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Biomedical subjects

C Meyenberger

Publications and source records attributed to C Meyenberger.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Endoscopic ultrasound and endorectal magnetic resonance imaging: a prospective, comparative study for preoperative staging and follow-up of rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic ultrasound has become the best available method for local staging of primary rectal cancer and diagnosing recurrent local disease. The aim of this study is to compare the value of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to magnetic resonance imaging with an endorectal coil (EMRI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients (11 women, 10 men, mean age 63 years, range 31-79) with primary rectal cancer (n = 6) or follow-up examinations for recurrent local disease (n = 15) were investigated by EUS using an echo colonoscope (CF-UM 20, Olympus Optical) and by endorectal coil MRI on a 1.5 tesla MR system (General Electric). T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images were obtained. The results of preoperative examinations were compared to histopathological findings regarding the T staging, with special focus on the transmural tumor infiltration. RESULTS: EUS identified all tumors, whereas one tumor was missed by EMRI. EUS was superior to EMRI in T staging (accuracy 83%/40%), due to the better differentiation between T1 and T2 tumors, as the endorectal coil could not differentiate between stage T1 and stage T2. The accuracy of EMRI in assessing perirectal infiltration was 80%, compared to EUS with 100%. Local tumor recurrence was found in six of 15 patients, without endoscopic signs of recurrent disease in four of them. All were detected by EUS. Only one recurrence was missed by EMRI. Accuracy and positive and negative predictive values in follow-up examinations for recurrent disease for EUS were 93%, 86%, and 100%, and for both the T2-weighted and T1-weighted contrast-enhanced sequences of endorectal coil MRI, they were 93%, 100%, and 90%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic ultrasound and endorectal coil MRI are comparable methods in the preoperative staging and early diagnosis of recurrent rectal cancer. The advantages of EUS are the small diameter of the instrument, availability, and lower costs. In contrast, EMRI is operator-independent, and may become important for combined local and distant staging and follow-up examination in rectal cancer, if contrast-enhanced imaging can improve the sensitivity for liver metastases.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Bouveret syndrome--a rare gallstone complication].

A 62 year old woman presented with the symptoms of a gastric outlet obstruction together with severe metabolic hypochloremic alcalosis. A gallstone in the duodenum with gastric outlet obstruction was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography. In a one-stage surgical procedure, cholecystectomy, enterolithotomy and repair of the cholecytoduodenal fistula were performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. Pathogenesis, clinical findings, diagnostic procedures and therapeutic options of gastric outlet obstruction secondary to a gallstone impacted in the duodenal bulb (Bouveret's Syndrome) are discussed.

Alkalosis↗
PubMed1994

[Experimental laparoscopic bypass of bile duct and duodenal obstruction].

UNLABELLED: In order to avoid laparotomy in patients with biliary and/or gastric outlet obstruction due to inoperable carcinoma of the pancreas, the feasibility of minimal invasive double bypass operation was evaluated in 20 pigs. In model A (n = 10) biliary bypass was performed using a Roux-en-Y loop for cholecystojejunostomy after previous choledochal clip occlusion. In mod-el B (n = 10) an additional Roux-en-Y loop was placed to the stomach after transection and closure of the duodenum. RESULTS: Model A showed functioning biliary bypass with patent and leakfree anastomoses at necropsy at day 28. In model B nine of ten had a normal functioning double bypass. One pig was sacrificed at day 6 due to necrotic Roux-en-Y loop. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic biliary and gastroenteral bypass is feasible and safe. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y loop technique considerably widens the spectrum of minimal invasive visceral surgery.

Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y↗
PubMed1994

[Eradication of metronidazole-resistant Helicobacter pylori: is omeprazole/amoxicillin a therapeutic alternative?].

Recommended therapies with the highest eradication rates for Helicobacter pylori (HP) are triple therapies comprising bismuth salts, nitroimidazole and amoxicillin or tetracycline. Primary and secondary resistance of HP to nitroimidazole, however, represents a major problem of this treatment since it is the main cause of eradication failure. In these cases therapeutic regimes without nitroimidazole could prove more successful. High dose omeprazole/amoxicillin has been suggested as a simple and effective therapy with few side effects. The effectiveness of this combination in eradicating metronidazole resistant HP has not been established so far. The aim of this study was to evaluate high dose omeprazole/amoxicillin in eradicating metronidazole resistant HP in our population. 33 patients (6 women, 27 men, mean age 39 [range 21-68]) with recurrent duodenal ulcer and gastric colonization by metronidazole resistant HP were examined. Smokers were defined as patients currently smoking > 10 cigarettes/day. Exclusion criteria were: gastric surgery or intake of antibiotics, omeprazole bismuth salts and NSAIDs within four weeks before study entry endoscopy. Biopsy specimens were obtained in a standardized manner: 5 from the gastric antrum (1 CLO, 1 culture, 3 histology: H & E, Giemsa) and 2 from the gastric body (histology). Resistance testing for penicillin, amoxicillin and metronidazole was performed using a disk diffusion test (E-test, AB Biodisk, Sweden). Metronidazole resistance was defined as a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of metronidazole of > 8 micrograms/ml. Eradication therapy consisted of oral omeprazole (40 mg bid) and amoxicillin solute (750 mg tid) for 10 days. Subsequently, for ulcer treatment, patients were given omeprazole (20 mg per day) for 20 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Omeprazole/amoxicillin: improved eradication of Helicobacter pylori in smokers because of N-acetylcysteine].

Colonization of Helicobacter pylori (HP) beneath the protective film of gastric mucus enables the organism to survive in the hostile environment of the gastric mucosa. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a sulfhydryl compound with potent mucolytic activity, induces a reduction of gastric barrier mucus thickness of about 75% and reduces mucus viscoelasticity. We therefore tested the hypothesis whether better eradication results could be achieved by addition of NAC to omeprazole/amoxicillin (OME/AMOX). 34 HP positive outpatients with endoscopically documented recurrent duodenal ulcer were included in an ongoing, prospective, randomized trial. Exclusion criteria were: alcoholism, previous gastric surgery, or intake of antibiotics, OME, bismuth salts, corticosteroids or NSAIDs within 4 weeks before study entry. Patients currently smoking > 10 cigarettes/day were classified as smokers. HP infection was confirmed by histology (3 biopsy specimens from gastric antrum and 2 from gastric body; H&E, Giemsa) and at least positive rapid urease test or culture. All 34 patients underwent ulcer therapy with OME (20 mg per day) for 20 days (d 1-20). Group A: in 17 patients (5 females, 12 males, mean age 46 [29-74] years; 8 smokers, 9 nonsmokers) the subsequent eradication therapy, consisting of oral OME (40 mg bid) and AMOX solute (750 mg tid) for 10 days, was combined with NAC solute (2 x 600 mg bid (d 21-30). Group B: 17 patients (2 females, 15 males, mean age 39 [19-70] years; 11 smokers, 6 nonsmokers) underwent eradication therapy without NAC (d 21-30). Control endoscopy was done after a minimal interval of 30 days from the end of treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed1994

[Omeprazole/amoxicillin: impaired eradication of Helicobacter pylori in smoking but not in premedication with omeprazole].

The efficacy of high dose omeprazole/amoxicillin (OME/AMOX) for eradication of Helicobacter pylori (HP) is controversial. Reported eradication rates range from 0% to 90%. Different therapy schedules and unknown factors may be crucial; in particular, pretreatment with OME has been thought to endanger HP eradication by subsequent OME/AMOX. Preliminary findings suggested that smoking may impair eradication with OME/AMOX. The aims of this study were (1) to establish whether HP eradication rates differ depending on whether eradication with OME/AMOX was performed before or after ulcer therapy with OME, (2) to determine whether smoking impairs HP eradication by OME/AMOX and (3) to evaluate the efficacy of OME/AMOX in our population. 52 HP positive outpatients with endoscopically documented recurrent duodenal ulcer were included. Exclusion criteria were: alcoholism, previous gastric surgery, or intake of antibiotics, OME, bismuth salts, corticosteroids and NSAIDs within four weeks before study entry. Patients currently smoking > 10 cigarettes/day were classified as smokers. HP infection was confirmed by histology (3 biopsy specimens from the gastric antrum and 2 from the gastric body; H&E, Giemsa) and at least positive rapid urease test (CLO) or culture. Eradication therapy consisted of oral OME (40 mg bid) and AMOX solute (750 mg tid) for 10 days (OME/AMOX). This therapy preceded (group A) or followed (group B) ulcer therapy with OME (20 mg per day for 20 days). In group A 17 patients (2 females, 15 males, mean age 39 [19-70]; 11 smokers, 6 nonsmokers) underwent ulcer therapy with OME (d 1-20) before OME/AMOX d 21-30).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Intra-abdominal infections].

We present 3 patients with intraabdominal infections. The diagnostic difficulties are caused by the atypical presentation of many of these infections. Fever, deterioration of general condition and loss of appetite and weight are uncharacteristic signs that lead to a delay in correct diagnosis and the beginning of therapy. In the following paper we discuss septic pylephlebitis, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and renal abscesses as important representatives of intraabdominal infections.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1994

[HIV infection, fever and cholestasis].

A 35-year-old Swiss woman with AIDS experienced fever, jaundice and cough. Laboratory evaluation revealed signs of an infection and cholestasis. The examination by ultrasound showed thickening of the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts and gallbladder wall, without dilatation or stones. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography demonstrated diffuse sclerosing cholangitis like lesions in the biliary tract and confirmed the diagnosis of a HIV related cholangiopathy. The cause was a cytomegalovirus infection as shown by liver biopsy with detection of cytomegalovirus early antigen. The treatment with ganciclovir was of some efficacy with improvement of jaundice.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1994

[Therapy and prevention of esophageal varices hemorrhage: current status].

Acute bleeding from esophageal varices is a medical emergency. It requires a structured therapeutic strategy adapted to local resources. The primary goal is to stop bleeding, preferably by endoscopic sclerotherapy or ligation. If endoscopic intervention is not possible as a first-line treatment, balloon tamponade or vasoactive drugs (terlipressin or octreotid) are therapeutic options to be followed as soon as possible by sclerotherapy or ligation. After successful hemostasis, the next goal is to prevent rebleeding. This is achieved primarily by eradicating sclerotherapy or ligation. In special situations, long-term therapy with a non-cardioselective beta receptor blocker is an alternative. The combined approach using sclerotherapy or ligation plus beta receptor blocker offers no significant advantage. Primary prophylaxis of bleeding from esophageal varices by long-term beta receptor blocker therapy is advised in patients with medium-sized or large varices. Apart from strategies aimed at the therapy or prophylaxis of bleeding from esophageal varices, measures to prevent or treat chronic liver diseases should be implemented in order to reduce the development of liver cirrhosis as the leading cause of esophageal varices.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1994

[Gastrointestinal hormone profile in medullary thyroid carcinoma].

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) can be important for gastroenterologists because 20-30% of patients with MTC suffer from chronic diarrhea and the tumor is capable of producing--besides other bioactive substances--a multitude of gastroenteropancreatic hormones. Gastrointestinal hormone profiles of 5 patients with MTC were determined both basally and after intravenous stimulation with secretin and calcium respectively. Diagnosis of MTC was confirmed histologically or cytologically and by demonstration of elevated serum concentration of calcitonin both basally and after calcium stimulation. 4/5 patients had chronic diarrhea. Normal values or only borderline increases were found for the following hormones: vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), neurotensin, substance P, growth hormone releasing hormone (GRH), glucagon, neurokinin A, peptide YY, and pancreatic polypeptide. Somatostatin was elevated after calcium stimulation in 1/5 patients only. The main findings were increased basal concentrations for GAWK in 5/5 patients and elevated concentrations for gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP, human bombesin) after calcium stimulation in 4/5. Probably as a consequence of the GRP increase, an increase in gastrin occurred in parallel, indicating bioactivity of the GRP released from the tumor. Besides calcitonin as the main tumor marker for MTC, determination of GAWK and GRP seems to provide helpful additional markers in laboratory diagnosis of MTC. GRP determination after i.v. calcium infusion allowed identification of patients with normal basal plasma GRP concentration.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Eosinophilia in primary biliary cirrhosis: regression under therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid].

Eosinophilia can be observed in up to 40% of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Eosinophilia is transient, tends to occur in the early stages of the disease and seems to be associated with episodes of florid bile duct destruction [42-45]. 14 Patients with PBC were examined before and during treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) (10 mg/kg/d) for episodes of eosinophilia and the number of eosinophilic granulocytes in differential white blood cell counts. Group A consisted of 5 patients with one or several episodes of eosinophilia before the start of UDCA. Group B included 9 patients without known episodes of eosinophilia. Observation time before and after start of treatment for group A was 3-96 (mean 25) months and 6-24 (mean 14) months, and for group B 3-108 (mean 34) months and 6-27 (mean 19) months respectively. During treatment with UDCA the mean counts of eosinophilic granulocytes decreased in both groups from 309 +/- 47/mm3 to 135 +/- 14/mm3 (p < 0.001). In group A there was a decrease from 529 +/- 89/mm3 to 157 +/- 17/mm3 (p < 0.001) and in group B from 151 +/- 15/mm3 to 128 +/- 15/mm3 B (n.s.). In group A 9/18 differential white blood cell counts showed eosinophilia before UDCA medication (3 x relative [> or = 6%], 6 x absolute [> or = 500/mm3]) and 0/24 after the onset of UDCA (p < 0.001). In group B 0/25 differential white blood cell counts showed eosinophilia before UDCA and 2/72 after start of the therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Parietal cell antibodies in primary biliary cirrhosis: pathogenetic or diagnostic significance?].

24 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (21 female, 3 male; mean age 51 years) were examined for the occurrence of autoantibodies to gastric parietal cells (APA). APA-titers were correlated with several hematological, chemical and immunological parameters. The results of upper GI-endoscopy were available from 12 patients. APA were positive in 24/24 PBC patients. None of the endoscopies revealed evidence for type A gastritis. No pathological decrease in serum vitamin B12 was found (n = 21). Hemoglobin was either normal (n = 18) or the anemia was microcytic with low serum ferritin (n = 6). Erythrocyte MCV was < or = 97 fl in all patients. No positive correlation was found between APA and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.13, n = 24) or the titer of antinuclear antibodies (r = -0.18, n = 24) by linear regression. Correlation coefficient between APA and total serum-Ig was 0.67 (n = 24), 0.74 between APA and serum IgM (n = 24) and 0.13 between total serum-Ig minus IgM (n = 24), indicating that APA found in PBC patients belong to the IgM-isotype. Correlation between APA and anti-M2 was 0.65 (n = 21) and between APA and antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) 0.96 (n = 24), suggesting recognition of identical epitope(s) by APA and AMA in PBC patients. APA were consistently negative in a control group of 40 patients with various forms of chronic liver disease. We conclude that parietal cell antibodies (APA) in PBC patients seem to be of diagnostic rather than pathogenic importance. Sensitivity for PBC appears comparable to that of AMA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Duodenal ulcer disease: a defect in the secretory immune response to Helicobacter pylori?].

In a prospective study we examined 20 Helicobacter pylori (HP)-positive duodenal ulcer patients (5 female, 15 male; age 26-70 [mean 43] years), 20 HP-positive patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (10 female, 10 male; age 26-79 [mean 48] years) and 10 HP-negative patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (5 female, 5 male; age 21-76 [mean 45] years) during upper GI-endoscopy. HP was detected by histology (H&E, Giemsa), rapid urease test (CLO) and serology (Cobas Core Anti-H. pylori EIA). IgA anti-HP in gastric juice was determined by ELISA. HP-positivity included positivity in all methods, and HP-negativity failure to detect HP-infection by all methods used. Of the 20 duodenal ulcer patients, 10 patients (2 female, 8 male; age 26-70 [mean 42] years) had an endoscopically documented duodenal ulcer at an earlier endoscopy with no current ulcer, 10 patients had florid duodenal ulcer disease at the time of examination. Duodenal ulcer patients compared with non-ulcer dyspepsia patients were tended to have higher serum IgG anti-HP (551 +/- 240 vs. 338 +/- 159 U/ml) and significantly higher gastric juice IgA anti-HP (50.0 +/- 7.3 vs. 26.5 +/- 4.3 relative units). Concentrations of both serum IgG anti-HP and gastric juice IgA anti-HP tended to be higher in patients with positive ulcer history but no present ulcer compared with patients with florid ulcer disease (934 +/- 456 vs. 170 +/- 63 U/ml and 60.0 +/- 8.6 vs. 40.8 +/- 10.4 relative units).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Suppression of Helicobacter pylori by local secretory immune response?].

54 patients (22 females, 32 males, age 21-79, mean 45 years) referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were investigated. Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection was determined using histology (H&E and Giemsa stain), rapid urease test (CLO) and serology (Cobas Core Anti-H. pylori EIA). Density of HP colonization was determined in gastric antral (3 biopsy specimens) and body mucosa (2 biopsy specimens) and semiquantitatively graded on a scale of 0 to 3. Gastric colonization was obtained by addition of the two scores. IgA anti-HP concentration was determined by ELISA using the same FPLC purified HP-antigen mixture as for serology. Gastric juice IgA anti-HP concentration in HP-positive patients (n = 40) was significantly higher than in HP-negative (n = 14) patients (38.3 +/- 4.6 vs. 5.4 +/- 1.2 relative units, p < 0.001). Comparison of HP-colonization density of gastric mucosa with gastric juice IgA anti-HP concentration of the 54 patients by binominal regression analysis yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.65 (p < 0.01). The biphasic course of the curve suggests a mutual relationship of HP-colonization density and IgA immune response. Increasing colonization densities seemed to induce increasing secretory immune responses. Half-maximal and higher immune responses, however, seemed to suppress further HP colonization in vivo without eradicating the infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Dilatation of the common bile duct: what does endoscopic sonography contribute?].

In a prospective study 20 patients (14 women, 6 men; mean age 62 [31-81] years) with extrahepatic obstructive jaundice (n = 15) or common bile duct dilatation (CBD) without cholestasis (n = 5) were investigated by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). All these patients underwent negative transabdominal ultrasonography (US) (n = 20) and computed tomography (CT) (n = 16). Inclusion criterion was a dilatation of the CBD of > 7 mm or > 10 mm in patients with previous cholecystectomy. The definitive diagnosis of a tumor (n = 8), choledocholithiasis (n = 7), stone migration (n = 1), choledochocele (n = 2) or slight dilatation of the CBD without obstruction (n = 2) was confirmed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (n = 13), percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) (n = 2), intraoperative cholangiography (n = 1) and follow up (n = 4; mean 21 [3-36] mo.). Dilatation of the CBD could be demonstrated in all cases by EUS. Common bile duct stones (2-15 mm) were demonstrated by EUS in every case. CBD dilatation without underlying obstruction was correctly identified by EUS in all patients and confirmed by further clinical and laboratory findings as well as EUS and ERCP (n = 1). EUS correctly described the localization of a malignant obstruction (n = 8) as confirmed by ERCP/PTC. All tumors (pancreatic head carcinoma n = 3, periampullary tumor (n = 5) could be visualized by EUS. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgery (n = 5) or ultrasound guided fine needle puncture (FNP) after a bile duct prosthesis had been placed (n = 3).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Sulindac in familial adenomatous polyposis coli--preliminary findings of a prospective study].

Several authors have reported regression of rectal polyps after administration of sulindac in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and subtotal colectomy. However, only a few reports have been published about the effect of sulindac in the intact colon of FAP-patients. 12 patients (FAP n = 10, Lynch-I-syndrome n = 1, juvenile polyposis n = 1/patient with intact colon n = 6, ileorectal anastomosis n = 4, right-sided hemicolectomy n = 2) have been treated with sulindac (3 x 100 mg/d orally) for 4 months. In all patients colonoscopy (if postcolectomy, rectoscopy) with videotape documentation was performed before and after sulindac therapy. Some polyps were excised for histology. In 11/12 patients a regression of the number and size of polyps occurred. In addition, in patients with intact colon no polyps were observed proximal to the sigmoid colon. In one patient sulindac had to be discontinued after 4 weeks' course because of abdominal pain. A control colonoscopy revealed only slight reduction in polyps. In 3/12 patients no polyps remained after sulindac. In a further 3/12 patients with initial tubulous adenomatous polyps, only microadenomas were observed after treatment. We therefore conclude that sulindac is effective in FAP-patients (and very probably in other hereditary polyposis syndromes) with intact colon as well as after (hemi-)colectomy in reducing the number and size of polyps. Long term studies are needed to clarify the optimal dosage, treatment time period, and long term potential for development of carcinoma under sulindac treatment.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1994

[Thoracic pain, shock-inducing gastrointestinal bleeding].

A 65-year-old patient was referred to hospital with suspected myocardial infarction because of left-sided thoracic pain. A paresis of the left recurrent nerve of unknown etiology has been known for three years. Because of shock with anemia, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed. A diverticulum-like lesion in the proximal esophagus was found to be the source of the bleeding. A contrast X-ray examination showed a cavity of approximately 2 x 2 cm originating from the proximal esophagus. Computerized tomography revealed a large mediastinal mass reaching from the thyroid to the diaphragm. An ultrasound-guided fine-needle puncture of this tumor, together with the endoscopical snare biopsies of the esophageal lesion, allowed the diagnosis of an anaplastic thyroid carcinoma with erosion of the esophagus. The patient responded well to palliative radiotherapy. The defect in the proximal esophagus refilled quickly. Nine months after radiotherapy the patient is doing well.

Aged↗