Biomedical subjects

P Allard

Publications and source records attributed to P Allard.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

PubMed1981

Cancer mortality of a group of Canadian workers exposed to vinyl chloride monomer.

The present study was undertaken to find out whether there was an excess of cancer mortality from causes other than angiosarcoma of the liver among a group of workers heavily exposed to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). The mortality of 451 workers exposed to VCM for more than five years was compared with that of 870 workers from the same company who had not been exposed to VCM. The relative risk for digestive cancer was significantly higher than 1 (6.25, confidence interval 2.69 to 14.52) in the exposed group. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for digestive cancer was also higher (SMR 259.26 p less than 0.01) than that of the general population. No other cancer was in excess. Since the exposed workers are known to have had a cigarette smoking experience similar to that of those who were not exposed, it is concluded that the association between lung cancer and VCM exposure, if present, is indeed rather small.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

Pathomechanics and management of scoliosis in Friedreich ataxia patients: preliminary report.

The preliminary results based on a one year study on the evolution and management of scoliosis are presented. Twenty-one patients were followed in the Neuro-Muscular Disease Clinic at Ste-Justine Hospital where standardized spinal radiographs were taken periodically with the Scoliosis Chariot and the Throne. The short period of observation as well as the relatively small number of Friedreich ataxia patients followed requires that these results and the following remarks be interpreted with caution. Pathomechanics -- Between the age groups I (5 - 10 years) and II (10 - 15 years), a substantial increase in the Cobb values occurs. Associated with it, an increase was observed in the thoracic and thoracolumbar projected surface area indices. The relative rotation between the thoracic and lumbar segments was presumed to be the cause of the sudden increase in the Cobb measurements. For the non-ambulatory patients, a decrease in the lumbar lordosis towards a thoraco-lumbar kyphosis as well as a sudden increase in the sacral angle and a drop in the lumbo-sacral angle were associated with the seated posture assumed by the patient. Management -- Prevention of the progression of established curves was our main objective. Careful examination of the spine, depending on the age of the child, in our preliminary study, stimulated early orthopaedic treatment in any curve of 20 degrees or more. There was always concern for curves of 30 degrees or more. In the growing child, bracing was recommended. In the older child, the curve was usually stable after sixteen years of age. Surgery was usually attempted in curves over 40 degrees in the growing child. The same curve was usually stable after the growth period. For the non-ambulatory patients, the present study suggested the prescription of a molded seat with the following characteristics: i) a posterior lumbar support, ii) low thoracic lateral supports and iii) a slight inclination of the seating system. This was presumed to be beneficial in maintaining stability of the spine. Presently, an evaluation of such a device is under investigation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1980

[Pericardiac tamponade revealing a lympho-epithelial thymoma (author's transl)].

An inaugural pericardiac tamponade performed on a 39 years old man, reveals a lympho-epithelial thymoma. The anatomic diagnosis first suggested by the radiography after evacuation of the effusion, is confirmed by the swab taken during the retroxiphoidal drainage. A 57 Gray cobaltotherapy was then performed. 18 months later, a satisfactory general state, allowed the patient to return to his professional activity. The evaluation of a tumourous residue by a tomodensitometry, is discussed at the light of a comparable observation confirming the efficiency of cobaltotherapy but, at the same time, its agressivity for such an important target volume. A previous surgical reduction, whenever possible, is then considered; an unthinkable eventuality in the reported observation.

Adult↗

PubMed1979

Pressure dependence of "the area micrometer" method in evaluation of cruciate ligament cross-section.

The intricate geometry of the cruciate ligament and the lack of adequate description of the methods used to obtain its cross-sectional area have complicated the normalization of the load-elongation data in terms of stress and strain respectively. An experimental study was undertaken to quantify the dependence on the applied pressure of cross-sectional area in canine ligaments. Twenty-two canine preparations were compressed with a non-rotating spindle blade micrometer (Mitutoyo, 122), whose thimble breakaway tongue develops a constant force of 1.96 N. By the use of matching pairs of plexiglass blocks of various widths, the applied pressure on the ligament could be varied between 0.041 and 0.355 MPa. Data from all the ligaments were reduced to a single curve which illustrates a decrease in the normalized cross-sectional area by 25% for pressures ranging from 0.04 to 0.36 MPa. For all pressures between 0.20 and 0.35 MPa the normalized cross-sectional area remained constant.

Animals↗

PubMed1979

[The buccal approach for excision of posterior submandibular gland calculi. A report on 10 cases (author's transl)].

The authors describe ten patients with calculi in various regions of the submandibular gland, who were operated upon using the buccal approach, and review the different therapeutic procedures available. Though removal of the submandibular gland is a mutilating operation and has many sequelae when operated upon through the submandibular approach, it is still, surprisingly, the standard operative procedure for removal of posterior calculi, even though Delaire had already expressed his logical preference for the buccal approach, 23 years ago. This procedure was used in the 10 cases reported here and results were very good, and there were no sequelae. A strict operative technique is necessary, including general anaesthesia and dissection of Wharthon's duct along its whole length as the essential factors.

Adult↗

PubMed1979

[Effect of transfer factor on the immunity state of patients with bronchopulmonary cancer. A report on 12 cases (author's transl)].

The dialysate of an extract of leucocytes having transfer factor (TF) activity was administered, at a daily dose of 1 mg/ml of orcinol-sulphuric positive material, by intramuscular injection to 12 patients with bronchopulmonary cancer for 6 days. An increase in the percentage of E-rosettes and the absolute number of T lymphocytes was observed in 7 cases out of 10. Rapid healing of a widespread intercurrent zona and a regin of B.C.G. scarification reaction was also noted. The TF was well tolerated in most cases.

Adult↗

PubMed1979

[Characteristics and complications of mediastinal brochogenic cysts. A report on five cases (author's transl)].

Five observations of mediastinal brochogenic cysts are used to illustrate the diagnostic and/or therapeutic difficulties encountered in cases with an ectopic topography or complications. In two cases, one of which was clearly located in the posterior mediastinum and associated with a false erosive appearance of the nearby vertebral body, it was possible to establish the degree of ectopic displacement of the bronchogenic cysts, and to comprehend the pre-operative diagnostic difficulties and nosological problems associated with these sequestrations. As far as complications are concerned, one observation was able to confirm that a sudden volume increase doesn't always correspond to a septic process, and that rapid secondary reduction in volume is not always accompanied by fistulation. Intracystic suppurations differ in appearance according to their location. In the subcarinal region they can cause a fistula, as in the case reported. In other regions, in this case the left lateral tracheal area, suppuration is enclosed, but it can be associated with suppurative lesions of the adjacent lung. The operative difficulties, partial cystectomy in one case and associated lobectomy in the other, are further evidence for the need for systematic excision of all bronchogenic cysts as soon as they are diagnosed and before complications occur.

Adult↗

PubMed1978