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Biomedical subjects

N Cailleux

Publications and source records attributed to N Cailleux.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

[Thrombophlebitis and cancer: evaluation of the diagnostic value of abdominal ultrasonography in the acute phase of a deep venous thrombosis. Report of 148 consecutive examinations].

If an association between venous thromboembolism and malignancy is now well established, there is no consensus about the investigations which should be performed to detect occult malignancy after deep vein thrombosis episode. We investigated the usefulness of systematic abdomino-pelvic ultrasonography in 148 consecutive patients older than 40 with deep vein thrombosis and or pulmonary embolism. Ultrasonography was abnormal in 8 patients (5.4%) and detected only 6 cancers. In 5 cases, clinical examination and laboratory tests were sufficient to suggest malignancy. Our results suggest that ultrasonography should not be systematically performed in patients with deep vein thrombosis. Decisions to performed additional diagnostic tests can be based on the finding of the initial clinical examination, that includes medical history, physical examination, routine laboratory tests and chest-x-ray.

Abdomen↗

[Platelet antiaggregants and atheromatous arteriopathy of the lower limbs].

Antiplatelet therapy (chiefly aspirine alone) greatly reduces the risk of vascular death and vascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction, past history of myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke or transient ischaemic attack, and also in the large categories of patients at increased risk of occlusive vascular diseases. Studies of patients with peripheral arteriopathy demonstrate that antiplatelet therapy significantly reduces the risk of vascular occlusions in patients with intermittent claudication or with saphenous vein grafts or prosthetic implants or angioplasty for lower limb diseases. In trials in high risk patients where patients data were available, antiplatelet therapy produces a similar effect in middle age or old age, in men or women, in diabetic and non-diabetic or in hypertensive or normotensive patients. There is no clear evidence that antiplatelet therapy is indicated in primary prevention. Medium dose aspirin (75-325 mg/d), probably for indefinite continuation, is the most widely tested antiplatelet regimen.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗

[Pseudothromboangiitis obliterans and qualitative protein C deficiency: report of a case].

Thromboangiitis obliterans is a segmental obliterating inflammatory arteritis, usually found in young (below 40) smoking males. Its diagnosis relies on patient history, clinical features, arterial angiography, and more rarely on pathological findings, though none of these is specific of the disease, and on the absence of other diseases such as early atheroma, thromboembolic processes, vascular malformation, trauma, collagen or blood disorders. Raynaud's phenomenon, digital arteritis, superficial and often migrating venous thromboses are further arguments for the disease. However, such associations can also occur during other diseases, especially congenital or acquired deficits in coagulation factors (antiphospholipid syndrome, S protein deficiency...). In our patient with suspected thromboangiitis obliterans, the occurrence of superior longitudinal and right lateral sinus thrombosis led to the discovery of a qualitative C protein defect. This observation stresses the need for careful elimination of a coagulation disorder before confirming the diagnosis of thromboangiitis obliterans.

Adult↗

[Erythermalgia and systemic lupus erythematosus].

We report three cases of erythermalgia associated with systemic lupus erythematosus corresponding to different clinical situations in such an association. The first patient developed erythermalgia during the course of systemic lupus erythematosus. In the second, erythermalgia preceded other symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus by four years. In the third, erythromelalgia was not related to a flare-up of systemic lupus erythematosus, but to thrombocythemia, a complication of immunosuppressive therapy. These cases permit a discussion on terminology and classification of erythromelalgia and erythermalgia. However, more than terminology or classification into three types or into adult-onset and early-onset (childhood) erythromelalgia, the important is to consider primary and secondary forms. We used a classification into two types: primary (or erythermalgia) with subdivision into sporadic and familial subtypes, and secondary with subdivision into erythermalgia related to myeloproliferative disorders and erythermalgia related to other diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, or to drugs (erythermalgia-like syndrome).

Adolescent↗

[Should watermelon stomach be considered to be an unrecognized localization of scleroderma?].

We reported a typical case of watermelon stomach which occurred during the course of a limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Watermelon stomach is an important source of upper gastrointestinal bleeding which requires endoscopic treatment. Such an association has already been described and we suggest that watermelon stomach could be an unrecognized localization of scleroderma stomach involvement. Because gut involvement may precede skin manifestations. A search of progressive systemic sclerosis should be done with clinical examination, antinuclear antibodies research (especially anticentromere antibodies) and nailfold capillaroscopy when a such endoscopic appearance is noted.

Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage↗

[Acquired autoantibodies against human factor VIII: a new case].

The finding of a prolonged partial thromboplastin time and a normal prothrombin time localized the coagulation defect to the intrinsic or contact activation limb of the coagulation cascade. Because the situation is a source of hemorrhage, a rational and rapid approach is necessary with measure of factors of intrinsic limb of coagulation (especially factors VIII and IX, for the diagnosis of classic hemophilia), study of von Willebrand factor and search of coagulation factor inhibitors. We report the case of a 25-year old woman with high titer postpartum antibody against factor VIII for illustrating the diagnosis approach.

Adult↗

[Childhood acromelalgia a propos of a case revealing Fabry's disease].

The occurrence of an acrosyndrome (Raynaud's phenomenon, erythermalgia, acrodynia...) in childhood may be the first manifestation of a general disease. Though it can be an early onset Raynaud's disease, it could also be the first sign of a connective tissue disease (juvenile polyarthritis, mixed connectivitis...) or of a overload disorder. We report a case of childhood-onset acromelalgia leading to the discovery of Fabry's disease. This chromosome X-linked hereditary disorder, resulting in the ubiquitous accumulation of neutral sphingolipids, is usually rapidly suspected by the finding of "boxer-short" angiokeratoma. Diagnosis is confirmed by the ophthalmic examination (cornea verticillata), by the pathological examination of a skin sample, and by the measure of alpha-galactosidase A activity. Treatment is usually only symptomatic, but the discovery of the mutations responsible for the disease could open the way to specific therapy.

Adult↗

Prevalence and evolution of anticardiolipin antibodies in giant cell arteritis during corticosteroid therapy. A prospective study of 20 consecutive cases.

IgG and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies (aCA) were studied prospectively in 20 consecutive patients (12 females, eight males, mean age 74.6 +/- 14 yr, range 62-86 yr) with giant cell temporal arteritis before and during corticosteroid therapy (days 7, 30, 90 and 180). IgG-aCA were present in 10 out of 20 cases and in nine out of 12 with positive temporal artery biopsy but were not found in 20 paired control subjects. During steroid therapy aCA levels returned to within the normal range in 60% of patients with positive aCA at day 7 and in 80% at day 30. In two cases aCA persisted during the 6-month follow-up despite clinical and biological success. No association was found between aCA and thrombotic events.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Endothelins. A potential target for pharmacological intervention in diseases of the elderly.

The existence of vasoconstrictive factors originating from the endothelium was confirmed by the description of endothelin, a 21-amino-acid peptide derived from a series of precursors, preproendothelin and a 38-amino-acid big endothelin. Three isoforms of endothelin, endothelin-1, -2 and -3, and 3 receptors (ETA, ETB and ETC) have been described and cloned. The cellular mode of action of endothelin seems to involve the modulation of intracellular calcium (through inositol trisphosphate, diacylglycerol and phospholipase C) and activation of calcium channels. The effects of endothelin are predominantly on the cardiovascular system. Its major effect is vasoconstriction, both systemic and pulmonary, with additional positive chronotropic and inotropic effects on the heart. It has also been implicated in homeostatic regulation of kidney microcirculation, and has powerful mitogenic effects on fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. Many additional effects have been described on the endocrine system and on other systems. However, the clinical relevance of such effects is uncertain. Increased plasma endothelin levels have been reported in many diseases, but as yet it is not certain whether they are a cause or a consequence of the pathology. Pathologies most probably related to endothelin dysfunction are the vasospastic diseases, especially vasospasm after subarachnoid haemorrhage. Endothelin could be implicated to a lesser measure in diseases typical of the elderly population, such as hypertension or atherosclerosis. Drugs are being developed which act on endothelin metabolism, the most promising of which appear to be the inhibitors of endothelin converting enzyme and endothelin receptor antagonists. Some already existing drugs, such as calcium channel blockers or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, probably act at least in part by interfering with endothelin metabolism or effects.

Aged↗

[Major hypercalcemia revealing sarcoidosis].

We reported a new case of sarcoidosis disclosed by a symptomatic severe hypercalcemia. Increase of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is secondary to an extrarenal production by alveolar macrophages and sarcoid granuloma. Glucocorticoid administration produces a prompt and persistent decrease in serum and urinary levels of calcium.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

[Digital necrosis of the arm excluding scleroderma. Retrospective study of 45 cases].

UNLABELLED: The causes of digital necrosis are so diverse that it should be considered not as a surgical but as a medical emergency. In women, digital necrosis first suggests connective tissue disease, and especially Progressive Systemic Sclerosis. In men the causes are more diverse. In this retrospective study, we have tried to identify and categorize the cause of digital necrosis in patients without Progressive Systemic Sclerosis. The medical files of all patients admitted from 1/1/89 to 1/1/93 for digital necrosis were retrospectively reviewed. All patients with Progressive Systemic Sclerosis, either diagnosed at that time or know before, were excluded. All 45 patients in the study had an evaluation of coagulation, vascular risk factors, a cardiac examination and nailfold capillary microscopy, as well as tests for antinuclear antibodies, and cryoglobulinaemia. Other tests were done according to the clinical presentation. Upper limb angiography was done 26 times. RESULTS: there were 10 women and 35 men, mean age 53 years (24-85 years). In the women, the following diagnosis were found: atherosclerosis 1, paraneoplastic syndrome 1, one thrombocythemia, and 6 connective tissue diseases (one dermatopolymyositis, 1 essential cryoglobulinaemia, 2 lupus erythematous and two suspected secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. Twelve men had arterial diseases: 6 thromboangiitis obliterans and 6 obliterans atherosclerosis. Seven times, the cause was local: 5 hammer's syndromes, 2 thoracic outlet syndrome. In the other patients, the causes were extremely diverse: cardiac embolism (4), primary antiphospholipid syndrome (3), polyarteritis nodosa (1), leprosy seroconversion (1), connective tissue disease (3). In 4 patients (3 of whom were smokers) no cause was found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗