Category Archives: Number

Tumors of the Oro-Facial System

The increasing number of malignant cases in the oro-facial area represents by their increasing number lately a new problem regarding the treatment and diagnosis. This cases present an increased difficulty of diagnostic and treatment, because they are usually diagnosticated in lately stages. Patients are often unaware of the gravity of their situation due to the lack of specific or almost absent symptomatology.
The incriminated factors and co-factors incriminated in the development of the malignant manifestations are of multiple origins: use of tobacco products, especially associated to alcohol abuse, chronical topic irritation of the oral mucosa, genetic predisposition or some types of viruses (human papilloma virus type 16 and 18 and herpes virus). Also factors like: environmental modifications, age, alimentation or pharmaceutical drug usage can be incriminated for the increasing pathology of the last decades, especially in well developed countries both from Europe and North America.
Our presentation is based on the case of a 61 years old male, showing almost the typical premises of a malignant pathology starting from the evolution of the oral lesion and the general and dental pathology status with the correlation of the objective and subjective examination.
The lesion usually benefits of surgical treatment, followed by radiotherapy and oro-facial reconstruction, that can imply both plastic surgery and prosthetic rehabilitation, as was the case of our patient. Of most importance remains the moment of the prosthetic treatment and its correlation with radiotherapy, regarding the tissue modification that irradiation has on this level.

Full text: PDF

Remarks on Odontogenesis in Children After Chemo-radiation Therapy

Introduction: Leukemias are the most frequent forms of neoplasias in children. The oral complications that occur in time, after the specific treatment through chemotherapy or radiotherapy, are represented by the occurrence of multiple carious lesions, disorders of dental eruptions, the premature loss of the primary teeth, anomalies in the development of teeth.
Material and method: Through the clinical examination of the oral cavity and through radiological examination, with the help of the orthopantomogram, we revealed the disorders of dental development consecutive to the cytostatic therapy and radiotherapy in the acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Results: The specific treatment through chemotherapy and radiotherapy overlapped with important stages of the physiological process of odontogenesis. We noted ageneses, microdontias, precocious eruptions and disorders of the eruption order.
Conclusions: The cytostatic medication and radiotherapy can be followed by anomalies in the development and eruption of the dental buds. The severity of these secondary effects varies according to the patient’s age at the moment of the start of the specific therapy, the stage of dental development, the type of cytostatic medication and the dose and frequency of treatment cycles.

Full text: PDF

Management Algorithm for Surgical Patients Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish the risk factors which influence the postoperative evolution of surgical patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and to conceive a management algorithm based upon these factors.
Methods: We have performed a bidirectional transversal study on a group of 73 HIV-positive patients who had undergone 104 surgical procedures during 2006–2010 in the university medical center of Tîrgu Mureş. We studied risk factors such as the number of CD4 T-cells (LTCD4) < 100/µl, anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypoproteinemia, leukopenia, wasting syndrome, ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) score, Altemeier class and NNISS (National Nosocomial Infections Survey Systems) score. We defined any registered postoperative complication, as well as all deaths within the first 30 days from surgery as poor outcome. We used GraphPad statistical program, Fisher test for the statistical analysis of data, we interpreted p <0.05 as statistically significant, for a CI of 95%.
Results: We have registered a total of 15 complications, 5 deaths. Risk factors associated with poor postoperative outcome were LTCD4 <100/µl (p=0.03) wasting syndrome (p=0.0001), ASA score > 1 (p=0.01), Altemeier class > II (p=0.0001), NNISS score 1 (p=0.0001).
Conclusions: HIV-infected patients with emergency surgical pathology will benefit of surgical treatment when the anesthetic risk does not overpass the surgical risk, while patients who require elective interventions will be operated after the correction of risk factors.

Full text: PDF

Lyme Neuroborreliosis – A Retrospective Study

Background: Lyme Neuroborreliosis represents the acute or chronic infection of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheric nervous system (PNS), as a consequence of a systemic infection.
Objectives: to evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, serological and post-therapeutic implications of CNS and PNS damage during Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) infection.
Material and method: We performed a retrospective study on 23 patients admitted between January 1st, 2009 – December 31, 2010. The patient’s inclusion was made respecting the criteria of the European Center for Diseases Control (ECDC) and the European Union Concerted Action on Lyme Borreliosis (EUCALB). The levels of antiBb antibodies (IgM, IgG) were measured in the cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) and in the serum using ELISA and Western blot methods. Imaging techniques were used in the case of patients with meningeal and cerebral lesions. The patients were treated with 3rd generation cephalosporins and cyclins. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi square and Student tests.
Results: Twenty patients (86.96%) were included in the acute phase and 3 patients (13.04%) in the chronic phase of the disease. Meningeal damage was observed in 16 patients (69.56%), cerebral damage in 4 patients (17.39%), cranial nerve lesions in 2 patients (8.69%), radiculoneuritis in 1 patient (4.34%). Serological investigations using the ELISA method revealed the presence of antiBb antibodies in 100% of cases, in the CSF antiBb IgM antibodies were found in 18 patients (78.26%), IgG in 3 patients (13.04%); using the Western-blot method IgM antibodies were found in 20 patients (86.96%) and IgG in 3 patients (13.04%).
Conclusions: Early diagnosis and therapy led to a favorable evolution compared with patients who were treated late, the latter presenting neurological sequelae and relapses.

Full text: PDF

Therapeutical Features of Permanent Atrial Fibrillation in Hypertensive Elderly Patients

Introduction: The atrial fibrillation is a form of arrhythmia, which occurs most frequently among the aged and which often influences the therapy prescribed to them.
Material and methods: The present study addresses to a focus group of 79 hypertensive elderly patients, hospitalized at the Internal Medicine Clinic of Targu Mures during the year 2007. The parameters taken into consideration were distribution by age groups, gender, the existence of atrial fibrillation or other comorbidities and the administrated therapy.
Results: The distribution by age groups and gender reveals a higher number of hypertensive patients between 70 and 75 years and a more frequent affection of male patients. The associated comorbidities to our group of 28 patients with atrial fibrillation were cardiac ischemic disease (13 patients), heart failure (2 patients), both of these (6 patients) and chronic obstructive lung disease (7 patients). The medication administrated for the rate control consists of: beta-blocker in almost 50% of cases (13 out of 28 patients), digitalis (2 patients), and beta-blocker+digitalis for 6 patients. In 7 cases the rate control medication was not required.
Conclusions: The atrial fibrillation is a common condition among the hypertensive elders, and not infrequently associated with other cardiac comorbidities which contribute to the choice of appropriate medication.

Full text: PDF

Identification of the Photodegradation Products of the Tricyclic Antidepressant Drugs Clomipramine and Doxepine

Objective: Isolation and identification of the photodegradation products of the tricyclic antidepressant drugs clomipramine and doxepine after irradiation with ultraviolet light.
Methods: The photodegradation products were separated by a thin layer cromatographic method, followed by scraping the spots from the chromatoplate and extracting in methanol, which was followed by their identification by mass spectrometry.
Results: In the case of clomipramine seven degradation products were separated and the corresponding m/z values were determined, while analyzing doxepine there have been separated eight degradation products, of which six were identified by their m/z values. The results obtained for clomipramine are in accordance with literature data, except for desmethyl-clomipramine, for which we could not find any reference. Conclusions: The m/z values indicate that the possible degradation products for clomipramine are imipramine, HO-imipramine, desmethyl-clomipramine and HO-imipramine-N-oxide. In the case of doxepine we could identify two possible photodegradation products, HO-doxepine and doxepine-N-oxide.

Full text: PDF

Modification of Renal Permeability for Proteins after General Anesthesia with Sevoflurane and Desfluran

Introduction: Sevoflurane degradation by carbon dioxide absorbents during low-flow anesthesia lead to the formation of a haloalkene called compound A, which causes nephrotoxicity.
Material and methods: We determined proteinuria by spectophotometry at 600 nm, preoperatively and postoperatively at 24 and 72 hours in 52 patients undergoing general anesthesia with sevoflurane and 25 patients undergoing general anesthesia with Desfluran. We selected patients without previous renal disease, with anesthetic risk ASA I–III who underwent major abdominal and thoracic surgery lasting more than 150 minutes and we used a 2 l/minute FGF-fresh gas flow, with a MAC-minimal alveolar concentration of 1.5 to 1.8 for Sevoflurane, and of 6–8 MAC for Desfluran.
Results: Renal permeability is impaired by general anesthesia with Sevoflurane (p ˂ 0.0001) and Desfluran (p > 0,001). The amount of filtered protein has a maximum at 24 hours after surgery with gradual decrease within 72 hours, but without reaching the normal preoperative values.
Conclusions: There is proteinuria after exposure to volatile agents like Sevoflurane and Desfluran recording a maximum in the first 24 hours and there is also a tendency to normalization within 72 hours. We noticed a marked impairment of renal permeability in association with specific groups of pathology as septic patients, diabetics, hypertensives, especially after Sevoflurane anesthesia. There was no-one case of acute renal failure in which to criminalize Sevoflurane or Desfluran.

Full text: PDF

The Preventive Surgery of Proximal Aortic Manifestations in Marfan Syndrome

Background: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a genetic connective tissue disease with an incidence of 2–3/10000 individuals resulting in multiple organ system affection, aortic dilatation, dissection and rupture the most severe cardiovascular complications according to natural history. These consequences can be prevented by prophylactic aortic surgery.
Methods: Results are presented of patients (N=22; mean age: 26.95±9.01, min: 9; max: 42; male/female ratio=16/6) underwent elective preventive surgery over a 11 years period.
Results: Preventive operations have zero 30 days mortality and still the best results in approaching normal population life extent compared to the survival of other indication groups. Secondary vascular complications should be monitored life-long after the succesful treatment of the diseased thoracic aorta of Marfan patients due to the systemic property of the extant syndrome.
Conclusions: After identifying the condition and registering people with MFS in a national database, the regular check-ups, preventive operations bear great importance. Timing is crucial for the preventive operation, because the underlying disease (MFS) exposes the aorta to be a “ticking” bomb that can lead to serious consequences like aortic dissection or rupture with possible fatal outcome. Preventive aortic operations at MFS patients enjoy the benefitial outcomes and nature of the management compared to other acute type, emergency or urgent operations. The effective prevention lays on carrying out the prophylactic surgery together with the continuous check-up of the predisposed and operated patients by the help of a professional nationwide register for people with MFS that, if not created yet, should be established as well.

Full text: PDF

Does the Result of Completion Axillary Lymph Node Dissection Influence the Recommendation for Adjuvant Treatment in Sentinel Lymph Node Positive Patients?

Aims: The Hungarian National Institute of Oncology has just closed a single-centre randomized clinical study. The OTOASOR (Optimal Treatment of the Axilla – Surgery or Radiotherapy) trial compares completion axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) to regional nodal irradiation (RNI) in patients with sentinel lymph node-positive (SLN+) primary invasive breast cancer. In the investigational treatment arm patients received 50 Gy RNI instead of completion ALND. In these patients we had information only about the SLN status, but the further axillary nodal involvement remained unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the result of completion ALND influenced the recommendation for adjuvant treatment in SLN+ breast cancer patients.
Patients and methods: Patients with SLN+ primary breast cancer were randomized for completion ALND (arm A-standard treatment) or RNI (arm B-investigational treatment). Adjuvant systemic treatments was given according to the standard institutional protocol and patients were followed according to the actual institutional guidelines.
Results: Between August 2002 and June 2009, 474 SLN+ patients were randomized to completion ALND (arm A-standard treatment, 244 patients) or RNI (arm B-investigational treatment, 230 patients). There were no significant differences in terms of major prognostic factors between the two arms. Two-hundred and fourty-two patients (99.6%) on arm A and 229 patients (99.6%) on arm B received adjuvant systemic treatments including chemotherapy and/or endocrine treatment (p=NS). One-hundred and ninety-four patients (79.5%) received adjuvant chemotherapy on arm A and 159 patients (69.1%) on arm B (p=0.031). Two-hundred and four patients (83.6%) received adjuvant endocrine treatment on arm A and 196 patients (85.2%) on arm B (p=NS). Six patients (2.5%) received adjuvant trastuzumab treatment on arm A and 13 patients (5.7%) on arm B (p=NS).
Conclusions: The result of completion ALND after positive SLNB appears to have no major impact on the administration of adjuvant systemic therapy.

Full text: PDF

TNF-α and MMP-8 as Biomarkers for Diagnosing Knee Cartilage Lesions — Preliminary Results

Objective: To analyse the correlations between the levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor α, Matrix Metalloproteinase 8, Interleukin 6 and the presence of cartilage lesions in the knee.
Methods: We studied 79 individuals divided in three groups – a group with cartilage lesions, a group with meniscal lesions and a control group. All patients underwent arthroscopic surgical interventions – either diagnostic or therapeutic. Venous blood samples and synovial fluid samples were obtained and we determined the levels of TNF-α, MMP-8 and IL-6 respectively. All study participants filled out the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Evaluation Score questionnaire, based on which the IKDC score was calculated.
Results: we found higher levels of MMP-8 in both serum and synovial fluid for groups 1 and 2 compared to the control group, but no correlation between the serum and synovial fluid levels of MMP-8. The serum MMP-8 levels showed a significant negative correlation with the highest level of activity without pain and significant giving way. The synovial MMP-8 could be correlated to the IKDC score. Serum levels and synovial levels of TNF-α were in strong correlation. We found no association between serum and/or synovial TNF-α and MMP-8 levels.
Conclusions: We found that synovial MMP-8 concentrations showed a reverse correlation with the IKDC scores (an activity-based score) – thus MMP-8 might be a diagnostic and prognostic marker in knee osteoarthritis.

Full text: PDF