PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

N Sandberg

Publications and source records attributed to N Sandberg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Does massive obesity promote abnormal gastroesophageal reflux?

Fifty consecutive massively obese patients referred for gastroplasty operations were prospectively studied to determine the existence of gastroesophageal reflux disease by means of a standardized questionnaire, 24-hr ambulatory pH-metry, and endoscopy (27 females, mean age 48 years, range 38-57 years). These patients had a body mass index (BMI) of 42.5 +/- 5.2 kg/m2 and an actual weight of 125.5 +/- 17 kg. Heartburn and acid regurgitation was reported by 37% and 28%, respectively, mostly of a mild degree (22% and 20%). Dysphagia was reported by 2%, but none had odynophagia. No patient had any macroscopic esophagitis. The pH data were compared with those obtained in 29 age- and sex-matched, symptom-free, healthy controls (15 females, mean age 47.6 years, range 30-63 years). During ambulatory pH-metry, we recorded a predominance of daytime reflux (7.2 +/- 8.2% and total acid exposure of 5.3 +/- 6.4%) in the obese patients, but neither the weight, BMI, nor the waist-hip ratio were significantly correlated with any of the reflux variables. The pH data obtained from these patients did not, however, differ significantly from those recorded in the control population, although a somewhat lower daytime acid reflux was found in the latter group. These results suggest that massive overweight is not associated with an increased prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Adult

Swallowing problems in rheumatoid arthritis.

Twenty-nine female patients with definite or classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 30 controls were investigated in order to evaluate oral symptoms, particularly xerostomia, and swallowing difficulties in RA by means of a questionnaire, physical examination, stimulated saliva secretion, labial salivary gland biopsy, esophageal manometry and laboratory blood tests. Xerostomia was reported by 6 patients (21%), compared with no-one in the control group. Four of these 6 patients had decreased stimulated saliva secretion, compared with 2 of the remaining 23 patients. Dysphagia was experienced by 8 patients (28%), compared with one control subject. Dysphagia was associated with disease severity. Esophageal manometry revealed a decrease of the amplitude of the peristaltic pressure complex in the proximal part of esophagus in the RA group, indicating dysfunction of the striated muscles. No correlation was found between dysphagia and esophageal manometry results.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid

The prevalence of symptoms suggestive of esophageal disorders.

A questionnaire study was conducted to assess the prevalence and severity of symptoms suggestive of esophageal disorders in a general population. The study included 407 randomly selected subjects, evenly distributed in terms of sex and age, within the age span of 20-79 years. A total of 337 subjects replied (85%). Symptoms suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux were found among 25% of the participants. Cough on swallowing was common (27%), as was globus (16%) and chest pain (13%). In addition, dysphagia was reported by 10% and vomiting by 9%. The symptoms were usually mild, and moderate to severe symptoms were reported only occasionally (1-4%). No statistical correlation was found between esophageal symptoms and age, sex, or the reported consumption of tobacco, alcohol, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The frequency of heartburn and/or acid regurgitation was twice as common among those with symptoms of respiratory disease as among those with no respiratory complaints. A stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that a chronic cough and/or breathing difficulties were significantly related to the presence of symptoms suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux.

Adult

Primary radiotherapy for glottic laryngeal carcinoma stage I and II. A retrospective study with special regard to failure patterns.

A retrospective study has been made of 302 patients with vocal cord carcinoma stage I and II treated between 1963 and 1983, emphasizing treatment failure patterns. The primary treatment modalities were radiotherapy for 266 patients and surgery for 36 patients. The minimum follow-up was 4 years. After primary radiotherapy there were 63 local recurrences and 7 neck lymph node recurrences, all appearing outside the target volume. The actuarial loco-regional recurrence-free rates at 5 years were 78% for T1, 76% for T2a (normal cord mobility) and 60% for T2b (impaired cord mobility) tumors. The actuarial regional lymph node recurrence-free rates at 5 years were 99, 100 and 93% for T1, T2a and T2b tumors respectively. The actuarial corrected survivals at 5 years were 95, 96 and 79% for T1, T2a and T2b tumors with primary radiotherapy and salvage surgery for recurrence. Salvage surgery was less successful in T2b compared to T1 and T2a tumors. In conclusion, after primary radiotherapy with salvage surgery the loco-regional control rate was high and very similar for glottic cancer T1 and T2a but less satisfactory for T2b tumors. Regional lymph node metastases were not a large problem in any of the subgroups. More effective radiotherapy with higher dose levels or an altered fractionation might increase the local control rate for T2 tumors with impaired cord mobility.

Adult

Glottic laryngeal carcinoma with fixed vocal cord treated with full-dose radiation, total laryngectomy or combined treatment.

The results of the therapy of 46 patients with glottic squamous cell cancer with a fixed vocal cord and without regional lymph nodes (glottic T3N0) are reported. Primary surgery (total laryngectomy) in combination with preoperative irradiation gave significantly higher loco-regional control rate and survival rate than surgery alone. Primary radiotherapy with doses of 70 Gy or more and adequate follow-up was found to be an alternative to preoperative radiation and laryngectomy. The result of different treatment modalities speaks in favour of primary irradiation allowing preservation of the larynx and a good voice function. In case of recurrence salvage surgery with total laryngectomy is preferred.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell

The effect of omeprazole or ranitidine treatment on 24-hour esophageal acidity in patients with reflux esophagitis.

Twenty-two consecutive patients with gastroesophageal reflux and erosive or ulcerative esophagitis entered a double-blind, randomized study comparing the effect of 20 mg omeprazole once daily with that of 150 mg ranitidine twice daily on esophageal acidity. Ambulatory 24-h esophageal pH measurements were performed within 1 month before inclusion and after 3 weeks of medication. Omeprazole significantly (p less than 0.05) reduced the number of reflux (pH less than 4) episodes, the number of refluxes lasting greater than 5 min, and the total reflux time. In contrast, ranitidine significantly reduced only the total reflux time. When the two treatment groups were compared, a significant difference in favor of omeprazole was found for daytime and total reflux values, except for the longest reflux and the number of reflux episodes lasting greater than 5 min. Substantial differences, also in favor of omeprazole, were found with regard to the effect on endoscopic healing of the esophagitis.

Adolescent

Instrumental perforation of the oesophagus. A ten year study from two ENT clinics.

During the 10-year period 1972-1981, 3,688 and 867 oesophagoscopies were performed at two ENT clinics of a university hospital and of a county hospital with an incidence of oesophageal perforation of 0.8 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively. Rigid instruments were used in all cases, most often in combination with dilatation of a benign stricture.

Adult

Severe airway obstruction caused by laryngeal rheumatoid arthritis.

Ankylosis of the cricoarytenoid joints due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may cause upper airway obstruction by fixation of the vocal cords in the midline. In early stages, this condition usually results in minor symptoms which are easily overlooked. It may, however, very rapidly, e.g., in association with an upper respiratory tract infection, become life-threatening. It is essential to diagnose this condition early to avoid emergency situations. In 5 patients with classic RA and in one patient with juvenile RA severe laryngeal obstruction was operated on using a new simple technique consisting of a mobilization of the arytenoid cartilages and laterofixation of one of the vocal cords.

Adult

[Radiotherapy of cancer of the vocal cords. Report on 287 patients].

Therapeutic results in 287 glottic and subglottic carcinomas stage I-IV are reported. After primary irradiation and salvage surgery of recurrences the actuarial 10 year-NED probability for tumours with normal mobility of the vocal cords was 78%, for those with impaired mobility it was 60% and for tumours with complete fixation in stage III it was only 27%. The relative actuarial 10 year-survival probability of the same groups were 96%, 82% and 35%. Salvage surgery was performed in 48/51 patients (94%) with radioresistent tumours or recurrences and was successful in 37/48 (77%) of the patients. The larynx could be saved in 162/210 (77%) curative irradiated patients. Primary irradiation can be recommended as the method of choice in glottic carcinoma T 1 + 2. It can be proved also in T3-tumours as alternative to preoperative irradiation and laryngectomy if adequate follow-up is possible, otherwise combined preoperative irradiation and laryngectomy is preferred. Dose levels equivocal to CRE 19 are recommended for curative irradiation of T 1 + 2 N0-tumours. For more advanced tumours T3 + 4 and cervical metastases greater than 3 cm about 10% higher doses are needed. Different fractionation schedules for curative and preoperative irradiation are discussed. A highly significant dose-effect relation was found for dose levels above and below CRE 18.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell

[Radiotherapy of supraglottic cancers. Report on 84 patients].

Ten of 84 supraglottic carcinomas were treated by primary surgery, 32 by pre or post operative irradiation and 41 by primary irradiation and salvage surgery if recurrence developed. A comparison of the treatment results between these groups is not possible because of the lack of randomization. After follow up of 4.4 years (range 0,1-19, 7 y) 44% of the patients had died of their primary tumour or complications of treatment, 22.5% had died of intercurrent disease and 11% of other malignancies. The actuarial 5-year survival in the pre/postoperatively irradiated group was 75%, 100% and 67% for Stage I-III respectively. None of the 13 patients in Stage IV survived 5 years. The actuarial 5-year survival for the Stage I-IV irradiated patients was 91%. 67%, 82% and 42%. If possible the primary treatment should preserve the larynx, which is of great importance for the patient's quality of life. With proper selection supraglottic laryngectomy is possible for certain tumours of Stage I and II. For more advanced tumours and those not suitable for partial laryngectomy, well planned curative irradiation should be given with "reducing field" technique allow for salvage surgery for radioresistant tumours or recurrences. A total dose of 62-72 Gy 5 x 2 Gy per week for 6-8 weeks is needed depending on the stage of the tumour. Preoperative irradiation in clearly operable tumours can be given with a short course of 5 x 5 Gy over 5 days as the method of choice. In doubtfully operable tumours conventional preoperative irradiation with 30-40 Gy in 3-4 weeks is preferable.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell

Oesophagocardiomyotomy and antireflux procedures.

Although oesophagocardiomyotomy has been the method of choice for surgical treatment of achalasia cardiae for several decades, there are still great discrepancies in the technical details of the procedure as performed in different centres. This is one of the main explanations for the diverging results reported, particularly with regard to the incidence of postoperative gastro-oesophageal reflux. Sixty-three patients underwent primary oesophagocardiomyotomy with a total length of 12 cm, including incision of about 2 cm onto the stomach. Forty-one patients were not examined preoperatively for conditions now recognized as predisposing to reflux and were managed with oesophagocardiomyotomy only, except one patient. Eight patients developed severe reflux complications from 1 to 5 years (mean 2 years) after the operation. In 11 out of 22 patients examined preoperatively for such conditions, Heller's operation was combined with an antireflux procedure. The results were good in all patients and pathological gastro-oesophageal reflux was not detected in any of the 22 patients during a follow-up period of 2 to 7 years (mean 4 years). It is concluded that oesophagocardiomyotomy should be combined with an antireflux procedure in selected patients. The indications for an antireflux procedure are discussed.

Adult

Gastric acid secretion (GAS) and hiatal hernia. I. Relationship between GAS and oesophageal reflux complications.

The relationship between GAS and oesophageal reflux complications in patients with hiatal hernia and incompetent antireflux mechanism is a matter of controversy. In a study of 70 patients operated upon for hiatal hernia, BAO and PAO after betazole stimulation were studied preoperatively in relation to oesophageal reflux complications, age and oesophageal motility. No correlation was found between BAO and oesophageal reflux complications. There was no association between PAO and such complications in patients with oesophageal hypomotility whereas PAO was clearly correlated to these complications in patients with normal oesophageal motility. Oesophageal reflux complications were closely correlated to oesophageal hypomotility and age.

Adult

Gastric acid secretion (GAS) and hiatal hernia. II. Relationship between GAS and clinical results after hernia repair.

The indications for surgical procedures reducing gastric acid secretion in patients with hiatal hernia and symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux remain unclear. In a study of the postoperative results in 40 patients operated upon with modified Husfeldt hernia repair only, the results were assessed in relation to BAO and PAO. No correlation was found between the clinical results and BAO or PAO in patients in whom the reflux was successfully corrected by the procedure. It is concluded that gastric acid-reducing procedures are not indicated in patients in whom correction of reflux is anticipated.

Esophagus

Gastro-oesophageal reflux after surgical treatment of hiatal hernia with and without severe reflux complications. A follow-up study.

One hundred and sixteen patients operated upon for hiatal hernia with gastro-oesophageal reflux and with or without reflux complications were postoperatively examined by personal interview, X-ray study, pH measurements and study of the oesophageal motility 1 to 10 years postoperatively. The patients without severe reflux complications were operated upon mainly with a modified Husfeldt hernia repair and the patients with complications, such as oesophageal stricture and shortening, underwent various surgical procedures. The main reason for unsatisfactory clinical results, with persistent reflux symptoms, was gastro-oesophageal reflux uncorrected by the surgical procedure. However, gastro-oesophageal reflux was detected even in completely asymptomatic patients. It was found that the reflux symptoms were influenced by the oesophageal motility. The clinical results were better and recurrence of hernia and the occurrence of pathological reflux were lower in patients operated upon for hernia without severe reflux complications. Creation of a competent antireflux barrier between the oesophagus and stomach for control of gastro-oesophageal reflux is much more difficult in patients with severe reflux complications.

Adolescent