Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D Weissberg

Publications and source records attributed to D Weissberg.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Neglected lung cancer.

Pulmonary nodules of unknown nature may be cancerous and are best treated by early resection. During the past 20 years we have seen 65 patients in whom asymptomatic pulmonary nodules from 5 to 20 mm in diameter were discovered on routine roentgenograms between 1 and 4 years prior to their referral to surgery. These patients have not been investigated for cancer. Instead, they had been 'observed' or treated with antibiotics while their nodules increased in size. At the time of referral, 29 patients had widespread metastases, 28 had locally invasive State III lung cancer, eight had Stage I or Stage II lesions. Only 16 patients had their tumors resected. Sixteen patients (24.6%) survived 1 year or longer; six patients (9.3%) survived more than 2 years. Early resection of all undiagnosed pulmonary nodules is essential. 'Expectant' or antibiotic treatment of these lesions should be condemned. Educational programs for family physicians are urged.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Thoracic splenosis.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic splenosis is an uncommon side effect of thoracoabdominal trauma involving injury to the diaphragm and spleen. Only 20 patients with a similar problem have been reported previously. METHODS: Two patients with thoracic splenosis were studied. RESULTS: One of the patients had undergone thoracotomy for resection of a "pulmonary nodule". The other remains under observation. CONCLUSION: Presence of a pulmonary nodule in a patient with history of injury to the diaphragm and spleen should arouse suspicion of splenosis. Appropriate investigation may prevent an unnecessary and potentially harmful operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The penetration of ciprofloxacin into bronchial mucosa, lung parenchyma, and pleural tissue after intravenous administration.

We have studied the concentrations of ciprofloxacin in serum, bronchial mucosa, lung parenchyma, and pleural tissue after a single intravenous dose of 200 mg in 20 patients subjected to lung surgery. The concentrations of ciprofloxacin in the tissues exceeded that in the serum by 3-fold to 7-fold: serum 0.6 micrograms.ml-1, bronchial mucosa 1.9 micrograms.g-1, lung parenchyma 3.4 micrograms.g-, and pleural tissue 1.7 micrograms.g-1. The achievable concentrations of ciprofloxacin in the tissues of the lower respiratory tract are above the MICs for most lung pathogens.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Less than lobar resections for bronchogenic carcinoma.

We performed less than lobar resections for peripheral clinical Stage I primary lung cancers on 170 patients treated between 1973 and 1987 at two university centers, one in Hawaii and one in Israel. Most patients were poor risks and several had FEV1 < 1 liter. There were 6 (3.5%) hospital deaths. There were 58 segmental resections, 97 wedge resections and 15 less than lobar resections not otherwise specified. Seventy-three patients (43%) are living free of cancer from 5 to 11 years postoperatively and 20 additional patients died of causes unrelated to lung cancer after 5 years; thus disease free five year survival was 54.7%. Patients with adenocarcinoma had poorer prognosis than other cell types. Twenty-three patients (13.5%) had synchronous or metachronous second primary lung cancers. Nine of these patients are long term survivors. Twenty-four patients (14.1%) developed local recurrences with or without distant metastases. This promising long term cancer-free survival and the frequency of second primary lung cancers justifies less than lobar resection for peripheral, Stage I bronchogenic carcinoma, especially in the poor risk patient.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Talc pleurodesis. Experience with 360 patients.

Talc was used intrapleurally for the creation of pleural adhesions in 360 patients. The indications for use were malignant pleural effusion in 169 patients, benign effusions in 41, recurrent pneumothorax in 122, empyema in 19, and chylothorax in 9. Of 336 patients available for follow-up, excellent results (complete pleurodesis) were achieved in 284 patients (84.5%), fair results in 28 (8.3%), and poor results (no adhesions) in 24 (7.2%). The results were best in empyema (100%) and better in pneumothorax than in pleural effusions. With repeat talc insufflation, the results were improved to excellent in more than 90% of the patients. Talc is the most effective and least expensive agent for creation of pleural adhesions. Its use is simple and easily tolerated by the patients. Because of the carcinogenic effect of asbestos, purified talc that is free of asbestos fibers must be used.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Pneumothorax following induction chemotherapy in patients with lung metastases: a case report and literature review.

A 29-year-old patient presented with bilateral pulmonary lesions following surgery for recurrent placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT). On day seven after institution of the 'EMA' regimen (etoposide, medium dose methotrexate with folinic acid rescue and actinomycin-D), complete pneumothorax occurred. Closed-system air drainage brought only transient lung expansion and subsequent talc pleurodesis was needed. During follow-up, complete regression of lung metastases was observed. A literature survey of post-chemotherapy pneumothorax in patients with lung metastases disclosed fourteen hitherto reported cases. Including the present PSTT case, non-epithelial gynecologic malignancy (3 patients) ranks second to osteogenic sarcoma (6 cases) with regard to the primary tumor involved.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Suture closure versus stapling of bronchial stump in 304 lung cancer operations.

Suture closure of the bronchial stump was compared with staple closure after 304 operations for bronchogenic carcinoma over an 8-year period. In 154 cases (112 lobectomies and 42 pneumonectomies) the bronchial stump was closed with interrupted sutures of 000 polyester, and in 150 cases (120 lobectomies and 30 pneumonectomies) an autosuture stapler was used. The time for suture closure ranged from 5-15 minutes, whereas stapling was accomplished uniformly in c. 90 seconds. Bronchopleural fistula developed after suture closure in seven cases (4.5%), but in none after stapling closure. Stapling of the bronchial stump after lobectomy or pneumonectomy for lung cancer is safer and quicker than suture closure, and is recommended as the method of choice.

Bronchi↗
PubMed1991

Foreign bodies in the gastro-intestinal tract.

Between 1971 and 1990, 70 patients with foreign bodies in the gastro-intestinal tract were admitted to our service. There were 35 children and 35 adults. Foreign bodies were found in the pharynx and the oesophagus in 22 patients, with 1 perforation; and in the stomach and intestines in 27, with 14 perforations. Fifteen foreign bodies were swallowed and defecated, 6 were inserted into the rectum. Coins were found in 8 patients, toys in 3, pins and needles in 6, chicken bones and fish bones in 15, and toothpicks, shaving blades, cutlery, dentures, plastic bag containing cocaine, parts of a foam rubber mattress and other items in the remainder. Foreign bodies retained in the oesophagus must be removed promptly lest obstruction and perforation occur. Many foreign bodies that have passed the oesophagus progress uneventfully to defaecation. Others become retained and should be removed. If retained in the stomach, endoscopic removal may be attempted before resorting to a laparotomy. Perforation is an urgent indication for operation. Those patients inclined to swallow foreign bodies intentionally and those who insert items into the rectum should undergo psychiatric evaluation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Acute pseudo-obstruction of the colon.

Fourteen patients with acute pseudo-obstruction of the colon (Ogilvie's syndrome) were treated over a 16-year period. Ten patients (71.4%) had a recent history of mental illness and were treated with hypnotic and sedative drugs uninterruptedly for many months. The clinical picture and abdominal radiographs on admission to hospital were typical of acute mechanical obstruction of the colon; 1 patient had a perforation of the transverse colon. Obstruction was ruled out by barium enema in 9 patients, by colonoscopy in 3 and by immediate laparotomy in 2. Twelve patients were treated conservatively by nasogastric tube, correction of fluid and electrolyte imbalance, enemas, cessation of all hypnotic and sedative drugs, and decompression of the colon using a rigid rectoscope and rectal tube. There were no complications and no deaths. Ogilvie's syndrome should be suspected in patients with symptoms of large-bowel obstruction whose history discloses intake of hypnotic and sedative drugs. After mechanical obstruction is ruled out, conservative management is indicated. It should include cessation of all psychopharmacological agents and decompression of the colon by rectal intubation or colonoscopy. If conservative measures fail and the caecum increases in size, operative decompression by transverse colostomy rather than cecostomy is indicated.

Acute Disease↗