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R Münch

Publications and source records attributed to R Münch.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

[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↗
PubMed1987

[Chronic pancreatitis as a possible result of analgesic abuse].

Abuse of analgesics (AA) is a well known cause of chronic interstitial nephritis. Recently a noxious effect of AA on the pancreas has been suggested based upon case observations, and first evidence for association of AA with chronic pancreatitis was presented. In the present prospective clinical study 95 patients with chronic renal insufficiency, in 53 of them associated with AA, were investigated for evidence of chronic pancreatitis (e.g. history of pancreatitis, pancreatic calcifications, diabetes and exocrine function). The patients were divided into two groups: group A consisted of 53 patients with chronic nephropathy associated with AA, and control group B consisted of 42 patients with chronic nephropathy of other etiology. Pancreatic calcifications were observed in 5 cases of group A (10%), but in none of the patients of group B. Exocrine insufficiency was found in 2 of the 5 cases with pancreatic calcifications. Only one of the 5 patients had a history of pancreatitis in association with exocrine and endocrine insufficiency. Thus pancreatic calcifications, which are virtually pathognomonic for chronic pancreatitis, were found exclusively in the group with chronic nephropathy due to analgesic abuse. Chronic pancreatitis in this group of patients is likely to be overlooked because of the lack of clinical and laboratory evidence. The present data support our previous observations that AA may be an etiological factor in chronic calcifying pancreatitis. This first evidence for a drug-induced form of chronic pancreatitis is presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[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↗
PubMed1986

[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↗
PubMed1985

[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↗
PubMed1985

[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↗
PubMed1983

[Chymotrypsin activity in the stool: comparison of a new photometric technic and the standard titrimetric method].

A newly developed photometric assay for determination of fecal chymotrypsin is compared with the titrimetric standard method. Correlation of both technics was highly significant with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.975. The precision of both methods is satisfactory, with a coefficient of variation of 3.7% for the photometric and 1.8% for the titrimetric method. The clinical value of fecal chymotrypsin tests and other "tubeless" function tests is discussed with special reference to diagnosis and prognosis of chronic pancreatitis.

Chymotrypsin↗
PubMed1983

[Endoscopic papillotomy in preserved gallbladder].

Endoscopic papillotomy was attempted in 60 high risk patients (mean age 76 years) with complications of common bile duct stones and preserved gallbladder. Successful papillotomy and bile duct clearance was achieved in 56 patients (93%). One patient died of bleeding shortly after papillotomy. In 5 patients without signs of complication, cholecystectomy was performed prophylactically. Three patients were lost to follow-up. No cholecystectomy was performed in 47 patients (mean follow-up 24 months). 35 (74%) of these cases were free of biliary symptoms; 5 (11%) complained of nonspecific dyspeptic pain and only 2 (4%) had biliary colic. Complications due to the preserved gallbladder occurred in 5 of 47 patients (11%). Two patients had a short transient bout of jaundice and cholangitis respectively. Three patients developed acute cholecystitis with subsequent empyema. Four out of five complications occurred within one month and in three of them the cystic duct was occluded at papillotomy. In summary, treatment of common bile duct stones by endoscopic papillotomy appears to be justified in high risk patients with preserved gallbladder. Gallbladder related complications are mainly to be expected early in the follow-up or in cases with cystic duct occlusion at papillotomy. Because of the risk of empyema, early cholecystectomy is indicated in cases of acute cholecystitis.

Adult↗