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Biomedical subjects

B Wechsler

Publications and source records attributed to B Wechsler.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Dermatomyositis and ovarian cancer: a report of 7 cases and literature review.

The relationship between malignancy and inflammatory myopathies is now statistically well established. However, the link between polymyositis (PM) or dermatomyositis (DM) and ovarian cancer (OC) has never been clearly emphasized. OC is the 6th most frequent malignancy, occurring in about 1% of the general female population. We describe 7 cases of DM associated with OC (proven in 6 patients, and very probable in a 7th), in a series of 140 adult inflammatory myopathies followed in our institution [84 PM and 56 DM (including 45 female)]. Twenty-four patients had associated malignancy (12 PM and 12 DM). Without considering the probable case, OC occurred in 13.3% (6/45) of the total female DM population, a much higher rate than the 1% observed in the general female population; and in 21.4% (6/28) of females aged over 40 with DM. In women over 40 with DM, ovarian cancer has a major position among associated internal malignancies, and has to be adequately looked for by physicians.

Adult↗

Postpartum cerebral infarction associated with aspirin withdrawal in the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

We observed 2 cases of antiphospholipid syndrome complicated with hemiparesis appearing after delivery. During pregnancy, both women were systematically treated with aspirin (100 mg/day) in addition to prednisone in the second case. Cerebral infarction appeared a few hours after delivery and 8 days after discontinuation of aspirin. The close temporal relationship between discontinuation of aspirin and stroke occurring in early postpartum period suggests a causal link. If aspirin must be stopped for obstetrical reasons, we think that efficient anticoagulation should be started even if the presence of the antiphospholipid antibodies has been priorly asymptomatic.

Adult↗

[Role of antiphospholipid antibodies in fetal loss].

A review of the literature and our own experience have shown that the three types of antibodies to phospholipids (APL) usually looked for (i.e. dissociated treponema serology, antiprothrombinase and anticardiolipin) increase the risk of foetal loss, irrespective of whether the mothers have or do not have systemic lupus erythematosus. The prevalence of APL may exceed 40 percent in some series of women who suffered at least 3 foetal losses. Conversely, the incidence of foetal loss (often late in pregnancy) in women with APL has been estimated at 25 to 75 percent, depending on the studies. The presence of lupus seems to increase the risk. There is no consensus on the best factor predictive of foetal loss (antiprothrombinase or one of the anticardiolipin isotypes). Foetal loss seems to be caused by thrombosis of the placenta, the origin of which remains controverted. The therapeutic escalade consists of abstention (in the first pregnancy), aspirin (about 100 mg/day), aspirin-corticosteroid combination or subcutaneous heparin, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins and plasmapheresis. With these various methods, the birth of a normal child can be expected in almost every case.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Behçet's disease.

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Behcet Syndrome↗

[Multiple cholesterol embolism mimicking periarteritis nodosa].

Ten men aged 56 to 84 were hospitalized with a diagnosis of periarteritis nodosa, whereas they had multiple cholesterol embolism. The diagnosis was corrected post mortem in the first 3 patients and subsequently in live patients. The particularly misleading clinical manifestations were neurological (polyneuritis in 5 cases, mononeuritis in 1, central nervous system disorders in 3), pulmonary (alveolar haemorrhage in 2 cases, respiratory failure of unknown mechanism in 4) and pericardial (2 cases). Five patients had eosinophilia (more than 500 eosinophils/mm3). The elements that led to the correct diagnosis were the presence of vascular risk factors in all 10 patients (but hyperlipidaemia in only one), severe complications of the atheromatous disease in all cases, a precipitating or aggravating factor in 8 patients (anticoagulant therapy in 7, arteriography in 6) and the finding of purple or necrotic toes (6 cases). Histological (5 cases) and/or ophthalmological (2 cases) evidence was obtained in only 6 patients. Seven patients died 1 to 3 years after the onset of the disorders. Studies on low-density lipoprotein metabolism are in progress to determine the mechanism of clinical manifestations unexplainable by embolism.

Aged↗

Cerebral venous thrombosis in Behçet's disease: clinical study and long-term follow-up of 25 cases.

Among 250 patients with Behcet's disease, we describe 25 cases of angiographically proven cerebral venous thrombosis. Intracranial hypertension was the most frequent manifestation. Two initially untreated patients relapsed. Treatment of cerebral venous thrombosis consisted of combined heparin and steroids in 19 patients, steroids alone in three, and heparin alone in three others. Neurologic symptoms improved rapidly in all. Nineteen patients received long-term anticoagulation, and two received aspirin. Relapse of cerebral venous thrombosis or development of optic atrophy did not occur in treated patients. Partial or total recanalization of the occluded sinus was frequent. After more than 3 years of follow-up, the prognosis of dural sinus thrombosis is satisfactory.

Adolescent↗

Behçet's disease.

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Behcet Syndrome↗

[Ocular prognosis in Behçet's disease].

The ocular prognosis of Behçet's disease was assessed in 31 French native patients with ocular involvement. The mean follow-up time was 6 years. Ophthalmologic manifestations revealed the disease in 61% of patients, and it was the first symptom in 29%. Two groups of patients could be identified: the minor forms (23%) which remained stable with colchicine alone and the severe forms (77%) which required steroid (32%) and/or immunosuppressive (45%) therapy. In the severe forms, 32 eyes were unchanged, 4 eyes showed improvement, and 12 eyes showed deterioration in visual acuity. Positivity of HLA B5, sex and complete form of the disease were not predictive factors of ocular involvement, or of its seriousness. At 6 years, 16% of the eyes (versus 14% at the beginning) had a visual acuity less than 1/10, and 71% (versus 74% at the beginning) had a visual acuity greater than 8/10. A close collaboration between ophthalmologists and internists allows a good visual prognosis in Behçet's disease.

Adult↗