[The significance of elevated troponin levels in the absence of acute cardiac ischaemia].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Westerterp.
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This case report describes a 70 year old woman with excessive diffuse keratinisation of the oral cavity and oesophagus harbouring a squamous cell carcinoma. This excessive diffuse keratinisation of normally non-keratinised squamous epithelium could not be identified in normally non-keratinised epithelia in other parts of the body (the vagina), arguing against a genetic basis for this disorder. The term "crackleware" oesophagus was used to describe this entity, which has not been described previously in the English literature.
PURPOSE: Despite the increasing number of publications concerning (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) for staging of esophageal cancer and the increasing availability of this novel diagnostic modality, its exact role in preoperative staging of these tumors is still unknown. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature regarding the diagnostic performance of FDG-PET in preoperative staging of patients with esophageal cancer, and to calculate summary estimates of its sensitivity and specificity. METHODS: The databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were searched for relevant studies. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of each study. A meta-analysis of the reported sensitivity and specificity of each study was performed. RESULTS: Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies had several design deficiencies. Pooled sensitivity and specificity for the detection of locoregional metastases were 0.51 (95% CI, 0.34 to 0.69) and 0.84 (95% CI, 0.76 to 0.91), respectively. For distant metastases, pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.67 (95% CI, 0.58 to 0.76) and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.90 to 1.0), respectively. CONCLUSION: FDG-PET showed moderate sensitivity and specificity for the detection of locoregional metastases, and reasonable sensitivity and specificity in detection of distant lymphatic and hematogenous metastases.
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OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to assess the results of anal fistulotomy on faecal continence, recurrence and satisfaction. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 60 patients who underwent anal fistulotomy between 1997 and 2000. Follow-up was by a questionnaire with 46 (77%) patients responding. Mean follow-up was 1-4 years. Fistulas were intersphincteric in 12 patients and transsphincteric in 34 patients. Operative procedure consisted of fistulotomy. RESULTS: Of 11 patients with high fistula, 9 (82%) had impaired continence; Of 17 patients with midanal fistula, 4 (24%) suffered impaired continence. Eighteen patients had a low fistula and 8 (44%) developed impaired continence. In the whole group 50% had suffered faecal incontinence. There were no recurrences and there was satisfaction with the situation in 87% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Fistulotomy for primary fistula in ano in this retrospective study with a follow-up up to 4 years was associated with no recurrences. Eighty-two percent of patients with a high anal opening have impaired faecal continence, nevertheless patients' satisfaction is high.
To get insight in the endocrine and metabolic responses in children with meningococcal sepsis 26 children were studied the first 48 h after admission. On admission there was a significant difference in cortisol/ACTH levels between nonsurvivors (n = 8) and survivors (n = 18). Nonsurvivors showed an inadequate cortisol stress response in combination to very high ACTH levels, whereas survivors showed a normal stress response with significantly higher cortisol levels (0.62 vs. 0.89 micromol/L) in combination with moderately increased ACTH levels (1234 vs. 231 ng/L). Furthermore, there was a significant difference between nonsurvivors and survivors regarding pediatric risk of mortality score (31 vs. 17), TSH (0.97 vs. 0.29 mE/L), T3 (0.53 vs. 0.38 nmol/L), reverse T3 (rT3) (0.75 vs. 1.44 nmol/L), C-reactive protein (34 vs. 78 mg/L), nonesterified fatty acids (0.32 vs. 0.95 mmol/L), and lactate (7.3 vs. 3.2 mmol/L). In those who survived, the most important changes within 48 h were seen in a normalization of cortisol and ACTH levels, but without a circadian rhythm; a decrease of rT3 and an increase in the T3/rT3 ratio; and a decrease in the levels of the nonesterified free fatty acids and an unaltered high urinary nitrogen excretion. At this moment, it is yet unknown whether the hormonal abnormalities are determining factors in the outcome of acute meningococcal sepsis or merely represent secondary effects. Understanding the metabolic and endocrine alterations is required to design possible therapeutic approaches. The striking difference between nonsurvivors and survivors calls for reconsideration of corticosteroid treatment in children with meningococcal sepsis.