Novel approach to assess sarcopenia in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

Introduction: Sarcopenia is associated with poor clinical outcomes in chronic diseases. Our study aimed to characterize body composition (BC) parameters in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and compare skeletal muscle mass (SMM) parameters with the healthy pediatric population.

Methods: BC of healthy controls (HC) and of patients with IBD were measured via multifrequency bioelectrical impedance (InBody 720 device) in a cross-sectional manner.

Body composition, physical activity, and quality of life in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease on anti-TNF therapy-an observational follow-up study.

Background: Poor outcome of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with malnutrition. Our aim was to compare body composition (BC) and physical activity (PA) between patients with IBD and healthy controls, and to assess the changes in BC, PA and health related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with IBD during anti-TNF therapy.

Methods: 32 children with IBD (21 with Crohn's disease (CD), (age: 15.

The professional network underlying cerebral palsy intervention research based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in international journals: authors' communities, institutional networks, and international collaboration.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a well-researched area of medical science, health science and special education. The growing number of publications every year makes difficult to monitor the progress of this research domain, therefore there is a broad interest for conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of interventions in international peer-reviewed scientific journals. Our goal is to analyze the scientific activity of authors who published systematic reviews and meta-analyses of CP intervention studies.

Bilateral axillobrachial and external carotid artery manifestation of giant cell arteritis: important role of color duplex ultrasonography in the diagnosis.

A 76-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with vertigo. Previously he had been extensively examined because of an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate without any clinical symptoms. Physical examination revealed 60 mmHg blood pressure difference between the two arms.

Early enteral feeding compared with parenteral nutrition after oesophageal or oesophagogastric resection and reconstruction.

After resective and reconstructive surgery in the gastrointestinal tract, oral feeding is traditionally avoided in order to minimize strain to the anastomoses and to reduce the inherent risks of the postoperatively impaired gastrointestinal motility. However, studies have given evidence that the small bowel recovers its ability to absorb nutrients almost immediately following surgery, even in the absence of peristalsis, and that early enteral feeding would preserve both the integrity of gut mucosa and its immunological function. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of early enteral feeding on the postoperative course following oesophagectomy or oesophagogastrectomy, and reconstruction.

Ultraflex stent--benefits and risks in ultimate palliation of advanced, malignant stenosis in the esophagus.

Background/aims: Sophisticated endoscopical palliation in end-stage malignant stenosis of the esophagus and gastroesophageal-junction must be weighed against associated morbidity and mortality. In a prospective study we investigated benefits and risks of one type of coated, self-expandable stent in ultimate palliation of esophageal neoplasms focusing on factors that might predispose patients to develop complications.

Methodology: 33 men (70.

Penetration of piperacillin and tazobactam into pneumonic human lung tissue measured by in vivo microdialysis.

Objectives: The pharmacokinetic profile of antibiotics at the site of anti-infective action is one of the most important determinants of drug response, since it correlates with antimicrobial effect. Up to now, only limited information on the lung tissue pharmacokinetics of antibiotic agents has been available. The aim of this study was to measure, using a new microdialysis-based approach, antibiotic penetration into the extracellular space fluid of pneumonic human lung parenchyma.

Retrosternal pedicled jejunum interposition: an alternative for reconstruction after total esophago-gastrectomy.

Objective: If the colon cannot be used for reconstruction after total esophago-gastrectomy, alternatives have to be sought.

Methods: From 1990 to 2001, retrosternal jejunum loop interposition was performed in 35 patients (male/female: 29:6; mean age 59.2, range 16-83 years) due to cancer in 32 cases and to esophageal perforation in three cases.

[Arterial vascular injury of the diaphragm caused by serial rib fracture].

About 10% of all trauma patients sustain rib fractures. The average age is 58. Men are more often affected than women.

Management of iatrogenous esophagus perforation.

Objectives: The management of patients with iatrogenous, instrumentally caused esophageal disruptions is still a controversially discussed challenge for any physician. We reviewed indications, morbidity, and mortality of esophagectomy compared to less aggressive treatment schemes in the light of our single-unit experience.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed the cases of 38 consecutive patients suffering from iatrogenous esophageal disruption treated within the last 10 years at the University Medical School Graz.

Comparison of 5-aminolaevulinic acid and porphyrin photosensitization for photodynamic therapy of malignant bronchial stenosis: a clinical pilot study.

Background And Objectives: Photosan, a mixture of porphyrin oligomers as sensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT), carry the risk of prolonged photosensitivity of the skin. New sensitizer such as 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) with low rates of skin phototoxicity appear to be promising alternatives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ALA compared to Photosan for PDT in malignant tracheo-bronchial stenosis.

Does new photosensitizer improve photodynamic therapy in advanced esophageal carcinoma?

Background And Objective: Polyhematoporphyrin (Photosan) as sensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) in advanced esophageal cancer carry the risk of prolonged photosensitivity of the skin. New sensitizers such as 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) with low rates of skin phototoxicity appear to be promising alternatives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ALA compared to Photosan for PDT in advanced esophageal carcinoma regarding phototoxicity of the skin, reduction of dysphagia, tumor stenosis, and tumor length and Karnovsky performance status.

Boerhaave's syndrome: a continuing challenge in thoracic surgery.

Background/aims: Boerhaave's syndrome accounts for 30-40% of esophageal disruption. The current literature regarding the management of these patients and problems in treatment remains controversial.

Methodology: Between 1988 and 1998, 14 patients with Boerhaave's syndrome were treated in our unit.

Photosensitization with hematoporphyrin derivative compared to 5-aminolaevulinic acid for photodynamic therapy of esophageal carcinoma.

Background: Hematoporphyrin derivatives (HpD) as sensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) in advanced esophageal cancer carry the risk of prolonged photosensitivity of the skin. New sensitizers such as 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) with low rates of skin phototoxicity appear to be promising alternatives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ALA compared with HpD for PDT in advanced esophageal carcinoma regarding phototoxicity of the skin, reduction of dysphagia, tumor stenosis and length, and Karnovsky performance status.

Successful endoscopical sealing of malignant esophageotracheal fistulae by using a covered self-expandable stenting system.

Objective: Any treatment of tracheo-esophageal fistulae in end-stage malignant stenosis of the esophagus must be weighed against associated morbidity and mortality. In a prospective study we investigated benefits and risks of the use of one type of coated, self-expandable stent.

Patients And Methods: We treated four male and two female patients, (mean age 68.

Indications for surgery in tracheobronchial ruptures.

Objective: Ruptures of the tracheobronchial tree present a life-threatening situation. Nevertheless, therapy is still controversial. Though conservative treatment by antibiotics and intubation with the cuff inflated distal to the tear is favored by some authors, surgical repair is unavoidable in many cases.

Acid-related diseases following retrosternal stomach interposition.

Background/aims: Esophagectomy and reconstruction with retrosternal stomach interposition implies bilateral truncal vagotomy, which supposedly causes gastric functional impairment.

Methodology: Esophagectomy and reconstruction with retrosternal stomach interposition was performed on 15 men (mean age: 58.4 years) and 3 women (mean age: 43.

Acute effects of combined photodynamic therapy and hyperbaric oxygenation in lung cancer--a clinical pilot study.

Background And Objective: Photodynamic tumor therapy (PDT) is based upon a photochemical reaction that is limited by the availability of molecular oxygen in the target tissue. The use of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) increases the amount of oxygen available for the process may thereby enhance the efficacy of PDT. We investigated the acute effects on tumor stenosis after combined PDT/HBO.

Photodynamic therapy enhanced by hyperbaric oxygen in acute endoluminal palliation of malignant bronchial stenosis (clinical pilot study in 40 patients).

Objectives: Photodynamic tumor therapy (PDT) is based upon a photochemical reaction that is limited by the availability of molecular oxygen in the target tissue. The use of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) increases the amount of oxygen available for the process may thereby enhance the efficacy of PDT. We proved in a prospective, non-randomized clinical pilot study the acute effects on malignant bronchial stenosis and the technical feasibility of combined PDT/HBO.

Combined photodynamic therapy and hyperbaric oxygenation in carcinoma of the esophagus and the esophago-gastric junction.

Objectives: The photochemical reaction of photodynamic therapy (PDT) depends on the presence of molecular oxygen. Due to anoxic regions in tumor tissue and vascular shutdown during PDT the efficiency is limited. Therefore, the use of hyperbaric oxygen which increases the oxygen in tumor tissue, as well as the amount of singlet oxygen, may enhance the efficiency of PDT.

In vivo determination of tumor optical parameters in esophageal carcinoma.

Background And Objective: Dose dependence of light cannot be discussed on the basis of dose alone. On a more fundamental scientific level, the propagation of light in tissue depends on optical parameters of treated tumor tissue. In a prospective, nonrandomized study, in vivo optical parameters of esophageal carcinoma were studied.

Computed tomography or ultrasonically guided pigtail catheter drainage in multiloculated pleural empyema: a recommended procedure?

Objectives: The role of image-guided pigtail catheter drainage in the treatment of pleural empyema is associated with different outcomes, dependent on the stage of the disease. No agreement concerning its use exists.

Methodology: Fourteen patients at a fibropurulent stage of pleural empyema initially treated with computed tomography (CT) or ultrasonically guided pigtail catheter drainage were reviewed.

Effect of photodynamic therapy in a multimodal approach for advanced carcinoma of the gastro-esophageal junction.

Unlabelled: Background and Objective We wanted to determine the role of additional photodynamic therapy in a multimodal approach for the treatment of patients with advanced cancer of the gastro-esophageal junction. Study Design/Materials and Methods We reviewed 53 patients, after endoluminal palliation, with advanced cancer of the gastro-esophageal junction. Combined dilatation and retrograde tumor disobliteration with Nd-YAG laser before photodynamic therapy (PDT), brachyradiotherapy, or both, became necessary in 12 patients.

Hyperbaric oxygen and photodynamic therapy in the treatment of advanced carcinoma of the cardia and the esophagus.

Background And Objective: The photochemical reaction of photodynamic therapy (PDT) depends on the presence of molecular oxygen. Because of anoxic regions in tumor tissue and vascular shutdown during PDT, the efficiency is limited. Therefore, the use of hyperbaric oxygen, which increases the oxygen in tumor tissue, as well as the amount of singlet oxygen, may enhance the efficiency of PDT.

Does hyperbaric oxygen enhance the effect of photodynamic therapy in patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma? A clinical pilot study.

Background And Study Aims: Experimental studies have shown that the cytotoxicity of porphyrins and related substances is mediated mainly by singlet oxygen and that hypoxic cells are less affected by porphyrins and light. In a clinical pilot study we assessed the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) under hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), compared with PDT under normobaric conditions, in patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma.

Patients And Methods: After diagnostic work-up and staging, photosensitization in all patients was carried out using hematoporphyrine derivate (HpD) (2 mg/kg bodyweight 48 hours prior to PDT).