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Biomedical subjects

Y Rolland

Publications and source records attributed to Y Rolland.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Early diagnosis of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma in children with tuberous sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: Intraventricular astrocytomas (subependymal giant cell astrocytomas) of tuberous sclerosis have a poor prognosis due to the obstruction of CSF flow. The aim of this study was to determine whether they could be differentiated during childhood and at an early preclinical stage, from subependymal nodules without any growing potential. METHODS: The first two MRIs of all children referred to this neuropaediatric centre between 1987 and 1996 were retrospectively blindly reviewed. RESULTS: Out of 60 patients, 24 disclosed subependymal nodules localised near the foramen of Monro, and eight of the 24 developed astrocytomas. Subependymal nodules were first detectable on MRI from 1 year of age in all cases and the first MRI evidence of growth occurred between 1 and 9 years (mean 4 years). At an early stage, subependymal nodules had different characteristics in patients who developed subependymal giant cell astrocytomas from those who did not. The nodules over 5 mm in diameter that were incompletely calcified and enhanced by gadolinium were at higher risk of growing, particularly in children with a familial history of tuberous sclerosis. To detect the subependymal giant cell astrocytomas earlier in tuberous sclerosis, it is advisible to systematically perform an MRI examination before 2 years of age and to repeat it every year if the patient has risk factors for developing astrocytomas.

Brain Neoplasms↗

[Comparison of accreditation procedures, ISO 9000 certification procedures and total quality management. Personal experiences and application of quality assurance in a department of radiology and medical imaging].

Management of quality assurance protocols in a radiology department can be done by using several tools or models. Some are specific like accreditation manuals issued by some organizations, others like the ISO 9000 certification and the Total Quality management are more general and already well known by manufacturers. In order to implement a process of quality improvement, we have reviewed three models of quality assurance: evaluation in total quality based on the European model "EFQM", accreditation based on booklets from French cancer centers and Canadian radiology centers and, finally, accreditation based on the ISO 9002 certification model. Based on results of our comparative study, these three tools of quality management are not contradictory and may be complementary. However, they can be compared in terms of constraints they impose, of their historical background, of the criteria evaluated as well as the role of different teams. In conclusion, we suggest that directors of radiology department interested in implementing a quality assurance program first evaluate their department using the Canadian accreditation model issued in 1993 which is useful to become familiar with this new concept of quality. In a second step, a self assessment using the EFQM has to be done in collaboration with all members of the administration board in order to integrate all parameters and to share this protocol with all decision makers. The last step is to consolidate the organization of the quality assurance protocols by means of the ISO 9002 certification.

Accreditation↗

[Steinert disease associated with Klinefelter's syndrome].

Hypogonadism is common in Steinert disease but may also suggest other diagnoses. We report the case of a patient with Steinert's disease who also had Klinefelter syndrome disclosed at 62 years of age by an osteoporotic fracture. Both clinical diagnoses were confirmed by karyotype and genetic analysis. The hypogonadism assigned to the Klinefelter syndrome for this patient may have influenced the clinical expression of the muscular pathology.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

[Web radiology servers: advices for users, their development and evaluation of the quality of sites].

Sites available on the Internet are constantly increasing and over 15,000 medical websites covering all medical sub-specialties are now available. Finding relevant information on the web may be time consuming and difficult. We suggest that new users begin by accessing servers where lists of available sites are grouped under headings such as medical sub-specialties. We will list a selection of useful radiological websites providing image databases, case reports, radiological anatomy and continuing medical education. While surfing on the web, an evaluation of the quality of the websites is necessary. We used the quality criteria proposed by Darmoni to rate the quality of ten websites. The overall quality was good, but the lack of help options and external links were the main pitfalls that we noted. All webmasters should pay attention to quality criteria and show the Darmoni criteria on their homepage. In order to evaluate which internet options should be developed, we evaluated our own website and submitted a questionnaire to our users. Clinical cases were the most requested feature, they could be used for continuing medical education.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗

[Asthma drugs and doping].

Some drugs regularly used in the treatment of asthma (beta-agonists and corticosteroids) are registered on the list of drugs forbidden in sport, because they have a doping action. To avoid penalizing asthmatic sportsmen, some beta-agonists (Salbutamol, Salmeterol, Terbutaline) and corticosteroids are allowed only in inhaled form, with written notification from the prescribing physician, a pneumologist or the team doctor. Considering the increase of doping with increasing involvement of physicians, good and up to date notions about the current rules of prescription in asthmatic sportsmen are needed.

Administration, Inhalation↗

[From accreditation to certification. Quality management in a radiology department].

The leaders of a radiology department started a quality process based on ISO 9001 certification and the total quality management program. The purpose of this work is to match the conformity of this quality system to ANAES recommendations. If the concordance is obvious, the advantages of using quality insurance to get an accreditation are important. In conclusion, a quality process is proposed, it includes a quality insurance manual of ISO 9001 norm, the total quality management in the first point of the norm and the ANAES recommendations spread over the 20 points of the norm.

Accreditation↗

[Optimization of a teleradiology system between two geriatric hospitals and a radiology department of a CHU].

The routine use of a 64 kb/sec Numeris network requires that a compromise be reached between image quality and time required for image transfer. Our goal was to present our experience and describe our choices when reporting examinations for two geriatric hospitals located at a short distance from our radiology department. Different digitization parameters were tested (resolution, compression) for 10 plain films corresponding to the usual clinical situations: abdominal X ray, chest X ray, wrist, spine and pelvis X rays. A subjective analysis of the global quality and of the quality of a region of interest enlarged twelve times has been performed. After result analysis, our choices were: digitization using 75 or 150 DPI and systematic use of a reversible compression format. This system proved satisfactory for both clinicians and radiologists; since its implementation, 1,800 files have been reviewed.

Computer Communication Networks↗

[Gammopathies of indeterminant significance and osteoporosis: association or coincidence?].

OBJECTIVES: Osteoporosis is common in subjects over 70 years of age. Likewise, the incidence of monogammapathies of undetermined signification (MGUS) increases with age. We conducted this study to determine whether the biological and histomorphometric characteristics of osteoporosis in patients with MGUS are different from those in primary osteoporosis and to ascertain whether any cause and effect relationships could exist between MGUS and osteoporosis, excluding signs of active myeloma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum and urinary phosphorus and calcium, histomorphometric measurements, hormone levels and serum cytokines (IL1, IL6 and TNF alpha) were determined in 7 patients (mean age 71.8 years, 2 men and 5 women) with MGUS associated with osteoporosis with vertebral fractures (OP) and compared with those in 7 osteoporosis patients without MGUS matched for age, sex, and osteoporosis severity and 7 other age and sex matched patients with MGUS without OS. The MGUS + PS patients were followed for 9 years (4.5 to 20) so slowly progressive myeloma could be excluded. RESULTS: Cytokine levels were the same in the three groups of patients but MGUS + OP patients had higher urinary calcium levels (ca/cr = 0.21 +/- 0.08 vs 0.12 +/- 0.1 (OP) and 0.13 (MGUS); p = 0.04), decreased osteocalcin levels (7 +/- 4.6 ng/ml vs. 12 +/- 4 (OP) and 11.5 +/- 5 (MGUS); p = 0.01) and increased surface resorption (8 +/- 1.4 vs. 3.6 +/- 1.2 (OP) and 5.5 +/- 1.7 (MGUS); p = 0.05). DISCUSSION: It has been demonstrated that MGUS in patients with increased resorption and lower osteocalcin levels frequently progresses to active myeloma. The question is raised as to whether, in certain cases of MGUS, in situ stimulation of bone cells by monoclonal plasma cells could exist without ongoing transformation to active myeloma.

Aged↗

2-2'-Pyridylisatogen, a selective allosteric modulator of P2 receptors, is a spin trapping agent.

2-2'-Pyridylisatogen (PIT) has been reported to be a relatively selective irreversible antagonist of responses to adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) in some smooth muscle preparations and to be an allosteric modulator of responses to ATP at recombinant P2Y receptors from chick brain. PIT is also a potent inhibitor of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. However, the compound has a unique nitrone structure, so PIT was compared with dimethyl-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) as a spin trapping agent for superoxide and hydroxyl radicals using electron spin resonance (ESR). PIT was found to be a potent spin trapper of both hydroxyl and superoxide radicals. PIT was more potent than DMPO to trap the hydroxyl radical forming an adduct which was more stable than the DMPO adduct in aqueous media. PIT was an effective spin trap of hydroxyl radical in aqueous buffer at pH 7.4. PIT more slowly trapped the superoxide anion but at concentrations where DMPO trapped none.

Allosteric Regulation↗

Lower limb angiography: a prospective study comparing carbon dioxide with iodinated contrast material in 30 patients.

OBJECTIVE: We prospectively compared patients' tolerance for and the usefulness of carbon dioxide (CO2) with iodinated contrast material in the study of lower limb arteries in 30 patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We systematically performed digital subtraction angiography with electronic injection of CO2 (injection average, 330 ml) and digital subtraction angiography with iodinated contrast material in 30 patients (20 men and 10 women; mean age, 67.5 years) suffering from lower limb ischemia. Patients were monitored for vital signs and comfort. Four reviewers subjectively evaluated vessel visibility at five levels (pelvis, thigh, knee, calf, and ankle). We used the Student's t test to evaluate the tolerance and the global examination quality. The chi-square test was used to evaluate the stratified analysis of the observers and scores of the image quality according to the anatomic level studied. Bartlett's test of equality of variances was used to compare the variances between the readers. RESULTS: CO2 was less well tolerated (p < .01) than iodine was. Fifty-three percent of patients reported CO2 was equally well tolerated (53%), 40% reported more discomfort than with iodine, and 4% reported less discomfort than with iodine. Both techniques were equivalent for imaging of the iliac arteries, but CO2 performed poorly in the arteries below the knee (p << .001). CONCLUSION: CO2 angiography with electronic injection proved to be less comfortable than iodinated angiography. CO2 arteriography is equivalent to iodinated arteriography for imaging the iliac arteries but imaging performance progressively degrades in the more distal arteries of the legs.

Adult↗

Computed tomography guided thoracic sympatholysis for palmar hyperhidrosis.

METHODS: Sixteen patients (mean age 26.3 years; range 18-38) with palmar hyperhidrosis underwent 29 sympatholyses after unsuccessful medical, and in 8 ionophoresis, treatments. Sympatholysis was performed under local anesthesia with computed tomographic guidance. After opacification of the injection site at T3 with Iopamiron 200, phenolization was performed with 10 ml 6% phenol. RESULTS: Good immediate results evaluated on the basis of venous dilatation, and dryness and warmth of the skin were obtained in 23 cases (80%). There were 6 immediately unsuccessful procedures in 4 patients. At 20 months, good results, assessed on the basis of objective criteria and subjective patient self-evaluation were obtained in 22 cases (75% including immediate failures). Computed tomography guided thoracic sympatholysis performed under local anesthesia is an effective treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis. Morbidity is low and hospital stay is short. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that thoracic sympatholysis should be indicated as the first intention procedure when surgery is required in patients with palmar hyperhidrosis.

Adolescent↗

[The virtual university in medicine. Context, concepts, specifications, users' manual].

The widespread use of Web servers, with the emergence of interactive functions and the possibility of credit card payment via Internet, together with the requirement for continuing education and the subsequent need for a computer to link into the health care network have incited the development of a virtual university scheme on Internet. The Virtual University of Radiology is not only a computer-assisted teaching tool with a set of attractive features, but also a powerful engine allowing the organization, distribution and control of medical knowledge available in the www.server. The scheme provides patient access to general information, a secretary's office for enrollment and the Virtual University itself, with its library, image database, a forum for subspecialties and clinical case reports, an evaluation module and various guides and help tools for diagnosis, prescription and indexing. Currently the Virtual University of Radiology offers diagnostic imaging, but can also be used by other specialties and for general practice.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗

Therapeutic effect of mitoxantrone combined with methylprednisolone in multiple sclerosis: a randomised multicentre study of active disease using MRI and clinical criteria.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency of mitoxantrone in multiple sclerosis. METHODS: Forty two patients with confirmed multiple sclerosis, selected as having a very active disease on clinical and MRI criteria were randomised to receive either mitoxantrone (20 mg intravenously (IV) monthly) and methylprednisolone (1 g iv monthly) or methylprednisolone alone over six months. In the steroid alone group five patients dropped out due to severe exacerbation. RESULTS: Blinded analysis of MRI data showed significantly more patients with no new enhancing lesions in the mitoxantrone group compared with the steroid alone group, (90% v 31%, P < 0.001). In the mitoxantrone group there was a month by month decrease almost to zero in the number of new enhancing lesions, and in the total number of enhancing lesions, whereas both remained high in the steroid alone group. The differences were significant for both indices at all months from 1-6. Unblinded clinical assessments showed a significant improvement in change in EDSS at months 2-6 in the mitoxantrone group, with a final mean improvement of more than one point (-1.1 v + 0.3; P < 0.001). There was a significant reduction in the number of relapses (7 v 31; P < 0.01), and an increase in the number of patients free of exacerbation (14 v 7; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this selected group of patients with multiple sclerosis with very active disease, mitoxantrone combined with methylprednisolone was effective in improving both clinical and MRI indices of disease activity over a period of six months whereas methylprednisolone alone was not. Further double blinded long term studies are needed to properly evaluate the effect of mitoxantrone on progression in disability.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Preoperative color-Doppler assessment of vascularisation of the rectus abdominis: anatomic basis of breast reconstruction with a transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap--a prospective study.

The unipedicled TRAM flap is an useful alternative to breast reconstruction after mastectomy in patients who refuse mammary implants. There is however the risk of unpredictable partial skin necrosis even after rigorous surgical procedures. Certain authors have proposed color flow doppler assessment before reconstructive surgery better to identify the vascular network and optimise patient selection. We performed a prospective study in 20 outpatients in order to compare preoperative assessment of the blood supply to the abdominal flap with the operative findings. An Ultramark 9 HDI (Advanced Technology Laboratories) equipped with a high frequency (10 Mhz) linear probe was used to measure blood flow and vessel caliber in the epigastric a. and perforating vessels (localisation, number; peak flow). Despite three limiting factors (anatomic, technical, morphologic) the results obtained in this series could be used to determine the indications for a TRAM flap.

Female↗