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Biomedical subjects

C Ell

Publications and source records attributed to C Ell.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Recurrent gallstone formation after successful extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy.

Gallstone recurrence was evaluated in 184 patients exhibiting complete stone disappearance after successful extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and concomitant oral bile acid therapy. Follow-up examinations conducted 6-43 months after termination of adjuvant bile acid therapy revealed recurrent calculi in 40/184 (21.7%) patients (27 females, 13 males, p < 0.01; 13 patients with solitary, 27 patients with multiple stones) after a median stone-free period of 11 months (range 1-33 months; mean +/- SD, 13 +/- 8 months). Therefore, an overall probability of stone recurrence of 11.8% was observed 12 months after complete stone disappearance had been confirmed sonographically and bile salt therapy terminated, and a probability of 25.5% after 24 months. Gallstone reformation occurred in 30/146 (20.5%) patients with initially solitary and 10/38 (26.3%) patients with multiple calculi [not significant (NS)]. Only 3/40 (8%) patients with recurrent calculi reported biliary colic. Sonographic gallbladder contractility values acquired at the time recurrent stones were detected did not show any significant differences, compared with the data obtained in the pretreatment examinations; neither were any differences noted between the patients with gallstone reformation and those who remained stone-free. In 20/33 (61%) patients with recurrent stones who opted for further conservative retreatment (ESWL and/or oral litholysis), complete stone disappearance was achieved a second time. The recurrence rates achieved within the first 3 yr after successful shock-wave lithotripsy of biliary calculi cover a range similar to the rates noted after dissolution therapy.

Adult↗

[Ergotamine-induced rectal stenosis in a patient with long-term migraine].

A 36 year old woman was admitted to our hospital for treatment of a high-grade rectal stenosis of unknown origin. She had a history of migraine going back 10 years. On intensive questioning she admitted using up to 5 ergotamine-containing suppositories a day. On the basis of history and clinical investigations the rectal stenosis must be connected with the abuse of ergotamine-containing suppositories. This case demonstrates that patients with an unexplained rectal syndrome should be asked for analgetics-containing suppositories specifically. Only discontinuation of treatment in time can preserve the patient from development of a rectal stenosis. In case of a rectal stenosis surgical treatment can be avoided by means of endoscopic controlled dilatation.

Adult↗

A clinical comparison of an electrohydraulic and a piezoelectric shockwave lithotripter in gallstone therapy.

The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to compare two second-generation lithotripters based on different physical principles in patients with gallbladder stones at a single lithotripsy center under the same clinical conditions. Sixty patients with one to three symptomatic gallbladder stones were selected for lithotripsy, either with an electrohydraulic or a piezoelectric device. With both lithotripters, treatment was performed under standard conditions (prone position, sonographic monitoring, sedoanalgesia if necessary, up to 3000 pulses/session, retreatments (maximum, two) if fragments > 4 mm, concomitant oral chemolitholysis). If no fragmentation could be obtained in the first session, the other lithotripter was used for the following treatments. The two groups did not differ significantly with regard to the anthropometric data or number and size of stones. In contrast to piezoelectric lithotripsy (0%), with the electrohydraulic lithotripter, iv analgesics and sedatives were necessary in all treatments (100%); however, in 11/53 treatments (21%), patients did not tolerate the full session despite maximum medication. The treatment time was nearly twice as long with electrohydraulic (56 +/- 22 min) than with piezoelectric lithotripsy (31 +/- 8 min) (p < 0.001). With the electrohydraulic lithotripter, used in 20% of the patients, no fragmentation was seen after the first session, and therapeutically adequate fragmentation (< or = 4 mm) occurred in only 33%. In contrast, with the piezoelectric lithotripter, the stones were disintegrated in all patients (p < 0.05); in 50% a maximum fragment size < or = 4 mm was measured after the first treatment. Whereas in the first months after lithotripsy, stone-free rates were higher with piezoelectric lithotripsy (43% vs. 25% after 1 month; 47% vs. 38% after 2 months; 60% vs. 48% after 4 months; NS), rates of complete stone disappearance were equally high in both groups after 12 months (82%).

Adult↗

[The piezoelectric lithotripsy of gallstones. The acute- and long-term results].

Extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy (PEL) with oral lysis (about 7.5 mg/kg urso- and chenodeoxycholic acid as single dose in the evening) was performed, according to a standardized treatment and follow-up protocol, in 219 patients (177 women, 42 men; aged 47 +/- 14 years) with symptoms of gallbladder stones. The average number of treatment sessions per patient was 2.0 +/- 0.8. Significantly fewer sessions with fewer shockwave charges were required in solitary gallstones of less than or equal to 20 mm diameter than in those of greater than 20 mm diameter and in multiple concrements (P less than 0.01). Fragmentation was successful in 99% of patients. Sedation and/or analgesia during PEL were required in only 2% of patients. There were no marked side effects during the treatment. The stone-free rate 12 months after the start of treatment was 76% in the group with solitary stones less than or equal to 20 mm, 75% with solitary stones greater than 20 mm and 64% for multiple stones. During the follow-up period 36% of patients had biliary colics and 3% had fragments impacted in the common bile duct. Biliary pancreatitis occurred in 1% of patients. PEL is an effective and sparing procedure in the treatment of selected patients with gallbladder stones.

Adult↗

[Laser lithotripsy in gastroenterology].

Almost 90% of all stones in the bile duct can be removed after sphincterotomy and additional mechanical or electrohydraulic lithotripsy. However, a small number of very large or very hard or impacted stones remain, which cannot be removed by conventional endoscopic methods. Intracorporeal laser-induced lithotripsy is a new, promising method to improve stone clearance rate in the common bile duct and--in special cases--also of the pancreatic duct system. Laser-induced lithotripsy especially in combination with a stone tissue detection system is a safe and effective method which can be performed either under direct endoscopic vision or--in selected cases--under X-ray control alone.

Cholelithiasis↗

[Contact litholysis and contact lithotripsy of symptomatic biliary calculi].

Contact litholysis and lithotripsy are invasive methods of gallstone destruction, since the gallbladder must necessarily be approached by the transhepatic or transperitoneal routes or through Oddi's sphincter. Both methods expose to complications which may require a corrective operation. The risk of recurrence is the same as with extracorporeal lithotripsy. Unless proved otherwise by further clinical trials, in the future these experimental methods should be used in a very small number of patients.

Cholelithiasis↗

Shockwave lithotripsy of salivary duct stones.

Surgical extirpation of the affected gland has been necessary for cases of sialolithiasis in which the stone cannot be removed by dilatation or dissection of the salivary duct. The ability of the piezoelectric lithotripter to deliver shockwaves to a small focus makes extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy of salivary gland stones potentially safe. Its safety and efficacy have been assessed in 51 patients with symptomatic solitary salivary stones that could not be removed by conservative measures. The stones had a median diameter of 8 (range 4-18) mm and were located in the submandibular gland in 69% of patients and in the parotid gland in 31%. A total of 72 shockwave treatment sessions (maximum 3 per patient) were given under continuous sonographic monitoring. In 45 patients (88%) complete fragmentation (fragments less than or equal to 3 mm) of the concrements was achieved. No patient needed anaesthesia, sedatives, or analgesics. The only untoward effects were localised petechial haemorrhages after 10 (13%) out of 72 treatments and transient swelling of the gland immediately after delivery of shockwave in 2/72 (3%) sessions. 20 weeks after the first session 90% (46/51) of patients were free of discomfort, and 53% (27/51) were stone free. Stone-clearance rate was higher among patients with stones in the parotid gland (81%) than among those with stones of the submandibular gland (40%). Auxiliary measures such as dilatation or dissection of the salivary duct were required only in patients with stones in the submandibular gland (20%). No long-term damage to the treated salivary gland or to adjacent tissue structures was noted during the median follow-up of 9 (1-24) months. Extracorporeal piezoelectric shockwave therapy seems likely to be safe, comfortable, and effective minimally-invasive, non-surgical treatment for salivary stones.

Adolescent↗

Pain in extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy: a comparison of different lithotripters in volunteers.

The aim of the present study was to investigate pain sensations experienced during extracorporeal shock-wave application, comparing an electrohydraulic (MPL 9000; Dornier Medizintechnik, Germering, Germany), an electromagnetic (Lithostar Plus; Siemens, Erlangen, Germany), and a piezoelectric (Piezolith 2300; Wolf, Knittlingen, Germany) shock-wave system. In nine healty volunteers, three therapeutically used intensities were applied in a randomized order with each lithotripter (MPL 9000: 16, 20, and 24 kV; Lithostar Plus: settings 5, 7, and 9; and Piezolith 2300: settings 2, 3, and 4). The subjects received nine series of 20 shock waves amounting to a total of 180 shock waves per session. The treatment was performed under clinical conditions, and no premedication was given. A visual analog scale and the McGill Pain Questionnaire were used for assessment of pain. In addition, somatosensory evoked potentials caused by shock-wave stimulation were recorded. Some of the volunteers were unable to bear the pain caused by the highest shock-wave intensity of the electrohydraulic (n = 3) and the electromagnetic system (n = 4). Estimates using the visual analogue scale showed increased pain sensations with increasing energy settings for each lithotripter. The amplitudes of the somatosensory evoked potentials became larger, and latencies shortened with increasing stimulus intensities (P less than 0.05). Subjective estimates by means of the visual analogue scale (P less than 0.01) as well as the McGill Pain Questionnaire (NS) and the somatosensory evoked potentials (P less than 0.05) showed that stimulation by the piezoelectric lithotripter was less painful than stimulation by the two other generators.

Adult↗

Extracorporeal piezoelectric shock-wave lithotripsy of salivary gland stones.

Piezoelectric lithotripsy was undertaken on 19 patients with salivary stones, with none of these patients requiring anesthesia, analgetics, or sedatives. All salivary stones were totally fragmented during first lithotripsy. Four months after treatment with extracorporeal shock waves, all patients were free of symptoms and, in 11 of the patients, no calculi could be found sonographically. The piezoelectric lithotripsy of salivary stones caused no serious side effects which could be proven by clinical, biochemical, sonographic, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. Extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy is a new and promising nonsurgical therapy for selected cases of sialolithiasis of the parotid and submandibular glands.

Adult↗

Extracorporeal piezoelectric shock wave lithotripsy of salivary gland stones: first clinical experiences.

Piezoelectric lithotripsy was undertaken on 14 patients with salivary stones, none of them requiring anesthesia, analgesics, or sedatives. All salivary stones were fragmented totally during the first lithotripsy session. Four months after treatment with extracorporeal shock waves all patients were free of symptoms, and in seven out of 14 patients no concrement could be found sonographically. The piezoelectric lithotripsy of salivary stones had caused no serious side effects proved by clinical, biochemical, sonographic, and magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy is a new and promising nonsurgical therapy for selected cases of sialolithiasis of the large salivary glands.

Adult↗