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Biomedical subjects

C Ell

Publications and source records attributed to C Ell.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

[Changes in and acceptance of surgical and noninvasive therapy procedures in cholecystolithiasis].

BACKGROUND: The treatment of cholecystolithiasis has changed fundamentally in recent years due to the development of non-surgical techniques (extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy [ESWL], oral litholysis) and the implementation of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. PATIENTS AND RESULTS: Retrospective analysis of 2270 patients (1649 women, 621 men; age: 47.2 +/- 14 years) presenting with gallstone disorders in a university medical outpatients department between 1988 and 1992 in order to be instructed as to the most suitable therapy method bear witness to the rapid change in therapeutic procedure. Laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder has virtually supplanted conventional cholecystectomy, and within 5 years the proportionate role of ESWL has declined from 21 to 12%. Over the years, the proportion of patients requiring no therapeutic intervention remained constant (at about 20%). The therapeutic recommendations of the "experts" were implemented in almost 80% of cases. The majority of patients were satisfied with the chosen therapeutic approach (surgery: 93.0%, ESWL: 77.6%), although 44% of ESWL-patients and 36% of surgically managed patients reported complaints which persisted even after completion of therapy. Despite unsuccessful ESWL (residual fragments or recurrent stones) 58/95 (61%) of interviewed patients would again give preference to this non-invasive modality in the event of a renewed therapeutic decision. CONCLUSION: Only a few years after its introduction, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has asserted itself as the predominant treatment option. But as far as acceptance and preference by the patient are concerned extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy--as a non-invasive treatment modality--also enjoys high popularity and can be recommended as an alternative to surgery in suitable patients chosen according to the currently established stringent selection criteria.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Photodynamic ablation of high-grade dysplasia and early cancer in Barrett's esophagus by means of 5-aminolevulinic acid.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The first therapeutic experiences with the conventional photosensitizer dihematoporphyrinester in the treatment of Barrett's esophagus show the curative potential of photodynamic therapy (PDT). The aim of this study was to test 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-induced protoporphyrin IX, a photosensitizer with a high mucosa specificity without phototoxic side effects on the skin, as a new form of PDT. METHODS: Thirty-two patients (mean age, 68.5 years) with histologically proven high-grade dysplasia (n = 10) and mucosal cancer (n = 22) in Barrett's esophagus were treated. Four to 6 hours after oral ingestion of 5-ALA (dose, 60 mg/kg body wt), irradiation was conducted with a dye laser system (635 nm) with a light dose of 150 J/cm2. The patients received 20-80 mg omeprazole daily after PDT. RESULTS: High-grade dysplasia was eradicated in all patients (10 of 10), and mucosal cancer was eliminated in 17 of 22 patients (77%) at a mean follow-up of 9.9 months (range, 1-30 months). All tumors < or = 2 mm in thickness were completely ablated (17 of 17). The method-related mortality and morbidity was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Severe dysplasia and thin (< or = 2 mm) mucosal cancer of Barrett's esophagus can be completely ablated. PDT might offer a minimally invasive treatment modality as an alternative to esophagectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Safety and efficacy of pancreatic sphincterotomy in chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy (EPS) is being performed with increasing frequency as a prerequisite to interventional measures in the pancreatic duct. The aim of this study was to evaluate EPS with regard to technique, success, complications, and mortality in patients with chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: Between January 1989 and September 1996, the results of all consecutive EPSs in patients with chronic pancreatitis were documented in a standardized form. Patients were followed by clinical investigation and blood sample analysis at 4, 24, and 48 hours after EPS. Complications were classified according to commonly accepted criteria. RESULTS: EPS was performed in 118 patients with chronic pancreatitis (men 75%, women 25%, 48+/-10 years). Ninety-four patients (80%) underwent guidewire-assisted EPS, and 24 patients (20%) underwent needle-knife EPS. Seventy-seven EPS procedures (65%) were primarily successful (guidewire EPS: 60 of 94, 64%; needle-knife EPS: 17 of 24, 71%). Additional endoscopic cutting techniques (needle-knife papillotomy, biliary endoscopic sphincterotomy) were required in 41 patients (35%). In total, EPS was successful in 116 patients (98%). The complication rate was 4.2% (4 cases of moderate pancreatitis, 1 severe bleeding, no deaths). All complications were managed nonoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with chronic pancreatitis, EPS with a standard sphincterotome or with a needle-knife offers an effective and reliable approach to the pancreatic duct system. Additional cutting techniques may be necessary in approximately one third of cases before an EPS can be successfully performed. The complication rate of EPS in patients with chronic pancreatitis appears to be lower than the complication rate of biliary sphincterotomy for other indications.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

25 years of endoscopic sphincterotomy in Erlangen: assessment of the experience in 3498 patients.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The aim of the study was to investigate the evolution of endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) over a period of 25 years at its birthplace in Erlangen, Germany. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 3498 consecutive ESTs between 1973 and the end of 1997 were reviewed with respect to indications, technology, success, complications, therapy of complications and mortality. In order to demonstrate changes in the course of time, the results have been compiled separately for four time periods (A-D). RESULTS: During the 25 years' practice of EST in Erlangen the frequency of ETSs has increased constantly and significant changes have been observed concerning the spectrum of indications: Bile duct stones (total 55.1%) decreased continuously from 91.1% (period A) to 35.7% (period D). In contrast, the proportion of ESTs applied for malignant obstruction (total 22.1%) rose successively from 1.1% (period A) to more than 25% (periods B-D). Chronic pancreatitis as an indication for EST was established in period B (1.0%) and accounted for 20.2% of all procedures in period D (total 8.0%). Several new indications (summarized as "others") increased from 1.8% in period A to 11.9% in period D (total 6.7%) whereas biliary pancreatitis and scarred papillary stenosis remained constantly below 5%. Whereas the "Erlangen sphincterotome" was the only sphincterotome used in period A, it was almost completely replaced by guide-wire sphincterotomes in period D. With the introduction of the needle knife the precut technique became popular and was used with increasing frequencies: period B 31.9%, period C 34.1%, period D 41.9%. The success rate in total was 95.2%. For each time period the highest success rate of EST was obtained for bile duct stones (96-98%), whereas EST appeared to be more difficult in case of malignant obstruction (93.3%) or chronic pancreatitis (90.2%), but for both indications growing experience resulted in an increase in the success rates (85.7% to 94.9% and 90.9% to 94.0%, respectively). Complications occurred in 7.9% of cases. The complication rate declined significantly from 10.5% in period A over 7.6% in period B to 6.3% in period C. Prospective data acquisition in period D revealed a significant increase in the detection of mild forms of acute pancreatitis, resulting in a slight increase of the complication rate (8.4%). Needle-knife papillotomy did not significantly increase the complication rate. Whereas in period A 41% of all complications were managed by surgery, this value dropped over 28% (period B) and 7.5% (period C) to ultimately 1.6% in period D. The method-related mortality was nearly constant over the whole period of time (0.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a continuous shift of indications and a changing mixture of learning endoscopists and EST experts over 25 years, the practice of EST at its birthplace in Erlangen has shown a constantly high success rate, a decreasing complication rate and an acceptable but mainly unchanged mortality rate. Currently, nearly all complications can be successfully managed nonoperatively.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Palliative treatment of malignant esophagorespiratory fistulas with Gianturco-Z stents. A prospective clinical trial and review of the literature on covered metal stents.

OBJECTIVE: Esophagorespiratory fistulas, especially in the upper third of the esophagus, are a complication of malignant esophageal tumors, which are difficult to manage. The efficacy of polyurethane-covered, self-expanding metal stents for palliation of malignant esophagorespiratory fistulas was investigated prospectively. METHODS: Eleven patients with malignant esophagorespiratory fistulas resp. perforations were treated with Gianturco-Z stents. In five patients the lesion was located in the proximal part of the esophagus. Because of the fistula all patients suffered from dysphagia even for liquids. RESULTS: No technical problems during the implantation procedure of the stents occurred. In the control radiography with water-soluble contrast media, the fistulas were completely sealed in 10 of 11 patients. Therefore the dysphagia score improved from 3.0 to 0.6. Nearly all Gianturco-Z stents (10/11) showed a sufficient expansion within 24 h after placement. Severe early or late complications were not encountered, with the exception of tumor overgrowth in one patient about 9 months after stent placement. In five patients, short term (3-6 days) retrosternal pain was observed, and one patient complained of slight foreign body sensation. By August 1997 all 11 patients had died of advanced disease, with a median survival time of 121 days (range, 22-300 days). CONCLUSIONS: Gianturco-Z stents are highly effective for palliative treatment of esophagorespiratory fistula resp. perforations and have a low complication rate. Due to the fact that this stent shows no retraction during the release, a precise positioning is possible, especially in the case of tumors and fistulas in the upper third of the esophagus. It seems that use of the Gianturco-Z stent can be considered a good therapeutic method for palliative endoscopic treatment of this high risk patient group.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Photodynamic ablation of early cancers of the stomach by means of mTHPC and laser irradiation: preliminary clinical experience.

BACKGROUND: Radical surgical treatment has been the first choice for early gastric cancer, but high resolution endosonography allows in situ diagnosis with a high sensitivity and specificity and in consequence the option of local endoscopic treatment. AIMS: To evaluate photodynamic therapy (PDT) using meso-tetrahydroxyphenyl-chlorin (mTHPC) as the photosensitiser in superficial gastric cancer. METHODS: Twenty two patients with superficial early gastric cancer received mTHPC (0.075 mg/kg intravenously) and were treated 96 hours later with red light at 652 nm (20 J/cm2). Tumour response was assessed by endoscopy and extensive biopsy. RESULTS: Endoscopies performed two to three days after PDT showed a haemorrhagic fibrinoid necrosis of the mucosal layer. Complete remission was achieved in 16/22 (73%) patients: 13/16 (80%) with intestinal type cancer and 3/6 (50%) with a diffuse Lauren's carcinoma. The mean follow up period was 12 months and 20 months, respectively. An average of 1.8 treatment sessions was required. Severe side effects were not observed. Seven patients had mild to moderate skin photo-sensivity reactions; 12 had local pain after PDT for 1-10 days. CONCLUSION: PDT using mTHPC as the photosensitiser represents a safe and efficient method for topical treatment of early gastric cancer, especially of Lauren's intestinal carcinoma. If the preliminary results can be verified in larger patient series and during long term follow up, local treatment of early cancers of the stomach by PDT could be considered as a therapeutic option for selected patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Laser lithotripsy of difficult bile duct stones: results in 60 patients using a rhodamine 6G dye laser with optical stone tissue detection system.

INTRODUCTION: Laser lithotripsy of bile duct stones has become a widely accepted endoscopic treatment modality for giant, impacted, or very hard stones. The procedure is usually carried out under direct endoscopic control in view of the potential risk of bile duct injuries in "blind" laser application. AIMS: To investigate the use of a rhodamine 6G laser lithotriptor with an integrated optical stone tissue detection system (oSTDS). METHODS: From 1 September 1991 to 7 March 1997, 60 patients with giant or impacted common bile duct stones refractory to endoscopic papillotomy stone extraction, and mechanical lithotripsy were treated via the endoscopic retrograde route using a rhodamine 6G dye laser (595 nm, 2.5 micros, 80-150 mJ pp, Lithognost Telemit/Baasel Corp., Germany) with integrated oSTDS. In case of tissue contact oSTDS cuts off the laser pulse after 190 ns (transmission of 5-8% of the total pulse energy). 47 patients (78.3%) were subjected to x ray targeting (oSTDS) alone, five (8.3%) to choledochoscope targeting alone, and eight (13.3%) to both techniques. RESULTS: At the end of treatment 52 (87%) patients were completely stone-free. The only major complications included transient haemobilia, cholangitis, and pancreatitis in five patients. All five were successfully treated by conservative methods. CONCLUSIONS: Laser lithotripsy using the described rhodamine 6G dye laser with oSTDS seems to be safe and effective and allows "blind" fragmentation of difficult common bile duct stones under radiological control only.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of parotid stones. Results of a prospective clinical trial.

The extracorporeal shock wave treatment of parotid stones is a rather new therapy. Its usefulness was determined in a prospective study. Seventy-six patients (36 female, 40 male, 2 to 80 years of age) with symptomatic, sonographically detectable solitary sialoliths of the parotid gland were treated with an extracorporeal piezoelectric shock wave therapy after unsuccessful conservative therapy (sialagogues, gland massage, bougienage of the secretory duct). At most, 3 treatments per patient were performed. Altogether, 38 of the 76 patients (50%) were free of stones and no longer suffered from complaints after completion of shock wave treatment and a mean follow-up period of 48 months (range 6 to 71 months). During the follow-up period, in no case could renewed stone formation be observed. Residual stone fragments were detectable in 20 patients (26%), but did not cause further symptoms. Thirteen patients (17%) with residual stone fragments stated a significant improvement of their complaints after therapy. Five patients (7%) did not observe any changes of their pretherapeutic complaints and underwent parotidectomy. The therapeutic success was not influenced by stone size or by stone localization within the gland. During the follow-up period, no side effects of the therapy were identified. With stones of the parotid gland, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is -- after one has used conservative therapies (sialagogues, gland massage) -- the treatment of choice, avoiding in the majority of cases a parotidectomy with its operative risks (paresis of the facial nerve, Frey's syndrome).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Photodynamic therapy of early squamous epithelial carcinomas and severe squamous epithelial dysplasias of the esophagus with 5-aminolevulinic acid].

INTRODUCTION: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new local, endoscopically controlled therapeutic concept based on the selective sensitization of malignant and precancerous lesions prior to light-induced tissue destruction. 5-aminolaevulinic acid (5-ALA) appears to be a promising alternative photosensitizer with a high mucosa specificity without phototoxic side effects on the skin. We report on our experience with this new form of PDT in 24 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five females and 19 males (aged 50 to 79 years) with histologically proven high-grade dysplasia (n = 9) and early cancer (normal EUS or uTlNOMO, n = 15) of the esophagus were included in this study. Four to six hours after oral ingestion of 5-ALA (dosage of 60 mg/kg b.w.) laser light irradiation was conducted with a dye laser system (XP 800 KTP/YAG, Laserscope, San José, USA) at a wavelength of 635 nm. With a light dose of 150 J/cm2. RESULTS: The length of the segment with severe dysplasia or mucosal cancer varied between 0.5 and 9 cm (mean length: 3.6 cm). High-grade dysplasia was eradicated in all patients (9/9). In addition, 16 mucosal carcinomas in 15 patients were successfully treated in 8/16 cases with an average of 1.8 treatment sessions and a mean follow-up of 14.5 months (range: 3-31 months). A method-related mortality and morbidity was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Severe dysplasia and superficial (< or = 2 mm) mucosal cancer of the esophagus can be completely ablated by 5-ALA-PDT. Patients with early carcinoma thicker than 2 mm are not suitable for 5-ALA-PDT. PDT with 5-ALA has few side effects and might offer an alternative to esophagectomy or radio-chemotherapy.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1998

Malignant strictures. Thermal treatment.

Malignant stenoses can occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Endoscopic treatment options are available, however, only for the rectosigmoid area, the esophagus, and the esophagocardial transition. Strictures in the esophageal region represent the quantitatively predominant type of stenoses encountered in everyday endoscopy.

Electrocoagulation↗
PubMed1997

[Leiomyosarcoma of the esophagus. Clinical aspects, diagnosis and therapy based on an individual case].

Leiomyosarcomas of the esophagus are rare tumors of mesenchymal origin. Apropos of a case we present clinicopathological features, diagnostic procedures and management of this seldom tumor of the esophagus. Primary gastrointestinal sarcomas cause less than 0.5% of all esophageal malign tumors, and present in ca. 5% as esophageal leiomyosarcomas. The most frequent incidence ranges between the fourth and fifth decade of life. The tumors originate from the muscular layers of the esophageal wall and are localized predominantly in the middle and distal third of the esophagus. Dysphagia is the most important and leading symptom although it presents late in the course of the illness. Endosonography is at the time the most accurate method to establish the tumor size. Differentiation between leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma is only possible by histopathological examination and may be difficult in certain cases. Histopathological grading of the tumors as low- and high-grade sarcomas in dependence of the number of mitosis affects predominantly the prognosis of these patients. Differential diagnosis includes spindle cell carcinoma and carcinosarcoma of the esophagus. The most effective therapy consists in the complete operative removal of the tumor, in these cases five years survival rates of 30 to 40% are achieved, strongly influenced by tumor differentiation and size.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Benefits and risks of needle-knife papillotomy.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present investigation was to assess the risks and benefits of pre-cutting with the needle knife at the papilla of Vater and to compare the findings with the results of classic endoscopic sphincterotomy. METHODS: From January 1973 to December 1993, 2752 endoscopic cutting procedures-biliary or pancreatic sphincterotomy (EST) or needle-knife papillotomy (NKP)-were performed. Since 1981 the pre-cut technique with the needle knife has been used alone or in combination with standard sphincterotomy. Indications, success, and complications of NKP and EST were analyzed retrospectively. To demonstrate changes in indications and technique, the study period was divided into two time periods: period A, 1981 to 1987; and period B, 1988 to 1993. RESULTS: Between 1981 and 1993, diagnostic or therapeutic access to the biliary or pancreatic duct system was attempted in 2105 patients by means of EST or related procedures (period A 1093 patients; period B 1012 patients). The overall success rate was 95.1% (2001 of 2105). In 694 of 2105 cases (33.0%) an EST was not possible or not attempted and an NKP was performed (period A 31.9%; period B 34.1%). This was successful in 590 of 694 cases (85.2%). The rate of NKP in relation to EST varied depending on the different indications for EST: 22.8% NKP in classic indications like choledocholithiasis and over 40% in newer indications such as chronic pancreatitis. In these novel indications NKP alone was often sufficient, and EST to complete the procedure was not necessary (151 patients). In period B, NKP (63 patients) and EST (23 patients) were also used to achieve endoscopic retrograde imaging of the biliary or pancreatic duct system when primary cannulation was not possible. Visualization was achieved in 81.4% (70 of 86) and pathologic findings were noted in 68.6% (59 of 86). The total complication rate of primary EST was 6.8% (96 of 1411) and 7.3% (51 of 694) for all procedures in which NKP was involved (NS). In period B the complication rate was 4.6% for NKP without subsequent EST and 7.6% for NKP in combination with EST. Compared with the complication rate of primary standard EST (6.1%) there was no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Needle-knife papillotomy increases the success of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures at the papilla of Vater. This pre-cut technique is safe and does not increase the overall complication risk of sphincterotomy.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Botulinum toxin injection as a diagnostic tool for verification of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction causing recurrent pancreatitis.

Sphincter of Oddi dyskinesia (SOD) is among the less frequent causes of acute recurrent pancreatitis. We report on a patient with frequent pain attacks accompanied by pancreatic enzyme elevation, in whom a transitory decrease of the SO pressure following endoscopic botulinus toxin injection was a diagnostic clue for SOD. The patient's symptoms resolved for 4 months, after which time recurrent symptoms paralleled the reoccurrence of the elevated SO pressure. Endoscopic sphincterotomy of the biliary sphincter relieved her symptoms for the subsequent follow-up period which is now 10 months.

Acute Disease↗