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C Angel

Publications and source records attributed to C Angel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Audit of bone marrow aspirates and trephine biopsies in multiple myeloma--a single centre study.

We compared 79 simultaneous marrow aspirates and trephine biopsies from multiple myeloma patients for sensitivity, concordance, quality and clinical relevance. A total of 60 examinations had been performed for initial diagnosis, i.e. in cases of suspected myeloma and 19 at follow-up. Of which, 45 (57%) of trephine biopsies were less than 1.6 cm before processing and 33 (42%) were crushed and/or fragmented. Overall, only 19/79 (24%) of trephine biopsy specimens were of at least 1.6 cm length prior to processing and not disrupted. On the other hand, 75% of aspirates were particulate and satisfactory. Mean time between receipt of a trephine biopsy specimen and issuance of a histopathological report was 9 days. Although 40% of trephine biopsies yielded information that could not be reliably obtained from a bone marrow aspirate such information was in all cases clinically irrelevant or obtainable by non-invasive means. In all cases where myeloma was detected in a trephine biopsy it was also detected in a simultaneous bone marrow aspirate, if particulate. However, there were four (5%) cases in which myeloma was detected in such aspirates but not in simultaneously taken trephine biopsies. In cases (n=19) where repeat aspirates/trephine biopsies were taken for surveillance, concordance was found between reported changes in plasma cell ratio. Our data failed to demonstrate any added benefit from routinely performing trephine biopsies after a particulate specimen had been aspirated for the diagnosis or surveillance of myeloma. Furthermore, they suggest that particulate aspirates may be at least as sensitive as trephine biopsies for detecting myeloma.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Visualization of coronary tree and detection of coronary artery stenosis using 16-slice, sub-millimeter computed tomography: preliminary experience].

PURPOSE: multislice CT has been shown as a promising tool for coronary artery imaging. Our goal was to investigate the value of the new sixteen-slice, CT technology for non-invasive visualization of coronary arteries and assessment of coronary stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: we assessed coronary artery visualization in 30 consecutive patients using 16-slice CT and compared the findings with conventional coronary angiography. The whole heart was scanned using 0.75 millimeter slices after injection of contrast medium. Retrospective ECG-gated reconstructions were performed and images were analyzed using axial CT, maximum intensity projection and 3D images, blind to the conventional angiography findings. Seventeen main coronary segments of more than 1.5 mm were analyzed and stenosis was graded on a four-point scale. RESULTS: CT angiography attained diagnostic quality for the whole coronary artery tree in 90% (27/30) of patients. Sixteen of 493 segments (4%) were not interpreted because of substantial motion artifacts (n=12) or heavy calcifications or stenting (n=4). Thirty seven of the 43 cases of significant stenosis (>50%) identified on coronary angiograms were correctly identified with multislice CT. All 6 false negatives involved stenosis of the circumflex artery or branches. Five false positive stenoses were found in 432 non stenotic segments. The sensitivity was thus 86%, specificity 99% for stenosis of more than 50%. CONCLUSION: 16-slice CT provides an excellent visualization of the coronary tree in most patients, allowing accurate non-invasive detection of significant coronary stenosis. Stenoses of the left circumflex artery remain more difficult to detect.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

[Anomalies in myocardial contrast uptake revealed by multislice cardiac CT during acute myocarditis].

Acute myocarditis can display many various clinical appearances. Endomyocardial biopsy is an invasive investigation for which the sensibility is insufficient in mild cases and when it is performed too early. Multislice cardiac CT with ECG synchronisation and injection of contrast medium allows visualisation of the coronary arteries and the study of myocardial contrast uptake. We report the cases of two patients with a mild myocarditis where multislice CT performed early showed multiple areas of increased myocardial contrast uptake consistent with a diffuse inflammatory disorder. Coronary angiography was normal in these two patients. Multislice cardiac CT could be a useful non-invasive investigation for the early diagnosis of this disease.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

Renal and peri-renal abscesses in children: proposed physio-pathologic mechanisms and treatment algorithm.

Renal and perinephric abscess in children are uncommon. Three basic pathophysiologic mechanisms are involved, namely, hematogenous spread, ascending infection and contamination by proximity to an infected area. Six pediatric patients diagnosed with renal abscess were treated at our institution from 1990-2000. Five patients were females; ages ranged from 3-17 years (mean 11.8 years). Diagnosis, as expected, was not readily apparent at presentation. Computerized tomography and renal sonograms were the most useful imaging modalities. Gram-negative bacteria were commonly isolated; only one patient grew Staphylococcus aureus. All patients received broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics. Additional treatments consisted of percutaneous drainage (4 patients), exploratory laparotomy (1 patient, for presumed Wilm's tumor) and nephrectomy (2 patients). A new classification of the etiologic mechanisms of this condition is proposed along with a simple and practical treatment algorithm.

Abscess↗
PubMed2002

Surgical treatment of vascular malformations of the extremities in children and adolescents.

The treatment of vascular malformations (VM) of the extremities is controversial. Six patients with large, localized, symptomatic VMs of the extremities underwent surgical excision. In five cases abnormal vessels were apparent under the skin; in two of these there was also red discoloration of the skin secondary to skin involvement. Magnetic resonance imaging was the most helpful imaging modality in evaluating these patients. Subfascial resection was performed in five cases. Muscle was involved in four patients and was removed in all four cases. At follow-up, there was improvement in symptoms and function with no clinically apparent recurrence an average of 30 months following the operation. There was improvement in pain intensity from an average of 4.3 on a scale of 1 to 10 before surgery to 1.3 after surgery. Surgical excision of localized VMs that are extensive and include fascia and muscle, as appropriate, can successfully improve pain and function without evidence of recurrence at 1 to 5 years of follow-up.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Three-dimensional multislice CT scanner: value in patients with pulmonary atresia with septal defect].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the interest of multislice CT scanning using three-dimensional reconstructions for pre- or postoperative management of patients with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect. Twenty-one consecutive patients (median age: 8 months, median weight: 5.6 kg) with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect were explored by multislice CT. Standard protocol consisted in one helical thoracic acquisition, associated with an injection of 2 to 3 mL/kg of iodinated contrast medium at a flow rate from 0.5 to 1 mL/s. Three-dimensionnal reconstructions were systematically performed. Before operation, status and size of central pulmonary arteries, major aorto-pulmonary collateral arteries, and associated anomalies were analyzed. In 13 operated patients, the permeability of palliative anastomosis and postoperative anatomical changes were studied. The status of central pulmonary arteries was assessed in all cases and the sizes found were in agreement to surgical findings. Main aorto-pulmonary collateral arteries were depicted and their relative position to central airways was assessed. Various associated anomalies were found: right aortic arch, anomalous coronary artery, abnormal pulmonary venous return, left superior vena cava. The anastomosis and the surgical connections (unifocalization, complete repair) were clearly analyzed. The multislice CT with three-dimensional reconstructions is a complementary imaging technique, reliable, useful to pre-operative management and postoperative follow-up of patients with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Percutaneous closure with Amplatzer device is a safe and efficient alternative to surgery in adults with large atrial septal defects.

BACKGROUND: In adults with atrial septal defect (ASD) and large right-to-left shunt, closure of the defect is recommended. Percutaneous closure is still rarely used in this population. This study presents the results of transcatheter closure with the Amplatzer occluder in such patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 44 consecutive adult patients with a secundum ASD and 2 of the 3 following criteria: QP/QS >/=2 by oximetry, echocardiographic right ventricle overload, and ASD size >20 mm. Forty-two patients had a successful implantation. In 1 patient an unstable device was withdrawn; in another one, the device embolized in the pulmonary artery. At 6-month median follow-up, 95% had a complete closure; 2 patients with an additional defect had a small residual shunt. Major complications were the aforementioned embolization and a cerebrovascular accident in a patient with atrial fibrillation treated with aspirin. Others were minor and transitory: premature atrial beats in 3 patients, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and pulmonary edema in 1 patient each. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter closure of large ASDs with the Amplatzer device is efficient with less morbidity than surgical closure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Perioperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for tracheal reconstruction in congenital tracheal stenosis.

The management of a critical airway in infants and toddlers with congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) continues to be an enormous challenge to the surgeon. Until recently, this condition often proved fatal. Improvements in surgical techniques, anesthetic management, and postoperative critical care have resulted in successful outcomes in children not long ago considered untreatable. However, issues such as the best operative approach and the optimal perioperative management are still unresolved. The diagnosis of CTS, often delayed, must be considered in any infant with stridor, wheezing, cyanosis, or recurrent episodes of pneumonia. Associated anomalies are the rule, including frequently vascular rings and rarely pulmonary agenesis. These defects can be repaired with conventional ventilatory support under cardiopulmonary bypass, or using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We report our experience in which ECMO was used to support two patients with CTS during the perioperative period. ECMO proved to be both safe and practical, allowing unrushed, precise repair of the tracheal stenosis and providing brief postoperative support. Perioperative outcomes were excellent, although one of our patients died months after the repair. A review of the literature and our experience in which ECMO was used to provide cardiopulmonary support during repair of CTS showed uniformly successful perioperative outcomes.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation↗
PubMed1999

Reproductive health.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Family Characteristics↗
PubMed1999

Ovarian cancer: comparison of observer performance for four methods of interpreting CT scans.

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of four interpretative methods on observers' mean sensitivity and specificity by using computed tomography (CT) of ovarian carcinoma as a model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT scans in 98 patients with ovarian carcinoma and 49 women who were disease free were retrospectively reviewed by four experienced blinded radiologists to compare single-observer reading, single-observer reading with an anatomic checklist, paired-observer reading (simultaneous double reading), and replicated reading (combination of two independent readings). Confidence level scoring was used to identify three possible disease forms in each patient: extranodal tumor, lymphadenopathy, and ascites. Patient conditions were then categorized as abnormal or normal. RESULTS: There were no significant improvements in sensitivity or specificity for classification of patient conditions as abnormal or normal when comparing single-observer interpretation with single-observer interpretation with a checklist or paired-observer interpretation. Although there was no significant improvement in the mean sensitivity (93% vs 94%) by using the replicated reading method, there was a statistically significant improvement in mean specificity (85% vs 79%) for the replicated readings compared with single-observer interpretations (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Diagnostic aids such as checklists and paired simultaneous readings did not lead to an improved mean observer performance for experienced readers. However, an increase in the mean specificity occurred with replicated readings.

Female↗
PubMed1997

Microcephaly with agenesis of corticospinal tracts and arthrogryposis, hypospadias, single umbilical artery, hypertelorism, and renal and adrenal hypoplasia--previously undescribed syndrome.

We describe a small, term, male infant with corticospinal tract aplasia secondary to motor cortex dysplasia from a neuronal proliferation and/or migrational defect. The infant also had microdolichocephaly, sloping forehead, hypertelorism, flat nose, apparently low-set ears, micrognathia, arthrogryposis without muscle wasting, cortical thumbs, rocker-bottom feet, scoliosis, single umbilical artery, and hypospadias with chordee. Oligohydramnios was present prenatally. Neurologic examination showed a comatose state, seizures, minimal spontaneous movement, minimal response to pain, and absent primitive reflexes. At autopsy, hypoplasia of kidneys and adrenal glands was found. There was no aqueductal stenosis or pulmonary hypoplasia. Chromosomes were apparently normal. These manifestations do not correspond to those of any recognized syndrome; therefore, this patient may represent a previously undefined syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1997

[Late complications of percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects with the Sideris occluder].

Between June 1992 and January 1996, 27 patients aged 3.9 to 74 years with an ostium secundum (22 patients) or patent foramen ovale with right-to-left shunts (5 patients) underwent percutaneous closure of their atrial septal defects with the Sideris occluder. After a thromboembolic complication, transesophageal echocardiography was performed routinely after the procedure in 15 patients between 1 month and 2 years, and in 6 patients on the 15th day. Two patients died, on the 2nd day and 21st month, of non-related causes. After an average follow-up of 33 months, 59% of patients had complete occlusion of the atrial septal defects or only a minimal residual shunt. Displacement of the prosthesis was defects or only a minimal residual shunt. Displacement of the prosthesis was observed in 7 cases with no relationship to size: 4 parallel to the septum with reappearance or increase in shunt, 3 with tilting of the prosthesis. All of these patients had a large residual defect compared with 20% with a normally positioned prosthesis (p < 0.05). Tilting of the occluder was associated with left atrial thrombosis (present in 40% of these patients), complicated by systemic embolism in one case: there were no cases of left atrial thrombus in the 9 with complete occlusion and the 5 patients with an isolated residual defect (p < 0.05). Occlusion of atrial septal defect with the Sideris device is effective and a safe method in the majority of cases. However, a badly positioned prosthesis with a residual shunt should be extracted as seen as possible or within three weeks if displacement is observed at control echocardiography.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1996

Use of thin-layer preparations for gynecologic smears with emphasis on the cytomorphology of high-grade intraepithelial lesions and carcinomas.

Thin-layer (TL) technology can improve the detection rate for squamous lesions of the uterine cervix. Studies to date have under-represented high grade lesions and malignancies. The present study utilized a patient population at high risk for such lesions in order to analyze the performance of TL procedures in this group, and in addition, to assess the similarities and differences in morphologic appearances of specimens prepared by the two methods. Conventional (CS) and thin-layer smears (TLS) were made in parallel from the same specimen. Each slide was examined in a blinded fashion. Diagnoses were compared and morphologic observations made. Two hundred fifty-nine cases were included, of which 32 (12%) were high grade dysplasias (11) or carcinomas (21). Thirty five (14%) were atypical or low grade dysplasias. There was exact correlation between Bethesda classification in 231 cases (89%). Of the 21 carcinomas identified, 19 (91%) were present on each preparation. Two cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma were missed on unsatisfactory or negative TLS. One case of squamous cell carcinoma was called high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL) on TLS while the CS was unsatisfactory. Three cases called atypical glandular cells (AGCUS) on TLS, and negative on CS, showed HGSIL (1) or no lesion (2) on follow-up. Morphologic features of low grade lesions were virtually identical on both preparations. Distinct features were noted on TLS in the high grade lesions. These included smaller appearing nuclear areas, less distinct nuclear chromatin, thicker three-dimensional groupings, and more isolated cells. Such findings were most pronounced in the glandular lesions. With training and experience, these features were easily identified in TL preparations, further documenting the utility of this procedure for use in routine practice.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗