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Biomedical subjects

F Penninckx

Publications and source records attributed to F Penninckx.

144 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

On the role of radiologists in the Belgian PROject on CAncer of the REctum, PROCARE.

Radiologists are involved at all stages of the treatment of patients with rectum cancer: in the preoperative staging, in the diagnosis of postoperative complications, in the detection of recurrent or metastatic disease during follow-up, in the monitoring of the therapeutic effect of palliative therapy. PROCARE is a Belgian national project to improve outcome in all patients with rectum cancer. Guidelines were made by a multidisciplinary workgroup and are available on the web. Decentralised implementation of guidelines is organised by the scientific and professional organisations. It is planned that a central review committee of radiologists, delegated by the Royal Belgian Society of Radiology, will survey the quality of preoperative staging. Overall quality of care will be assured by registration in a specific national database starting in 2006. Participating teams will receive annual feedback. Radiologists should provide data on cTNM staging and cCRM. Differentiation between cT2 and cT3, cN0 and cN+, and measurement of the cCRM in mm are crucial as they have a relevant impact on treatment strategy. While spiral abdominal CT is adequate for cM staging, high-resolution MRI is highly recommended and, in fact, a necessity for locoregional staging because its adequacy is superior to that of CT-scan and EUS. However, EUS is mandatory when local excision is considered, i.e. for cT1N0 lesions.

Belgium↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Miliary tuberculosis following infliximab therapy for Crohn disease: A case report and review of the literature.

We present a case of miliary tuberculosis diagnosed 15 months after infliximab treatment despite negative screening for previous exposure to Mycobacteria on skin PPD and chest X-ray. This case shows that--although screening for TB with a skin PPD and a chest X-ray should be performed in all patients--this is not 100% effective and may be a problem in patients on concomitant immunosuppression. The clinical course of this patient further shows that in a patient treated with anti-TNF antibodies who's condition does not improve one should always be aware of the possibility of a tuberculosis infection. Even though tuberculosis is usually not rapidly fatal, the disease may show a fulminant course in immunocompromised patients.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Planned relaparotomies for advanced, established peritonitis from colonic origin.

Patients presenting diffuse, advanced, established peritonitis due to free perforation of the colon, in whom an adequate abdominal debridement cannot be obtained in one operative session were selected. We report results of the planned relaparotomy approach in 44 patients as compared with an historical series of 9 analogous patients treated by on demand exploratory relaparotomies. Planned relaparotomies were performed every 2 days until the abdominal cavity became macroscopically clean. This approach significantly reduced both the incidence of multiple organ failure and the mortality rate (31%) as compared with the regimen of on demand relaparotomy. The mortality rate in the planned relaparotomy group is related to the age of the patient and to the nature of peritonitis. Faecal peritonitis carries a higher mortality rate than purulent peritonitis. The mortality rates of severe postoperative peritonitis and advanced primary peritonitis were not significantly different. Surgery for severe, diffuse peritonitis has to be prompt, moderately aggressive and repeated if necessary. Therefore, planned relaparotomies have a place in the treatment of selected patients presenting diffuse, advanced, established peritonitis.

Colonic Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Recurrences after highly selective vagotomy in refractory and non-refractory duodenal ulcer disease.

The recurrence rate after highly selective vagotomy was evaluated in patients with chronic duodenal ulcer disease presenting non-refractory (64 cases) or refractory ulcers (41 cases) followed for 1 to 8 years postoperatively. Refractoriness was considered when an ulcer remained symptomatic and was not healed at endoscopy after 8 weeks (3 cases) or 12 weeks (30 cases) of appropriate treatment with cimetidine, or when it recurred during maintenance therapy and did not heal after adapted treatment (8 cases). The cumulative 5 year-recurrence rate was 28.7% in refractory ulcers, in contrast with 9.3% in non-refractory ulcers (p less than 0.05). The early and constantly increased risk of recurrences in the refractory ulcer group could not be explained by factors related to surgeon or technique, nor by differing patient characteristics, including sex, age at the first ulcer episode, duration of the preoperative ulcer disease, familial ulcer history, prior ulcer complications, use or abuse of anti-inflammatory drugs, caffeine or alcohol, smoking habits and occupational state. It is concluded that highly selective vagotomy can not be considered a surgical procedure of choice in patients with refractory duodenal ulcers as there are valuable alternatives.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Treatment of intestinal atresia].

Thirteen cases of intestinal atresia are described: 9 jejunal and 4 ileal. The duration of pregnancy was significantly shorter and the birthweight significantly lower in jejunal than in ileal atresia. The proximal intestine was strongly dilated in 8/9 cases with jejunal atresia. This group also contains several complex and extended varieties of atresia. The postoperative mortality was 8%. Gastrointestinal functional disturbances occurred only in the group treated for jejunal atresia. These disturbances were temporary and occurred postoperatively in 2 cases but reoperation was mandatory in another 2 cases, once without functional success. There were no problems in the other cases. Ileal atresia is easy to treat and the result is always good. In contrast, the situation is much more challenging in cases of jejunal atresia: prematurity, higher incidence of complex and extended gastrointestinal malformations, impossibility to resect the dilated proximal segment, presence of a long under-developed distal segment. No problems have been observed after construction of a double stoma and restoration of the intestinal continuity. However a proximal stoma leads to important fluid and electrolyte losses, necessitating total parenteral nutrition. Functional gastrointestinal disturbances are frequently observed after end-to-side anastomosis in Y with mucous fistula. An end-to-end anastomosis can be combined with enteroplasty of the proximal distended bowel segment, eventually including the duodenum. Although the enteroplasty technique is an important progress in the treatment of neonates with extended types of jejunal atresia, transit problems cannot always be prevented by this procedure.

Birth Weight↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Partial gastrectomy for benign stomach ulcer: early and late results].

106 patients had a partial gastrectomy for a benign gastric ulcer. 63 of them got a long-term follow-up. The mean follow-up is 127 months. The mortality rate of the emergency operation is 20%. For the elective operation the mortality rate is 0%. More than 90% of the patients have no complaints after a long time. Following a Billroth I operation most patients feel better initially but later there is no difference at all. The frequency of the ulcer recurrence following a B I is higher than following a B II, but it is lower than after another operation (resp. 5.8% and 2.2%). For these reasons we propose a partial gastrectomy for a benign gastric ulcer in elective circumstances. To prevent alkaline biliary reflux gastritis a 2/3 distal gastrectomy with selective vagotomy and Roux-in-Y anastomosis has to become a routine operation. In emergency circumstances a partial gastrectomy is not indicated because of the high mortality rate.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Benign stomach tumors: histology, diagnosis and surgical experience].

Benign neoplasms of the stomach lead to atypical symptoms. Radiological and endoscopic investigations are always recommended. Our surgical experience with 11 epithelial and 26 mesenchymal benign neoplasms is discussed. A local excision could be carried out in 24 patients, of whom 4 developed postoperative complications and one deceased. Ten cases required a partial and 3 cases a total gastrectomy. This was mainly due to the localisation or the extent of the lesions. One surgical complication occurred and one patient died. Relapse was never observed in the long-term (i.e. 6 years) follow-up of 29 patients. Nonetheless, a yearly radiological or endoscopical control is advocated since hyperplastic polyps can relapse as exaggerated healing of an ulcer, and because especially leiomyomas, neurilemmomas en lipomas carry a substantial risk of malignant degeneration.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Objective evaluation of anorectal function in fecal incontinence].

Evaluation of anorectal function in faecal incontinence. In cases presenting faecal incontinence, an etiological diagnosis should be based on history, clinical examination, anuscopy and rectoscopy. This diagnosis should be confirmed or contradicted by the results of objective investigations, especially manometry, myography and radiology. In the absence of anorectal anatomical defects, a functional cause of incontinence has to be found: megarectum with pseudo-incontinence, psychogenic encopresis, lesions of the nervous system, pudendal neuropathy. In the presence of obvious anatomical defects, the function of all components of the anorectal continence apparatus has to be evaluated; in this way, it will be possible to objectivate the results of conservative or surgical treatment by repetition of the technical investigations. In practice, a complete functional evaluation of the anorectum has to be performed in patients in whom the results of previous therapy remain unsatisfactory.

Anal Canal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Manometric evaluation of incontinent patients.

The relationship between symptoms and manometric data was studied in incontinent patients. Conventional anal manometry, the rectal saline infusion test and the balloon-retaining test were performed in 27 control subjects (M:8, F:19; mean age: 47 yr) and in 40 incontinent patients (M:5, F:35; mean age: 49 yr). The correlation coefficient between the clinical degree of continence/incontinence and the maximum anal basal tone, squeeze pressure and the pressure increment during squeeze was -0.74, -0.74 and -0.57, respectively. Discriminatory values of > 40 mmHg for maximum basal pressure and > 92 mmHg for squeeze pressure could identify continent patients with 96%, and incontinent patients with 88% accuracy. The uncontrollable evacuation of a balloon, progressively filled with water at 60 ml/min, before the maximum tolerable sensation level was reached, was related to the degree of clinical incontinence. Also the maximum retained volume and the interval between the first sensation volume and the maximum retained volume ("perceived rectal capacity") were related to the clinical symptoms: r = -0.72 and -0.71, respectively. The balloon-retaining test proved to be superior to the rectal saline infusion test for the determination of the severity of incontinence. The saline infusion test, however, was found to be more adequate to identify minor defects of continence. Thus, the manometric assessment of anorectal continence should consist of routine anal manometry, the rectal saline infusion test and the balloon-retaining test. Some important clinical implications are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Etoposide, leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil in advanced gastric cancer: a phase II study.

It has been suggested that the combination of etoposide, leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil (ELF) is very active in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to confirm the efficacy and to investigate the toxicity of the ELF-regimen in patients of all ages. Thirty patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma were treated with leucovorin (300 mg/m2), etoposide (100 mg/m2) and 5-FU (500 mg/m2) for 3 consecutive days every 4 weeks in a phase II study. Reevaluation of measurable disease was done after 3 cycles. A partial response was shown in 8 (27%) patients. An improvement of the Karnofsky Performance Status was observed in 10 (33%) patients. The mean survival amounted to 8 months (range 2-24). Toxicity was mild. No grade 4 toxicity nor chemotherapy-related mortality were observed. It is concluded from this phase II study that the ELF-regimen is an active palliative treatment for advanced gastric cancer, with mild toxicity.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Repeated hepatic ischemia in combination with chemotherapy for liver carcinoid metastases.

Both hepatic ischemia and chemotherapy are effective in the treatment of carcinoid liver metastases, but their effectiveness is often limited, partial and transient. It has been shown that, during intermittent occlusion of the hepatic artery with a surgically implanted occluder, no revascularisation from collaterals occurs. We studied the feasibility, the side-effects, the response to tumour measurements and hormonal excretions of a combined treatment of repeated hepatic ischemia and 5-Fluorouracil and Streptozotocin-administration in carcinoid liver metastases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography and surgical decision-making in patients referred for suspicion of appendicitis.

Two groups of patients referred for suspicion of acute appendicitis were compared to evaluate the accuracy of preoperative ultrasonography (US) and surgical decision-making. In one retrospective study, US was performed by trainees using a 3.5 MHz probe (219 patients). In the second prospective study, US was performed by a resident radiologist using a 5 MHz probe (144 patients). US accuracy rose from 65% to 90%, especially due to an improved negative predictive value (from 52% to 92%). The positive predictive value of US was 89%. The sonographically adjusted clinical decision to operate was correct in 85%. Thus, all patients with positive US should be operated. In contrast, clinical judgment must prevail in case of negative US findings in order to prevent surgical delay in about 11%. The negative laparotomy rate decreased by 5% only. This is probably due to the limited influence of negative US findings on surgical decision. US is to be recommended in all patients suspected for acute appendicitis when performed with an appropriate probe by an experienced ultrasonographist. However, it may not, on it self, reduce the rate of unnecessary operative procedures.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Costing methodology in laparoscopic surgery.

This paper provides some basic insights in economic evaluation and costing methodology by means of illustrations in the field of laparoscopic surgery. Some general methodological aspects are discussed, as well as their impact on the calculation of both societal and hospital costs of medical interventions. First, Health Care Technology Assessment is described, and several techniques of economic evaluation in health care are situated in this area. Two fundamental concepts in costing analysis are discussed : opportunity costs and marginal (or incremental) analysis. Furthermore, it is argued that in designing an economic analysis, sufficient attention should be given to delineating the alternative treatment options and to determining the perspective from which the study is performed (patient, hospital, insurer, society,...). Subsequently, it is argued that all price and wage data for activities performed within a certain period should apply to the same time period. Finally, in order to facilitate overview, re-calculation and interpretation of cost data, it is advised to distinguish fixed from variable costs. Different categories of societal costs are described, as well as a number of methodologies for their evaluation. In calculating hospital costs, the costs of all different resources used (e.g. buildings, equipment, staff, materials) must be identified precisely. The issues of annuitising initial investment expenses, calculating operating and maintenance costs, and allocating labour and overhead costs are discussed. Finally, it is argued that, in all studies, it should be investigated whether the results of the economic analysis are robust to the models' assumptions, by means of sensitivity analysis. This paper provides a practical toolkit for medical doctors, to allow a correct understanding and critical analysis of economic literature in the field of laparoscopic surgery.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
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Early derivation operation can restore the pancreas histology and function in chronic obstructive pancreatitis in the cat.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Obstruction of the main pancreatic duct leads to progressive obstructive and atrophying pancreatitis in the cat. The question remains whether "early" derivative procedures can halt the destructive process or not? METHODOLOGY: Twelve cats submitted to total obstruction of the main pancreatic duct developed chronic obstructive pancreatitis as documented by histopathology. After 5 weeks, five animals underwent a caudal pancreaticojejunostomy, the others served as controls. Pancreatic histopathology and ductography was conducted in both groups, as well as tests of endocrine and exocrine functioning. RESULTS: Three of the five cats that underwent a derivation operation died 3-5 weeks following the second operation mainly due to infection, but 2 cats could be followed-up for up to 52 weeks. The histological signs of inflammation and early fibrosis gradually disappeared and the pancreas returned to normal as assessed by histology, radiology and pancreatic function tests. In contrast, cats not submitted to the derivation procedure developed an atrophic chronic pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: A desobstructive operation, carried out 5 weeks after total obstruction of the main pancreatic duct in cats, can halt the progression of chronic obstructive pancreatitis and leads to restitution of the pancreas as assessed by histology, radiology and function tests.

Animals↗