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Biomedical subjects

F M Kelvin

Publications and source records attributed to F M Kelvin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Crohn disease of the small intestine: accuracy and relevance of enteroclysis.

The accuracy and clinical relevance of enteroclysis in the evaluation of 138 patients referred for enteroclysis for suspected Crohn disease of the small intestine are reported. The original prospective interpretations of enteroclysis results were assessed after a clinical follow-up period of 2 or more years. With all patients considered, enteroclysis had a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 100%, 98.3%, and 99.3%, respectively, with only one false-positive diagnosis and no false-negative diagnoses. Thirty-one percent (n = 43) of the patients had lesions of early Crohn disease. All patients who required surgery (n = 23) had advanced lesions of the disease, according to enteroclysis criteria. Clinical evidence of Crohn disease did not develop in the 58 patients in whom enteroclysis revealed no abnormality. There were no complications related to the procedure. It is concluded that enteroclysis is an accurate method for diagnosis and exclusion of Crohn disease of the small intestine and provides detailed structural information relevant to appropriate management of the disease.

Adolescent

Pelvic prolapse: assessment with evacuation proctography (defecography)

The contribution of evacuation proctography (EP) to the evaluation of pelvic prolapse was assessed in 74 consecutive patients. A rectocele was demonstrated in 73 patients (99%); large rectoceles frequently showed barium trapping, but there was no correlation between these findings and rectal symptoms. An enterocele was detected at evacuation proctography in 13 patients (18%) (including two enteroceles seen only retrospectively), and a sigmoidocele was shown in four patients (5%). Physical examination resulted in detection of only seven enteroceles and of none of the sigmoidoceles. In 48 patients (65%), additional findings were evident at EP, including excessive pelvic floor descent, anal incontinence, rectal intussusception, and spastic pelvic floor. These data suggest that EP is particularly useful in the preoperative evaluation of pelvic prolapse if the patient has anorectal symptoms or is at risk for an enterocele. EP contributes to surgical planning by enabling identification of clinically unsuspected enteroceles and sigmoidoceles and coexistent disorders of rectal evacuation.

Adult

Dual-purpose tube for enteroclysis and nasogastric-nasoenteric decompression.

A catheter designed for the dual purpose of nasogastric-nasoenteric decompression and enteroclysis is described. The catheter facilitates direct decompression of the obstructed small bowel and, if necessary, subsequent performance of enteroclysis. The use of this tube obviates dual intubation and its accompanying discomfort.

Catheterization

Factors in the diagnostic delays of small bowel malignancy.

The overall survival from primary malignancies of the small intestine has not changed over more than four decades. This generally is ascribed to delays in establishing the diagnosis and the advanced stage of the disease when treatment is begun. There has been no critical analysis of these delays. To answer these questions, we reviewed the records of all patients diagnosed with small bowel malignancy from 1967 to 1988 at the Methodist Hospital of Indiana. The onset and duration of symptoms, first medical consultation, time of performance of diagnostic procedures and surgery were verified in 77 patients with histologically confirmed small bowel malignancies. The longest delay occurs from the time medical help is sought to the time the diagnosis is made, not from the onset of symptoms to the first medical consultation. The small bowel should always be considered as a source of unexplained, persistent subtle abdominal symptoms.

Adult

Barium enema use in Indiana.

All 118 hospital-based radiology departments in Indiana responded to a survey of barium enema (BE) use. The percentage of community hospitals in Indiana using barium enema, both single contrast (SCBE) and double contrast (DCBE) for various indications, was similar to that reported for major medical centers around the world. The use of SCBE and DCBE did not differ between small and large hospitals or between hospitals in small versus large communities. There was, however, wide variation among community hospitals in their overall use of either contrast technique. Barium enema usually was performed without antecedent sigmoidoscopy. However, 60% of Indiana hospitals perform BE on the same day as flexible sigmoidoscopy. The results indicate that the use of BE in community hospitals in Indiana is similar to that reported for major medical centers. Like major medical centers, there is no consensus regarding many issues in the performance of BE.

Barium Sulfate

The role of the physician in the late diagnosis of primary malignant tumors of the small intestine.

Survival from primary malignancies of the small intestine has not improved during the last four decades. One reason for this is the advanced stage of disease at the time of surgery. In order to determine why diagnosis is made late, we reviewed the records of all patients with small bowel malignancy diagnosed between 1967 and 1988. The time from the onset of symptoms to the first medical contact and the time from medical contact until diagnosis were evaluated in 77 patients. The average delay in diagnosis attributable 1) to the patient failing to report symptoms was less than 2 months, 2) to the physician not ordering the appropriate diagnostic test was 8.2 months, and 3) to the radiologist failing to make the diagnosis was 12 months. Thus, the major delay in diagnosis was after medical help was sought and not from the onset of symptoms to first medical consultation. Physicians must increase their sensitivity to the subtle but persistent symptoms that necessitate a small bowel evaluation.

Adenocarcinoma

Barium enema utilization within a defined geographic region: a survey.

All 118 hospital-based radiology departments in Indiana (USA) responded to a survey of barium enema (BE) utilization. The percentage of community hospitals in Indiana using barium enema, both single contrast (SCBE) and double contrast (DCBE), for various indications was similar to that reported for major medical centers around the world (RF Thoeni and AR Margulis, Radiology, 167: 7-12, 1988). The use of SCBE and DCBE did not differ between small and large hospitals, or between hospitals in small vs large communities. There was, however, wide variation among community hospitals in their overall use of either contrast technique. Barium enema was usually performed without antecedent sigmoidoscopy. However, 60% of Indiana hospitals perform BE on the same day as flexible sigmoidoscopy. The results indicate that the use of BE in community hospitals in Indiana is similar to that reported for major medical centers. Also like major medical centers, there is no consensus regarding many issues in the performance of BE.

Barium

Evaluation of swallowing disorders: the modified barium swallow.

Swallowing is a complex process. The diagnosis and treatment of swallowing dysfunction are more objective due mostly to recent research. The performance of a barium swallow, modified to study the dynamics of swallowing and its value in the management of patients with swallowing dysfunction, is described. The conventional barium swallow assesses structure and function of the thoracic esophagus, including gastroesophageal reflux and its sequelae. The modified barium swallow is a dynamic technique designed to evaluate swallowing function and dysfunction as it relates to the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing.

Barium Sulfate

Primary malignant tumors in the small bowel: a comparison of the small-bowel enema and conventional follow-through examination.

Of 71 patients diagnosed with primary mesenteric malignant tumors in the small bowel over a 21-year period in a community/teaching hospital, 14 underwent small-bowel follow-through, 16 underwent small-bowel enema (enteroclysis), and four patients underwent both studies preoperatively. In a retrospective study, the sensitivity of both the small-bowel enema and the conventional small-bowel follow-through examination were compared on the basis of the original radiologic interpretation. The studies were ordered by clinicians in a clinical setting. Results of the small-bowel follow-through were abnormal in 11 of 18 patients for a sensitivity of 61%, and small-bowel enema showed abnormalities in 19 of 20 patients for a sensitivity of 95% (p = .0165). The actual tumor was shown in six (33%) of 18 small-bowel follow-through studies and in 18 (90%) of 20 small-bowel enemas (p = .0005). In four patients, normal findings on conventional small-bowel follow-through were followed by abnormal findings on small-bowel enema done for the same reason. This experience suggests that the small-bowel enema is more sensitive than the conventional follow-through examination for the detection of small-bowel cancers.

Barium Sulfate

Colorectal carcinoma detected initially with barium enema examination: site distribution and implications.

The authors analyzed the site distribution of 122 consecutive cases of colorectal carcinoma in which a barium enema examination was available for review. The carcinoma was detected initially with barium enema studies in 82 cases (67%), sigmoidoscopy in 18 (15%), colonoscopy in 12 (10%), digital rectal examination in seven (6%), and computed tomography in three (3%). Thirty (37%) of the 82 cases found initially at barium examination were located in the cecum and ascending colon, which is a considerably higher proportion than that reported in studies based on cancer registry data or in surgical series. Thirty-eight (95%) of the 40 carcinomas first detected with other techniques were located distal to the hepatic flexure; 18 of those were identified initially with sigmoidoscopy. Because many distal carcinomas were first detected with nonradiologic techniques, an unusually high percentage of carcinomas in the cecum and ascending colon were found initially with barium enema studies. These findings suggest that barium enema evaluation of the right side of the colon needs to be at least as detailed as that of the rectum and sigmoid colon, areas that are increasingly assessed with sigmoidoscopy before barium enema studies are performed.

Barium Sulfate

Sonography of appendiceal intussusception.

A case in which appendiceal intussusception was diagnosed preoperatively by sonography is described. The sonographic finding of multiple concentric hypoechoic and hyperechoic rings was confirmed at laparotomy to be due to appendiceal intussusception. Demonstration of the sonographic coiled spring sign in the right lower quadrant should raise the possibility of appendiceal intussusception. The differential diagnosis is discussed.

Adult

Small bowel radiography: how, when, and why?

Since the advent of endoscopy for evaluating the upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tracts, it has become clear that only in the small bowel does barium radiography remain unchallenged. Regrettably, barium examination of the small bowel has traditionally been regarded by many radiologists as a study of minor importance. Small bowel follow-through techniques and enteroclysis methods differ in their diagnostic purpose, potential, and methods of performance. This review examines in detail the spectrum of barium examination techniques currently available for evaluating the small bowel. The benefits of enteroclysis in the majority of clinical situations requiring contrast examination of the small bowel are stressed. Radiologists play the crucial role in the diagnostic evaluation of the small bowel and should strive to refine and advance the accuracy of small bowel radiography.

Administration, Oral

Colorectal carcinoma: a radiologic and clinical review.

A profusion of imaging techniques is currently used for evaluating patients with suspected or known colorectal carcinoma. In most institutions, the combination of flexible sigmoidoscopy and a well-performed barium enema study should be retained as a more cost-effective, safe, and complete method of examination than colonoscopy. Endosonography appears to be promising for evaluating preoperatively the local extent of rectal carcinoma. CT is being challenged by MR imaging as the most sensitive modality for detecting liver metastases, but CT currently remains the technique of choice for evaluating recurrent disease and its extent. The diversity of available modalities will ensure that the radiologist remains at the forefront in the clinical investigation of colorectal carcinoma.

Barium Sulfate