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Biomedical subjects

E Conrad

Publications and source records attributed to E Conrad.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

The efficacy of radiotherapy as postoperative treatment for desmoid tumors.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if radiotherapy is a beneficial adjuvant treatment after desmoid tumor resection. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 54 patients who underwent surgery without prior radiation at our institution between 1982 and 1998 to remove a desmoid tumor. Thirty-five patients had adjuvant radiation therapy after surgery, and 19 patients had surgery alone without immediate postoperative radiation. Sixteen of the 35 patients who underwent immediate postoperative radiation treatment had at least one prior resection before reoperation at our institution. Recurrence was defined as radiographic increase in tumor size after treatment. Follow-up interval (mean 39 months) and duration of local control were measured from the date of surgery at our institution. Potential prognostic factors for time to tumor progression were analyzed. RESULTS: Adjuvant treatment with radiation was the only significant prognostic factor for local control. The five-year actuarial local control rate was 81% for the 35 patients who underwent radiation in addition to surgery, compared to 53% for the 19 patients who underwent surgery alone (p = 0.018). For the patients who did not receive adjuvant radiation, only younger age at the time of surgery was associated with increased risk of failure (p = 0.035). Gross or microscopic margin status and number of prior operations were not detected as prognostic for local failure. For patients who did receive postoperative radiation, only abdominal location was associated with increased risk of failure (p = 0.0097). CONCLUSION: Radiation treatment as an adjuvant to surgery improved local control over surgery alone. Multiple operations before adjuvant radiation did not decrease the probability of subsequent tumor control. Radiation should be considered as adjuvant therapy to surgery if repeated surgery for a recurrent tumor would be complicated by a significant risk of morbidity.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome after exposure to dinitrogen tetroxide.

BACKGROUND: Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS) is characterized by persistent bronchial hyperreactivity and asthmatic symptoms in a previously healthy individual after a single intense exposure to an irritant fume, vapor, or gas. On October 23, 1995, a cloud of dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) escaped from a railroad tanker car in Bogalusa, Louisiana, exposing an estimated 4,000 citizens to the gas. METHODS: A sample of 234 patients with respiratory complaints after the spill received a complete history and physical examination, a symptom questionnaire, and pulmonary function tests. Patients whose previously undocumented asthma-like symptoms persisted for 3 months after exposure to N2O4 had methacholine challenge testing. RESULTS: Of the 234 patients evaluated, six met the criteria for a diagnosis of RADS. The distance of these six patients from the source of the leak, their durations of exposure, and initial symptoms were not different from those of the sample patients who did not have RADS. CONCLUSIONS: After evaluation of 234 symptomatic patients who were exposed to N2O4, we diagnosed six cases of RADS. There were no demographic characteristics or initial symptoms that identified patients who were at risk of having this syndrome. We believe we are the first to report cases of RADS due to N2O4 exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Growth disturbances associated with untreated benign bone cysts.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of benign bone cysts adjacent to an active physis may be associated with a physeal arrest. That arrest may result from physeal penetration of the cysts itself, secondary pathologic fracture or the result of surgical curettage. METHODS: The pre-treatment X-rays of patients attending the Bone Tumor Clinic at the Children's Hospital and Medical Center were reviewed. Those patients presenting with a bone cyst were identified and the affected side was compared to the normal side in order to determine growth discrepancies. RESULTS: Three cases of benign bone cysts are presented that were located adjacent to a growing physis nad produced growth disturbance in the absence of surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of growth disturbance in itself should not be a contraindication to surgical intervention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Severe course of delirium tremens. Results of treatment and late prognosis].

80 patients (P) (68 men and twelve women) with the diagnosis of delirium tremens were retrospectively analyzed and reexamined over a period of ten years (1974 to 1984). Included were only patients who--after failure of oral medication--required intravenous therapy with Chlomethiazol and thereby intensive care treatment. Mean age was 46.2 (26 to 75) years. During the observation period delirium tremens increased in frequency by 11% each year. Nine patients had two, six patients three and two patients four episodes of delirium tremens. In 86.7% delirium tremens occurred with fatty liver and alcoholic hepatitis, epileptic seizures, cirrhosis and hepatic coma, gastrointestinal hemorrhage and pancreatitis. Eight patients (10%) died in hospital at a mean age of 53.2 years. None of the deceased had less than three (on average four) complicating or associated diseases. These were mostly pneumonia, cirrhosis, hepatic coma, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The mean duration of intravenous Chlomethiazol therapy was 4.7 (0.25 to 20) days, the applied dose 26.2 (0.8 to 78.6) grams, there being no significant difference between survivors and non-survivors. Of the 72 survivors 62 were invited for follow-up examination after an average of five years. During this period another twelve patients (15%) died of pneumonia, gastrointestinal bleeding, cardiocirculatory failure and accidents. Life expectancy was only 9.3 years. Of 29 patients who came for follow-up, 55% showed clinical evidence of alcohol dependency, 65% had elevated gamma-glutamyl-transferase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Timing of once-a-day theophylline dose to match peak blood level with diurnal variation in severity of asthma.

To test the hypothesis that nighttime and early morning signs and symptoms of air flow obstruction in patients with moderately severe asthma would be better controlled by theophylline given on a once-a-day evening dosing schedule chosen to provide a peak blood level in the early morning than by the traditional twice-a-day dosing schedule designed to maintain levels more constant throughout the 24-hour period, the effects on nocturnal asthma of Uniphyl once a day and Theo-Dur twice a day were studied in 14 patients with moderately severe asthma. Although both regimens were effective, more patients preferred the Uniphyl dosing schedule. Nighttime symptoms were better controlled, without an increase in daytime symptoms or significant side effects. Optimal timing of theophylline dosing is an important consideration in the management of asthma.

Asthma↗
PubMed1985

Study of two controlled-release theophylline preparations.

Two sustained-release theophylline preparations, one a 12-hour and the other a 24-hour product, were compared in 20 subjects with stable asthma. All patients had good control of symptoms, and the calculated pharmacokinetic parameters were comparable for both drugs. The 24-hour sustained-release preparation can thus be utilized in the therapy of asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

[Model study Brandenburg '74: the cardiovascular program].

Further results of the model study "Brandenburg 74" carried out on 5,129 inhabitants of a district of the city are presented and it is proved that in programmed diagnostics during the basic medical care sufficiently well carriers of results are recognized. The great numbers of consultations in the general-medical surgeries and the numerous mass examinations render a good basis for the early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases which above all is to be based on anamnestic data. Clinical findings and the measuring of blood pressure. It is demanded to develop a preventive programme and to test it in order to yield better results concerning the health state of the inhabitants.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

[Multiple serial examinations by means of rapid tests in Brandenburg 1974].

In 1974 5,129 inhabitants of Brandenburg took part in a multiphaseal screening which with the help of a combination from anamnestic, clinical and biochemical parameters simultaneously with the mass miniature radiography led to the detection of disturbances of heart and circulatory system, diseases of the kidneys and urinary passage, liver diseases, diabetes and anaemias. The approach as well as the results of these methods which are suitable as action as well as basic examination (internal medicine, general medicine, occupational medicine) are described.

Anemia↗