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Biomedical subjects

M Rutishauser

Publications and source records attributed to M Rutishauser.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Pulmonary complications in cystic fibrosis].

As a result of better control and improved symptomatic lung therapy, more than half of cystic fibrosis patients reach the age of twenty. With increasing age and progression of lung disease complications become more frequent. The pulmonologist treating the adult patients must therefore be aware of them and treat them adequately. The present study discusses the diagnosis and therapy of (i.e. bronchial hyperreactivity, mucoid impaction, pneumothorax, lung bleeding and, finally, pulmonary hypertension).

Adolescent↗

[Plasma cell granuloma of the lung].

Isolated primary tumors of the lung are rarely seen in childhood and are benign in one third of the patients. Plasma cell granulomas represent the most common benign tumor of the lung in this age group. Histologically, the tumor is characterized by the various components of a chronic inflammation or granulation tissue. Frozen sections can pose difficulties in the differentiation between a malignant and benign process. In view of the case history of our patient we set out to demonstrate that a knowledge of the clinical picture and a correct interpretation of associated laboratory findings facilitate diagnosis. To our knowledge we describe for the first time the ultrastructural findings of so-called "microtubule-reticular structures" giving further evidence of the inflammatory origin of this lesion.

Child↗

[Correlation between respiratory tract symptoms in young children and NO2 concentration of outside air].

The aim of a one year study was to ascertain whether air pollution measured as NO2-concentration has an measurable influence on the health of infants in Switzerland. Measurements of NO2-concentration were carried out by means of passive collectors in ambient air, living room and at the child itself. The results of 1225 children printed to a significant coherence between respiratory symptoms per day and child and the NO2 load of ambient air as an guide pollutant. Even in consideration of other childish, familiar and environmental factors the coherence remains. Although no causal relation thereby proved this factor supports the observation of parents and physicians that children more often fall ill of respiratory diseases in polluted air being in accordance with similar investigations abroad.

Air Pollutants↗

Significant association between outdoor NO2 and respiratory symptoms in preschool children.

A study of 1225 preschool children was conducted in four regions of Switzerland with different levels of air pollution to investigate the relationship between air pollution and respiratory symptoms. Daily symptoms were recorded by parents on a diary form and air pollution exposure assessed by personal NO2 samplers. Each family participated for 6 weeks and personal samplers were changed every week. The frequency of respiratory symptoms per child and day was found to increase with increasing levels of NO2 measured outdoors. This relationship remained significant in a multiple regression model in which the factors smoking, origin, indoor air pollution, age and sex, season, and parents appreciation of air pollution at the living site were taken into account.

Air Pollutants↗

[Sources of errors and pitfalls in tuberculosis diagnosis].

Three cases of tuberculosis infection are presented (spondylitis, meningitis, pericarditis). Pitfalls and blunders delaying tuberculosis diagnosis are reported. The authors emphasize that: Children at risk have to be vaccinated with BCG (1.1). Health professionals must repeatedly be taught in the interpretation of tuberculin test results and chest X-rays. Tuberculous meningitis may be hidden by the presentation of only encephalitis symptoms and liquor analysis reveals an atypical result (3). Spontaneous resolution of the symptoms or an improvement under non-tuberculostatic therapy does not exclude tuberculosis. In fact encephalitic signs may improve or disappear spontaneously despite subsequent positive liquor culture (4).

Adolescent↗

[Correlation of respiratory tract symptoms in young children and NO2 concentrations of the outside air].

In four regions of Switzerland (2 towns, 1 municipal agglomerate, 1 rural area) the relationship between the degree of air pollution measured in terms of NO2 and the incidence of airway symptomatology was investigated in 1,225 young children. The airway symptoms were recorded by the parents in a diary; the NO2 loading was measured with the aid of personal collecting tubes at the place of residence of the child. A significant relationship was found to exist between the mean incidence of airway symptomatology per child and day, and the individually measured NO2 concentration in the outside air at the child's place of residence. This relationship remained significant even when, in a multiple regression analysis, account was also taken of other major factors, such as smoking, nationality, individual susceptibility to airway diseases, the season of the year, and the subjective assessment of the air pollution at the place of residence, were also taken into account.

Air Pollutants↗

[Effects of air pollutants on the respiratory system in young children].

A one year study on a random sample of 1225 Swiss children aged 0-5 years was conducted in four different areas (two urban, one suburban and one rural) of Switzerland to investigate the relationship between air pollution and respiratory symptoms. For each child daily symptoms over a six week period were recorded by their parents in the form of a standard diary and air pollution was assessed by personal NO2-samplers. 20% of the diaries were validated by comparison with the attending pediatrician's case-notes and showed good agreement (87%). The frequency of respiratory symptoms per child per day was found to increase with increasing levels of NO2 measured outdoors, but not with NO2 concentration indoors (when other indoor sources for NO2 where present). Possible other factors were accounted for by multiple regression analysis and the variables "season" and "child's susceptibility to colds" also showed a significant association with respiratory symptoms. But the relationship between NO2 outdoors and respiratory symptoms per child per day remained statistically significant. The multiple regression model explains 7% of the total variability. The result indicates that air pollution is a contributory factor in the development of respiratory symptoms in children.

Air Pollutants↗

[Allergic bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis: clinical aspects and therapy].

Bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis are the most common chronic diseases in childhood. On the bases of bronchial hyperreactivity many factors can trigger asthma. In children at preschool and school age allergy plays the most important role. The typical asthmatic attack is rarely missed, but frequently recurrent, irritant coughs at night or after physical exercise are misinterpreted. In the present article clinical picture, diagnosis and today's treatment of allergic asthma are discussed. The most important therapy consists of inhalation with efficacious drugs at the time of an acute attack and is continued as a prophylaxis in cases of perennial asthma. Allergic rhinitis does fortunately not take the threatening course of asthma, but its symptoms can reduce the well-being and the quality of life of a child. The diagnosis of allergic rhinitis is easy and rarely missed. The current therapy - like asthma-therapy - consists of avoidance of any known provoking factors in addition to topical application of drugs interacting with mast-cells and corticosteroids and to oral non-sedative histamines.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Mesenterial histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis. Case report.

A 14-year-old girl was hospitalized with fever, jaundice, vomiting and right sided abdominal pain. A laparotomy was performed because of muscular defence and ascites. There was a mass of enlarged red and blue colored lymph nodes in the mesentery of the lower ileum loop. The histologic diagnosis of HNL without granulocytic infiltration was made. A septic-toxic shock developed after surgery. Respiratory insufficiency necessitated the use of a respirator, and acute renal failure with oliguria made hemodialysis necessary. The dramatic clinical course of the illness and the localization of the affected lymph nodes in the abdomen are unusual for an HNL; the lack of granulocytic infiltration contradicts the clinical picture of a bacterial infection. Neither a bacterial nor a viral pathogen could be found. However, the patient had been treated with antibiotics before.

Adolescent↗

[Pulmonary hypertension from the viewpoint of the pediatric pulmonologist].

The main cause of secondary pulmonary hypertension in the view of a pulmonologist is alveolar hypoventilation - eventually potentiated by acidosis and hypercapnia - which leads to reflectory hypoxemic vasoconstriction of the small pulmonary arteries. Anatomic changes in the pulmonary vessels may be absent or may be limited to medial hypertrophy of the arterioles. If the underlying cause of the hypoxia can be corrected, this reflectory pulmonary hypertension is reversible. In diffuse progressive lung disease, interstitial fibrosis with destruction of the alveolar wall and capillaries may occur, leading to restriction of the pulmonary vascular bed. In such cases pulmonary hypertension may not be completely reversible. The most frequent causes of pulmonary hypertension in childhood are obstructive (e.g. Cystic Fibrosis) or restrictive lung diseases (e.g. interstitial fibrosis). Rare but important in the differential diagnosis are upper airway obstruction, thoracic cage deformity, neuromuscular disorders, high altitude and respiratory center dysfunction. The therapy is elimination of the underlying disease or optimal treatment. In addition prophylactic or therapeutic longterm application of oxygen is more efficient than treatment with pulmonary vasodilators or modern substances like Almitrine. Right heart decompensation should be treated by diuretics. The longterm prognosis is dependent of the underlying disease and is poor in a chronic progressive lung disease like cystic fibrosis and certain types of lung fibrosis.

Airway Resistance↗

[Changes in the small airways as a long-term sequela of acute bronchiolitis and a pre-stage of chronic obstructive airway disease in adults].

Apart from cigarette smoking and air pollution, lower respiratory tract infections of viral origin in early childhood are considered to be one of the risk factors for chronic obstructive lung disease. Acute bronchiolitis accounts for the typical disease of the small airways in the first two years of life. 16 symptom-free former patients have been studied 16 to 22 years after an acute attack of bronchiolitis. A complete lung function test was performed with special regard to the small airways. The volume of Isoflow proved to be the most sensitive test. The changes found are considered to be mild. Follow-up will show whether they correlate with an as yet symptom-free stage of a chronic obstructive lung disease.

Adolescent↗

[Childhood tuberculosis, a forgotten disease?].

Three children had signs of illness for 5 to 18 months before tuberculosis was diagnosed, in spite of tuberculin conversion and abnormal chest X-ray findings in two. One 15-year-old boy developed tuberculous pericarditis, a 17-year-old boy had spondylitis, and a 10-year-old boy middle lobe pneumonia. The aim of this presentation is to emphasize that tuberculosis, although now rare in childhood, still exists. Prevention and early diagnosis are also discussed.

Adolescent↗