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Biomedical subjects

O Kehl

Publications and source records attributed to O Kehl.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

[Gallbladder agenesis: a diagnostic problem?].

A rare case of an agenesis of the gallbladder in combination with cardiac malformation (anomalous pulmonary venous return with associated atrial septal defect) is reported. Despite modern diagnostic methods this agenesis which is often combined with a variety of malformations is first realized during operation or postmortem. Combinations of atypical clinical signs and sonografical or radiological absence of the gallbladder ("vésicule exclue") should point at agenesia of the gallbladder and to look for further malformations.

Gallbladder

[Changes in the serum pancreas enzyme following i.v. stimulation with secretin in subjects with a normal pancreas].

The diagnostic value of serum enzyme provocative tests (SEP) is disputed. In particular, the specificity of the test has not been adequately investigated. New interest in the test has arisen with the introduction of pancreas-specific serum enzyme tests. It has been shown that a poststimulatory increase of serum enzymes is found in chronic pancreatitis with well preserved exocrine function, but also in healthy individuals and particularly cigarette smokers. Recently it has been postulated that the lack of a poststimulatory enzyme response is typical of advanced chronic pancreatitis. We investigated the effect of secretin (1 CU/kg i.v.) on serum levels of amylase, pancreasisoamylase, lipase and trypsin for 30 minutes in 48 volunteers without pancreatic disease (19 non-smokers, 19 smokers and 10 patients with hypoxemia). Mean values of all enzymes were significantly higher after stimulation. Enzyme response of trypsin and lipase was more pronounced than that of amylase or pancreasisoamylase. However, depending on the enzyme studied, no significant increase of serum values was found in 47.4% to 89.5% of smokers, 26.3 to 68.4% of non-smokers and 10 to 50% of patients with hypoxemia. The marked variability of enzyme response in controls demonstrates the low specificity of this test. Therefore, SEP are of no diagnostic value in pancreatic disease.

Adult

Lipasuria in acute pancreatitis: result of tubular dysfunction?

Lipase, in contrast to amylase, is completely reabsorbed by the proximal tubules after glomerular filtration. Therefore, no lipase is detectable in the unconcentrated urine according to the current opinion. The handling of lipase (detected with an enzyme-immunoassay) by the kidney was investigated in comparison with creatinine, amylase, and beta-2-microglobulin by clearance studies in acute pancreatitis (n = 10), burn injury (n = 4), glomerular proteinuria (n = 8), and controls without evidence of pancreatic or renal diseases (n = 5). In initial stages of acute pancreatitis a measurable clearance of lipase (mean: 49.6 microliters/min, range: 0.5-234) was found in association with corresponding increased clearances of beta-2-microglobulin (mean: 10.5 ml/min, range: 0.02-58.9) and of amylase (mean: 8.9 ml/min, range: 2.4-22.6) in nine of ten patients. This finding is consistent with a defect of tubular function. However, regression analysis failed to show a significant correlation between lipase and beta-2-microglobulin clearance. Repeated measurements during the course of pancreatitis in seven patients showed reversibility of tubular dysfunction. In patients with burn injury a similar elevation of clearances of beta-2-microglobulin and of amylase was found, but tubular dysfunction in this condition was not associated with lipasuria. In glomerular proteinuria a lipase clearance was found in two of five cases with moderate, and in the other three cases with severe impairment of creatinine clearance. beta-2-microglobulin clearance was normal in the former and only slightly elevated in the latter group. In conclusion lipase is measurable in the urine of most patients with acute pancreatitis as a result of a reversible tubular dysfunction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Disease

Acute ischaemic colitis in a female long distance runner.

A 34 year old female long distance runner is reported with bloody diarrhoea. Colonoscopy revealed patchy haemorrhagic mucosal lesions throughout the colon. The most extensive lesions were found in the sigmoid colon. Histologic examination disclosed mucosal haemorrhage, dilated capillaries, patchy fibrosis and superficial erosions. Additional findings in this patient were haemorrhagic gastritis, microscopic haematuria and rhabdomyolysis. The only medication taken by the patient was oral contraceptives. We conclude that ischaemic colitis is one of the possible mechanisms leading to gastrointestinal blood loss in competitive runners.

Acute Disease

[Enteropathogens in travellers returning from the tropics].

Diarrhea is not only the most common health hazard during travel in the tropics but also the most frequent condition which prompts returning travellers to see a physician. The prevalence of bacterial and parasitic enteropathogens in people attending our outpatient department after returning from the tropics has been studied and the laboratory results of stool examinations have been compared with clinical symptoms. Of the 173 persons enrolled, 19 (11%) harboured bacterial pathogens and pathogenic protozoans (Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica) were found in 26 (15%). The data of 156 patients were evaluated. Enteropathogenic bacteria and/or protozoa were found in 29 (46%) of the 63 patients presenting with diarrhea at the time of investigation. In contrast, 10 (11%) of the 93 asymptomatic subjects had enteropathogenic organisms in the feces (p less than 0.01). The results appear to confirm that bacteriological stool examinations of travellers returning from the tropics without diarrhea are not usually indicated, even if a history of transient travellers' diarrhea is reported. Parasitological investigations are justified in this group only if asymptomatic carriage of Giardia or E. histolytica is considered an indication for specific treatment.

Aeromonas

[Mesenterial anemia as a cause of jogging anemia?].

Anemia in runners is common but its origin is unknown. The present study reports on frequency and origin of gastrointestinal blood loss in cross-country skiers and runners. 41 participants in the Engadin Ski Marathon were checked by questionnaire and occult blood test. 8 (19%) had diarrhea or abdominal pain during or immediately after skiing and 3 (7%) had hemoccult-positive stools. In addition, the blood flow of the superior mesenteric artery was measured by duplex scanning in two trained runners after standardized exercise. While the mesenteric blood flow in the asymptomatic runner changed only insignificantly there was an impressive decrease in the second runner, who had been treated for anemia, down to 20% and 40% (30 and 90 min respectively) after exercise. It is concluded that the occurrence of gastrointestinal blood loss in cross-country skiing, and the significant decrease in mesenteric blood flow in a symptomatic runner, indicate a close and possible causal relationship between mesenteric ischemia and "jogging anemia".

Adult

[Gastrointestinal involvement in acquired immunologic deficiency syndrome (AIDS)].

The gastrointestinal tract is a major target organ of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Opportunistic infections or Kaposi's sarcoma within the gastrointestinal tract are the two most frequent lesions. Diarrhoea, weight loss or odynophagy may be the presenting symptoms or signs for which a gastroenterological consultation is sought. In this report we present our own observations of patients with AIDS. Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this new syndrome are discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Acute (nonprogressive) alcoholic pancreatitis: prospective longitudinal study of 144 patients with recurrent alcoholic pancreatitis.

Over the last 10 years, a series of 144 consecutive patients with alcoholic recurrent pancreatitis have been studied prospectively at regular intervals with particular regard to exocrine function, calcifications, pancreatographic ductal changes, and histopathology of the pancreas. Based upon the long-term course, the patients were classified into two groups; group A (n = 95), those with chronic pancreatitis (78 of them with calcifications); and group B (n = 49), those with acute (nonprogressive) pancreatitis. The duration of disease from onset was 2-19 years (median, 9.7 and 8.3 years, respectively, in group A and B). The two groups were comparable at onset of the disease in age, sex, number of episodes of pancreatitis, and number of pseudocysts. In group A, all 95 cases fulfilled the strict diagnostic criteria of chronic pancreatitis within the period of observation (e.g., progressive exocrine insufficiency and/or typical morphological changes, particularly calcifications). In group B, the exocrine function remained normal over the entire period of observation. No histologic evidence of chronic pancreatitis was detected in five of seven large pancreatic specimens. Marked to moderate ductal changes were found in 10 of 16 patients in group B (despite normal exocrine function). Our data suggest that about one third of patients of the present series with alcoholic (recurrent) pancreatitis did not progress toward chronic (progressive) pancreatitis, although some demonstrated morphological alterations (except calcifications) in association with normally preserved exocrine function (residual scars?). The pathogenetic factor(s) responsible for progression (or nonprogression) of alcoholic (recurrent) pancreatitis to chronic pancreatitis remain(s) to be elucidated.

Acute Disease

Diagnosis of achlorhydria by plasma secretin determination--a tubeless approach.

To investigate the value of plasma secretin determination in the diagnosis of impaired gastric secretion, blood samples were drawn for secretin assay (radioimmunoassay) at specified intervals before and after pentagastrin stimulation in 10 healthy volunteers and 11 subjects with suspected hypo- or achlorhydria (less than 10 mEq HCl/2 h). The tests were performed twice, once with and once without aspiration of gastric juice for estimation of acid output. In six other patients with proven achlorhydria, the test was performed once without gastric aspiration. The best discrimination of a single plasma secretion level between controls and patients with hypo- and achlorhydria was obtained 60 min after pentagastrin stimulation. All controls and four subjects with an acid output more than 10 mEq/2 h had secretin levels within normal limits. In contrast, 12 of the 13 subjects with hypochlorhydria had abnormally low basal corrected secretin levels at 60 min, including nine achlorhydria patients. It is concluded that secretin determinations after pentagastrin stimulation may be a valuable diagnostic and epidemiological tool to identify patients with impaired gastric secretion.

Achlorhydria

[Postprandial hyperemia of the superior mesenteric artery].

With the use of ultrasonic duplex scanning it is now possible to assess the blood flow dynamics in the human mesenteric artery noninvasively. The changes associated with a standardized food load were measured and the results compared with the blood flow of the common carotid artery. 20 healthy subjects (age 30.1 +/- 5 years) were studied fasting and 6 times at 15 minutes interval after the test meal (1000 kCal). While the flow parameters of the carotid artery were virtually unaffected by food intake, a steep increase in mesenteric blood flow was observed. Maximal hyperemia (2.7-fold increase, range 1.4-5.7) was reached 45 minutes after food intake.

Adult

[Significance of immunoreactive lipase in the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases].

The diagnostic value of a new enzyme immunoassay for lipase (IRL) was evaluated in controls (n = 65), in acute pancreatitis (n = 11) and in extrapancreatic hyperamylasemia (n = 15) by comparing IRL with serum amylase (TA), pancreatic isoamylase (PA) and lipase (turbidimetrically: TL). IRL and immunoreactive trypsin (IRT) of 60 patients with alcoholic chronic calcified pancreatitis were also studied and correlated with duration of disease and degree of pancreatic insufficiency (based on fecal chymotrypsin test: FCT). IRL was constantly elevated in patients with acute pancreatitis. In extrapancreatic hyperamylasemia IRL was mainly normal, in contrast to PA, which was elevated in 7 patients with macroamylasemia. In 56.7% of all patients with chronic pancreatitis, IRL was pathologically low; in association with advanced insufficiency (FCT less than 20 micrograms/g) this figure was 74%, and after duration of disease of greater than or equal to 15 years 77%. For IRT comparable results were found in 79% and 77% respectively. This new lipase test thus seems to be useful for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, the differential diagnosis of extrapancreatic hyperamylasemia and the detection and monitoring of severe chronic pancreatitis.

Acute Disease

[Primary colon tuberculosis].

Two cases of primary gastrointestinal tuberculosis are reported. One patient showed radiologic, colonoscopic and histopathologic features of Crohn's disease. After a five-year follow-up, acid-fast bacilli were identified in colonic tissue cultures. In both patients fecal cultures were repeatedly negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The two patients were successfully treated with antituberculous therapy. The authors emphasize the importance of considering tuberculosis in patients presenting with Crohn's disease. In this regard colonoscopy with tissue culture of targeted biopsy may be a valuable aid in establishing the diagnosis of tuberculous colitis.

Adult

Endoscopic removal of a large, obstructing and bleeding duodenal Brunner's gland adenoma.

About 10-30% of benign duodenal tumors are Brunner's gland tumors. These are almost always benign. Usually they present as incidental findings in the form of small polypoid lesions at barium examination or at panendoscopy. We present a case with a large obstructing and bleeding Brunner's gland adenoma located in the duodenal bulb which was removed by endoscopic polypectomy.

Adenoma

[Prolonged coma caused by diazepam sedation in ventilated patients. Diagnostic and therapeutic use of the benzodiazepine antagonist Ro 15-1788].

Repeated administration of diazepam in two ventilated patients had caused drug cumulation and coma over several days. In both cases central nervous depression could be demonstrated by the benzodiazepin antagonist Ro 15-1788 which induced reversal of coma. Estimation of plasma concentrations in a 70-year-old female patient 150 hours after the last administration showed a diazepam concentration of 437 ng/ml and a desmethyl-diazepam concentration of 483 ng/ml. The calculated elimination half-life of these substances were 109 and 403 hours. In the second case benzodiazepin could be demonstrated in urine for 10 days after withdrawal of medication. These observations suggest that diazepam is not a suitable drug for prolonged sedation in artificially ventilated patients. The benzodiazepin antagonist Ro 15-1788 represents a valuable diagnostic aid in ascertained or suspect cases of benzodiazepin intoxications. It can also be used therapeutically for reversal of central nervous depression.

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