immune serum?].

Sixty-five medical personnel thought to be exposed to hepatitis-B-surface antigen (HBs) positive material by accidental needle stick were treated with 4 ml hepatitis B-immunoglobulin (SRK, Swiss Red Cross). The prophylaxis was started as soon as possible, mostly within an hour or two. 56 patients were followed up with clinical and serological tests at monthly intervals for 9 months. In individuals exposed to HBs-antigen negative material, signs of HBV-infection could be detected only in one. In 36 cases potentially infectious material proved to be HBs-Ag positive. Six of the medical personnel (16.7%) had signs of hepatitis B-virus infection. One individual (2.8%) developed clinical hepatitis type B. Three (8.3%) converted to active hepatitis B markers (anti-HBs and/or anti-HBc) without clinical symptoms. Two of four who already had anti-HBs before exposure developed antibodies to HBc afresh at three- and six-month intervals. These serological conversions and the one case of clinical hepatitis developed despite the fact that HB-Ig was given in nearly all cases within one hour of exposure. The incubation period was 5-8 months. It is concluded that even rapid prophylaxis with HB-Ig after needle stick exposure does not afford 100% protection. It is urged that any passive prophylaxis with HB-Ig in exposed personnel should be complemented by active hepatitis B immunization.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1982

[Treatment and prevention of recurrence of duodenal ulcer with pirenzepin and cimetidine].

The effect of pirenzepine and cimetidine on healing, symptoms, and relapse rate of duodenal ulcer was studied in a placebo controlled double blind trial. With regard to symptoms, cimetidine (1 g daily) was superior at the beginning of therapy to a low dose of pirenzepine (75 mg daily) and to placebo. No significant differences in ulcer healing were found between the 3 treatment groups. The relapse rate after treatment with pirenzepine was lower than after treatment with cimetidine.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Treatment and relapse prophylaxis of duodenal ulcer with pirenzepine and cimetidine.

The effect of pirenzepine and cimetidine on healing, symptoms and relapse rate of duodenal ulcer was studied in a placebo-controlled double-blind trial. Cimetidine (1 g daily) was superior at the beginning of therapy to a low dose of pirenzepine (75 mg daily) and placebo with regard to symptoms. No significant differences in ulcer healing were found between the 3 groups of treatment. The relapse rate after treatment with pirenzepine was lower than after treatment with cimetidine.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Diagnosis and occurrence of viral esophagitis].

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in 500 consecutive patients from medical, oncological and surgical wards showed a 1% incidence of viral esophagitis. The 5 reported cases could not be distinguished either on clinical or on endoscopic grounds from reflux esophagitis. Brush cytology served in all but one case to diagnose viral esophagitis. Identification of the virus was possible in 4 cases (3 herpes simplex, 1 cytomegaly). Viral esophagitis was mainly a complication in severe underlying disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Diagnosis of intestinal amebiasis].

Three cases of intestinal amebiasis with varying clinical pictures are presented. One patient developed an amebic liver abscess and also amebic colitis, which was mistaken for Crohn's disease. A second patient with amebic dysentery had no Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites in fecal material because of previous therapy with an antiprotozoal drug. The third patient, who had colitis and severe constitutional symptoms, had trophozoites in the stool but negative serological tests. The diagnostic value of radiology and endoscopy, of examinations of stool and exsudate, and of histopathology and serology is discussed.

Acetanilides↗
PubMed1981

Intramural pseudodiverticulosis of the esophagus: report of seven cases and literature review.

Seven cases of esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis (EIPD) are presented and compared with 46 cases previously reported. EIPD is mainly a disease of older age with a 3:2 predominance of male patients. The radiologic appearance of EIPD shows great variation in localization and severity of visible changes. Radiologic examination is far more sensitive than endoscopy in diagnosing EIPD. The most effective therapy for EIPD is dilatation of strictures, leading to amelioration or disappearance of symptoms in over 90% of cases. Visible pseudodiverticula may persist after therapy, even in symptom-free patients.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1979

How reliable is determination of ulcer size by endoscopy?

The suface areas of 23 artificial ulcers in a rubber manikin and of 35 ulcers in 35 consecutive patients admitted for endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract were estimated by six endoscopists. Of the 138 estimations made in the manikin 80% underestimated the true size of the ulcer: the mean (+/- SD) was -29 +/- 40%. The largest and the smallest estimate of the same ulcer by different endoscopists varied on average by a factor of 4.5 +/- 3.8, and the estimates by the same endoscopists of ulcers with the same size varied by a factor of 2.3 +/- 0.6. In the patients the scatter of the estimates was even larger, the mean factor being 7.8 +/- 6.3. Changes in ulcer size are therefore an unsuitable criterion for assessing ulcer healing. Even if consecutive examinations are performed by the same endoscopist, changes in ulcer area smaller than by a factor of 3 are not discernible.

Endoscopes↗
PubMed1979

[Salmonella colitis].

Salmonella colitis is defined on the basis of 3 case reports and 75 well-documented cases from the literature. Salmonella colitis is an acute ulcerative colitis occurring in enteric salmonellosis. There is complete clinical and endoscopic remission within 4--8 weeks and no relapse. The disease is to be distinguished from idiopathic ulcerative colitis in a salmonella carrier state. The difficulties of this differential diagnosis are demonstrated in a further case report.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

[Therapy of duodenal ulcer with cimetidine, pirenzipine and placebo: report on a double-blind randomized study].

A double-blind randomized controlled study with pirenzepine (75 mg/day), cimetidine (1 g/day) and placebo was performed in 50 consecutive out-patients with duodenal ulcer. The patients also received an antacid containing aluminium hydroxide. Pirenzepine, cimetidine and placebo had similar effects on the 4-week healing rate. Dryness of the mouth was more frequent with pirenzepine than with the other two types of treatment. The incidence of other side effects did not differ in the three groups. A tendency towards more rapid disappearance of subjective symptoms in the patients treated with pirenzepine was not statistically significant. In conclusion, pirenzepine and cimetidine were not superior to placebo in the treatment of duodenal ulcer.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

[Premedication of esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy with a neuroleptanalgesic drug and a tranquillizer--a controlled clinical study (author's transl)].

In a controlled double-blind randomized study Thalamonal and Valium were compared in 498 esophago-gastro-duodenoscopies. Both drugs were injected intravenously immediately before the procedure. Satisfactory sedation which made additional injection of the drug during the endoscopy superfluous could be achieved in 66% of the patients with Thalamonal and in 52% with Valium respectively. The difference between the two preparations is statistically significant (p less than 0,005). In 95 patients catamnestic studies were performed in order to evaluate second episodes of fatigue after the endoscopy. A good effect of the preparation during endoscopy and a lack of second attacks of sedation following discharge was observed only in 23% of the patients after Thalamonal and in 21% of the patients after Valium injection, respectively. Therfore a good premedication was achieved in only one fifth of the patients receiving one of the two drugs.

Diazepam↗