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Biomedical subjects

I Waxman

Publications and source records attributed to I Waxman.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Endosonography in columnar-lined esophagus.

As suggested from these results, the routine use of EUS in its present form to screen patients with Barrett's esophagus is neither justified nor cost-effective. The use of high-resolution ultrasound probe sonography employing high-frequency probes (20 MHz) to improve detection of intramucosal adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus or in staging early carcinoma (Figs. 1 and 2) is currently under investigation, and its role remains to be determined.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Pancreatic duct stricture length at ERCP predicts tumor size and pathological stage of pancreatic cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether findings on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) could provide useful prognostic information in resectable pancreatic cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 18 patients with resectable pancreatic cancer (defined as no evidence of metastatic disease or vascular involvement on CT scan) who had undergone ERCP prior to an attempt at curative resection between 1991 and 1996. Common bile duct and pancreatic duct stricture lengths were measured on ERCP and compared with the size of the resected tumor. Magnification was controlled for by comparison with endoscope diameter. Stricture length was plotted against actual tumor size, and a correlation analysis was performed. RESULTS: Pancreatic duct stricture length measured on ERCP correlated with both size (p < 0.001) and stage (p < 0.002) in resectable pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP may provide useful preoperative prognostic as well as diagnostic information in pancreatic cancer.

Adult↗

Prospective multicenter trial of esophageal Z-stent placement for malignant dysphagia and tracheoesophageal fistula.

BACKGROUND: Conventional esophageal prosthesis placement has been associated with a 6% to 8% perforation rate and numerous postplacement complications. Expandable esophageal stents have been developed to preclude the above but there are few studies that have prospectively defined clinical results and subsequent stent-related complications. METHODS: All patients who underwent esophageal Z-stent placement at nine university or referral hospitals were prospectively assessed. Data collected included patient demographics, acute and subacute placement problems, the ability to occlude airway fistulas, prestent and poststent dysphagia scores, and patient survival. RESULTS: Fifty-four of 56 patients (96%) with refractory dysphagia or malignant esophagoairway fistulae had 73 Z-stents successfully inserted. Initial distal deployment occurred in 13% of the patients and an additional 17% required balloon dilation to achieve maximal diameter. Acute placement complications occurred in 11% of patients and included severe pain (3), bleeding from necrotic tumor (2), and hiatal hernia intussusception (1). No perforations occurred. Eight of 11 patients (73%) had complete tracheoesophageal fistula occlusion and mean dysphagia score (+/- SD) improved from 2.6 (0.7) to 1.1 (1.2) (p < 0.01). Fifteen stents (27%) had delayed migration at a mean of 1 month and 3 required surgery for retrieval. Three patients had ultimate stent erosion resulting in bleeding in 2 (exsanguination 1) or fistula (treated with a conventional stent). CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that esophageal Z-stents can be placed safely and successfully in the majority of patients. The tendency of distal deployment during placement and subsequent migration problems at a time distant from placement in a patient subset deserve attention and are currently being addressed.

Adult↗

Wallstents for metastatic biliary obstruction.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: In patients with obstruction of the common bile duct caused by primary pancreaticoblliary tumors, Wallstents have been shown to remain patent for a median duration of 273 days (range: 14-363). However, in one study that included both patients with primary pancreaticobillary malignancies and patients with metastatic malignant disease, the reported median Wallstent patency was found to be significantly shorter. We have studied the patency of Wall-stents in patients with metastatic billary obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients who had received a Wallstent for metastatic biliary obstruction between January 1990 and August 1994 were analyzed retrospectively. Follow-up was achieved by contacting referring physicians and general practitioners, and lasted up to the end of the study period (November 1994) or death of the patient. Follow-up was discontinued if a polyethylene stent was inserted through the Wallstent for treatment of stent dysfunction. RESULTS: 28 patients were identified, including 14 men and 14 women, with a mean age of 61.3 years (range 24-87). Long-term follow-up was possible in 27 patients (96%), for a median duration of 140 days (range 29- 561). Eleven patients died during the study period, and there were three deaths related to Wallstent dysfunction. The median duration of Wallstent patency was 265 days (range 11-519). Wallstent obstruction occurred in 13 patients; seven patients presented with cholangitis, six patients had jaundice. The cause of obstruction was established at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in ten patients: seven had tumor ingrowth, and three had tumor overgrowth. Treatment consisted of insertion of a polyethylene stent in seven and placement of a second Wallstent in three patients. CONCLUSION: In patients with metastatic obstruction of the common bile duct, the duration of patency of Wallstents is comparable to that reported in series of Wallstents for primary pancreaticobiliary malignancies.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic treatment of a perinephric abscess.

A 21-year-old woman was operated laparoscopically for peritonitis due to penetrating perinephric abscess (PNA). Following correct diagnosis and drainage, a definitive treatment was carried out to drain the intrarenal abscess laparoscopically. Although not the preferred approach, when diagnosed during exploratory laparoscopy for peritonitis, PNA can be successfully treated laparoscopically.

Abscess↗

Early recurrence of obstructive jaundice after placement of a self-expanding metal endoprosthesis.

Self-expanding metal endoprostheses have ben used in the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice for a few years. We report on a patient with obstructive jaundice due to a metastasis of a squamous cell lung cancer into the pancreatic head who received an expandable metal endoprosthesis and suffered recurrent jaundice and cholangitis after 38 days. On repeat ERCP, a very narrow stenosis was seen in the stent lumen caused by tumor ingrowth through the mesh. Intraluminal biopsies showed squamous cell carcinoma. A 10 Fr plastic endoprosthesis was inserted through the self-expanding stent with good drainage. On the basis of this experience, we feel that when faced with a patient with obstructive jaundice due to metastatic disease from a rapidly progressive carcinoma, the use of the currently available self-expanding metal endoprosthesis should be discouraged until the results of prospective studies with large numbers of patients have proven its superiority over the plastic endoprostheses. Meanwhile, modifications to prevent tumor ingrowth through the mesh of the stent are under investigation.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Peptic ulcer perforation as the presentation of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

We examined the characteristics of patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome who developed a perforation prior to diagnosis to determine whether any clinical features were useful markers of the syndrome. Of 160 patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, perforation occurred prior to the diagnosis being made in 11 (7%). At surgery, perforations were found in the duodenum in six cases and in the jejunum in five. In no case was tumor identified at emergency surgery, and the diagnosis of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome was made only in the postoperative period when excessive gastric secretions were noted. Neither acid output nor serum gastrin concentration were useful predictors for perforation. The patients, six men and five women, were 27-61 years old (median 48) and one had MEN-1. Three patients had no symptoms prior to the perforation. The other eight had symptoms for 1-15 years, with diarrhea occurring in 45% of the cases. Following the diagnosis of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, patients were given medication to control gastric acid hypersecretion. Eight patients remained well, but the three patients who had had a partial gastrectomy had a complicated course despite medical therapy. Although features of perforation in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome are not specific, jejunal perforation or perforation associated with a history of diarrhea is suggestive of the diagnosis. Serum gastrin should be measured in every case and a partial gastrectomy avoided.

Adult↗

PEG ileus. A new cause of small bowel obstruction.

A case of small bowel obstruction due to a lodged percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube inner bumper is described. Most probably inner bumper lodgement in the terminal ileum is related to its size. Laparotomy was required to remove the bumper and relieve the obstruction. We suggest that all percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy bumpers be retrieved endoscopically when the PEG tube is removed or replaced unless a collapsible inner bumper is used.

Aged↗

Detection of hepatitis C viral RNA in serum of a patient with acute non A, non B hepatitis.

The sequence of serologic events in a patient with acute type C hepatitis associated with intravenous drug abuse is described. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) ribonucleic acid was detectable in serum during the acute episode of hepatitis, whereas antibody to the hepatitis C virus appeared later, after the acute illness had subsided. The patient developed chronic hepatitis with persistently elevated serum aminotransferase activities. Both hepatitis C viral ribonucleic acid and antibody to hepatitis C virus persisted in serum, together with elevated serum aminotransferases. Thus, detection of HCV RNA may be useful in the diagnosis of acute type C hepatitis, particularly in the absence of detectable antibody to the hepatitis C virus.

Acute Disease↗

Limited benefit of atropine as premedication for colonoscopy.

A prospective double-blind trial was performed comparing atropine (0.5 mg) by slow intravenous administration to placebo as premedication for colonoscopy, to assess the possible beneficial effects of this vagolytic agent on the performance and safety of the procedure. A total of 77 patients was randomly assigned to receive atropine (38 patients) or placebo (39 patients) before colonoscopy in conjunction with our standard initial medications for conscious sedation (meperidine, 0.4 mg/kg and midazolam, 0.03 mg/kg). Total procedure time was 31 min for the atropine group and 35 min for the placebo group (p greater than 0.05), and there was no overall difference in the total amount of intra-procedural medications required. No statistically significant differences were observed relative to the number or severity of vagal episodes, and neither the endoscopist nor the patients noted any differences in the ease or tolerance of the procedure (p greater than 0.05). Although these results fail to demonstrate a significant benefit of atropine when given routinely as premedication for colonoscopy, this study does not rule out the potential usefulness of atropine in counteracting vagal episodes when they occur.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

Endoscopic therapy of chronic and recurrent pancreatitis.

Endoscopic pancreatic therapy is emerging as an exciting nonoperative alternative in the management of chronic pancreatitis, in particular in cases where pancreatic duct obstruction due to stones, protein plugs, or strictures is present. Although the preliminary results available are promising, prospective randomized trials comparing endoscopic and surgical techniques are much needed. Furthermore, the published data come from large endoscopic centers with very high levels of technical skill and experience, and, therefore, its wide-spread clinical use is limited. Time and well-designed prospective randomized clinical trials comparing surgical versus endoscopic techniques will help define the role of these procedures in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗