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Biomedical subjects

P Herman

Publications and source records attributed to P Herman.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

The Behr pupil revisited. Anisocoria following cerebrovascular accidents.

Three hundred and sixty-three cases of cerebral infarction were reviewed: 19 had anisocoria. Eighty percent had the larger pupil contralateral to the hemispheric lesion. The mydriasis was associated with long tract signs in all instances. If the abnormal pupil and long tract signs are not on the same side, the long tract signs are the most accurate evidence of the side of thhe hemispheric lesions. When the pupil was 4 mm or larger and reacted sluggishly, the prognosis was poor. The mechanism of the production of the anisocoria is still uncertain; the lesion is probably "cortical" and in the contralateral hemisphere.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗

[Laparoscopic treatment of common bile duct lithiasis].

With the advances of videolaparoscopic surgery, this approach had become the treatment of choice for cholelithiasis. However, about 5% to 10% may present common bile duct lithiasis. Most surgeons have still difficulties to deal with this situation and do prefer resolve with open surgery or with further endoscopic approach. We present a case of a 60-year-old man, with 18 months history of right upper quadrant pain, weight loss and jaundice. He was referred with diagnostic of pancreatic cancer. Laboratory investigation showed increased bilirubin (10 mg/dL), alkaline phosphatase and GGT. Abdominal ultrasound showed atrophic gallbladder with dilated intra and extrahepatic biliary tree. Computerized tomography scan disclosed enlarged biliary tree with 3 cm stone in the distal common bile duct. The patient underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy followed by choledochotomy and retrieval of the large stone. A latero-lateral choledochoduodenum anastomosis was then performed to decompress the biliary tree. The patient had an uneventful recovery being discharged at the 6th postoperative day. Laparoscopic management of choledocholithiasis is feasible in many patients, specially those with dilated biliary tree. The retrieval of stones may be followed by biliary drainage with T-tube. In some elderly patients with chronically dilated common bile duct, as in the present case, a choledochoduodenal anastomosis is the procedure of choice.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

[Surgical treatment of insulinoma: study of 59 cases].

UNLABELLED: After establishing the diagnosis of an insulinoma the next step is its localization in order to perform the most suitable management approach. PURPOSE: To evaluate the methods used for the diagnosis of insulinoma and the localization of its site as well as the results of the surgical treatment. METHODS: Fifty nine consecutive patients with pancreatic insulinomas were studied. The discriminative power of the preoperative investigations in the localization of insulinomas was analysed. Special attention was focused to the intra operative methods of tumor localizations. The early and late results of the surgical treatment were also investigated. RESULTS: There were 55 benign cases and 4 malignant tumors. Preoperative localization was attempted by using ultrasonography (positive in 28.1%) CT imaging (positive in 25%), selective arteriography (positive in 54.1%), endoscopic ultrasonography (positive in 27.2%) and assay of portal plasma insulin levels (positive in 94.4%). In 54/55 cases (98.2%) the tumors were identified intraoperatively by palpation. By addition of intraoperative ultrasonography all lesions were identified and successfully removed without mortality. Five patients had multiple endocrine neoplasias all with multiple lesions in the pancreas. In patients with benign lesions 29 enucleations and 32 resections were performed. Pancreatic fistulas were the most common complication (29/59). Excluding the patients with malignant lesions the recovery rate was 98.1%. Three patients who underwent corporo caudal pancreactectomy developed diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative localization is not necessary, since a combination of palpation and intraoperative ultrasonography can deal with most cases. Enucleation when possible is the best choice for benign lesions.

Adolescent↗

A new technique of gastroenterostomy for palliative treatment of pancreatic head carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Most of the patients with pancreatic cancer can be only palliatively treated. Although 30% of the patients submitted to palliative biliary bypass will require further treatment for duodenal obstruction, prophylactic gastric bypass still remains a controversial issue in the management of unresectable pancreatic head carcinoma. The main disadvantage of current techniques of gastrojejunostomy is postoperative vomiting due to impaired gastric motility and circulus vitiosus through the nonobstructed duodenum. A new technique of prophylactic gastrojejunostomy is described herein as an attempt to obviate these complications. METHODOLOGY: An antecolic isoperistaltic gastrojejunostomy was fashioned at the gastric mid-body above the angulus. The afferent limb was partitioned close to the gastrojejunostomy and a Braun type entero-enterostomy constructed joining the afferent and the efferent limbs. Following the gastrojejunostomy a Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy was performed. RESULTS: In 19 patients consecutively submitted to this procedure no postoperative mortality or complications occurred. Nasogastric suction was interrupted at postoperative day 3 and oral feeding resumed on the next day. Neither early nor late postoperative vomiting was observed. CONCLUSIONS: These encouraging preliminary results suggest that this procedure may have its place in the palliative treatment of pancreatic head carcinoma.

Gastric Emptying↗

Insulinoma: diagnostic strategies and surgical treatment. A 22-year experience.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The efficacy of preoperative localization methods and the results of the surgical treatment of insulinoma were studied. METHODOLOGY: Fifty-nine patients referred for surgical treatment were studied and the results of the diagnostic tools for tumor localization were compared with findings at surgical intervention. The influence of the type of surgical procedure in the immediate and late postoperative course was also studied. RESULTS: Ultrasonography had a sensitivity of 30%, computed tomography 25%, angiography 54%, portal vein sampling 94%, endoscopic ultrasonography 27% and magnetic resonance 17%. Intraoperative palpation localized 98.2% of the tumors and by the addition of intraoperative echography, all lesions were identified. In 55 patients with benign lesions, 22 enucleations, 25 distal pancreatectomies, 7 pancreatectomies plus enucleation and one duodenopancreatectomy were performed. Malignant tumors were treated by pancreatic resection, postoperative hepatic artery embolization and systemic chemotherapy. There was no postoperative mortality. Pancreatic fistula was the most common complication. Three patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy developed late diabetes (9.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Extensive preoperative investigation, mainly with invasive methods, is not indicated and by combining intraoperative palpation and echography most of the cases can be adequately dealt with. Preservation of pancreatic tissue with enucleation and preservation of the spleen are the best choice for treatment of benign insulinomas.

Adolescent↗

Pancreatic head tumors with portal vein involvement: an alternative surgical approach.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: One of the determining factors for the unresectability of pancreatic head tumors is the involvement of the portal venous system. Recent reports show that the resection of tumors with portal vein involvement has similar results to lesions with same stage without portal vein invasion. The aim of this study is to present a technique that allows the resection of portal vein segments without the use of grafts and with a shorter period of intraoperative venous occlusion. METHODOLOGY: Fifteen patients with pancreatic head tumors and portal vein involvement were submitted to pancreaticoduodenectomy according to this technique. The main feature of the technique is starting the pancreatic dissection at the posterior aspect of the head of the pancreas. The superior mesenteric artery is completely dissected from the pancreatic tissues leaving the section of the pancreas and the resection of the portal vein to the last step. RESULTS: Portal vein flow occlusion did not exceed 10 minutes. There were no major postoperative complications or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This maneuver allows an easier resection of the mobilized portal vein with a shorter period of venous clamping and reconstruction without the need of venous graft.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Differential diagnosis of cholestasis in pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis].

The clinical, biochemical and radiological data of 25 patients with carcinoma of the head of the pancreas were compared with the same parameters of 25 patients with chronic pancreatitis producing cholestasis. History of alcohol abuse, pruritus and palpable gallbladder were the only clinical findings useful for the differential diagnosis. Plasma bilirubin levels were significantly higher in patients with malignancy (20.0 +/- 14.3 vs 2.5 +/- 2.4) but the course of the bilirubinemia was similar in the two groups after hospital admission. Preoperative ultrasound and cholangiography were usefull in differentiating both groups of patients. Sensibility of a point score based on significant differences was 100% for pancreatitis and 96% for malignancy.

Adult↗

[Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava: report of a case].

Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava is a rare tumor. The authors report a case and discuss the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of this disease. With recent advances in radiologic and surgical procedures an early diagnosis and radical resection might be possible, leading to a better prognosis or even to the cure of the condition.

Adult↗

[Splenic abscess: report of 8 cases and review of the literature].

Eight patients with splenic abscess are reported. Etiological factors were sepsis, mainly due to endocarditis. Diagnosis was made by ultrasonography and computed tomography scans. Splenectomy was performed in four cases, transcutaneous drainage in three and abscess puncture in one case. Mortality was 12.5% (1/8). Since the introduction of US and CT scans early diagnosis and treatment was possible by which the mortality decreased.

Abscess↗

Convergence spasm.

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Adult↗

[Clinico-radiological and functional correlations in endothoracic sarcoidosis].

A total of 35 cases of endo-thoracic sarcoidosis have been studied, of which 18 were confirmed histopathologically on bioptic samples. The analysis of the cases revealed the predominance of young subjects. The reactivity of PPD on cutaneous testing was negative in 60 percent of the cases, in accordance with the antimycobacterial fluorescent antibodies test. The insidious onset and evolution are noted, and the fact that the diagnosis was made on the occasion of routine investigations. Correlation of clinical signs with the radiologic aspects did not reveal significant data, but correlation with functional tests has revealed in 8 out of 11 cases presenting with dyspnoea an alteration of the respiratory function (an obstructive, a restrictive or a mixed syndrome). The importance of the diagnosis is stressed, in view of the application of treatment, that should not be delayed.

Adolescent↗

[Pyogenic hepatic abscess: report of 51 cases].

Pyogenic hepatic abscesses are uncommon. We report our findings in 51 patients with pyogenic liver abscess treated from 1975 through 1992. Twenty-eight patients were men and twenty-three were women. The median age of patients was 46 years (range, 13 to 77 years). Fever was present in 100% of patients, abdominal pain in 58.8% and jaundice in 39.2%. Twenty eight patients (54.9%) had leukocytosis; 45% hyperbilirrubinemia and 35.3% a high serum level of alkaline phosphatase. The most common cause of abscesses was biliary tract disease (66%). Thirty-three (64.7%) were surgically treated and thirteen underwent percutaneous drainage with 90.4% and 69.2% of good results, respectively. Mortality was 9.6% in the surgical group and 0% in the percutaneously drained group. A review of literature of this condition and a discussion about the diagnosis, treatment and etiopathogenesis are presented.

Adolescent↗