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Biomedical subjects

A Grundy

Publications and source records attributed to A Grundy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Palliation of malignant dysphagia with expanding metallic stents.

PURPOSE: The authors describe their experience with expanding metallic stents for the palliation of malignant dysphagia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 52-month period, 138 stents were inserted in 121 patients with malignant esophageal obstruction. The average age was 74 years; there were 78 men and 43 women. Data regarding the degree of initial dysphagia, presence of an esophago-respiratory fistula, effect of stent placement on swallowing ability, complications at the time of stent placement, and long-term survival were obtained. RESULTS: An improvement in dysphagia symptoms was recorded in more than 95% of patients. The average survival after stent placement was 24 weeks. Complications necessitating further intervention occurred in 26 patients. CONCLUSION: Insertion of self-expanding metallic endoprostheses for the palliation of malignant esophageal obstruction is an effective therapy that can be carried out with relative ease. Successful palliation of symptoms can be expected in more than 95% of cases.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1999

Preoperative staging of rectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The development of treatment modalities for rectal cancer, including local excision, total mesorectal excision and preoperative radiotherapy, has increased the importance of accurate preoperative staging to allow the optimum treatment to be selected. METHODS: A literature review was undertaken of methods of preoperative staging of rectal carcinoma and the evidence for each was evaluated critically. RESULTS: Clinical assessment of rectal carcinoma may give an indication of fixity but is not accurate for staging. Endoanal ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radioimmunoscintigraphy and positron emission tomography have all been used for staging. The extent of tumour spread through the bowel wall (T stage) is most accurately assessed by endoanal ultrasonography, although this technique is poor at assessing tumour extension into adjacent organs for which both CT and MRI are more accurate. No method accurately determines lymph node involvement, but endoanal ultrasonography is the best available. Liver metastases may be assessed by abdominal ultrasonography, CT, MRI and CT portography (with increasing sensitivity and cost in that order). CONCLUSION: Endoanal ultrasonography is the most effective method of local tumour staging, with the addition of either CT or MRI if adjacent organ involvement is suspected. Abdominal ultrasonography or CT is recommended for routine preoperative assessment of the liver.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

Management of malignant oesophageal obstruction with self-expanding metallic stents.

BACKGROUND: The use of self-expanding metal stents for palliation of malignant dysphagia is increasing. Experience in 70 patients was reviewed with respect to the value of stenting and management of the complications encountered. METHODS: Oesophageal stents were inserted in 70 patients (42 men) of mean age 73 years with malignant oesophageal obstruction. Data regarding stent insertion and degree of dysphagia were gathered prospectively. RESULTS: Seventy-six stents were placed in 70 patients. By the end of the study 57 patients had died and 13 were still alive. Three patients died within 3 days of stent insertion and dysphagia was relieved in 64 of the 67 patients remaining. Stent migration, tumour ingrowth and overgrowth, and food impaction were encountered during follow-up in eight patients. CONCLUSION: Insertion of self-expanding metal stents for the palliation of malignant oesophageal obstruction is a successful therapy which can be carried out with relative ease. Palliation of dysphagia with an appropriate stent can be expected in up to 95 per cent of patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Prospective, multicenter study on value of computerized tomography (CT) in gallstone disease in predicting response to bile acid therapy.

The aim of the study was to assess the value of quantitative attenuation values (Hounsfield units) and of gallstone pattern by computerized tomography in predicting response to bile acid therapy. We carried out a prospective study in a multicenter setting on 90 consecutive outpatients with radiolucent gallstones. All received bile acid therapy (UDCA 10 mg/kg/day or UDCA + CDCA 5 mg/kg/day of each) up to two years. Hounsfield units for gallstones were recorded using standardized criteria and six categories of patterns were defined: hypodense, isodense, homogenously dense, laminated, rimmed and speckled. We assessed gallstone dissolution rate (percent reduction in volume), response to therapy (> 25% reduction in volume), and final outcome of therapy. Eighty-one percent of patients with hypodense/isodense and all four patients with speckled stone pattern responded to therapy, whereas none of the 10 patients with laminated/rimmed and only 45% of patients with homogenously dense stone pattern did. Complete dissolution was achieved by 68%, 50%, 35%, 0% of the hypodense/isodense, speckled, homogenously dense, rimmed/laminated gallstones, respectively. The use of Hounsfield units did not show an advantage over gallstone pattern for predicting either response or final outcome to bile acid therapy. We conclude that computerized tomography analysis of gallstones is of value in predicting response to bile acid therapy and that gallstone pattern alone predicts response in most cases without the need for quantitative assessment.

Chenodeoxycholic Acid↗
PubMed1994

The Strecker Esophageal stent in the management of oesophageal strictures: technique of insertion and early clinical experience.

The Strecker Esophageal stent (Boston Scientific Corporation) offers potential palliation of oesophageal and oesophago-gastric obstruction by means of a self-expanding metal stent. This stent has been used in a series of 12 patients with oesophageal and oesophago-gastric obstruction. Initial experience of stent deployment and early clinical experience is presented.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Intraluminal bile duct hepatocellular carcinoma.

Jaundice is usually a late feature in the course of hepatocellular carcinoma and is only rarely due to obstruction. We present two cases of obstructive jaundice, in which the cause of obstruction in both patients was a massive intraluminal filling defect within the common bile duct which proved to be hepatocellular carcinoma. The radiological features are described.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Radiological aspects of solvent dissolution of gall-stones.

Twenty-five patients were referred for solvent dissolution of gall-stones using methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE). All patients were assessed beforehand by ultrasound and oral cholecystography. Computed tomography was performed in 23 patients to assess stone calcification and gall-bladder anatomy. Successful stone dissolution was achieved in 15 patients and partial dissolution in six patients. Failure to catheterize the gall-bladder occurred in four patients. There were four biliary leaks, two requiring cholecystectomy. The CT appearances of the gall-bladder may have predicted problems with catheterization in three of the four cases, and the results suggest that cover of the gall-bladder by the liver of greater than 50% is a favourable predictor of successful catheterization. A thick-walled gall-bladder and excess fat between the liver and the lateral abdominal wall are adverse predictors of successful gall-bladder catheterization. Both tubography and ultrasound should be used to assess progress of dissolution. Newer, more effective solvents together with increased expertise in interventional techniques may encourage the more widespread use of solvent dissolution of gall-stones as an alternative to surgery in a selected population.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Balloon dilatation of the pharynx.

Balloon dilatation has become a widely accepted technique in the management of oesophageal and other gastrointestinal strictures. The use of this procedure in the pharynx has rarely been reported. We have performed 55 balloon dilatations on 13 patients with pharyngeal strictures. In three patients all symptoms were permanently abolished after one dilatation. Seven patients were successfully managed with repeated, regular dilatations. Two patients had a good initial response but this was not maintained and one patient had no relief of symptoms. Balloon dilatation is minimally invasive, less traumatic than rigid pharyngoscopy with dilatation, and well tolerated. It may be frequently repeated, and has successfully relieved dysphagia caused by benign and malignant strictures of the pharynx, including instances where previous rigid bouginage had failed.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The radiological management of gastrointestinal strictures and other obstructive lesions.

Balloon dilation of gastrointestinal strictures using a radiologic, endoscopic or combined approach is a safe, effective means of managing an ever-increasing variety of stricturing processes. At present the ability to dilate strictures in the gastrointestinal tract is limited mainly by access. Balloon dilation is now well established in the management of oesophageal and anastomotic lesions. The place of balloon dilation in the management of Crohn's disease and in the management of malignant disease requires further evaluation.

Catheterization↗
PubMed1992

Case report: obstructive jaundice secondary to an intussuscepting duodenal villous adenoma.

Small intestinal tumours are rare, forming 1% of all gastrointestinal tumours; most occur in the duodenum. Villous adenomas form only a very small proportion of the duodenal tumours. They usually occur in the periampullary region and show a marked propensity for malignant change. The usual mode of presentation is with non-specific pain, jaundice or occult bleeding. Obstruction and pancreatitis are infrequent clinical presentations. Intussusception secondary to a duodenal tumour of any histological type is rarer still. A case of intussusception of a villous adenoma resulting in obstructive jaundice is described.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1991

Tuberculous broncho-oesophageal fistula in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Mycobacteria are the most common bacterial infections occurring in AIDS patients. Although the gastrointestinal tract is commonly involved, there has been only one case report of oesophageal infection. We report a patient in whom oesophageal tuberculosis was the presenting feature of AIDS and review the features of mycobacterial infections in AIDS. The incidence of extrapulmonary infection is common and mycobacterial oesophagitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of oesophagitis in AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Technical report: percutaneous treatment of a pancreatic duct fistula facilitated by an hydrophilic guide wire.

A case in which a pancreatico-cutaneous fistula was successfully treated percutaneously is presented. The use of an hydrophilic guide wire enabled a catheter to be negotiated across an irregular abscess cavity and into the occluded main pancreatic duct. The low friction and good flexibility of hydrophilic guide wires can greatly facilitate difficult procedures.

Catheterization↗