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Biomedical subjects

W De Backer

Publications and source records attributed to W De Backer.

50 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Evaluation of nasal impedance using the forced oscillation technique in infants.

By applying oscillations to the respiratory system through a rigid face mask, the infant-adapted Lándsér forced oscillation technique measures impedance of the total respiratory system including the nose, at frequencies from 4 to 52 Hz. The present study was aimed at evaluating nasal impedance in infants from consecutive forced oscillation measurements through both nostrils and each nostril separately, using a simple electrical model. In 30 asthmatic infants with varying degrees of nasal obstruction, aged 1-16 months, calculated nasal resistance (Rn) at 24 Hz ranged from 1 to 16 cm H2O.L-1.s. The ratio of Rn to total respiratory system resistance varied between 1 and 48% (mean: 16%). In seven non-asthmatic infants, aged 0-12 months, Rn was between 1 and 11 cm H2O.L-1.s. Nasal patency (evaluated clinically) was correlated with the calculated Rn (P less than 0.05). Rn showed almost no frequency dependence between 24 and 48 Hz as demonstrated by a mean slope of -0.09 +/- 0.08 cm H2O.s2/L for the asthmatic and of -0.08 +/- 0.07 for the non-asthmatic infants. In seven of the asthmatic infants the differences between two Rn determinations at a 45 min interval ranged from -1.7 to 3.8 cm H2O.L-1.s-1 at 24 Hz and from -3.6 to 1.0 at 48 Hz. Changes in Rn did not correlate with changes in total respiratory system resistance (P greater than 0.05). In conclusion, nasal impedance can be approximated from three consecutive measurements through both nostrils and through each nostril separately.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1991

Calculation of half-life of carcinoembryonic antigen after lung tumour resection: a case report.

Since little is known about carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) half-life in humans, we followed changes in CEA levels after curative resection of a small bronchial adenocarcinoma in a 54 yr old man with an unusually high preoperative serum CEA level of 1,199 ng.ml-1. Serum CEA followed a four phase curve with an initial increase, attributed to release of CEA from the tumour, a rapid fall during four days (CEA half-life 3.2 days), a slower exponential decay to normal levels during almost three months (CEA half-life 11 days) and eventually maintenance of normal levels for 14 months. These results are consistent with data from animal experiments and a single report on CEA half-life in humans, but CEA half-life seems longer in man than in animals. This observation also suggests that a very high serum CEA level should not in itself preclude curative surgical resection of a primary bronchogenic carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar↗
PubMed1991

Spherocytosis and pulmonary hypertension coincidental occurrence or causal relationship?

A report is given on a 59 yr old man with hereditary spherocytosis and progressive shortness of breath on exertion, due to severe pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale. An open lung biopsy was performed in order to exclude all known aetiologies of secondary pulmonary hypertension. Pathological examination revealed in situ thrombosis and asymmetric fibromuscular hyperplasia of small- and medium-sized pulmonary arteries. Both primary pulmonary hypertension and hereditary spherocytosis have a low incidence in the general population and their simultaneous occurrence has not been reported previously; the possibility that this was due to a causal relationship and not to coincidence cannot be ruled out, in view of some similarities with pulmonary hypertension complicating sickle cell anaemia.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

Mediastinal thymic cyst.

A symptomatic anterior mediastinal mass in a 44-year-old woman was found to be a benign thymic cyst. Complete excision was made by anterolateral thoracotomy. Congenital cysts are benign but differentiation from malignant cystic degeneration should be made.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Pulmonary haematoma caused by oral anticoagulant therapy. Report of a case.

During a poorly controlled warfarin treatment, a 51-year-old man developed bleeding in various organs. He presented a pulmonary haematoma with the radiologic appearance of a pulmonary nodule. In the literature we found only one report of a pulmonary haematoma with a similar presentation caused by anticoagulant therapy.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1982

Thallium intoxication treated with combined hemoperfusion-hemodialysis.

A 32-year-old woman who ingested thallium sulfate was treated with combined hemoperfusion-hemodialysis. Classical therapy, including Prussian Blue, was also administered. The clearance rate of the hemoperfusion and hemodialysis were 139 and 47 mL/min, respectively. The efficiencies of these different methods were compared with each other and with the classical methods. It was concluded that hemoperfusion was the most efficient technique in extracting thallium sulfate. The combined hemoperfusion-hemodialysis procedure is proposed for the treatment of severe intoxications with thallium sulfate.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intermittent positive airway pressure by nasal mask as a treatment for respiratory insufficiency in a patient with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a slowly progressive hereditary neuropathy characterised by degeneration of motor and sensory peripheral nerves resulting in distal muscle weakness with atrophy and sensory impairment. We report a 35-year-old woman with CMT presenting with respiratory failure due to a pneumonia, sputum impaction and insufficient cough reflex. After recovery, we diagnosed a very severe restrictive lung function disturbance caused by muscle weakness and a possible coexistent unilateral diaphragm paralysis. A very severe REM (Rapid Eye Movement Sleep) related sleep hypopnea syndrome was successfully treated with Nasal Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV).

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Almitrine has no effect on gas exchange after bilateral carotid body resection in severe chronic airflow obstruction.

Using a double-blind cross-over design, a single dose of 100 mg almitrine bismesylate and placebo were administered orally to eight patients with chronic airflow obstruction having undergone bilateral carotid body resection (BCBR) up to two years earlier to alleviate their extreme dyspnoea. In an open study, two other patients have been given almitrine before and three weeks after BCBR. In all patients, arterial blood gases, ventilation and breathing patterns, neuromuscular drive and hypoxic responsiveness have been studied before and three hours after drug administration. Almitrine failed to improve gas exchange in the patients with BCBR, nor did it affect ventilation, ventilatory or hypoxic drive. In the patients studied before and after BCBR, almitrine only improved gas exchange significantly before BCBR. It is concluded that in man almitrine acts solely as a peripheral chemoreceptor agonist and that the well-documented improvement in V/Q relationship is mediated through carotid body stimulation.

Adult↗