Breast cancer surveillance — a cost-effective strategy

Summary The effectiveness of a surveillance program for breast cancer recurrence in extending survival is predicated on two assumptions: 1) most recurrences are detected at an early stage at surveillance visits; and 2) the early treatment of recurrence offers a better chance of cure or longer survival. However, the data suggest that neither of these two assumptions is correct, and that postoperative follow-up of patients with breast cancer is expensive and does not significantly extend survival.This minisymposium was presented December 8, 1992, at the annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, and was sponsored by educational grants from Amgen and from Bristol-Myers Oncology Division.     

Narkosegasbelastung des Personals in der Kinderanästhesie

Methods. To assess the occupational exposure of the anaesthetist to anaesthetic gases, a total of 1 German and 25 Swiss hospitals were investigated. A Brüel & Kjær Type 1302 multi-gas monitor was used to measure concentrations of nitrous oxide and halogenated anaesthetic agents in the anaesthetist's breathing zone. Measurements were performed during 114 general anaesthetic, 55 of which were in patients under 11 years of age. In these 55 patients, the influence of various factors on the exposure (time-weighted average concentrations) was estimated by comparing different data groups. The efficiency of the applied scavenging equipment was examined by surveying the exhalation valve with a leak detector (type TIF 5600, TIF Instruments, Miami). Results. Sessions with patients under 11 years of age revealed much higher anaesthetic gas exposures compared to older patients. The concentrations of nitrous oxide were on average threefold (Fig. 1), those of the halogenated anaesthetics fivefold higher (Fig. 2) for the younger patients. In 11- to 16-year-old patients the exposure level was the same as in adult patients. The measurements showed a reduction of 85% in exposure if an efficient scavenging system (i.e., no waste gas discharge to room air through the exhalation valve) or lower fresh gas flow were used (Fig. 4); 42% of the inspected scavengers were inefficient, and reduced the exposure on average by only 30%. In operating theatres with a ventilation rate of at least ten air changes per h, the measured concentrations of anaesthetic gases in the inhalation zone of the anaesthetists were reduced more than 50% compared to poorly ventilated rooms (Figs. 4 and 5). The use of tracheal intubation or laryngeal mask airway (LMA) anaesthesia resulted in a reduction of 80% in exposure compared to standard face masks if efficient scavenging was used. The exposures during sessions with inefficiently scavenged Bain coaxial systems or unscavenged semi-open delivery systems of the Jackson-Rees type were tenfold higher than with scavenged rebreathing circuit systems (Fig. 6). During anaesthesia with IV or double-mask induction, the average levels of inhalation anaesthetics were reduced by about 80% compared to inhalational induction with standard masks (Fig. 7). The anaesthetist's working technique is a very important factor that strongly influences the concentrations. Poor work practices, like lifting off the face mask with anaesthetic gas flow turned on, increased the exposure of the anaesthetist and other operating room personnel drastically, even if the other conditions (scavenger and room ventilation) were good. Discussion. The exposure levels of anaesthetic gases are generally higher during anaesthesia in children up to 10 years of age than in older patients. Nevertheless, the measurements showed that exposure during paediatric anaesthesia can be kept below the recommended limit (8-h TWA in Switzerland) of 100 ppm nitrous oxide and 5 ppm halothane or 10 ppm enflurane or isoflurane. Causes of high exposures were particularly high fresh gas flows often applied without scavenging or together with inefficient scavenging devices and the high part of mask anaesthesia and inhalation induction with a loosely held mask. To achieve an effective reduction of occupational exposure, well-adjusted and maintained scavenging systems and low-leakage work practices are of primary importance. As leakage can never be completely avoided, a ventilation rate of at least ten air changes per h should be maintained in operating rooms and rooms where anaesthesia is induced to keep down concentrations of waste anaesthetic gases. High exposure during mask anaesthesia and inhalation induction can be prevented by further measures. Using a LMA instead of a standard mask reduces the exposure to the same level as endotracheal intubation. The exposure during induction can be reduced remarkably by the use of the double-mask system or IV induction. Applying low fresh gas flows reduces not only the exposure concentrations in the theatres, but also the contribution to the environmental burden (`?greenhouse effect?' and ozone layer destruction).     

Ultrasound for the assessment of the embolic risk of carotid plaques

In a prospective study we compared duplex-ultrasound characteristics of symptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) stenoses with cranial computerized tomographic (CCT) findings in 82 patients suffering from completed or transient middle cerebral artery symptoms. The aim was to assess the pathogenic role of ICA plaque morphology and the potential embolic risk of ICA plaques. The degree of carotid stenosis was estimated by spectral analysis of the pulsed Doppler signal. The CCT findings were classified as being either normal, lacunar lesions, hemodynamically induced low-perfusion infarctions, or territorial embolic infarctions. According to their ultrasonic features we characterized the ICA plaque surface as smooth or irregular and their structure as homogeneous or heterogeneous. Plaques with an irregular surface and heterogeneous echogenicity dominated significantly in CCT-territorial infarctions (p < 0.01), whereas hemodynamically induced low-perfusion infarctions showed no relationship with any plaque characteristic. High degree ICA stenoses (> 50>%) dominated in both territorial infarctions and low-perfusion infarctions, as compared to ipsilateral normal CCT or lacunes (p < 0.05). Normal CCT and lacunar infarctions were associated with homogeneous and smooth plaques (both p < 0.05). We conclude that > 50% ICA stenoses can cause both hemodynamically induced low-perfusion infarctions as well as thromboembolic territorial infarctions, whereas ulcerated and heterogeneous plaques constitute a high risk factor for arterio-arterial embolic stroke. Furthermore, carotid ultrasound may help to estimate the clinical significance of carotid lesions.     

Randomized Evaluation of an Inflatable Femoral Artery Compression Device After Cardiac Catheterization

Mechanical femoral artery compression devices have several limitations. We compared a novel disposable beltheld pneumatic compression device to manual compression alone in 213 patients randomized into two equal groups. Both were comparable for age, gender, current therapy with aspirin (ASA) and warfarin, diameter of the arterial sheath, previous procedures via the same artery, procedure duration, and blood pressure. Manual compression time was 12 ± 3 minutes. Pneumatic compression was reduced during 60 minutes. Patient discomfort was assessed as none (82% vs 88%), mild (13% vs 8%), moderate (3% vs 4%), or severe (2% vs 0%) for the manual versus pneumatic group, respectively. Bleeding and hematoma occurred in 7.5% of patients with no difference between the treatment groups. However, manual compression was significantly more effective in the higher range of systolic blood pressure, and pneumatic in the lower range, with a cut point of approximately 170 mmHg. Predictors for bleeding were systolic blood pressure and dose of ASA. Among 113 patients with systolic blood pressure < 160 mmHg and low dose (75 mg) or no ASA, only / patient (0.9%) experienced bleeding while 31% of 16 patients with both elevated systolic blood pressure and high dose ASA (150–330 mg) bled. We conclude that pneumatic femoral artery compression does not reduce bleeding and hematoma compared with manual compression. The use of low dose (75 mg) or no ASA, as well as giving special attention to patients with elevated systolic blood pressure, may reduce the risk of bleeding after cardiac catheterization .     

Diagnostic value of stereotactic biopsy of cerebral lesions in patients with AIDS

Summary A neurological complication occurs in 40–60% of HIV infected patients during the course of the disease. In 10–20% the neurological complication is the first manifestation of the HIV infection. A reliable neuropathological diagnosis is a prerequisite for a specifically selected treatment. While modern computer-assisted imaging techniques, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, do possess a high sensitivity, they do not as a rule permit an unambiguous diagnosis.Between October 1989 and July 1994 we biopsied 38 HIV infected patients stereotactically. The indication for the biopsy was determined by having radiologically detectable lesions with no regression tendency in patients under antitoxoplasmosis therapy. In 89% an unambiguous diagnosis wa made based on the biopsy; 11 % of the biopsies were not diagnostic. For the most part, toxoplasmosis (31%) and progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (29%) were involved. 18% of the patients suffered from a non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The foci were primarily frontal (47%), parietal (21%) or localised in the basal ganglia area (11%). The result of the biopsy led to a change in treatment for 52% of the patients. Morbidity and mortality of the operation were 0%.The results or our research series are similar to other groups. It was shown that stereotactic brain biopsy is a safe and effective method for establishing a sound basis for treating the frequently life-threatening cerebral complications of AIDS.     

Le rôle des représentations de la maladie et de la douleur dans la relation patient-thérapeute

Résumé  La rencontre entre patient et thérapeute dans la relation de soins met en présence non seulement deux individus, mais aussi deux systèmes de pensée. Elle suppose donc l'articulation de deux types de savoirs, profane d'une part et scientifique d'autre part. La clarification et la prise en compte des représentations du patient à propos de l'atteinte dont il souffre constitue un enjeu important de la relation. Il en va de même des attentes du thérapeute par rapport à ce qu'il considère comme un comportement douloureux adéquat, par exemple. Faute de la prise en compte des modèles de référence explicites et implicites tant du patient que du thérapeute, la relation peut déboucher sur des malentendus, des réactions d'agressivité, d'anxiété, et conduire à une rupture de cette relation.

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Summary  The patient-therapist relationship involves not only two individuals, but also two systems of thinking. It calls forth lay knowledge on the one hand and scientific knowledge on the other hand. The patient's representations about his pain and suffering may play an important role in the patient-health care provider relationship and thus need to be clarified and taken into account. This need also holds true where the therapist's expectations are concerned, for example with regard to what is considered as an adequate pain behavior. Failing to take into account the explicit and implicit models of both the patient and the therapist may lead to misunderstandings, aggressive behaviors, anxious reactions, and thus hamper or even disrupt the patient-therapist relationship.

     

Complications of treatment of urethral stricture in our practice

Bleeding is the most common early postoperative complication of the treatment of urethral stricture, while recurrent stricture is the most common late postoperative complication irrespective of the method of treatment applied. The different sophisticated methods of urethroplasty make it possible today to treat successfully complicated urethral strictures. The results of such treatment, however, have been associated with a variety of complications (impotence, incontinence and urethrocutaneous fistula), especially when simple methods such as bouginage are used. Although bouginage is associated with a greater recurrence rate of urethral stricture than is urethroplasty, the former should be encouraged in centres where facilities and trained urologists are limited, as it often occurs in the developing countries, since the method is simple and can be used as emergency without prior urethrogram.     

Split tolerance in chimeric GVH mice

Abstract The i.v. inoculation of parental spleen cells into unirradiated adult F1 hybrid mice results in a graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR). In the strain combination B10D2±(B10.BRx B10.D2) F1, this reaction is associated with thymic injury and transient but profound cellular immune deficiency. We further analysed the immune status of these mice 60 days after GVHR induction. Phenotypic studies of spleen cells showed that these mice were re-populated with parental lymphocytes resulting in a high degree of chimerism (85%). At this time, the mice looked healthy and recovered a normal cytotoxic T cell response (CTL) against allogeneic cells. GVH chimeric splenocytes were unresponsive against F 1 hybrid cells in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC), but exhibited anti-F1 CTL reactivity. We also analysed the anti-F 1 reactivity of these mice in vivo. GVH chimeric splenocytes were unable to induce GVHR after injection into a new F1 hybrid and F1 GVH mice specifically rejected F1 bone marrow (BM) cells after lethal irradiation. Grafting a neonatal parental thymus prevented the rejection of F1 BM cells and restored CTL alloreactivity. It is concluded that the chimeric state induced by GVHR is associated with a split tolerance and that a radiosensitive thymic-dependent mechanism is involved in maintaining self-tolerance in these mice.     

The CT criteria for conservative treatment — but under close clinical observation — of posterior fossa epidural haematomas

Summary In order to assess whether the indications for conservative treatment of supratentorial epidural haematomas are applicable also to posterior fossa epidural haematomas (PFEDH), the author reviewed the records of 25 patients. With a PFEDH volume of no more than 10 ml, a thickness of no more than 15 mm, a midline shift of no more than 5 mm, and in the absence of a significant intracranial haematoma elsewhere on computed tomography (CT) scans, the patients undergoing conservative treatment achieved the same excellent outcome as those undergoing early surgery. These CT criteria for conservative treatment of PFEDHs are similar to those of supratentorial epidural haematomas except the volume factor, namely, 10 ml in the former against 30 ml in the latter. That means a PFEDH of 10 ml or larger in the small posterior fossa may produce the same degree of midline shift and compression, and be as dangerous as an epidural haematoma of 30 ml or larger in the more capacious supratentorial compartment. But also for epidural haematomas of the posterior fossa, which initially are smaller than 10 ml, the general rule remains valid that they should be under close clinical supervision