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W Tomkowski

Publications and source records attributed to W Tomkowski.

65 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

The role of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) evaluation in pericardial fluid for the recognition of malignant pericarditis.

This study was designed to assess the value of tumor marker evaluation in pericardial fluid for the recognition of malignant pericarditis. Thirty-six patients with signs and symptoms of large pericardial effusion entered the study. Pericardiocentesis with pericardial fluid drainage was performed in all of them. CEA and NSE levels were evaluated in the pericardial fluid and compared to pericardial fluid cytology. The median CEA value in malignant effusions was 80 ng/ml (range 0-305 ng/ml) and in non-malignant ones 1.26 ng/ml (range 0.2-18.4 ng/ml), p < 0.01. The sensitivity of CEA elevation above 5 ng/ml for the recognition of malignant pericarditis was 73% and the specificity was 90%. Pericardial fluid cytology was positive in 22 of 26 patients with malignant pericarditis (85%). CEA exceeding 5 ng/ml or positive cytology were seen in 96% of the patients with malignant pericarditis. The median NSE value in malignant pericardial effusions was 41.8 micrograms/l (range 2-172 micrograms/l) and in non-malignant ones 5.85 micrograms/l (range 1-83.9 micrograms/l), p < 0.3. For the differential diagnosis of large pericardial effusions we would recommend simultaneous cytologic examination of pericardial fluid and CEA assessment. NSE measurement in hemorrhagic pericardial fluid is of limited value.

Adult↗

Neuron-specific enolase in non-neoplastic lung diseases, a marker of hypoxemia?

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a glycolytic enzyme localized within neuronal and neuroendocrine tissues. Serum NSE is widely used as a marker of neuroendocrine tumors. Moderate serum NSE elevation has been reported in some patients with benign lung diseases. We decided to investigate whether the elevation of serum NSE in non-neoplastic lung diseases is connected with hypoxemia and to what extent the recovery of sufficient ventilation with a respirator may influence NSE concentrations. Serum NSE was estimated by means of radioimmunoassay in 83 patients with various non-neoplastic lung diseases. Serum NSE exceeding 12.5 micrograms/L was significantly more frequent in patients with marked hypoxemia (PaO2 < 6.67 kPa; p = 0.03) than in others. The median NSE value in the group of patients without respiratory failure (Ro) was 7.2 micrograms/L (10% > 12.5 micrograms/L), in the group of patients with respiratory failure not requiring mechanical ventilation (Rf) it was 8.5 micrograms/L (24% > 12.5 micrograms/L), and in the group of patients with respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation (Rfv) 13.1 micrograms/L (60% > 12.5 micrograms/L). The differences between the Rfv group and the other two groups (Rf and Ro) were significant (P = 0.049 and p = 0.0004, respectively). During successful mechanical ventilation elevated serum NSE decreased to values below the cutoff in 8/10 patients. We conclude that serum NSE elevation is a frequent event in patients with terminal hypoxemia in the course of benign lung diseases. Normalization of serum NSE is observed in the majority of patients during the first week of mechanical ventilation.

Adult↗

Diagnostic utility of CYFRA 21-1 and CEA assays in pericardial fluid for the recognition of neoplastic pericarditis.

A positive cytology result in pericardial fluid is the gold standard for recognition of malignant pericardial effusion. Unfortunately, in 30-50% of patients with malignant pericardial effusion cytological examination of the pericardial fluid is negative. Tumor marker assessment in pericardial fluid may help to recognize malignant pericardial effusion. The aim of our study was to estimate the value of CYFRA 21-1 and CEA measurement in pericardial fluid for the recognition of malignant pericardial effusion. To our knowledge this is the first study on CYFRA 21-1 assessment in pericardial effusion. The examined group consisted of 50 patients with malignant pericardial effusion and 34 patients with non-malignant pericardial effusion. Median CEA concentrations in malignant pericardial effusion and non-malignant pericardial effusion were 80 ng/mL (0-317) and 0.5 ng/mL (0-18.4), respectively (p<0.001). Median CYFRA 21-1 concentrations in malignant pericardial effusion and non-malignant pericardial effusion were 260 ng/mL (5.3-10080) and 22.4 ng/mL (1.87-317.6), respectively (p<0.001). The optimal cutoff value for CYFRA 21-1 in pericardial effusion was 100 ng/mL. CYFRA 21-1 >100 ng/mL or CEA >5 ng/mL were found in 14/15 patients with malignant pericardial effusion and negative pericardial fluid cytology. We therefore strongly recommend the use of CYFRA 21-1 and/or CEA in addition to pericardial fluid cytology for the recognition of malignant pericardial effusion.

Adult↗

[Conservative and surgical treatment of pericarditis--our experience].

Methods and results of both conservative and invasive therapy of pericarditis were analysed in the group of 30 patients. An emphasis was on successful treatment of mild (idiopathic) pericarditis and efficiency of the early started, combined pharmacotherapy (tuberculostatics + corticosteroids) of pericarditis of tuberculous etiology. A stress is on marked immediate efficacy of surgery in case of cardiac tamponade, independent on its etiology, with simultaneous recommendation of ultrasound-guided pericardial sac paracentesis. Survival rate in patients with malignant pericarditis is relatively low.

Adult↗

[Pericarditis at the Internal Disease Clinic of the Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (1981-1987)].

Causes, symptoms, clinical forms, and methods of diagnosis of pericarditis were analysed in a group of 30 patients. Chest pain, dyspnea, and tachycardia were prevailing clinical symptoms of the disease. Particularly useful diagnostic technique is ultrasound, being a method of choice in the diagnosis of the most frequent exudative pericarditis. The most frequent cause of cardiac tamponade was malignant pericarditis. Diagnostic problems with particular reference to tuberculous etiology of pericarditis have also been discussed.

Adult↗

[Intensive treatment of respiratory failure--personal experiences].

Controlled oxygen-therapy was used in 30 out of 49 patients (61%) with the acute respiratory failure or exacerbations of the chronic respiratory failure treated at ICU (Group Y), while artificial ventilation in the remaining 19 patients (39%; Group B). An improvement was achieved in 70% of patients of Group A and 42% in Group B. Overall improvement was achieved in 59% of the treated patients. There were 69% of treated patients with infections. Totally 41% of the treated patients died (30% of Group A and 58% of Group B). An analysis of the results has been carried out in various subgroups of the treated patients, i.e. the acute and exacerbated respiratory failure as well as partial and complete respiratory insufficiency. The result of high risk patients have also been analysed. This subgroup included sudden cardiac arrest, shock and non-compensated acidosis. Favourable effects of the intensive care of patients with infections have been discussed with particular reference to the life hazard in case of septic complications. Emphasis is on the unfavorable effects of therapy in patients with respiratory failure complicated with pulmonary embolism. Indications to the use of respirator and complications of the artificial ventilation have been discussed.

Bicarbonates↗

[CEFOBID in the treatment of respiratory tract infection (preliminary report)].

The therapeutical efficacy of CEFOBID (Pfizer) a third generation cephalosporine (natrium cephaperasone salt) was studied in 10 patients with acute respiratory infections including 6 with pneumonias. The therapeutical effect was arbitrarily judged according to the applied three point scale--"good", "satisfactory", "lack of effect". A "good" effects was seen in 6 patients, in 2 "satisfactory", in further two "lack" of effect was observed. Thus CEFOBID proved to be of beneficial effect in eight out of ten patients. One should stress that in the group that responded to treatment were all cases of pneumonia. CEFOBID was well tolerated. In this preliminary study the beneficial therapeutical effect in Gram negative opportunistic infections is stressed.

Acute Disease↗

[Extremely severe respiratory failure complicated by lactic acidosis].

A case of a 48-year male patient with chronic cor pulmonale is presented. Exacerbation of the chronic respiratory failure was caused by pneumonia. The patient was treated with artificial ventilation for 22 days and stimulating aggressive antibacterial therapy. An improvement was achieved. Indications to the use of respirator in the exacerbated chronic respiratory failure have been discussed together with problem of the potential reversibility of the cause, gas and lactic acidosis and an important clinical problem of the respiratory muscles exhaustion.

Acidosis, Lactic↗