Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Mertens

Publications and source records attributed to A Mertens.

51 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Halophilic, lactose-positive Vibrio in a case of fatal septicemia.

A halophilic Vibrio species was isolated from blood cultures from a 59-year-old male with enteritis. The strain differed from Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio alginolyticus by its ability to ferment lactose, its production of beta-galactosidase, and its lower NaCl tolerance. A report of this infection and a description of the isolate is presented.

Blood↗
PubMed1977

Pelviperitonitis and bacteremia due to Bacteroides splanchnicus. Report of a case.

A case of pelviperitonitis and bacteremia due to Bacteroides splanchnicus is discussed. It occurred in a 56 year old obese woman who had a history of cholelithiasis and of asymptomatic myomatous uterus. B. splanchnicus was isolated from a blood sample drawn on admission, and from peritoneal pus found at laparotomy on the 11th hospital day. In the latter sample, the strain was associated to Proteus mirabilis. The organism was sensitive to all ten antibiotics tested, including penicillin G. Aminoglycosides were not studied. The patient, who received ampicillin made an uneventful recovery after cholecystectom and peritoneal drainage.

Ampicillin↗
PubMed1976

[Mediastinoscopy and bronchial carcinoma. Experience with 600 mediastinoscopies (author's transl)].

Of 600 mediastinoscopies carried out from 1966 to 1973, 479 were performed to assess the operability of a pulmonary carcinoma. Of these, (43%) were positive and (57%) negative. Of the 161 patients found positive during an initial period, 14 were considered candidates for operation. The tumour was irresectable in one patient, who died after 3.5 months; curative resection was possible in one and palliative resection in 12 patients. These 12 patients all died within a year. Of the 184 patients found negative during an initial period, 149 were treated by operation. The tumour proved irresectable in 5%, while curative resection was possible in 76% and palliative resection in 19%. Comparison with the period 1957-1963, when in the same hospital resection was performed after a negative Daniels biopsy, shows that the tumour was irresectable in 20%, while curative resection was possible in 35% and palliative resection in 45%. During a second period, patients with a positive mediastinoscopy were refused operation. Of 89 negative patients, 81 were treated by operation. No tumour was found to be irresectable; curative resection was possible in 78% and palliative resection in 22%. A survival study was made of 100 operated patients with a follow-up from a minimum of two years and four months to a maximum of four years and four months. The early mortality averaged 10%. The late mortality was 31% after curative lobectomy, 43% after curative pneumonectomy, and 100% after palliative resection. The survival was 49%

Bronchial Neoplasms↗
PubMed1975

Mediastinoscopy and bronchial carcinoma: experience with 600 mediastinoscopies.

Of 600 mediastinoscopies carried out from 1966 to 1973, 479 were performed to assess the operability of a pulmonary carcinoma. Of these, 206 (43%) were positive and 273 (57%) were negative. Of the 161 patients found positive during an initial period, 147 were refused operation; the remaining 14 were considered suitable candidates for operation, either because only one homolateral lymph node site was involved or because there was a concomitant osteoarthropathy. The tumour was irresectable in one of these 14 patients who died after 3-5 months; curative resection was possible in one and palliative resection in 12 patients. These 12 patients all died within a year. Of the 184 patients found negative during an initial period, 149 were treated by operation. The tumour proved irresectable in seven (5%), while curative resection was possible in 113 (76%) and palliative resection in 29 (19%) patients. Comparison with the period 1957-63, when in the same hospital resection was performed after a negative Daniels' (scalene node) biopsy, shows that the tumour was irresectable in 25 (20%) of the 124 patients with a negative biopsy, while curative resection was possible in 43 (35%) and palliative resection in 56 (45%) patients. During a second period, patients with a positive mediastinoscopy were in principle refused operation. Of 89 negative patients, 81 were treated by operation. No tumour was found to be irresectable; curative resection was possible in 63 (78%) and palliative resection in 18 (22%) patients. An operation for bronchial carcinoma was performed on 167 patients between September 1970 and September 1973 after a negative mediastinoscopy in 95, and without mediastinoscopy in 71 patients, either because of a peripheral tumour (70) or because of a tumour relapse after two years (1). The resection was palliative in 11% of the 71 cases, but in only one patient with a peripheral tumour could a mediastinoscopy have been positive. Finally, an operation was performed on one patient with a positive mediastinoscopy and a tumour relapse after six years. A survival study was made of the first 100 patients with pulmonary carcinoma, operated on between September 1970 and March 1972 and with a follow-up from a minumum of two years to a maximum of 3-5 years. The early mortality averaged 10% and was higher after pneumonectomy than after lobectomy. The late mortality was 16% after curative lobectomy, 38% after curative pneumonectomy, and 83% after palliative pneumonectomy. The survival after 2 to 3-5 years was 63%.

Bronchial Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Diabetic management in high risk patients (pregnancy, insulin pumps).

During the past decades our understanding about the clinical impact of diabetes has changed. We now know for certain that a good (read : near normal) glycemic control is necessary to prevent chronic complications of this disease in women regardless of the type of diabetes. Pregnancy is a specific situation whereby a "near normal" control is wanted not only for the patient but also for the fetus. Several studies have shown a correlation beween glycemic control and complications of pregnancy. Reaching optimal glycemic control is mandatory even before the pregnancy starts, considering the time window of occurance of the severe foetal congenital malformations (first weeks of pregnancy). The role of pre-conception care is emphasized. Optimal control in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients can best be reached through intensive insulin therapy, but reaching normoglycemia is mainly limited by the occurence of hypoglycemia. The introduction of the new insulin analogues is an important step in our arsenal to achieve control using multiple daily insulin injections, but Novorapid and Lantus have not yet been approved for use in pregnancy. Insulin pumps are often used in pregnant patients, allowing an even better glycemic control with less hypoglycemia. An absolute requirement for CSII therapy to be successful is patient education and motivation by an experienced team.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Small bowel diverticulosis. A forgotten diagnosis.

Small bowel diverticulosis (SBD) have the lowest incidence of diverticulosis of the alimentary tract. The incidence differs from 0.09% to 2.3% depending on the reporting physician. SBD are pseudodiverticula, consisting of mucosa only. The causes of SBD are not clear, but the "locus minoris resistentiae" theory is most widely accepted. Overactive or irregular peristalsis bulges the mucosa out through vascular defects in the bowel wall. Only meticulous radiographic techniques can lead to a diagnosis. Preoperative diagnosis is exceptional. SBD can produce chronic abdominal discomfort. Acute complications are also numerously described, giving rise to a surgical emergency. Resection of the involved segment is then the only good procedure. Two cases presenting major complications are discussed, followed by a review of the literature.

Aged↗