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Biomedical subjects

D J Ott

Publications and source records attributed to D J Ott.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Acute pancreatitis: the role of diagnostic imaging.

In the U.S., acute pancreatitis is usually caused by excessive consumption of ethanol or by biliary stone disease. Major pathologic finding and complications include fluid collections within the organ or the adjacent peripancreatic tissues, pseudocysts, pancreatic necrosis, pseudoaneurysm, and abscess formation. Radiologic imaging, including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), sonography, and computed tomography (CT), are important in the evaluation of acute pancreatitis and its complications. CT in particular also aids in grading the severity of acute pancreatitis and in predicting complications and mortality; however, CT correlation with Ranson's clinical prognostic factors or with other classification systems is less clear. The imaging and therapeutic aspects of acute pancreatitis are discussed and illustrated and prognostic factors are correlated.

Acute Disease↗

Correlation of laryngeal and pharyngeal carcinomas and 24-hour pH monitoring of the esophagus and pharynx.

The cause of laryngeal and pharyngeal carcinomas is likely multifactorial. Smoking is an important factor, but mucosal damage from gastroesophageal reflux may also contribute. The purpose of this study was to determine whether gastroesophageal reflux is more common in patients with laryngeal or pharyngeal carcinomas than in those without these malignancies. Over an 8-year period, we correlated the results of clinical and radiographic examinations of the pharynx and esophagus to pH monitoring results in 798 patients with a variety of upper aerodigestive tract symptoms and who underwent both pH monitoring and barium esophagography. In this group, 63 patients (52 men, 11 women) had laryngeal or pharyngeal carcinomas, and 735 patients (319 men, 416 women) had neither malignancy. Abnormal pH findings were defined as a total percentage of esophageal acid exposure time of 6% or more as determined with the esophageal probe, or any reflux event detected with the pharyngeal probe. Thirty-four of 63 patients with carcinomas (54%) had abnormal pH-monitoring results: Esophageal acid exposure was abnormal in 10 patients, pharyngeal acid exposure was abnormal in 7 patients, and acid exposure was abnormal in both areas in 17 patients. Of the 735 patients without malignancies, 365 (50%) had abnormal pH-monitoring results (p > 0.05). In this population of patients, abnormal results of pH monitoring were common, occurring in 399 (50%) of 798 patients, but no significant difference was found between results in those with and without laryngeal or pharyngeal carcinomas. Therefore, our study found that gastroesophageal reflux as shown by pH monitoring was not more common in patients with these malignancies.

Adult↗

Assessment of rectal tumor infiltration utilizing endorectal MR imaging and comparison with endoscopic rectal sonography.

BACKGROUND: The preoperative assessment of depth of invasion of rectal carcinoma is increasingly important as new treatment methodologies are developed. Accuracy of preoperative endorectal MR imaging was therefore compared with that of the endoscopic rectal sonography in determining depth of invasion of rectal carcinomas. METHOD: From March 1993 to April 1994, 10 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven rectal carcinomas were imaged with both endorectal MR imaging and endoscopic rectal sonography. These two studies were performed an average of 2.7 days apart in each patient. All 10 patients had surgical resection of the rectal carcinoma within days of imaging studies. TNM staging of each malignant lesion was correlated with the imaging reports. RESULT: Staging accuracy was 80% for endorectal MR imaging and 70% for endoscopic rectal sonography. With MR imaging, one T2 lesion was overstaged and one T3 lesion was understaged. With sonography, two T2 lesions were overstaged and one T3 lesion was understaged. One MR error resulted from misinterpretation. All other staging errors occurred in patients with tumor spread into, but not through, the muscularis propria or with microscopic spread through this layer. CONCLUSIONS: Endorectal MR imaging and endoscopic rectal sonography have similar accuracy for assessing depth of invasion of rectal carcinoma.

Endosonography↗

The future of barium radiology.

Barium radiology of the gastrointestinal tract has had a long history but its survival into the next century will be a challenge. The numbers of barium studies performed has declined in recent decades due to several factors; also, health care reforms in the United States will further impact on the use of barium examinations. The future status of these radiological procedures will change depending on these factors and the organ system being examined; an increased emphasis on functional evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract will also have an effect on the evolving role of barium radiology. We provide a brief historical review of the evolution of barium radiology in the twentieth century, discuss the present and changing status of the various gastrointestinal examinations, and offer our thoughts concerning the potential future of this specialty.

Barium Sulfate↗

Cost-effective poster and print production with digital camera and computer technology.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to describe a cost-effective method for producing black-and-white prints and color posters within a radiology department. CONCLUSION: Using a high-resolution digital camera, personal computer, and color printer, the average cost of a 5 x 7 inch (12.5 x 17.5 cm) black-and-white print may be reduced from $8.50 to $1 each in our institution. The average cost for a color print (8.5 x 14 inch [21.3 x 35 cm]) varies from $2 to $3 per sheet depending on the selection of ribbons for a color-capable laser printer and the paper used. For a 30-panel, 4 x 8 foot (1.2 x 2.4 m) standard-sized poster, the cost for materials and construction is approximately $100.

Copying Processes↗

Esophageal cancer. Radiologic staging.

Multimodality therapy is used in patients with esophageal cancer because accurate tumor staging is essential to determine whether treatment should be directed toward cure or palliation. Imaging strategies must not only include tumor visualization but also incorporate pretreatment staging as the most important objective. This article reviews the use of CT scans, endoscopic ultrasound, and barium studies in the staging of esophageal cancer.

Endosonography↗

Heartburn correlated to 24-hour pH monitoring and radiographic examination of the esophagus.

OBJECTIVES: Study relationship of gastroesophageal reflux disease to findings on radiographic examination of the esophagus. METHODS: We correlated heartburn (HB) in 360 patients (174 women; 186 men; mean age, 53 yr) to results of pH monitoring (pHM) and radiographic examination of the esophagus. Radiographic findings were categorized as normal (n = 129), hiatal hernia (HH) only (n = 173), reflux esophagitis (n = 50), or peptic stricture (n = 8) (ES; 58). Abnormal pHM was defined as total percentage of esophageal acid exposure time (pH < 4) of 6% or greater. RESULTS: pHM was abnormal in 41 (31%) of 132 patients with HB versus 54 (24%) of 228 without the symptom (p > 0.05). Radiographic correlation showed abnormal pHM in only 21 (16%) of 129 patients with a normal esophagus, 52 (30%) of 173 with HH, and 22 (38%) of 58 with ES, which was significantly lower for those with a normal esophagus. In 132 patients with HB, those with normal esophagus had lower abnormal pHM (2 of 38; 5%) compared with patients with HH (24 of 64; 38%) or with ES (15 of 30; 50%) (p < 0.05). In the 228 patients without HB, abnormal pHM was found in 19 (21%) of 91 with a normal esophagus, 28 (26%) of 109 with HH, and 7 (25%) of 28 with ES (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: (1) pHM findings did not correlate with presence or absence of HB; (2) pHM is usually normal in patients with normal esophagus on RE; (3) pHM is also usually normal in patients with HB and normal esophagus on RE; and (4) pHM is often normal in patients with radiographic findings of reflux esophagitis or peptic stricture.

Esophageal Stenosis↗

Modified barium swallow: clinical and radiographic correlation and relation to feeding recommendations.

Clinical and videofluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing were correlated to determine their agreement and relationship to feeding recommendations. We reviewed a total of 148 patients with swallowing difficulties, of which 93 (45 women, 48 men; mean age 62 years) were evaluated by both clinical and radiographic examinations. A variety of materials were used for clinical bedside evaluation of oral and pharyngeal function. Radiographic examination was done with variable viscosity materials and videotape recording of the oral cavity and pharynx. The severity of oral and pharyngeal abnormalities was graded and findings of the examinations were compared. The combined results of both evaluations generated an index of swallowing difficulty which was correlated to the type of diet used if oral feeding was recommended or to a nonoral route of nutrition. In the assessment of oral and pharyngeal dysfunction, clinical evaluation and radiographic examination correlated closely in 94% of patients; however, the status of pharyngeal function was not determined in 61 (66%) of the 93 patients by clinical examination alone. The combined swallowing index was calculated in 89 patients and its severity correlated significantly with the type of feeding recommended; 64 patients were placed on one of three types of diets and 25 had enteral feedings. In conclusion, combined clinical and radiographic examinations correlated well, but clinical evaluation alone was limited by failure to evaluate the pharynx in many patients. The swallowing severity correlated well with final feeding recommendations.

Barium↗

Videofluoroscopic evaluation of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

We reviewed 14 patients with clinically confirmed Guillain-Barré syndrome for swallowing dysfunction. All had swallowing dysfunction varying from mild to severe. Six patients (43%) had equivalent impairment during oral and pharyngeal phases. Seven patients (50%) had more severe functional abnormalities during the pharyngeal phase than during the oral phase. One patient (7%) had moderate disorder during the oral phase and mild disorder during the pharyngeal phase. Thirty-six percent of the patients had moderate-to-severe dysfunction during the oral phase, and 71% had moderate-to-severe dysfunction during the pharyngeal phase. In 5 patients who had multiple sequential examinations, moderate or severe swallowing disorders improved to mild-to-moderate disorders within 4-8 weeks after the onset of the symptoms. Residual swallowing disorders may be seen in those who had severe swallowing dysfunction during the later phases of their disease. Further investigations are needed to determine if swallowing abnormalities persist after complete recovery from Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Adult↗

Radiation exposure during ERCP: effect of a protective shield.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the radiation exposure to endoscopists, patients, and assistants during diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP and to assess the effect of a protective lead shield. Radiation dose with and without the protective lead shield was mapped in our standard fluoroscopy room. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients undergoing ERCP were selected for this study. Radiation exposure of endoscopists with and without a protective shield was monitored by digital dosimeter. Radiation exposure for diagnostic procedures was correlated with that of therapeutic procedures. RESULTS: Endoscopists were exposed to 2.5 mR without the protective shield, but exposure was reduced to an average of 0.27 mR per procedure with the shield. Endoscopists received an average of 1.5 mR per diagnostic ERCP and 3.17 mR per therapeutic ERCP without the shield. When using the protective shield, however, those numbers were reduced to an average of 0.25 mR per diagnostic procedure and 0.28 mR per therapeutic procedure. Radiation exposure to endoscopic assistants, who were not shielded, averaged 0.56 mR per procedure. CONCLUSION: Amount of radiation exposure to occupational personnel during ERCP was related to duration of fluoroscopy and type of procedure. Radiation exposure to endoscopists can be significantly reduced by the use of a protective shield. Medical assistants received less radiation than did endoscopists because the assistant's position was more distant from x-ray sources.

Adult↗