Combined use of low-frequency ultrasound and photodynamic therapy in the prevention of postoperative pleural empyema

Results of surgical treatment of 20 patients with malignant lung tumors operated in N.N.Burdenko faculty surgical clinic were analyzed. The authors have developed the method of prophylaxis of acute postoperative pleural empyemas patented in Russian Federation. This method is: after main stage of operation (lob- or pneumonectomy) pleural cavity in filled with antiseptic solutions (furacillin 1:5000, 0.02% chlorgexidin). 5 ml of photosense (sulfured ftalocyanin of aluminium) were injected in pleural cavity, after it pleural cavity is treated by low-frequency ultrasound. After it the antiseptic is removed and pleural cavity is irradiated by red light with use of KAMIN-VIDEO lamp. In all the 20 operated patients who had undergone sanation of pleural cavity by low-frequency ultrasound and it irradiation by KAMIN-VIDEO lamp the postoperative period was uncomplicated.     

Resources of intraoperative diagnosis of thyroid gland diseases]

The method of intraoperative laser autofluorescent spectroscopy (IOLAS) has been developed and introduced in clinical practice for improvement of intraoperative diagnosis of thyroid gland diseases. 112 patients (17 men, 95 women, mean age 46.5 +/- 3.8) with various thyroid diseases were examined. Benign diseases were revealed in 96 (85.7%) patients, thyroid cancer--in 16 (14.3%). All the patients were operated. Rapid histologic examination and IOLAS were performed in all the patients. Main spectral characteristics and criteria of differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid diseases were determined. High diagnostic value of this method was demonstrated. Results of IOLAS were compared with USI, thin-needle aspiration biopsy, express histologic examination. Sensitivity of IOLAS in differential diagnosis of malignant thyroid diseases achieves 95.4%, specificity--97.6%. IOLAS permits to clarify the morphology of thyroid lesions and to choice optimal scope of surgery. In accordance to IOLAS the scope of planned surgery was expanded in 18.2% cases that permitted to avoid repeated operations after elective histologic examination. It is concluded that the method may be used for optimisation of intraoperative diagnosis of thyroid diseases.     

Experimental assessment of the capacities of use of photosense. Communication 2. Photodynamic therapy for epibulbar and choroid tumors

The study was undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of photodynamic therapy of pigmented choroid and epibulbar melanoma, by using the agent Photosense. Pigmented choroid and epibulbar melanoma were identified in 50 rabbit eyes. After intravenous injection of Photosense, 0.7 mg/kg, the tumors were irradiated at 675 nm with an argon-pumped dye laser at 150 J/cm2. Photodynamic therapy with Photosense may be effective in treating pigmented choroid and epibulbar melanomas.     

Possibilities of laser-endoscopic spectrum analysis in laryngology

This paper discusses the potential application of a laser-endoscopic spectral analyzer in fibrolaryngoscopy for early detection of neoplasms (luminescence combined with spectrophotometry) as well as for examination of the laryngeal mucosa by measuring oxygenation and blood flow in microcirculation with the aid of spectrophotometry. The results of examinations of 35 patients have shown that the laser-endoscopic spectral analyzer can be used to perform premorphological rapid tests in cancer diagnosis and to assess the efficacy of therapeutic methods.     

Experimental assessment of the capacities of use of photosense. Communication 1. Fluorescence diagnosis of epibulbar and choroid tumors

Whether Photosense (PS) may be used in the fluorescence diagnosis (FD) of experimental epibulbar and choroid tumors is discussed. The fluorescent ability of Photosense in FD permits detection of advanced malignancies. The kinetics of concentration of PS and the selectivity of its accumulation in malignant versus normal tissues were investigated. PS is shown to be an effective photosensitizer in the FD and, possibly, photodynamic therapy of tumors.     

Changes in the degree of oxygenation of gastric mucosa before and after the operation of creating a small stomach in patients with the extreme degree of alimentary-constitutional obesity]

The authors examined 131 patients with alimentary-constitutional obesity of Degrees III-IV before and after operation for "small stomach" formation. All patients underwent pre- and post-operative endoscopy of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. The level of gastric mucosa oxygenation was measured in 50 patients before and in various periods after surgery. For this purpose the authors suggested an original endoscopic +spectrum analyzer and a method for determining the level of oxygenation of the mucosa of the organ. The level of gastric mucosa oxygenation was significantly lower in patients with obesity than in healthy individuals of the control group. After the operation the oxygenation level increased significantly, which was connected with an altered diet regimen, reduced amount of the ingested food, loss of weight, and improved microcirculation in the mucous membrane of the organs of the alimentary tract. The authors emphasize in particular the absence of blood supply disorders at the site of application of a synthetic fluoronlavsan band (in the region of the anastomosis), which is among the indices of the physiological property of this method for surgical treatment of patients with alimentary-constitutional obesity.     

Endobronchial laser therapy in complex preoperative preparation of patients with lung diseases

The method of endobronchial laser therapy with the use of photosensitiser-photosense (phthalocyanine aluminum)--was used since 1998 for the first time in faculty surgical clinic, as preoperative preparation in 36 patients with surgical diseases of the lungs (malignant and benign tumors and chronic inflammatory diseases). The method aimed at elimination of postoperative pyogenous complications and improvement of the respiratory system functional. The method consists in introduction into the organism by various ways the photosensitizing preparation photosence, followed by irradiation of the right and left parts of bronchial tree by low intensity laser light, (wave length 675 mm) through dispersing light guide, introduced through the flexible bronchoscope to the areas of the ostia of the lobar bronchi. 3 ways of introduction of the photosensitizer were used: endobronchial (9 patients); aerosol (22 patients); combination of the endobronchial lavage and intravenous injection (5 patients). The duration of the procedure of irradiation made up 5 min. at each side of the bronchial tree, the power density being 85 mV/cm2. The procedure was repeated twice for 2 days. The following results were obtained: antibacterial effect; reduction of endoscopic and morphological features of inflammation of the bronchial mucosa; stimulation of local immunity; decrease of the tumor aggression (according to histological examination); the appearance of the tumor destruction areas; lavering of Ki-67 and bcl-2, increase of c-bax; the improvement of the respiratory system functional; positive dynamics of clinical status (a decrease of cough, dispnea, quantity of mucus discharge and haemoptysis). The perspectiveness of the method is stressed as a preoperative preparation in patients with surgical diseases of the lungs.     

Photodynamic therapy for subretinal neovascular membranes. Communication 2. Results of treatment for complicated myopia

The efficiency of photodynamic therapy (PDT) versus drug therapy was evaluated in patients with subretinal neovascular membranes (SNM) in complicated myopia (CM). Photosens (aluminum phthalocyanine) was intravenously injected in a dose of 0.05 mg/kg. The irradiation conditions were as follows: a session was carried out, using a laser at a wavelength of 675 nm, in an exposure light dose of 120 J/cm2. The number of sessions ranged from 3 to 5 a week, depending on the clinical picture of SNM. The total light dose was not greater than 500 J/cm2. Twelve months after drug therapy and a course of PDT, reduced visual acuity was observed in 50% and only 20.8% of cases, respectively. Stabilization or increase of visual functions occurred in the remaining patients receiving a course of PDT.     

The first results of phase IIA of clinical studies of photodynamic therapy for subretinal neovascular membranes with photosense

The subretinal neovascular membrane (SNM) is a common complication of diseases, such as senile macular degeneration, myopia, pseudohistoplasmic syndrome, and many others. There is no algorithm of treatment for this pathology in today's ophthalmological care; however, many authors have arrived at the conclusion that photodynamic therapy (PDT) plays a major role in solving this difficult problem. Fifteen (18 eyes) patients, including 8 (8 eyes) patients diagnosed as having senile macular degeneration and SNM and 7 (10 eyes) patients diagnosed as having complicated high-grade myopia, and 3 were diagnosed as having bilateral SNM. The Russian agent Photosense, 0.05 mg/kg, was used as a photosensitizer. PDT was performed on day 3 after administration of the agent according to the peak of accumulation and the maximum laser concentration gradient at a wavelength of 675 nm and a light dose of 120 J/cm2. Good functional and angiographic results may be observed after the first 3 months of a prospective controlled open-labeled study of the efficiency of PDT with Photosense; however, longer follow-ups and larger groups of patients are required to make a final assessment of this treatment.