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Biomedical subjects

A Hainz

Publications and source records attributed to A Hainz.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

[A critical consideration of the combined radiochemotherapy of head and neck tumors].

PURPOSE: Advanced tumors of the head and neck are often treated with combined radiochemotherapy. The chemotherapeutic agents used should be active in this tumor type and its adverse effects should not overlap with those of the radiation treatment. METHODS: Published studies were reviewed and discussed on the basis of these principles. RESULTS: Initially, single agents such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and methotrexate were used in combination with radiotherapy. These combinations caused an improved local tumor control but also an increased mucosal reaction. For mitomycin C it has been shown in a randomized trial that local tumor control was improved without concomitant increased normal tissue toxicity. Also cisplatin and carboplatin were studied in combination with radiotherapy. Unfortunately, there are no results of randomized studies available but these agents do not seem to increase mucosal toxicity. The standard chemotherapy of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck is cisplatin and 5-FU. Many studies have been conducted with this chemotherapy in combination with radiotherapy. To this day it has not been shown that the results of an effective radiation treatment or an effective chemotherapy can be improved by these experiments. The explanation for that is that either the chemotherapy or the radiotherapy cannot be given at full dose because the regimen would become too toxic. CONCLUSION: 5-FU containing polychemotherapy regimens should not be combined with radiation any more because it is known that 5-FU increases the mucosal reaction. Agents that could be studied in the future either alone or in combination with cisplatin or carboplatin are etoposide and taxol.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Is transrectal ultrasonography needed to rule out prostatic cancer with normal findings at digital rectal examination and normal serum prostate-specific antigen?

In a prospective study, 288 consecutive patients without evidence for prostatic carcinoma at digital rectal examination (DRE) and scheduled for prostatectomy because of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were examined by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measurement prior to surgery. 46 patients were found to have a carcinoma at histological examination of the surgical specimens. 14 carcinomas were detected preoperatively by TRUS and biopsy (10 pT1, 3 pT2, 1 pT3) of 32 patients with suspicious, i.e., hypoechoic, lesions at TRUS. Among the remaining 256 patients with normal findings at TRUS, another 32 carcinomas were found at histological examination of the surgical specimen. Of the 14 carcinomas detected by TRUS, 13 were found within a group of 57 patients with PSA levels > 7 ng/ml corresponding to a cancer detection rate of 22.8% in this group. In 231 patients with PSA < 7 ng/ml, the use of TRUS was successful in detecting only 1 carcinoma (cancer detection rate 0.4%). These results suggest that the use of TRUS is dispensible in 80% of palpably normal patients without affecting the cancer detection rate.

Aged↗

Surveillance strategy for intratesticular cysts: preliminary report.

We treated 15 patients with all sonographic criteria of a simple testicular cyst. Of the patients 6 were operated on and the diagnosis was confirmed histologically, while 9 did not undergo an operation but are under close observation (mean surveillance 11 months). All patients are without any detectable malignancy. The possibility of a surveillance strategy in simple intratesticular cysts is discussed.

Adult↗

Has ultrasound influenced the therapy concept of blunt scrotal trauma?

We present the ultrasonic diagnoses and treatment of 44 patients with blunt scrotal trauma (rupture of the testis, hematocele, intratesticular hematoma and hematoma of the scrotal layers). Purely intratesticular hematoma without any other accompanying injury also can be detected sonographically. When massive scrotal swelling is present ultrasound is valuable to determine the status of the underlying testis even if discrete fracture planes of the tunica cannot always be detected. To achieve best long-term results early surgical intervention should be performed in cases of rupture of the testicle and hematocele, while hematoma of the scrotal layers and purely intratesticular hematoma can be treated conservatively.

Hematocele↗

[Hydatid torsion as a cause of acute scrotum--clinical, sonographic and anatomic aspects].

Out of 82 patients with acute swelling of the scrotum, 25 (30.5%) had hydatid torsion. Hydatid torsion was the second most common cause of acute scrotal swelling in the entire patient group. In the group of patients up to 14 years of age (n = 36), hydatid torsion was found in 47.2% and was the most common cause of acute scrotal swelling, followed by torsion of the spermatic cord. Only 3 patients had torsion of an appendage of the epididymis. All other patients (n = 22) had torsion of the hydatid of Morgagni (appendage of the testicle). A difference in anatomical structure and vascularization during childhood seems to be the most important aspect regarding hydatid torsion and hemorrhagic infarction. Ultrasonographic examination of the scrotum and checking to see if the typical physical signs are present can help in making the exact diagnosis. In 13 patients with hydatid torsion, the scrotum was examined with ultrasound high-frequency transducers (7.5, 10 and 12 MHz). In 4 patients, the diagnosis was hydatid torsion, as determined by ultrasonography. Two patients were treated conservatively with a daily follow-up including a clinical examination and investigation of the scrotum with ultrasound. The patients recovered very quickly and the acute symptoms resolved within a few days in virtually all instances. Thus, in cases where the diagnosis is proven and the course of the disease is reasonably mild and painless, conservative management of intrascrotal hydatid torsion is possible and can be an effective means of treatment in lien of surgical intervention.

Acute Disease↗

Texture analysis--a new method of differentiating prostatic carcinoma from prostatic hypertrophy.

This study compares the results of a new computer assisted evaluation program of sonographic images of the prostate with the histological examination of the operative specimen. This computer program is based on the fact that the human eye is not capable of distinguishing picture distribution points which differ in higher than second order statistics. The sensitivity of the method was 89%, the specificity 86% and the diagnostic accuracy 88%. The results are discussed by comparing them to results of transrectal sonography and digital palpation as reported in the literature.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗

Sonographic appearance of benign intratesticular lesions.

58 patients with a purely intratesticular lesion were investigated with scrotal ultrasound. A pathognomonic echo pattern could be found for simple parenchymal cysts and hemangiomas only. The nature of all other lesions (chronic orchitis, hematoma, epidemoid cyst, testicular necrosis, abscess and tuberculosis) could not be defined solely on sonographic grounds.

Humans↗

[Electrophysiologic study in patients with syncope of unknown cause].

Electrophysiologic studies were performed in 51 patients with syncopes of unexplained origin. 25 patients (49%) had organic heart disease. Electrophysiologic testing included determination of corrected sinus node recovery time, AV-nodal effective refractory period, AH- and HV-intervals, and AV-nodal Wenckebach rate. During programmed right ventricular stimulation, 1-3 premature stimuli were used. 26 patients (53%) had an abnormal outcome that strongly suggested an arrhythmogenic cause of the reported syncopes. In ten patients (20%), corrected sinus node recovery time was prolonged; AV-nodal conduction disturbance was manifest in two patients (4%); reversibility with atropine was shown in one patient. Six patients (12%) had an infrahisian conduction delay with an HV-interval longer than 70 ms. Eight patients (15.6%) had either symptomatic ventricular tachycardias (n = 4), AV-nodal reentry tachycardias (n = 2), or inducible symptomatic rapid atrial fibrillation (n = 2). In one additional patient, ventricular tachycardias could not be reinitiated after ending tricyclic antidepressant drug medication. The diagnostic yield of the electrophysiologic study was not influenced by the presence of organic heart disease. Patients with prolonged corrected sinus node recovery time, prolonged HV-interval, and irreversible AV-conduction delay underwent pacemaker implantation (n = 17). Patients with rapid response to programmed stimulation received antiarrhythmic medication, the efficacy of which was assessed by serial electrophysiologic testing until non-inducibility was obtained. The mean follow-up period was 11 months (1-31 months). Overall 2-year mortality was 17%. In 4/5 patients, death was unrelated to the cause of syncope.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗