Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to L de Calan.
Local excision of rectal cancer is advocated for cure only in selected patients. It should be done according to specific standards and needs close follow up. The transanal technique is well defined and indicated for posterior rectal wall tumours. Otherwise, technical modifications or microsurgery can be performed. The transacral approach should be abandoned.
AIM: Treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) includes total thyroidectomy with at least bilateral central neck dissection. Systematic measurement of thyrocalcitonin (CT) levels in thyroid nodules allows for early diagnosis of MTC. As central neck dissection (CND) is associated with high morbidity, the aim of this study was to investigate the necessity of this procedure in the treatment of sporadic medullary thyroid microcarcinoma (S-mMTC). METHODS: Prospective multicentric study including 43 patients with sporadic micro-MTC who underwent CND between January 1991 and August 2001. RESULTS: 26 women and 17 men with sporadic micro-MTC, aged 28-87 (mean age was 58 years), without family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia, underwent surgery. Total thyroidectomy was performed in all patients and combined with 'picking' (n=7) or CND (n=36). Size of tumours ranged from 0.2 to 9mm (mean size was 4.1mm). Solitary (32/43 patients) and multiple S-mMTC lesions (11/43 patients) were seen. 601 lymph nodes from the 41 subclinical patients were analysed. Mean follow-up period for these patients was 32 months. No mutations in the RET oncogene were seen. CONCLUSION: As lymph node involvement is uncommon in S-mMTC, systematic CND is of questionable value.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Primary epiploic appendicitis are considered to be a rare cause of acute abdomen. We reported 2 cases in which computed tomography CT suggested the diagnosis. Primary epiploic appendicitis shows characteristic CT findings that allow the diagnosis and follow-up. This entity resolves spontaneously and CT helps in avoiding unnecessary surgery.
OBJECTIVE: According to certain learned societies, acute pancreatitis mortality should not exceed 10%. The aim of our work was to review the etiology, severity and mortality of acute pancreatitis in a prospective series of patients admitted to a regional university hospital in France, using standardised collection of data assessing the medico-surgical habits in the management of acute pancreatitis. METHODS: From February to September 1999, 86 patients (54 men and 32 women with a mean age of 58.5 years) were admitted for 88 episodes of acute pancreatitis. Data was collected from all the patients on admission and permitted measurement of the severity and prognosis scores and the study of the etiology, complications and management of the latter and the mortality with acute pancreatitis. RESULTS: Ranson's score was a mean of 2.4. Balthazar's score was superior or equal to D in 45% of cases. The respective prevalence of lithiasis, alcoholism, tumors, others or undetermined was of 41%, 37.5%, 7%, 5.5% and 9%. Acute pancreatitis was severe (multi organ failure, pseudo-cyst, systemic or necrotic infection and occlusive syndrome) in 32% of cases. Complications were: infection (22%), pseudo-cyst (14%), pleural effusion (12.5%) and occlusive syndrome (3.5%). Fever of more than 38.5 degrees C was noted in more than half of the patients. The median duration of hospitalisation was of 11 days (range: 1-86 days). Global hospital mortality was of 13.6% (12/88), and of 43% (12/28) in cases of severe acute pancreatitis. Six deaths occurred within the first 8 days of acute pancreatitis, and 6 after 8 days. Seven deaths (59%) were due to multi organ failure, 4 (33%) to infectious causes and one to another cause. CONCLUSION: The standardized collection of clinical and progressive data used in this study permitted assessment of the medico-surgical habits in a regional university hospital.
STUDY AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the 38 month-results of laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred forty three consecutive patients were operated laparoscopically. The surgical procedures were complete fundoplication with division of short vessels (Nissen: 80 patients), without division of short vessels (Nissen-Rossetti: 68 patients) or partial fundoplication of 270 degrees (Toupet: 95 patients). The mean follow-up was 38 months. Functional results were evaluated in 225 patients (92.5%) using a questionnaire with visual analog scales. RESULTS: The morbidity rate was 5%, higher after Nissen procedure (6.5%). With a follow-up of 3 months: a dysphagia coted 5/10, a gas bloat syndrome coted 4/10 and colon distension present in 61% of patients, were significantly more frequent after Nissen procedure. GERD recurred early in 4.5% of patients. With a follow-up of 38 months: dysphagia rate (coted 1/10) was significantly higher after Nissen. Dysphagia still persisted in 8 patients (9%) after Nissen. Colon distension and flatulence were more present after Nissen fundoplication. GERD recurrence rate was 12%. Pyrosis was significantly higher after Toupet fundoplication. Continuous medical treatment was necessary in 19 patients (8%). The satisfaction of patients was coted 7.5/10 without difference between to the three types of fundoplication. CONCLUSION: The total laparoscopic fundoplication for GERD seems to be a safe and efficient operation. This procedure proves to be more effective than partial fundoplicature but with a grater morbidity. Whatever the type of fundoplicature, the satisfaction of patients was good.
OBJECTIVE: To review the features of patients with benign and malignant cystadenomas of the pancreas, focusing on preoperative diagnostic accuracy and long-term outcome, especially for nonoperated serous cystadenomas and resected cystadenocarcinomas. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Serous cystadenomas (SCAs) are benign tumors. Mucinous cystic neoplasms should be resected because of the risk of malignant progression. A correct preoperative diagnosis of tumor type is based on morphologic criteria. Despite the high quality of recent imaging procedures, the diagnosis frequently remains uncertain. Invasive investigations such as endosonography and diagnostic aspiration of cystic fluid may be helpful, but their assessment is limited to small series. The management of typical SCA may require resection or observation. Survival after pancreatic resection seems better for cystadenocarcinomas (MCACs) than for ductal adenocarcinomas of the pancreas. METHODS: Three hundred ninety-eight cases of cystadenomas of the pancreas were collected between 1984 and 1996 in 73 institutions of the French Surgical Association. Clinical presentation, radiologic evaluation, and surgical procedures were analyzed for 144 operated SCAs, 150 mucinous cystadenomas (MCAs), and 78 MCACs. The outcome of 372 operated patients and 26 nonoperated patients with SCA was analyzed. RESULTS: Cystadenomas represented 76% of all primary pancreatic cystic tumors (398/522). An asymptomatic tumor was discovered in 32% of patients with SCA, 26% of those with MCA, and 13% of those with MCAC. The tumor was located in the head or uncinate process of the pancreas in 38% of those with SCA, 27% of those with MCA, and 49% of those with MCAC. A communication between the cyst and pancreatic duct was discovered in 0.6% of those with SCA, 6% of those with MCA, and 10% of those with MCAC. The main investigations were ultrasonography and computed tomography (94% for SCA, MCA, and MCAC), endosonography (34%, 28%, and 22% for SCA, MCA, and MCAC respectively), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (16%, 14%, 22%), and cyst fluid analysis (22%, 31%, 35%). An accurate preoperative diagnosis of tumor type was proposed for 20% of those with SCA (144 cases), 30% of those with MCA, and 29% of those with MCAC. An atypical unilocular macrocyst was observed in 10% of SCA cases. The most common misdiagnosis for mucinous cystic tumors was pseudocyst (9% of MCAs, 15% of MCACs). Intraoperative frozen sections (126 cases) allowed a diagnosis according to definitive histologic examination in 50% of those with SCA and MCA and 62% of those with MCAC. For management, 93% of patients underwent surgery. Nonoperated patients (7%) had exclusively typical SCA. A complete cyst excision was performed in 94% of benign cystadenomas, with an operative mortality rate of 2% for SCA and 1.4% for MCA. Resection was possible in 74% of cases of MCAC. Mean follow-up of 26 patients with nonresected SCAs was 38 months, and no patients required surgery. For resected MCACs, the actuarial 5-year survival rate was 63%. CONCLUSIONS: Spiral computed tomography is the examination of choice for a correct prediction of tumor type. Endosonography may be useful to detect the morphologic criteria of small tumors. Diagnostic aspiration of the cyst allows differentiation of the macrocystic form of SCA (10% of cases) and the unilocular type of mucinous cystic neoplasm from a pseudocyst. Surgical resection should be performed for symptomatic SCAs, all mucinous cystic neoplasms, and cystic tumors that are not clearly defined. Conservative management is wholly justified for a well-documented SCA with no symptoms. An extensive resection is warranted for MCAC because the 5-year survival rate may exceed 60%.
The classical localisation of chromaffin cell tumours is intra-adrenal. Ectopic or multiple tumours are not rare and are commonly observed in children. The authors report a case of ectopic pheochromocytoma with a double localisation in a 14 year old child (renal pedicle and right retropleural space), in which surgical ablation resulted in an immediate and sustained correction of the hypertension. Hypertension recurred 24 years later and a classical right adrenal pheochromocytoma was demonstrated by methyl-iodo-benzylguanidine (M.I.B.G.) scintigraphy and abdominal CT scan. Right adrenalectomy resulted in normalisation of the hypertension once again without antihypertensive therapy with a follow-up of three years. Regular follow-up is necessary after ablation of a pheochromocytoma, especially in children, even in the absence of a phacomatosis or multiple endocrine neoplastic syndromes.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: To define arguments in agreement or disagreement with the generally accepted theory of transformation from benign mucinous cystadenoma (MC) to malignant cystadenocarcinoma (CC) of the pancreas. METHODS: A review of the literature since 1978 was conducted together with a comparative analysis of a multicentre retrospective study of the different mucinous cystic tumours of the pancreas: 150 MC, 79 CC and 55 intraductal papillary mucinous tumours of the pancrease (TIPMP). Multiple epidemiological and clinicopathological data were compared between MC and CC: mean age at diagnosis, sex distribution, association with diabetes or concurrent cancer, tumour location and size, type of pancreatic main duct communication, pancreatic fibrosis and serum CA 19-9 levels. The analysis concerned also histopathological features of resected cystadenocarcinomas (n = 58). RESULTS: Two features suggested malignant transformation of mucinous cystadenomas: older mean age at diagnosis of CC and histological characteristics revealing areas of benign-appearing epithelium associated with areas of invasive carcinoma in 55% of cases. Conversely, two statistically significant discordant features were observed: a higher proportion of men (40% for CC vs 13% for MC) and a more frequent location in the head of the pancreas (49% vs 27%). The other differences were not in contradiction with the malignant transformation of MC: associated diabetes mellitus, increasing serum CA 19-9 levels and chromosomal aberrations were more frequent in CC. TIPMP were predominant in men (67%), and more common in the head of the pancreas (67%). CONCLUSION: The risk of malignant transformation of MC should not be questioned despite sex distribution and location differences between MC and CC. These differences may be due to inaccurate designation of intraductal mucinous carcinomas as communicating CC or of CC as pancreatic mucinous adenocarcinomas.
We report the case of a 61-year-old-man with an eosinophilic esophagitis with esophageal motor disorder associated with toxocariasis. He complained of non cardiac chest pain and had eosinophilia leading to the detection of Toxocara canis infection. Pain persisted despite treatment of toxocariasis. Basal manometry was normal but ambulatory 24-hour manometry-pHmetry showed diffuse esophageal spasm. Ultrasonography showed a thickening of the esophageal musculature in the two inferior thirds of the esophagus. After failure of treatment with sodium cromoglycate steroids and esophageal dilatation, calcium antagonists were partially effective. A long esophageal myotomy was performed permiting the disappearance of symptoms. The histological examination of a side myotomy biopsy showed an eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal muscle layer. This observation leads to discuss the possible relation between toxocariasis, the esophageal motor disorder and the eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal muscle layer.
Three years after the consensus conference on the therapeutic options for rectal cancer, a recent literature review gave us some decision elements. Quality of the surgical resection appears to be the most important therapeutic factor in the prognosis of rectal cancer. Total mesorectal excision was followed by a significant decrease of locoregional recurrence rate for the tumor of the two lower thirds of rectum. In this way, it has been shown that pelvic nerves can be easily preserved. Which nerves are important for a good postoperative sexual activity remains however debated. Furthermore, whether the nerve sparing techniques influence the prognosis is also a matter of controversy. On the other hand, abdominoperineal resection is still indicated in most lower tumors to prevent local recurrences. Preoperative radiation therapy appears more effective than the postoperative one to decrease postoperative local recurrence rate after B2 (Astler-Coller) or T3 (TNM) tumors. At present, only one study showed that preoperative radiation therapy improved five-year survival. Combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy improves also five-year survival, but this option leads to high toxicity. Thus the best adjuvent treatment remains to be defined. Awaiting for this, the good quality of surgical resection is mandatory.
PURPOSE: To determine predictive factors and prognostic value of tumor downstaging and tumor sterilization after preoperative RT for rectal cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1977 and 1994, 167 patients with a histologically proven adenocarcinoma (70 T2, 65 T3, 29 T4, and 3 local recurrences) underwent preoperative RT. Median dose was 44 Gy (5-73 Gy). Surgery was performed in a mean time of 5 weeks after RT. Pathologic specimens have been reviewed by the same pathologist in order to specify the modified Astler Coller classification (MAC), and to quantify the residual tumor cell density (RTCD). RESULTS: According to the MAC, there was 9 stage 0 (5%), 10 stage A (6%), 103 stage B1-B3 (62%), and 45 stage C1-C3 (27%) tumors. Seventeen percent and 56% of the patients who received a dose > or = 44 Gy had respectively a 0-A and a B tumor, compared to 4 and 69% in those who received a dose < 44 Gy (p = 0.04). Tumor differentiation and a longer interval before surgery were significantly associated with a more frequent downstaging, and preoperative staging correlated well to the postoperative pathological findings. According to the RTCD, 62 tumors (37%) showed no or only rare foci of residual tumor cells (Group 1); 62 (37%) showed an intermediate RTCD (Group 2); and 43 (26%) a high RTCD (Group 3). No predictive factor of RTCD was statistically significant. In univariate analysis, postoperative staging was a significant prognostic factor, with corresponding 5-year overall survival rates in 0-A, B, and C stages of 92, 67, and 26% (p < 0.01). RTCD was not a prognostic factor. However, overall and disease-free survival rates for patients with complete pathologic response of 83% at 2 and 5 years suggested a better outcome in this subgroup of patients. CONCLUSION: The favorable influence of higher doses of preoperative RT on pathologic stage has been observed. Tumor differentiation, preoperative classification and time before surgery were the other predictive factors of tumor downstaging. However, there was no predictive factor of complete pathologic response. Even after preoperative RT, postoperative staging remained a prognostic factor.
PURPOSE: To determine predictive factors and prognostic value of tumor downstaging and sterilization after preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1977 and 1994, 167 patients with a histologically proven adenocarcinoma underwent preoperative radiotherapy (median dose, 44 Gy; mean time before surgery, 5 weeks). Pathologic specimens were reviewed by the same pathologist in order to specify the modified Astler Coller classification (MAC) and to quantify residual tumor cell density (RTCD). RESULTS: According to the MAC, there were nine stage 0 (5%), 10 stage A (6%), 103 stage B1-B3 (62%) and 45 stage C1-C3 (27%) tumors. Seventeen per cent and 56% of the patients who received a dose > or = 44 Gy presented with stage 0-A and stage B1-B3 tumors, respectively, compared to 4 and 69% of those who received a dose < 44 Gy (P = 0.04). Tumor differentiation and a longer interval before surgery were significantly associated with more frequent downstaging. According to the RTCD, 62 tumors (37%) showed no or only rare foci of residual tumor cells; 62 (37%) showed an intermediate RTCD and 43 (26%) a high RTCD. No predictive factor of RTCD was statistically significant. Only post-operative staging was a significant prognostic factor (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The favourable influence of higher doses of preoperative radiotherapy on pathologic stage has been observed. Tumor differentiation and time before surgery were the other significant predictive factors of tumor downstaging. Even after preoperative radiotherapy, post-operative staging retained its prognostic value.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The period of refeeding in patients with acute pancreatitis is critical because they may have pain relapse. A multicentre, multidimensional, prospective study was performed to assess the frequency and the risk factors of pain relapse in these patients. METHODS: Patients were included if they had acute pancreatitis severe enough to stop oral feeding for more than 48 hours. Clinical, biochemical, radiological, and therapeutic data were prospectively recorded and analysed by unidimensional and multidimensional analysis. The moment to refeed patients was chosen by the clinician but the diet was the same in all centres. RESULTS: A total of 116 patients were included with a Ranson's bioclinical score > or = 3 in 35% and a Balthazar's CT score > or = D in 42%. The cause of acute pancreatitis was biliary in 47% and alcohol misuse in 31%. During the oral refeeding period, 21% of the patients had pain relapse. This occurred on days 1 and 2 in 50% of patients. The duration of the painful period was longer in patients who relapsed than in others (p < 0.002). Pain relapse occurred in 39% of patients with a serum lipase concentration > 3x the upper limit of the normal range the day before refeeding and in 16% of other patients (p < 0.03). Patients with higher Balthazar's CT scores had pain relapse more often than the others (p < 0.002). None of the therapeutic procedures significantly modified the frequency of pain relapse. Using multidimensional analysis, Balathazar's CT score, period of pain, and serum lipase concentration the day before refeeding were independently associated with an increased risk of pain relapse. At a threshold of 0.5, a logistic score had a 37% sensitivity, 95% specificity, and 83% accuracy to predict pain relapse. Pain relapse nearly doubled total hospital stay and hospital stay after the first attempt at oral refeeding. CONCLUSION: Pain relapse occurred in one fifth of the patients with acute pancreatitis during oral refeeding and was more common in patients with necrotic pancreatitis and with longer periods of pain. The results of this study can be used to predict high risk patients and are a first step in the prevention of pain relapse.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.