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Biomedical subjects

O Ernst

Publications and source records attributed to O Ernst.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Prospective evaluation of the impact of [18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography of resectable colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the additional value of information provided by positron emission tomography (PET) with [(18)F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) over that provided by computed tomography (CT) in patients with resectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer. METHODS: Between October 2001 and November 2002, a prospective double-blind comparison of preoperative FDG-PET and thoracoabdominal CT was performed in 53 patients with potentially resectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer. All resected metastases were subjected to histological examination. RESULTS: Histological examination confirmed the presence of malignant or benign lesions detected by PET and/or CT in 95 per cent of instances. Overall sensitivity (78 per cent) and accuracy (88 per cent) of PET were equivalent to those of CT (76 and 86 per cent respectively). The sensitivity of PET was equivalent to that of CT for hepatic sites (both 79 per cent), but was superior for extrahepatic abdominal sites (63 and 25 per cent respectively). PET provided additional information in five patients, mainly by revealing abdominal extrahepatic metastases, but falsely upstaged three patients. CONCLUSION: Whole-body FDG-PET may identify unrecognized extrahepatic metastases in patients with potentially resectable liver metastases imaged by CT. However, additional information provided by PET is not as reliable as suggested by earlier retrospective studies.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Imaging of acute pancreatitis].

Acute pancreatitis usually is a benign disease. However it can sometimes be severe with a 5% mortality. CT is the imaging technique of choice and should be performed in all cases. When clinical symptoms and laboratory findings are typical, the role of CT is to detect complications. In those cases, CT is ideally performed 72 hours after the beginning of symptoms. In other cases, CT can be performed earlier. The main usefulness of CT is to detect complications: necrosis, fluid collections and vascular involvement. Non-invasive imaging techniques, including US, are poorly sensitive for diagnosis of biliary pancreatitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2005

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in refractory ascites: a meta-analysis.

UNLABELLED: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a more effective treatment for refractory ascites than large volume paracentesis (LVP), but the magnitude of its effect in terms of control of ascites, encephalopathy and survival has not been established. AIM: This meta-analysis compare TIPS to LVP in terms of control of ascites at 4 and 12 months, encephalopathy and survival at 1 and 2 years. RESULTS: Five randomized controlled trials involving 330 patients were included. In the TIPS group, control of ascites was more frequently achieved at 4 months (66% vs 23.8%, mean difference: 41.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 29.5-53.2%, P < 0.001) and 12 months (54.8% vs 18.9%, mean difference: 35%, 95% CI: 24.9-45.1%, P < 0.001), whereas encephalopathy was higher (54.9% vs 38.1%, mean difference: 17%, 95% CI: 7.3-26.6%, P < 0.001). Survival at 1 year (61.7% vs 56.5%, mean difference: 3.2%, 95% CI: -14.7 to 21.9%) and 2 years (50% vs 42.8%, mean difference: 6.8%, 95% CI: -10 to 23.6%) were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: TIPS is a more effective treatment for refractory ascites than LVP. However, TIPS increase encephalopathy and does not improve survival.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

[Contribution of spiral CT for the early diagnosis of hepato-cellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the specificity of spiral CT for early diagnosis of small hepato-cellular carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One or several hepatic hypervascular nodules, with a diameter smaller than or equal to 3cm and suspected of corresponding to small hepato-cellular carcinoma, were detected during the arterial phase of spiral CT in 55 patients. The diagnosis of the main nodule could be established in 31 patients by pathologic examination, elevated alpha-foeto-protein level or follow-up examination. RESULTS: Among the 31 studied nodules, 19 were hepato-cellular carcinomas (61%) and 12 were benign (39%). Seven (78%) of the 9 nodules>20mm and 12 (54%) of the 22 nodules<=20mmm were hepato-cellular carcinomas. Three benign lesions (2 angiomas and 1 pseudo-nodule of hemodynamic origin) were showing typical radiological characteristics which retrospectively allowed their identification. On the other hand, the appearance of the 9 other benign nodules (29%) was exactly the same as the one of the hepato-cellular carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Although, in cirrhotic patients, hepato-cellular carcinoma is the most frequent cause of detected nodules during the arterial phase of the spiral CT, 29% of hypervascular lesions<=3cm were benign in this study. In some cases, only follow-up examinations are able to confirm the diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Retrorectal tumors: an assessment of the abdominal approach].

UNLABELLED: Retrorectal tumors are frequently resected by a posterior trans- or parasacral approach, while the anterior abdominal approach is generally reserved for small tumors situated above the sacral promontory. STUDY AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the use of the abdominal approach for the treatment of large tumor masses situated in the presacral space, and to evaluate the results in terms of resectability, morbidity, and risk of recurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1986 and 1998, six female patients (age range: 25 to 79 years) with a retrorectal tumor (mean diameter: 7.5 cm) were operated on by abdominal approach. Clinical findings, morphological and histological data, the surgical resection procedure, and post-operative morbidity were studied. RESULTS: Pathological findings showed that all the tumors were benign: neurofibroma (n = 2), dermoid cyst (n = 1), rectal duplication (n = 1), myelolipoma (n = 1), and epithelioid hemangioma (n = 1). Complete tumor resection was obtained macroscopically and microscopically in all cases. The postoperative course was uneventful, with no tumor recurrence detected at a mean follow-up of 31 months. CONCLUSION: The anterior abdominal approach allows the complete resection of a retrorectal large tumor mass, and provides an interesting alternative to the posterior approach, with low morbidity and an absence of functional impairment.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Outcome of non-operated adrenal masses in 126 patients observed from 1986 to 1999].

STUDY AIM: CT scan performed for non-adrenal related symptoms detects an adrenal mass or 'incidentaloma' in 0.4 to 4.3% of cases, and most authors advocate a non-operative policy, after minimal but careful work-up aimed at excluding pheochromocytoma and aldosteronoma. The breakthrough of laparoscopic adrenalectomy has led some to challenge this attitude. This retrospective study focused on the outcome of non-operated adrenal masses. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From 1986 through 1999, 126 patients (64 men and 62 women) presented with an incidental mass of the adrenal fossa, and a non-surgical attitude was elicited. Mean size was 36.5 mm in diameter. All patients underwent an in-depth clinical, biochemical and imaging work-up. They have been stratified into two groups: group I: no contraindication to surgery (n = 95); and group II: contraindication to surgery (frail patients, invasive adrenal or metastatic extra-adrenal cancer) (n = 31). RESULTS: With a mean follow-up of 4.3 years, 17 patients were lost to follow-up (13.5%), including 11/95 in group I; 36 were dead (28.5%), including 12/95 in group I (no adrenal-related death) and 24/31 in group II; 72 were alive and well without operation, including only one in group II; one patient was operated for a benign adrenal adenoma removed at the time of surgery for aortic aneurysm. CONCLUSION: Careful clinical, biochemical, imaging and nor-iodo-cholesterol scintigraphy with definite uptake by the adrenal mass, a strong indicator of benignancy, allows surgical indication to be postponed, and is likely to cancel it if, at one-year follow-up, imaging studies show no change in the mass.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2001

[Iron overload and myelodysplastic syndromes].

Transfusion of RBC units, the only current treatment for many myelodysplastic syndromes, and excess intestinal absorption of Fe related to dyserythopoiesis often result in iron overload. This condition is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. High-risk patients include those with refractory anemia, sideroblastic anemia, 5q-syndrome, patients with a good prognosis (low or lower intermediate international prognosis score), patients having received over 100 RBC units, and patients under the age of 70. Deferoxamine, while it can prevent iron overload, is a strenuous treatment requiring 8-to-12 hour-overnight subcutaneous injections. When patients comply with the regimen, it efficiently prevents mortality due to iron overload, but must be implemented early in the disorder, usually before transfusing 20 RBC concentrates. A simple way of monitoring iron overload is to measure seric ferritin levels and record the number of RBC concentrates. The chelating treatment should be modulated according to age, MDS type, international prognosis score, number of RBC units received, ferritin levels, and most of all, patient tolerance. The direct subcutaneous approach is currently being evaluated by the French Group for Myelodysplasias for its efficiency to prevent disorders, but seems to be both efficient and well complied with (a national protocol is under way). The recent findings on the proteins implied in iron recycling by macrophages after destruction of RBCs, may in the long term, enable us to manage patients with less burdensome treatments and more effective new oral chelates.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2001

[Infliximab therapy for Crohn's disease anoperineal lesions].

AIM OF THE STUDY: To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy, the duration of response, and the tolerance of Remicade in anoperineal Crohn's disease. METHODS: Fifty patients with severe symptomatic and refractory anoperineal Crohn's lesions (38 fistulae and 29 cavitating ulcers and superficial fissures) were treated with 3 intravenous infusions of Remicade (5 mg/kg) at weeks 0, 2 and 6. Efficacy was assessed using Allan's functional score and proctologic examination at 8 weeks (W8) and 24 weeks (W24) after the first infusion. RESULTS: At W8, a response was noted for 71% (27/38) of fistulae and 79% (23/29) of ulcers and fissures. Healing rates were 39% and 49%, respectively. Efficacy of Remicade at W8 did not vary according to sex, number and type of fistulae and other treatments. At W24, 58% (15/26) of patients with fistulae and 63% (10/16) of patients with ulcers or fissures had a response. The response rate at W24 was higher in patients having anoperineal Crohn's lesions for less than one year: 77% vs 32% (P=0.004). Median Allan's score significantly decreased from 3.9 before treatment to 1.7 at W2 (P<0.001), 1.3 at W6 and 0.8 at W8. Median duration of response was 9.5 months (range: 0.5-12.5) after last infusion and was not influenced by associated treatments including immunomodulators. The relapse rate at 1 year was 64% for the responders followed at least one year (n=21). Minor adverse events occurred during 12% of all infusions. Eight patients had an infection, including one pneumonia. Eight patients developed a perineal abscess 16 weeks (range: 4-32) after the first infusion. CONCLUSION: Remicade is rapidly effective and well tolerated in anoperineal Crohn's lesions, but the high relapse rate stresses the need for long term therapeutic strategies in these patients.

Abscess↗
PubMed2001

[Leiomyosarcoma and stromal tumor of the pancreas].

A tumor of the head of pancreas was an incidental finding on US of two patients aged 52 and 61 years presenting with abdominal pain. The tumor was studied by computed tomography, MRI and endoscopic ultrasonography. Surgical biopsy of a liver lesion was performed in one case and partial duodenopancreatectomy was performed in the other case. Histological evaluation, including immunohistochemistry, showed leiomyosarcoma and stromal tumor respectively. Whatever the site of origin, most mesenchymal pancreatic tumors are hypervascular, heterogeneous and have a necrotic center.

Female↗
PubMed2000

Cochlear fossa enhancement at MR evaluation of vestibular Schwannoma: correlation with success at hearing-preservation surgery.

PURPOSE: To describe a sign in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging that could reflect the state of the cochlear nerve before hearing-preservation surgery in small vestibular schwannomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients with serviceable hearing underwent 1.5-T MR imaging before hearing-preservation surgery. The presence of cochlear fossa enhancement on T1-weighted spin-echo images obtained after the administration of contrast material was compared with the results of hearing-preservation surgery. RESULTS: Cochlear fossa enhancement was present in 13 patients, and all of them had total hearing loss after surgery. There was no cochlear fossa enhancement in 18 patients; 15 maintained serviceable hearing after surgery, and three had postoperative hearing loss with no serviceable hearing (sensitivity, 81%; specificity, 100%). CONCLUSION: Cochlear fossa enhancement on T1-weighted spin-echo images seems to be a reliable sign for analyzing the state of the cochlear nerve. The absence of cochlear fossa enhancement could become an additional criterion for selecting the surgical approach in vestibular schwannomas.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Comparing contrast-enhanced breath-hold MR angiography and conventional angiography in the evaluation of mesenteric circulation.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to compare the results of gadolinium-enhanced breath-hold MR angiography with those of conventional angiography for the study of mesenteric circulation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: MR angiography and digital subtraction angiography were prospectively performed in 33 patients referred for hepatic, pancreatic, or mesenteric disease. MR angiography was performed with four three-dimensional acquisitions at 0, 30, 60, and 90 sec after injection of 0.1 mmol/kg of gadolinium. Selective conventional angiography was used as the standard of reference. RESULTS: A pure arterial angiogram (one on which veins could not be visualized) was obtained in 27 patients during the second or third acquisition. By subtracting the arterial phase from an arteriovenous phase (third or fourth acquisition) we obtained a pure venous angiogram (one on which arteries could not be visualized) in 28 patients. Agreement was good or excellent for the hepatic artery (kappa = 0.78), the superior mesenteric artery (kappa = 0.65), the splenic artery (kappa = 0.70), the portal vein (kappa = 1.0), the superior mesenteric vein (kappa = 0.88), and the splenic vein (kappa = 0.75). Agreement was poor, and vessels were better shown by conventional angiography, for the intrahepatic arteries (kappa = 0.006) and the branches of the superior mesenteric artery (kappa = 0.14). MR angiography and conventional angiography revealed 29 and 27 portosystemic collaterals, respectively. CONCLUSION: Dynamic breath-hold contrast-enhanced MR angiography compared favorably with conventional angiography in preoperative assessment of the proximal mesenteric arteries and in the evaluation of portal hypertension; however, conventional angiography is still necessary to evaluate distal arteries.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Evaluation of a new sequence of magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography in thick cut and one shot acquisition].

OBJECTIVES: To assess the accuracy and reproducibility of a new magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography sequence (MRCP), using long echo time and "single shot" acquisition (providing high-contrast thick slices: 20 mm or more), in the morphological analysis of the biliary tree and pancreatic ducts. METHODS: Fifty four patients with biliary and/or pancreatic disease were investigated with MRCP "single shot" thick slices. Biliary ducts were explored with MRCP "single shot", coronal and oblique coronal 20 mm thick slices on a 256 x 256 matrix. Natives pictures were reviewed by three independent radiologists, from three different institutions. MRCP results were compared with reference examinations in 54 cases (direct biligraphy methods: 54, CT scan: 11, endoscopic ultrasonography: 6, surgery: 6). RESULTS: For detection of bile duct dilatation, the agreement of MRCP "single shot" thick slices was more than 96% (Kappa > 0.92) and the inter-observer agreement was excellent (Kappa=0.92). For detection of biliary tree and/or pancreatic duct obstruction, MRCP "single shot" thick slice sensitivity was above 89% and specificity was 75%. The malignant nature of the lesions was determined with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 92%. MRCP "single shot" thick slices could not differentiate pancreatic carcinomas from distal main bile duct cholangiocarcinomas. MRCP "single shot" thick slices did not detect small stones ( 3 mm) of the common bile duct. CONCLUSION: The excellent sensitivity, specificity and inter-observer agreement of MRCP "single shot" thick slices can be used to limit invasive imaging methods in the diagnosis of extrahepatic cholestasis.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Efficacy of iodine-131 6beta-methyl-iodo-19-norcholesterol scintigraphy and computed tomography in patients with primary aldosteronism.

In order to define the role of scintigraphy in determining the aetiology of primary aldosteronism, 41 patients were examined by computed tomography (CT) scan and adrenal scintigraphy using iodine-131 6beta-methyl-iodo-19-norcholesterol with the dexamethasone suppression test. Hormonal and scintigraphic examinations were conducted while avoiding interference by medical treatment. The aetiological diagnosis was established by taking account of the clinical context, the endocrine profile, and CT scan and scintigraphic data, as well as possible hormone assays after catheterization of the adrenal veins (12 cases) and postoperative pathology data (14 cases). The aetiological diagnoses established were Conn's adenoma (insensitive to angiotensin II) in 12 cases, idiopathic hyperplasia in 11 and macronodular hyperplasia (with functional autonomy of the nodules) in 18. Unilateral and bilateral lesions were correctly distinguished by scintigraphy in 92% of cases as compared with only 58% using CT scan alone; this was because the CT scan appearance was normal in 3/12 cases of adenoma and because a single nodule was visible in 2/11 cases of idiopathic hyperplasia and in 12/18 cases of macronodular hyperplasia. It is concluded that scintigraphy using noriodocholesterol with the dexamethasone suppression test should be performed systematically in conjunction with hormonal tests and adrenal CT scan in all cases of primary aldosteronism, as part of a strategy aimed not only at detecting adenoma but also at determining whether the hyperfunctional lesions are bilateral.

19-Iodocholesterol↗
PubMed1999

Inflammatory alterations in mesenteric adipose tissue in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Abnormalities of fat in the mesentery including adipose tissue hypertrophy and fat wrapping have been long recognized on surgical specimens as characteristic features of Crohn's disease. However, the importance, origin, and significance of the mesenteric fat hypertrophy in this chronic inflammatory disease are unknown. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a crucial factor involved in the homeostasis of adipose tissue, a major source of biologically active mediators. METHODS: Intra-abdominal fat accumulation was quantified using a magnetic resonance imaging method in patients with Crohn's disease and controls. PPARgamma and inflammatory cytokines synthesized by mesenteric adipose tissues were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In vivo, patients with Crohn's disease have an important accumulation of intra-abdominal fat. This mesenteric obesity, present from the onset of the disease, is associated with overexpression of PPARgamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, synthesized, at least in part, by adipocytes. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that confined increased PPARgamma mesenteric concentrations could lead to the mesenteric fat hypertrophy, which could actively participate through the synthesis of TNF-alpha in the inflammatory response.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1999

Biliary leaks: treatment by means of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in the treatment of biliary leaks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with a biliary leak involving either the common bile duct (n = 12), the biliary confluence (n = 2), or a hepaticojejunal anastomosis (n = 2) were treated by means of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The biliary leak was due to severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis in six patients, while 10 patients had postoperative leak. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was performed with a 12-F catheter, with two series of side holes positioned on both sides of the extravasation to divert bile flow away from the defect. RESULTS: In 13 patients, the biliary leak healed after drainage (mean duration, 78 days). In four of these patients, a slight residual narrowing of the bile duct was treated by means of either balloon dilation (n = 2) or balloon dilation followed by insertion of a metallic stent (n = 2). All 13 patients remained cured (mean follow-up, 38 months). Two patients with severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis died of complications unrelated to the biliary leak. Vascular complications occurred in two patients, one of whom died after surgical drainage of a subcapsular hematoma. CONCLUSION: Biliary leaks can be treated successfully by means of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The procedure is particularly useful when surgical or endoscopic management has failed.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization: comparison of planned periodic chemoembolization and chemoembolization based on tumor response.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to assess the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma using two different infusion schedules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chemoembolization with lipiodol-mediated injection of doxorubicin was performed in 160 patients. In the first group of 80 patients, conventional chemoembolization was initially planned to be repeated at least three times at 2-month intervals. In the second group of 80 patients, chemoembolization was used selectively and repeated only when necessary on the basis of follow-up CT or MR imaging. According to the Okuda classification, 72 patients were stage 1, 33 belonging to group 1 (subgroup 1, Okuda 1) and 39 belonging to group 2 (subgroup 2, Okuda 1). Eighty-eight patients were stage 2, 47 belonging to group 1 (subgroup 1, Okuda 2) and 41 belonging to group 2 (subgroup 2, Okuda 2). RESULTS: Complications of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization occurred in 19 patients from group 1 and six patients from group 2 (p < .001). The mean time between the first and the third courses was significantly different between group 1 (4 months) and group 2 (14 months) (p < .001). The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rates were significantly different between subgroup 1, Okuda 1, (58%, 28%, 11%) and subgroup 2, Okuda 1 (89%, 68%, 39%) (p <. 001), and between subgroup 1, Okuda 2 (19%, 0%, 0%), and subgroup 2, Okuda 2 (48%, 31%, 15%) (p < .001). CONCLUSION: The efficacy and tolerability of chemoembolization increase when it is used selectively and repeated only when necessary. Such technical considerations might explain some of the discrepancies of the results of chemoembolization in published data.

Adult↗