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Biomedical subjects

J J Feldmeier

Publications and source records attributed to J J Feldmeier.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Histologic morphometry confirms a prophylactic effect for hyperbaric oxygen in the prevention of delayed radiation enteropathy.

In a previous publication (Feldmeier et al., Radiother Oncol 1995; 35:138-144) we reported our success in preventing delayed radiation enteropathy in a murine model by the application of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2). In this study we introduce a histologic morphometric technique for assessing fibrosis in the submucosa of these same animal specimens and relate this assay to the previous results. The histologic morphometry, like the previous gross morphometry and compliance assays, demonstrates a significant protective effect for HBO2. The present assay is related to the previous assays in a statistically significant fashion. The predictive value for the histologic morphometric assay demonstrates a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 62.5%. The applicability of this assay to other organ systems and its potential superiority to the compliance assay are discussed.

Animals

Dose perturbations due to in vivo dosimetry with diodes.

In vivo dosimetry performed with semiconductor detectors is a reliable method for patient dose control. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the perturbations introduced in the patient's absorbed dose distribution by three types of commercially available diodes (Isorad, Sun Nuclear Corp.; model 114200, 114300 and 114400) from the same company and to present possible solutions for minimizing this side-effect.

Humans

Hyperbaric oxygen an adjunctive treatment for delayed radiation injuries of the abdomen and pelvis.

Radiation therapy is often utilized as adjunctive or primary treatment for malignancies of the abdomen and pelvis. Radiation complications are infrequent, but can be life threatening or significantly diminish the quality of life. Radiation necrosis is an approved indication for hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2). Previous publications have reported results in treating delayed radiation injuries involving many sites. This paper reports the experience of a single physician group in treating delayed injuries of the abdomen and/or pelvis. Forty-four such patients have been treated since 1979. Of the 41 patients available for follow up, 26 have healed; 6 failed to heal; and 9 patients had an inadequate course of therapy (fewer than 20 treatments). Especially encouraging was the resolution of fistulae in six of eight patients with only three requiring surgery for closure. Overall, the success rate in patients receiving at least 20 HBO2 treatments was 81%. Hyperbaric oxygen is a useful adjunct in treatment of delayed radiation injuries of the pelvis and abdomen.

Abdominal Muscles

Hyperbaric oxygen as a prophylaxis for radiation-induced delayed enteropathy.

This trial was accomplished in C3H mice to determine whether hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) could be administered to prevent delayed radiation enteropathy. Fifty mice randomized into two equal groups received 30 Gy abdominopelvic irradiation in 10 fractions. The study group received a course of 30 HBO treatments beginning 7 weeks after the radiation exposure. The control group received only housing and nutritional support after irradiation. A third group of three animals had no radiation or HBO. All animals were sacrificed 7 months after radiation. Animals were inspected grossly for signs of enteropathy. In addition, a special stretch apparatus was used to quantify narrowing and rigidity of ileum just proximal to the ileocecal junction. Those animals who received HBO had fewer gross signs of enteropathy and had less narrowing and less rigidity in their harvested bowel segments. These differences were highly statistically significant. Treatment with HBO drastically reduces signs of radiation enteropathy. Further study including clinical trials are recommended.

Animals

Hyperbaric oxygen as an adjunctive treatment for delayed radiation injury of the chest wall: a retrospective review of twenty-three cases.

Since 1979, 23 cases of radiation-induced chest wall necrosis have been treated in the Hyperbaric Medicine Departments of Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital and the Nix Hospital, San Antonio, Texas. Eight cases involved soft tissue only. Six of eight (75%) patients with soft tissue involvement healed without requiring surgical debridement, although four patients (50%) did have flaps or grafts. Fifteen patients had bony and soft tissue necrosis. Eight of these patients (53%) resolved with adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), but all required aggressive surgical debridement including skeletal resection. Four (27%) had reconstructive flaps as well. Six patients (40%) with bony necrosis who had either no or incomplete debridement failed to heal. Three patients (13%)(two soft tissue and one bony) were found to have residual tumor during HBO and were discontinued from treatment. HBO is an effective adjunctive therapy for soft tissue chest-wall, radiation-induced necrosis, but must be coupled with appropriate debridement to include surgical removal of all necrotic bone to ensure a successful outcome of bony plus soft tissue necrosis.

Adult

Does hyperbaric oxygen have a cancer-causing or -promoting effect? A review of the pertinent literature.

We reviewed all known published reports or studies related to a possible cancer-causing or growth-enhancing effect by hyperbaric oxygen. Published articles were retrieved using Medline searches for the period 1960-1993. Additional references were obtained from bibliographies included in those articles discovered in the computer search. Also, hyperbaric medicine text books and the published proceedings of international hyperbaric conferences were visually searched. Studies and reports discovered in this fashion and related to the topic were included in the review. Twenty-four references were found: 12 were clinical reports, 11 were animal studies, and 1 reported both an animal study and a clinical report. Three clinical reports suggested a positive cancer growth enhancement, whereas 10 clinical reports showed no cancer growth enhancement. Two animal studies suggested a positive cancer-enhancing effect, and 10 animal studies showed no such effect. (The report that included both animals and humans is counted in both groups). The vast majority of published reports show no cancer growth enhancement by HBO exposure. Those studies that do show growth enhancement are refuted by larger subsequent studies, are mixed studies, or are highly anecdotal. A review of published information fails to support a cancer-causing or growth-enhancing effect by HBO.

Animals

Hyperbaric oxygen as an adjunctive treatment for severe laryngeal necrosis: a report of nine consecutive cases.

Laryngeal necrosis is a rare complication of therapeutic radiation, but when it does occur there is no established, definitive treatment and laryngectomy is frequently required. This report is a retrospective review of all patients referred for hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy to a single hyperbaric medicine unit for treatment of their laryngeal necrosis between 1980 and 1985. Nine patients were in this series. One patient had had a vertical hemilaryngectomy and another a supraglottic laryngectomy before referral. Eight of the nine patients had a Chandler grade IV necrosis and the ninth had a Chandler grade III necrosis. All nine patients were able to maintain their voice until death or last follow up. Seven of the nine patients maintained good voice quality while two exhibited some hoarseness. All patients with tracheostomies were able to be decannulated, and all patients with fistulae had these closed. No untoward reactions to HBO occurred. Based on this review, HBO is recommended as a therapeutic option whenever laryngeal necrosis occurs and there is a chance to save the larynx.

Aged

Hyperbaric oxygen and the cancer patient: a survey of practice patterns.

A questionnaire was sent to 179 clinical hyperbaric medicine facilities to survey treatment policies and referral patterns for patients with a history of malignancy. Eighty-five surveys were returned. Most respondents indicated that they would accept patients with a history of malignancy for either adjuvant or emergent hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). Depending on specific circumstances, from about one third to one half of respondents believed that such patients should be informed of a theoretical potential for tumor acceleration or reactivation. An overwhelming majority had not personally attended nor had they been told by colleagues of cases of patients whose malignancy had been activated or accelerated by HBO. A large majority felt that referring physicians did not believe that HBO was carcinogenic, and that referrals were not prevented by such concerns. Seven percent believed that HBO is potentially carcinogenic. Forty-two percent of respondents felt that they might be at risk for malpractice litigation if a patient had reactivation or acceleration of a malignancy. Among respondents to the questionnaire, there is a consensus that HBO does not have cancer-promoting or accelerating properties.

Attitude of Health Personnel

Hyperbaric oxygen as prophylaxis or treatment for radiation myelitis.

This animal study was designed to investigate HBO as a treatment or prophylaxis for radiation myelitis. All animals received identical spinal cord radiation doses of 69 Gy in 10 daily fractions. Group I received no HBO; group II began HBO at the onset of signs of myelitis; group III received HBO with prophylactic intent beginning 6 wk after irradiation; and group IV received both modalities on the same day, but radiation always preceded HBO by at least 4 h. HBO consisted of 90 min oxygen at 2.4 atm abs for 20 daily treatments. Animals were objectively assessed for the loss of certain neurologic reflexes indicative of four levels of myelitis. Although all animals progressed to severe myelitis, group III animals had group-averaged levels of myelitis consistently less than control. The differences were statistically significant for several weeks. Group IV animals progressed to severe myelitis much more rapidly than any other group. Additional study is justified by this trial. Key questions to be answered include the optimal timing of HBO to produce a beneficial rather than detrimental effect.

Analysis of Variance

Radiotherapy of pseudotumors of bone in hemophiliacs with circulating inhibitors to factor VIII.

Pseudotumors of bone in two hemophiliacs with severe factor VIII deficiency and a high level of circulating inhibitors are reported. Both had favorable response to radiation therapy after unsuccessful treatment with factor concentrates and remain free of recurrence at 18-62 months. A review of the literature of cases in which radiotherapy has been used is presented. Radiotherapy in the treatment of pseudotumors of bone in hemophiliacs should be strongly considered, particularly if coagulation factor inhibitors are present.

Adolescent

Effective radiotherapy in palliating mammalgia associated with gynecomastia after DES therapy.

Between 1977 and 1986, 11 patients with painful gynecomastia after DES therapy were referred for palliative radiotherapy. The treatment regimens varied from 20 Gy in 5 fractions to 40 Gy in 20 fractions. All 11 patients had satisfactory pain relief on follow-up. All 7 patients who had more than 6 months follow-up had complete relief of mammalgia. The average interval between completion of radiotherapy to complete relief of mammalgia was 3.6 months. This study revealed that radiotherapy is highly effective in palliating mammalgia associated with gynecomastia after DES therapy in prostate cancer patients.

Aged