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K Meissner

Publications and source records attributed to K Meissner.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome: diagnostic and prognostic relevance of cellular antigen expression].

Mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome (cutaneous T-cell lymphomas [CTCL]) are recognized, especially in the early stages, as being a potentially difficult diagnostic problem when they have to be histologically differentiated from a series of inflammatory disorders (ID). The diagnostic value of immunophenotyping is controversial; almost all studies have been semiquantitative. The prognostic implications of the antigen expression in CTCL are not known. To acquire more insight into these problems, the expression of differentiation-associated and activation/proliferation-associated antigens was examined in cryostat sections from 35 patients with conclusively diagnosed CTCL and 19 patients with ID. Positive cells were calculated as numbers/mm2 tissue section. The results were analysed statistically. Single antigen expressions were not helpful for differentiation between CTCL and ID. High percentages (89%-96%) of patients with CTCL stages I, II, and III and patients with ID could be classified correctly (discriminant analysis) by combined quantitative assessment of the expression of antigens Ki67 and Ki1/CD30 in the dermis and CD25 in the epidermis. In later stages (IVa, IVb) the note of correct classifications was worse because of the decrease in discriminating properties of the respective antigens. The biological role of antigen expressions was analyzed together with the clinical parameters (age, stage of disease). Stage was the parameter with the most significant influence on patient survival. CD1a-positive epidermal cells (Langerhans cells) were the only cell population that was significantly (P = 0.011) associated with survival. Death resulting from CTCL was significantly (P = 0.003) less frequent in patients with epidermal CD1a-positive cell densities higher than 90 cells/mm2 in comparison with patients with lower numbers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Epidermal Langerhans' cell densities influence survival in mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome.

Because Langerhans' cells (LC) (CD1a-positive epidermal cells) have been discussed to be involved in the pathogenesis of mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome, the authors examined the influence of densities of Langerhans' cells and, concurrently, of other phenotypes retrospectively on survival of 35 patients. Cell densities were assessed on cryostat sections (alkaline phosphatase antialkaline phosphatase-technique) of the respective diagnostic biopsy specimens. Additionally, two clinical parameters (age, stage of disease) were evaluated. CD1a-positive epidermal cells were demonstrated to be the only cell population being significantly associated (P = 0.011) with survival. Death resulting from mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome was significantly (P = 0.003) less frequent in patients with epidermal CD1a-positive cell densities higher than 90 cells/mm2 (optimal break point) as compared with patients with lower numbers. These results suggest that Langerhans' cells have a significant impact on prognosis of patients with mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome. They play an important role in the host defense mechanisms against these lymphomas rather than to favor their progression as proposed recently.

Adult

Study of neu-protein expression in mammary Paget's disease with and without underlying breast carcinoma and in extramammary Paget's disease.

Correlation between neu/c-erbB-2/Her-2 gene amplification and overexpression of the neu gene product has been reported in tumors of glandular origin, especially ductal breast carcinomas. Formalin-fixed and dewaxed sections from 23 cases of mammary (MPD) and 9 cases of extramammary (EPD) Paget's disease were immunohistochemically stained by means of the monoclonal antibody 3B5 directed against an intracellular domain of the neu gene protein. All MPDs exhibited a distinct membrane staining of tumor cells independent of the presence of ductal breast carcinomas found in 18 cases. All these breast carcinomas also were positive for neu staining. In contrast to MPD, all EPDs were negative. Normal epidermis was always negative. Northern blot analysis sustained the immunohistologic findings in that the presence of neu mRNA could be demonstrated in two of three cases with MPD. Negativity in one case was due to dilution effects by nontumor cells. Our results suggest that Paget cells of mammary and extramammary localization, although very similar phenotypically, derive from different genetic accidents. Furthermore neu positivity in all MPDs and all underlying ductal carcinomas suggests common genetic alterations for both tumors. However the finding of five neu protein-positive MPDs without associated ductal breast carcinomas may suggest a somewhat different transformation process.

Breast Neoplasms

[H2-receptor antagonists and the incidence of gastroduodenal ulcer perforation and hemorrhage. An epidemiological study].

The only curative treatment to proximal bile duct cancers with involvement of both hepatic ducts is liver transplantation. A curative resection with wide lateral clearance is limited due to the neighbourhood of vital anatomic structures in the liver hilum. The majority of patients with bile duct cancers is over 60 years of age and due to concomitant disease, they do not fulfill the requirements for liver transplantation. Our treatment strategy in adequate cases is palliative tumor resection and reconstruction of bile passage by sutureless biliodigestive anastomosis as proposed by Rodney Smith. We treated 11 patients with this method, in 5 patients an additive combined radiotherapy by percutaneous radiation and intraluminal after-loading therapy was performed. Our results indicate that this strategy leads to effective palliation in cases provided that only microscopic residual tumor is left in situ (R1-resection). Our observed survival times compare favorably to survival times after liver transplantation (average survival time 11.5 months median survival time 10 months).

Adult

[Acute cholecystitis in cholelithiasis: importance of early surgery (a comparative study)].

The results of early surgery (ES) for acute calculous cholecystitis obtained in 74 patients operated on between 3/78 and 12/87 were compared with relevant data obtained in 74 sex- and age-matched patients with a history of acute cholecystitis operated on for biliary colic or jaundice during the same period. Operative procedures, incidence of jaundice and common bile duct calculi, duration of operation, number of patients requiring blood transfusions, surgical and general complications and mortality showed no significant difference. Only operative blood loss was significantly higher in the ES group, but this was of no practical relevance. ES precludes the sequelae of emergency surgery in the delayed surgery group not infrequently necessary for failure of conservative treatment of acute cholecystitis, which necessarily precedes planned delayed surgery, and thus renders a significant reduction of over-all risk. This forms the rationale for ES as treatment concept.

Acute Disease

Intermittent incomplete intestinal obstruction: a frequently mistaken entity. Ultrasonographic diagnosis and management.

Intermittent incomplete intestinal obstruction (IIIO) was diagnosed by sonography in 81 patients during the course of a study conducted from January 1984 to July 1988. The clinical presentation, history and characteristic sonographic findings are described. Successful conservative therapy was instituted in all patients based upon clinical and sonographic treatment response observations. Twenty-seven percent of patients returned with complete obstruction, necessitating surgery between 13 and 36 months later. Although conservative treatment uniformly renders relief from IIIO, elective surgery is indicated in patients whose IIIOs recur at progressively shorter intervals.

Abdomen

[Reactive acalculous cholecystitis: a bland and asymptomatic course--incidence of a classical stress disease].

A systematic search for reactive acalculous cholecystitis (RAC) performed from 11/85 until 11/87 rendered an incidence of 9 in 1272 patients recovering from surgery and 1 in 930 patients treated conservatively for various diseases. 8 patients presented with typical but discrete clinical symptoms whereas 2 remained asymptomatic. Abdominal sonography proved to be the most useful diagnostic procedure. The ratio of classic fulminant disease to cases presenting with lesser severity was calculated to be 1:50. All patients in this series were managed nonoperatively in respect to RAC. The pathoanatomic and pathogenetic context is reviewed and the author's impression corroborated that relevant cases may frequently go by unnoticed by clinicians.

Adult

[Experimental ultrasound analysis of the appendix. Contribution to improving the diagnosis of acute inflammation in routine clinical practice].

Sonographic investigations of fresh operative specimens - 50 non-infected, 50 chronic and 50 acute inflammatory appendices - and also of 335 pertinent operated patients with "typical" appendiceal disorders were performed. All other entities, mimicking acute or perforated appendicitis were excluded from this study. Under experimental conditions, negative, chronic and acute or phlegmonous appendices appeared as "cockade" or "pseudokidney sign" with reflecting wall and echoless lumen. The application of a 5 Mz linear transducer made the differentiation of three wall layers feasible, in negative appendices as well as in dilated acute appendicitis, whereas in chronic inflammation and in obliterating acute appendicitis a wall layer stratification was not possible. In clinical application of 335 operated patients we only could demonstrate cases of acute or perforated appendicitis (n = 182/220), but no cases of non-infected appendix. In 57% of pertinent cases the objectivation of lumen dilatation, in 35% a wall layer stratification was feasible. Acute, phlegmonous or perforated appendicitis was proven by demonstrating an immobile "pseudotumor mass" with dominating constant hypodense reflex property. The pertinent diameters as measured in clinical acute appendicitis exceeded significantly the diameters observed in experimental sonography of negative appendices with a differential intact mobility. Intraluminary coproliths and hyperdense reflecting attached omental segments facilitated a sonographic diagnosis. In 101/115 patients correct negative diagnosis was established. On the basis of these criteria, a sensitivity of 83%, a specificity of 88% and a diagnostic accuracy of 85% related to the diagnosis of acute or perforated appendicitis was obtained in this study.

Acute Disease

Arotinoid-ethylester. Effectiveness in refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Five patients with refractory advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) (Stage IIB, two; Stage III, one; Stage IVA, two) and one patient with a refractory Stage IB CTCL (two females, four males, median age 58 years) were treated with a new polyaromatic retinoid, arotinoid-ethylester (Ro 13-6298), which has a much higher antiproliferative activity than other known retinoids. There was an objective clinical response in three of six cases [complete remission (CR) = 1, partial remission (PR) = 2]. One patient is in CR since 102 weeks currently. Mean duration of PR was 43 weeks. Two patients were withdrawn from treatment after 4 weeks because of disease progression. Two patients, one of them in PR, had to be retired from further treatment due to toxic side effects. Main side effects were mucocutaneous dryness, skin atrophy, and skin vulnerability. Skin biopsies were performed on four patients 4 weeks after the start of treatment. The epidermis and the subepidermal grenz zone were found to be clear of mononuclear clear cell infiltration in three patients. Although the number of patients is small, the results obtained suggest that arotinoid-ethylester offers a promising approach to the treatment of CTCL.

Adult

Cutaneous T cell lymphoma: immunocytochemical study on activation/proliferation and differentiation associated antigens in lymph nodes, skin, and peripheral blood.

The expression of activation/proliferation antigens (CD 25, CD 30, Ki 67, transferrin receptor) in lymph nodes and skin were compared in nine patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) with patients with erythroderma not related to MF, and patients with reactive lymphofollicular hyperplasias (a total of 14 patients). A panel of differentiation antigens was analyzed in addition. Reactivities were revealed by the APAAP technique. Activation/proliferation antigen scores in lymph nodes were related to the clinical stages of MF in most instances (low scores in cases of MF stage I/II, high scores in 3/4 cases of MF stage III/IV). They differed markedly in cases of non-MF-erythrodermia with the exception of one patient, and in all cases of reactive lymphofollicular hyperplasia. Expression of activation/proliferation antigens in lymph nodes were different in most cases from those in skin and peripheral blood. For diagnostic use, the activation/proliferation antigen scores were superior to the cell differentiation antigen profiles. Among cellular differentiation antigens, only the extent of CD1+ cells provided some diagnostic information, since the number of these cells were markedly increased in all cases of dermatopathic lymphadenitis with/without MF when compared with reactive lymphofollicular hyperplasia. In the diagnosis of MF, immunohistochemistry of activation/proliferation or differentiation antigens cannot replace routine paraffin histology, but may provide supplement any data in equivocal cases.

Adult

[Percutaneous layer differentiation of the colonic wall by ultrasound. Clinical case examples and experimental results].

Based on 3 case observations, the feasibility of the percutaneous sonographic objectivation of a five-layer image of the colon wall using a 5 Mhz linear transducer is reported for the first time. Sonographic stratification is promoted by means of "ultrasound windows" or contrasting borderlines. Employing stepwise dissection of autoptic specimens and ultrasonic comparison, it was possible to identify the hypodense zones 2 and 4 as mucous membrane and muscle layer, divided by the reflecting submucous layer (zone 3). The hyperdense bands 1 and 5 were found to represent borderline echos of the large bowel wall. This preliminary report is a step towards an eventual percutaneous staging of colon neoplasms.

Adolescent

Severe clostridium infection following perforation of the uterus in a patient with an ectopic pregnancy.

Twenty-eight hours after CO2 insufflation and curettage in a 26 year old, haemolysis, jaundice and anuria developed. As an ectopic pregnancy was also suspected, a diagnostic laparoscopy was done and was followed by a hysterectomy and left salpingo-oophorectomy before Clostridium perfringens was grown on culture. The survival of the patient despite clostridial infection is probably due to immediate surgical treatment and intensive post-operative care.

Adult

[Ultrasound study of "acute appendicitis," an elective procedure or obligation in general surgery. A prospective study].

576 patients admitted for suspected acute appendicitis were prospectively assessed by sonography following physical examination. The collective comprised - as proven by operation - 156 patients with acute appendicitis, 178 patients with chronic appendicitis or mesenteric lymphadenitis, as proven by observation, 186 patients suffering from gastroenteritis. 56 patients suffered from other diseases and 21 of them required urgent surgery. Based on clinical symptoms, correct diagnosis had been made in 433 patients (75%): gastroenteritis n = 186, chronic appendicitis or lymphadenitis n = 111 and acute appendicitis n = 136 (87%). In 123 patients the diagnosis was false positive, in 20 patients false negative. Based on sonographic assessment, 537 patients (93%) were correctly diagnosed; thus, in 129 patients (83%) an inflamed appendix was confirmed, in 56 patients; diagnosis of unrelated entities requiring urgent surgery correct in 21 cases. In 12 patients with mesenteric lymphadenitis - as proven by operation-a false positive, in another 27 patients with acute appendicitis a false negative diagnosis was made. The combination of clinical assessment and sonographic diagnosis yielded a correct diagnosis in 97% (560/576) comprising 414 true negative and 146 true positive results (94%) in respect of acute appendicitis.

Adolescent

Ileus and intestinal obstruction--ultrasonographic findings as a guideline to therapy.

Between September 1, 1982 and January 31, 1986, a study was undertaken in a total of 111 patients to assess the efficacy of ultrasonography in diagnosing intestinal obstruction and ileus. In 109 cases (98%), ultrasonography provided the correct diagnosis. In one case, obstruction was correctly suspected. In another case, the diagnosis was false negative. In 51 cases (46%), ultrasonography yielded the causative diagnosis. Ultrasonography was especially rewarding in the diagnosis of X-ray-negative intestinal obstruction, very high obstruction, clinically concealed incarcerated femoral hernias and in the differentiation of intestinal obstruction and ileus in the postoperative course. Ultrasonographic differential diagnosis was a reliable guideline for adequate treatment modalities in pertinent cases, thus contributing to therapeutic success.

Adolescent