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Biomedical subjects

B Launois

Publications and source records attributed to B Launois.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

[Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus].

Two rare (as they were cervical) cases of so-called spontaneous rupture of the esophagus are reported, and similar cases treated in the C.H.U. Rennes, over the last 8 years reviewed. The historical background and pathogenic mechanism of this affection are recalled, and its difficult diagnosis emphasized, the latter being the result of the almost total lack of precise symptoms, which associate thoracic, abdominal, and cervical features to varying degrees. Therapy is difficult and the prognosis poor.

Adult↗

[Intestinal bypass in the treatment of obesity. Results of 14 cases (author's transl)].

Fourteen women with severe obesity resistant to previous dietetic measures underwent intestinal bypass using Scott's method. Weight loss ranged from 1-2 kg to 50 kg (mean = 25 kg) but weas unpredictable and varied from patient to patient; most remained obese. The other results of the operation were similar to those already reported. There was a decrease in total plasma cholesterol, while HDL cholesterol remained normal. Calcaemia was in the lower range of normal values; one patient developed severe hypokaliaemia (1.8 mEq); low blood magnesium levels and steatorrhoea were common. Fibrosis of the liver was observed in one patient and probably in another. Five patients were re-operated upon for incisional hernia or intestinal occlusion. Other complications reported in the literature (pulmonary embolism, arthralgias, kidney stones and gall stones) did not occur in this series. Because of these complications we decided to stop using intestinal bypass for the treatment of severe obesity. However, in view of the potential dangers of severe obesity we feel that other surgical techniques, such as Mason's gastric bypass, should be considered in some patients.

Adult↗

Spinal cord compression by extradural fat after prolonged corticosteroid therapy.

This young man was operated on twice for thoracic spinal cord compression. He had been on corticosteroid therapy for the last 2 years subsequent to a renal transplant. The only anomaly discovered during the operation was a large quantity of extradural fat that did not present the characteristics of lipoma. The remarkable postoperative clinical improvement suggested that the fat deposit was responsible for the spinal cord compression.

Adipose Tissue↗

Preoperative radiotherapy for carcinoma of the esophagus.

From 21 March to 22 June 1976, 124 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were randomized for inclusion in a prospective trial of preoperative irradiation. Fifteen patients were excluded because of inoperability. Sixty-seven patients were randomly selected to receive 4,000 rads of cobalt radiation for eight days prior to operation; 57 patients were operated upon without receiving radiation therapy. No significant differences were noted between the two groups with regard to age, sex, tumor site, experience of the surgeon, method of approach or surgical technique. Eight esophageal resections were performed upon 47 of the 62 irradiated patients and 33 of the 47 nonirradiated patients. Of the 62 irradiated patients, 14 died during operation, compared with 11 of the 47 nonirradiated patients, the difference between the two groups not being statistically significant. Irradiation was associated with a higher mortality for lesions in the mid third part of the esophagus, 11 of 29 versus four of 19, but again, the difference was not significant. In the irradiated patients, the five year actuarial postoperative survival rate was 9.5 versus 11.5 per cent for the nonirradiated patients. In conclusion, preoperative radiation therapy does not produce a statistically significant short term or long term benefit in the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

[Human cutaneous alternariosis. 3 cases. Review of the literature (author's transl)].

The authors present 3 new cases of dermal alternariosis, associated with one Hodgkin's disease and 2 kidney transplants. Review of the other cases of literature demonstrates the pathogenicity of this saprophytic fungus which becomes opportunistic mostly in case of immuno-deficiency. Clinical aspect is usually that of papulo-nodular, ulcerative or vegetating, unique or multiple lesions of limbs and head. Its course is very capricious, not infrequently chronic and extensive. The treatment is not yet well established.

Adult↗