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Biomedical subjects

M Freund

Publications and source records attributed to M Freund.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

[CT morphology of fractured thoraco-lumbar vertebrae after transpedicular spongiosaplasty and use of internal fixator].

PURPOSE: An analysis of the CT morphology of fractured thoraco-lumbar vertebrae after treatment with internal fixation and transpedicular spongiosaplasty (SP). MATERIAL AND METHOD: 30 patients were examined following trauma and surgery after about 12 and 30 months by means of CT. The following were evaluated: width of the spinal canal; height of the vertebra and intervertebral space; degree of kyphosis; position, size and appearance of the SP and of the vertebral body. RESULTS: The width of the spinal canal was reconstituted in 91%; in 83% the anterior vertebral margin and in 35% the intervertebral space was reduced. A kyphosis of 8.9 degree was found on the followup examination. The SP showed a reduction in size (18/30) or could no longer be defined (6/30). Hypodense areas (28/30) with cavitation (12/30) were found in the vertebral body and the SP could be identified by a sclerotic margin (22/30). CONCLUSION: Treatment by this form of therapy was successful, reaction of the vertebral body against the spongiosaplasty could be identified.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[MR myelography in spinal canal stenosis].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical value of 3D-MR-myelography (3D-MRM) in comparison to myelography and intra-operative findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 25 patients with suspected lumbar spinal canal stenosis were studied via myelography and 3D-MRM (volume-data set, 3D-FISP sequence, TR 73 ms, TE 21 ms, flip angle 7 degrees, sagittal slices) besides the routinely acquired sagittal and axial T1- and T2-weighted images. Diagnoses were made by two radiologists and one neurosurgeon without knowing the clinical history and symptoms, in two separate sessions. Results were compared to intraoperative findings. RESULTS: 3D-MRM has the same diagnostic sensitivity (25/25 = 100%) as conventional X-ray myelography (25/25 = 100%) compared to intraoperative findings, but is not invasive and shows more diagnostic details than myelography. Especially in cases of high-grade spinal canal stenosis there is often a lack of intrathecal contrast medium distally of the stenosis. CONCLUSION: 3D-MRM is as good as conventional myelography in predicting intraoperative findings in patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis. This new method is non-invasive and can be performed routinely on an outpatient basis.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Urticaria in idiopathic bilateral recurrent branch retinal arterial occlusion.

Idiopathic bilateral recurrent branch retinal arterial occlusion (IBRBRAO) is a rare syndrome characterized by migraine headaches, tinnitus, vertigo, hearing loss, and recurrent branch retinal artery occlusion of unknown etiology. Affected patients frequently undergo a wide range of medical evaluation and have no apparent pathologic findings. We present here a case of IBRBRAO, associated with urticarial rash, not described in this syndrome in previous publications.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Circadian blood pressure changes in untreated children with kidney disease and conserved renal function.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring over 24 h was applied in 31 children with kidney disease, aged 3-19 (median 11) years, in the absence of renal insufficiency and without antihypertensive therapy. Median creatinine clearance was 112 ml/min/1.73m2. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring revealed that eight patients (26%) were hypertensive during the daytime, compared to 62% through casual recordings obtained in the office and 38% when blood pressure was taken at home. Nocturnal hypertension was detected by ambulatory monitoring in six patients, two of whom had normal blood pressure in the daytime. Median nocturnal dipping was 13% for systolic and 21% for diastolic blood pressure, i.e. similar to healthy children. Rhythm analysis recognized a distorted circadian pattern for systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure in eight patients. In conclusion, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring allows the evaluation of hypertension more reliably than casual recordings in the office. Nocturnal hypertension, as a major risk factor for renal deterioration, is detected in a similar proportion as daytime hypertension in almost 20% of untreated children with kidney disease and normal renal function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Cardiac-gated two-dimensional phase-contrast MR angiography of lower extremity occlusive disease.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate our capability to use coronally acquired, cardiac-gated two-dimensional phase-contrast MR angiography (MRA) to correctly detect and grade arteriosclerotic lesions from the aortic bifurcation to the popliteal artery. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred fifteen patients with a total of 253 arteriosclerotic lesions proven by intraarterial digital subtraction angiography were examined prospectively by two-dimensional phase-contrast MRA. MRA was performed from the aortic bifurcation to the popliteal trifurcation. Imaging parameters were TR/TE, 83/9 msec; flip angle, 11 degrees; matrix, 256 x 192; acquisitions, two; slice thickness, 80 mm; and field of view, 320 mm. ECG gating was used routinely and eight to 10 phases were acquired during the cardiac cycle. Velocity encoding was set to 30 cm/sec in the iliac arteries and to 20 cm/sec in the femoral and popliteal arteries. Detected stenoses were graded in the following manner: 1% to less than 50% stenosis, group 1; 50% to less than 75% stenosis, group 2; 75% to less than 100% stenosis, group 3; and total occlusion, group 4. RESULTS: All arteriosclerotic lesions were revealed by MRA. Two hundred seventeen of 253 lesions were also graded correctly. Sensitivity was 95%, specificity was 90%, positive predictive value was 90%, and negative predictive value was 96%. The weighted kappa index was (.92). Sensitivity and specificity for occlusions were both 100%; for high-grade stenoses, 94% and 91%, respectively; for moderate stenoses, 84% and 94%, respectively; and for mild stenoses, 79% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Two-dimensional phase-contrast MRA can provide MR angiograms with high sensitivity and specificity for high-grade stenoses in a reasonable amount of time in patients with peripheral artery occlusive disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Suicidal terrorist bombings in Israel--identification of human remains.

Positive identification of human remains is one of the most important tasks in mass disaster investigations. Religious and jurisdictional demands in Israel, require the identification process to be completed in the shortest possible time. In the 18 suicidal terrorist bombings that took place in Israel between the years 1993-1996, 127 victims and 19 perpetrators were killed, and their severely fragmented bodies were identified within 24 h. The efficient completion of the identification endeavor was enabled by the implementation of a variety of techniques and the close collaboration in the investigation between the different emergency and forensic agencies. This paper presents the mass disaster identification policy and techniques currently used in Israel. The importance of an interdisciplinary approach for the identification of extremely fragmented human remains from mass disasters and the creation of a central data bank of fingerprints and genetic markers is emphasized.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Vertebral body metastases: characteristic MRI findings in epidural infiltration].

PURPOSE: In case of lumbar vertebral metastasis associated with anterior epidural carcinomatous infiltration, we have observed that infiltrations tend to respect the midline. This study led to the systematic recognition of these phenomena in vertebral metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 11 patients with 17 vertebral metastases and adjacent anterior epidural infiltration were reviewed retrospectively. All cases were studied by MRI. The routinely used imaging technique included spin echo (SE) T1 and T2 weighted sequences in the sagittal plane native and T1-SE without and with Gd-DTPA in the axial planes. The radiological findings of these phenomena and the anatomy were studied. RESULTS: We observed these phenomena to be uni- or bilateral in 88.3% of all cases with intraspinal anterior epidural carcinomatous infiltration, especially in that part of the vertebral body where the basal vertebral venous plexus was located. CONCLUSION: We conclude that vertebral metastases respect the midline. We interpret this fact as being due the anatomy of the vertebral body and especially its stabilization by the posterior longitudinal ligament. These findings may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of vertebral body metastases with epidural infiltration in contrast to intraspinal processes which proceed with the destruction of the vertebral body.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Dissection of the ascending aorta in pregnancy. Apropos of a case and review of the literature].

Dissection of ascendant aorta is infrequent during pregnancy. Given this low prevalence, diagnosis is often delayed or even unrecognized. This delay in diagnosis can have a highly jeopardizing effect on vital maternal prognosis. In this study, we report a case of ascendant aorta dissection in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy with maternal and fetal survival through combined surgery of a cesarean section and replacement of the ascendant aorta.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Vesico-uterine fistula occurring after a normal labor in a patient with a scarred uterus].

We report a vesico-uterine fistula occurring after vaginal delivery in a woman with previous cesarean section. Diagnosis of this rare complication, only 2 cases reported in the literature, is based on clinical findings and retrograde cystography. Medical treatment should be attempted first, but laparotomy is often required for resection of the fistula and simple suture of the bladder and the uterus.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Dura thickening adjacent to intracranial, para-dural space-occupying lesions in MRI. Histologic correlation].

PURPOSE: With intracranial tumors a flat, contrast-enhancing, probably dural structure adjacent to the tumor can occasionally be observed on gadolinium-DTPA enhanced MR images. Thers we have attempted to evaluate a tumor infiltration of these enhancement on MRI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 50 patients, 19 patients had a dural thickening at the tumor base (13 meningiomas and 6 metastases), while 31 patient did not (12 meningiomas and 19 metastases). Studies included plane T2-weighted spin echo (SE) images as well as T1-weighted axial, coronal, or sagittal plains with and without contrast agent. Histopathological examinations, were done on the tumor base adjacent to the dura mater. RESULTS: 7 of 12 meningiomas showed a meningeal thickening on MRI with histopathologically proven tumor infiltration as did also 5 of 6 metastases. But 3 of 12 meningiomas and 15 of 19 metastases without dural thickening at the tumor base also showed tumor invasion into the dura mater. CONCLUSION: MR imaging is still not able to determine whether or not there is a dural infiltration of the tumors base because there was no correlation between MR images and histopathologic results. In conclusion, metastases adjacent to the dura infiltrate the dura mater in a higher percentage than meningiomas.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Therapy of chronic myeloid leukemia with interferon-alpha. A decade of experiences].

PATIENTS AND RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-nine patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia have been treated in six studies during 10 years at Hannover Medical School University Center. The prognosis of 111 patients without pretreatment has been improved compared to conventional therapy with a median survival of 5.7 years. Cytogenetic remissions have been induced in all studies followed for a longer time. The most pronounced improvement of prognosis has been observed in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Several conclusions can be drawn on the basis of the results on the different treatment concepts: 1. Patients with pretreatment have an unfavourable response to interferon. 2. There is a likely effect of the dose of Interferon alpha on the frequency of cytogenetic remissions. 3. The combination of Interferon alpha and interferon gamma has been toxic and ineffective in a pilot study. 4. The combination of interferon and cytosine arabinoside has a positive impact on the frequency of cytogenetic remissions. A continuous parallel application of both drugs seems to be most effective in this respect. An ongoing trial has been initiated to compare a fixed combination of Interferon alpha and cytosine arabinoside and with hydroxyurea respectively. Additionally the feasibility of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation will be studied in patients with insufficient response to the interferon treatment.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1996

[Intensive post-remission therapy in acute myeloid leukemia. Results of a prospective comparative study by the South Germany Hemoblastosis Group].

BACKGROUND: To study intensive postremission therapy in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia myeloablative therapy followed by allogeneic or unpurged autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was compared with high-dose cytosine-arabinoside/daunorubicin (HDAC) consolidation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 148 de novo AML patients of maximum 50 years (median 36 years, range 16 to 50) were enrolled in the trial. Following induction and early consolidation chemotherapy consisting of daunorubicin, cytosine-arabinoside and VP-16 (DAV), patients with an HLA-identical sibling underwent allogeneic BMT. The other patients received (by randomization or patient's decision) either HDAC or high-dose busulfan plus cyclophosphamide followed by autologous BMT. RESULTS: Hundred and five 105 (70.9%) patients achieved a complete remission. The event-free survival rates after intensive postremission therapy after 72 months were: after BMT (24 patients) 62% (95% confidence interval +/- 19%), after HDAC (44 patients) 36 +/- 16% and after autologous BMT (12 patients) 18 +/- 22%. Thus allogeneic BMT was superior to autologous BMT (p = 0.04), as was HDAC compared to autologous BMT, although not significantly so (p = 0.15). Patients receiving 2 cycles of HDAC had a better 6-year event-free survival rate (47%) and a lower relapse rate (50%) than patients who received only 1 course (29% and 70% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: High-dose busulfan/cyclophosphamide followed by unpurged autologous BMT early after achieving CR had no advantage over high-dose ara-c/daunorubicin. Two cycles of HDAC yielded better results than 1 cycle. The highest event-free survival rate was reached with myeloablative therapy followed by allogeneic BMT.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[10 years transplantation of bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cells in adults at the Hannover Medical School].

PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1986 until August 1995 230 adult patients received an allogeneic or autologous transplantation of bone marrow or hematopoietic blood stem cells. The conditioning and myeloablative treatment regimens were chosen according to the underlying disease and type of transplant. RESULTS: The observation period comprises 1 to 115 months after transplantation. After allogeneic transplantation from HLA-identical family donors, the probabilities of disease-free survival were for acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission (CR) (n = 35) 77%, for acute lymphoid leukemia in 1st CR (n = 7) 72% and in 2nd CR (n = 10) 40%, in first chronic phase of chronic myeloid leukemia (n = 34) 50% and in severe aplastic anemia (n = 7) 100%. Following myeloablative therapy and autologous transplantation the probabilities of disease-free survival were 47% in relapsed Hodgkin's disease (n = 22) and 42% for relapsed high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 12). Eight of 10 patients with acute myeloid and 7 of 8 with acute lymphoid leukemia suffered a leukemic relapse after autologous bone marrow transplantation. Three of 8 patients with relapsed testicular cancer survived relapse-free. Treatment failures were due to more advanced acute graft versus host disease after allogeneic transplantation and caused by relapse after autologous transplantation. Current protocols evaluate the allogeneic transplantation of enriched CD34+ blood stem cells. In chronic myeloid leukemia the autologous transplantation of blood stem cells after myeloablative therapy is being studied.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Improved outcome in adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

A total of 68 adult patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) were treated in three consecutive adult multicenter ALL studies. The diagnosis of B-ALL was confirmed by L3 morphology and/or by surface immunoglobulin (Slg) expression with > 25% blast cell infiltration in the bone marrow (BM). They were characterized by male predominance (78%) and a median age of 34 years (15 to 65 y) with only 9% adolescents (15 to 20 y), but 28% elderly patients (50 to 65 y). The patients received either a conventional (N = 9) ALL treatment regimen (ALL study 01/81) or protocols adapted from childhood B-ALL with six short, intensive 5-day cycles, alternately A and B. In study B-NHL83 (N = 24) cycle A consisted of fractionated doses of cyclophosphamide 200 mg/m2 for 5 days, intermediate-dose methotrexate (IdM) 500 mg/m2 (24 hours), in addition to cytarabine (AraC), teniposide (VM26) and prednisone. Cycle B was similar except that AraC and VM26 were replaced by doxorubicin. Major changes in study B-NHL86 (N = 35) were replacement of cyclophosphamide by ifosphamide 800 mg/m2 for 5 days, an increase of IdM to high-dose, 1,500 mg/m2 (HdM) and the addition of vincristine. A cytoreductive pretreatment with cyclophosphamide 200 mg/m2, and prednisone 60 mg/m2, each for 5 days was recommended in study B-NHL83 for patients with high white blood cell (WBC) count (> 2,500/m2) or large tumor burden and was obligatory for all patients in study B-NHL86. Central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis/treatment consisted of intrathecal methotrexate (MTX) therapy, later extended to the triple combination of MTX, AraC, and dexamethasone, and a CNS irradiation (24 Gy) after the second cycle. Compared with the ALL 01/81 study where all the patients died, results obtained with the pediatric protocols B-NHL83 and B-NHL86 were greatly improved. The complete remission (CR) rates increased from 44% to 63% and 74%, the probability of leukemia free survival (LFS) from 0% to 50% and 71% (P = .04), and the overall survival rates from 0% to 49% and 51% (P = .001). Toxicity, mostly hematotoxicity and mucositis, was severe but manageable. In both studies B-NHL83 and B-NHL86, almost all relapses occurred within 1 year. The time to relapse was different for BM, 92 days, and for isolated CNS and combined BM and CNS relapses, 190 days (P = .08). The overall CNS relapses changed from 50% to 57% and 17%, most probably attributable to the high-dose MTX and the triple intrathecal therapy. LFS in studies B-NHL83 and B-NHL86 was significantly influenced by the initial WBC count < or > 50,000/microL, LFS 71% versus 29% (P = .003) and hemoglobin value > or < 8 g/dL, LFS 67% versus 27% (P = .02). Initial CNS involvement had no adverse impact on the outcome. Elderly B-ALL patients (> 50 years) also benefited from this treatment with a CR rate of 56% and a LFS of 56%. It is concluded that this short intensive therapy with six cycles is effective in adult B-ALL. HdM and fractionated higher doses of cyclophosphamide or ifosphamide seem the two major components of treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

MRI of encephalitis in children: comparison of CT and MRI in the acute stage with long-term follow-up.

We examined 14 children aged 28 days to 12.7 years with encephalitis by CT or MRI. Of the patients examined by CT 58% had a normal first scan, whereas all MRI investigations demonstrated abnormalities. The clinical features correlated with several MRI investigations. On MRI herpes (HSV) encephalitis started in the medial temporal lobe and encephalomalacia developed within a few weeks. All patients had a follow-up examination 0.5 to 6.5 years after the acute phase. MRI revealed abnormalities in 13 of the 14 children; one boy, with lesions in only the white matter, had a normal follow-up MRI. Even with immediate, optimal therapy the children demonstrated severe parenchymal abnormalities. Signal abnormalities seen in the acute phase of the disease were likely to persist. In children with HSV encephalitis atypical lesions in different areas were seen.

Acute Disease↗