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Biomedical subjects

A R Essop

Publications and source records attributed to A R Essop.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Radiocolloid liver imaging in tuberculous hepatitis.

Twenty of 22 patients with tuberculous hepatitis had abnormal Tc-99m tin colloid liver scans. However, in the majority of the patients the changes were mild and nonspecific. The most frequent scintigraphic picture was a decreased uptake of the radiocolloid by the liver, with shunting to the spleen and bone marrow. The decreased hepatic uptake was usually mildly heterogeneous, but it was sometimes homogeneous, and in five patients obvious defects were present. The liver was enlarged in six patients and the spleen in six patients. Increased extrahepatic uptake of the radiocolloid was the only abnormality in five patients. The severity of the scintigraphic changes did not correlate with the following histologic findings: number of granulomas, degree of associated fibrosis, degree of hepatocyte swelling, or extent of fatty change.

Colloids↗

Tuberculosis hepatitis: a clinical review of 96 cases.

Hepatic tuberculosis was confirmed in 96 patients presenting with the features of liver disease, only 14 of whom had other concomitant hepatic pathology. Although respiratory symptoms occurred in 74 per cent of cases, these were overshadowed by the abdominal manifestations. The latter most frequently included right hypochondrial pain, abdominal distension, firm tender hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and ascites. Icterus was observed in 11 cases (only one of whom had concurrent hepatic pathology) and liver failure was found in 10 patients. A surgical presentation occurred in three patients. Four of 15 patients with pancytopenia were noted to have hypersplenism. Abnormalities in coagulation were noted in 26 patients (24 with low prothrombin index and two with moderately raised fibrinogen degradation products). The characteristic serum profile included hyponatraemia (64 per cent of cases), raised alkaline phosphatase (83 per cent) and gamma glutamyl transferase (77 per cent), hypoalbuminaemia (63 per cent) and hypergammaglobulinaemia (83 per cent). Transaminase levels were moderately elevated in 78 per cent of cases. Hepatic imaging techniques were frequently misleading. Chest radiographs aided the diagnosis but were normal in 25 per cent of cases. Histologically, acid fast bacilli, caseation and granulomas were seen in 9, 83 and 96 per cent of cases respectively. Adverse prognostic features included age (below 20 years), miliary TB, coagulation defects and the presence of predisposing factors; these were of value in selecting appropriate therapy. The overall mortality was 42 per cent. Liver biopsy was the most useful aid to correct diagnosis which was suspected clinically in only 47 per cent of cases.

Adolescent↗

Isolated granulomatous pancreatitis.

Only five patients with clinically apparent noncaseating granulomatous pancreatitis have been recorded, so far as we can tell. We describe a patient with noncaseating granulomas confined to the pancreas who developed obstructive jaundice and acute abdominal pain.

Abdomen↗

Simultaneous hepatic tuberculosis, cirrhosis and hepatoma. A case report.

Multiple hepatic disease is unusual. An association between tuberculosis of the liver and cirrhosis has occasionally been described, but the occurrence of hepatoma and tuberculous hepatitis has not been reported previously. Clinically it may be difficult to distinguish hepatic tuberculosis from cirrhosis or hepatoma, and diagnostic procedures may not be helpful. We report a patient with tuberculous hepatitis, hepatoma and cirrhosis in whom the diagnosis alternated between the last two conditions until autopsy finally revealed the presence of all three.

Aged↗

Duodenal and gastric ulcer in Soweto.

Duodenal ulcer is being observed with increasing frequency in the Black population of South Africa, this increase occurring pari passu with industrialization. It is noteworthy that the type of ulcer seen is the 'Western' type of duodenal ulcer, haemorrhage and perforation being the major complications. This picture contrasts with that of gastric outlet obstruction resulting from the 'stenosing' type of ulcer which occurs in rural, non-westernized areas of Africa. The specific characteristics of gastric ulcer in the Sowetan population are outlined, and it is emphasized that gastric ulcer is still uncommon among South African urban Blacks. Protective factors may account for the paucity of gastric ulcer in this group.

Adolescent↗

Penetrating cardiac injuries.

One hundred and fourteen stab wounds of the heart treated in the Intensive Care Unit at Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg, are analysed and discussed.

Heart Arrest↗

Tuberculous abscess of the liver. A case report.

Tuberculous abscess of the liver is rare. A case is reported and the southern African literature briefly reviewed. The clinical similarities to amoebic and pyogenic liver abscesses and primary or secondary neoplasms of the liver are emphasized. Laboratory tests and hepatic scintiscans may not assist in differentiating between these conditions.

Child, Preschool↗

Primary tuberculosis of the liver-a case report.

Primary hepatic tuberculosis is a rare manifestation of tuberculosis. We report a case and briefly review the literature. Criteria for the diagnosis include evidence of a recent tuberculous infection, demonstration of tuberculosis in the liver with or without local lymph node involvement and absence of older tuberculous lesions elsewhere. Liver biopsy and culture is the investigation of choice, together with clinical and radiological exclusion of extrahepatic disease.

Humans↗

Lactase deficiency in the South African black population.

H2 breath analysis was carried out to determine the prevalence of lactase deficiency in different tribes of the South African Black population. Lactase deficiency was common (78%), despite the fact that two of the largest tribes (Zulu and Xhosa) are cattle herders and milk drinkers. This apparent anomaly is due to the consumption of a traditional fermented buttermilk, ("amasi" which has a low lactose content) instead of fresh milk. The most important reason for lactase deficiency, however, is that the South African Blacks originated in the West and Central African zone of nonmilking and took up dairying and milk use fairly recently. Thus they have not had enough time for genetic selection for lactase deficiency through life. The implications inherent in this study are that it would be more prudent to supply milk to developing countries in the form of a fermented milk product such as buttermilk. This is readily accepted by the Black population and would not be counter to accepted cultural practice.

Adult↗