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Biomedical subjects

A Gerard

Publications and source records attributed to A Gerard.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

An unusual case of hip septic arthritis due to Bacteroides fragilis in an alcoholic patient.

We describe a 53-year-old alcoholic man who presented with hip septic arthritis due to Bacteroides fragilis. This arthritis involved a severe destruction of the femoral head, which was completely devitalized. Recovery was achieved after 4 months of antimicrobial therapy with imipenem/cilastatin plus metronidazole, surgical debridement of the necrotic tissues and four sessions of hyperbaric oxygen.

Alcoholism↗

Alveolar echinococcosis of the liver: MR findings.

Nineteen cases of proven hepatic alveolar echinococcosis were examined by magnetic resonance (MR) and the results were compared with CT. Fibrous and parasitic tissue showed low signal both on T1- and, generally, on T2-weighted images. In a few cases a high signal on T2-weighted images may be observed, due either to central necrotic zones or to small peripheral cysts. Central necrosis was more easily identified by MR than by CT. However, MR seemed to be less effective than CT in allowing us to reach a positive diagnosis, due to its inability to show microcalcifications. In addition, MR may not reveal small lesions. In most cases T1-weighted images revealed more clearly than CT did the margins of the lesions and the hepatic extension, especially to hepatic veins, vena cava, and perihepatic spaces.

Echinococcosis, Hepatic↗

Effect of in utero infusion route on lymphocyte distribution in fetal rat tissues.

Infusion of cells into the fetus is a new form of intrauterine therapy for several genetic disorders. The effect of in utero infusion routes on labelled lymphocyte distribution in fetal rat organs was investigated. Fetuses, 14-16 days of gestation, were infused in utero with a Hoechst 33342 (bis-benzamide) labelled lymphocyte and FITC-labelled polystyrene bead mixture via four routes: intraperitoneal, intraplacental, intra-amniotic, and intravenous. The distribution within tissues was evaluated in frozen sections of placenta and fetal organs. Our results suggest that among the four routes tested, the intravenous route offered the possibility to reach easily fetal organs without any cell loss and yielded higher cell and bead concentrations in fetal organs, especially in the liver and in the kidney. In conclusion, the intravenous route seems to be appropriate for hematopoietic cell transplantation in the developing fetus.

Animals↗

Adjuvant therapy in colorectal cancer.

While uncontrolled and retrospective studies suggest a treatment benefit for radiotherapy or chemotherapy when administered as adjuvant before or after surgical resection with a curative aim for colon cancer, prospective randomized clinicals trials failed to show any advantage and do not to date confirm the efficiency of the proposed adjuvant therapy. For rectal cancer, preoperative irradiation administered at the dose of 34.5 Gy and postoperative radiotherapy administered at the dose of 46 to 53 Gy markedly decreased the local recurrence rate, however, these treatments failed to improve the 5 year survival rate significantly. Recently the efficacy of a postoperative chemotherapy was observed in a randomized clinical trial. The administration of methyl-CCNU, Vincristine and 5-fluorouracil after surgical resection of rectal cancer improved both the disease-free survival and the survival rate. Another randomized study showed a benefit of combined post-operative radiotherapy and chemotherapy with methyl-CCNU and 5-FU. Advantages and disadvantages of preoperative irradiation treatment and postoperative irradiation treatment are discussed.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

[Peroperative radiotherapy].

Tolerance of normal tissues limits the radiation dose which can be safely delivered to tumors especially for gastro-intestinal cancers. Intraoperative radiotherapy is a specialized technique for treating infradiaphragmatic and deeply located tumors allowing to deliver a high dose to the tumor while avoiding surrounding normal tissues which can be moved aside. The authors describe the technique and review indications and possibilities.

Gastrointestinal Neoplasms↗

[The value of vaginoplasty in perineal cicatrization following amputation of the rectum via abdomino-perineal approach].

Advantage of vaginoplasty in perineum healing following abdominoperineal amputation of the rectum. Healing of the perineal wound following abdominoperineal amputation of the rectum is achieved by secondary intention within 6 to 12 weeks. To improve the tedious dressings and to minimise the duration of healing, resorting to primary healing of the perineum in the females is facilitated by a technique of vaginoplasty. Our observations through personal experience dealing with 24 patients matched those described by Johnston in 1969 and 1979. Perineal healing was obtained within 10-14 days. The vaginal floor epithelialization was obtained after a median duration of 32.7 days. No important complications were noticed in relation to this technique.

Aged↗

[Definitive colostomy and quality of life].

The authors present their experience with permanent colostomy after abdominoperineal resection of the rectum. In order to avoid colostomy-related complications, pre- and postsurgical care are of paramount importance as well as a proper surgical technique. Extraperitoneal colostomy prevents the frequency described early and late complications. Learning colostomy irrigation helps the patient to overcome any physical or psychological problems related to colostomy.

Colostomy↗

[Conservative treatment of small cancers located in the lower part of the rectum].

This paper presents the experience of the "Institut Jules Bordet" in the treatment of small carcinomas located in the lower part of the rectum by transanal endoresection. This surgical procedure includes of a total resection of the tumor surrounded by normal tissue. It allows a detailed pathological study of the resected specimens and does not exclude the possibility of either a second surgical resection or an adjuvant radiotherapy. A better knowledge of the rectal cancer prognostic factors and a close cooperation between surgeon and pathologist spare a few patients a permanent colostomy and give them the same hope of cure as the more mutilation radical surgery.

Adult↗