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Biomedical subjects

J R Hiatt

Publications and source records attributed to J R Hiatt.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Periappendicitis is a significant clinical finding.

Periappendicitis has heretofore been regarded as a pathologic curiosity with little clinical significance. In this report, we have reviewed the UCLA experience with periappendicitis. Between 1955 and 1985, resected appendices of 353 patients showed periappendicitis on pathologic examination. Sixty-one of these patients, in whom exploratory surgery was performed for reasons other than acute appendicitis, underwent incidental appendectomy. In 251 of the remaining 292 patients, appendectomy was performed either for pathologically confirmed acute appendicitis or concomitant with treatment of other unsuspected abnormalities discovered intraoperatively. Although the remaining 41 patients were also believed to have acute appendicitis, their resected specimens revealed only periappendicitis. The latter group was composed of 9 males and 32 females, with a mean age of 29 years (range: 6 to 76 years). Twenty-four complications occurred in 18 of these patients (44%). Seven additional operative procedures were required in 5 of the 41 patients (12%). One patient died (2%). We conclude that identification of periappendicitis in the patient presumed to have acute appendicitis is of definite clinical significance and may merit further clinical investigation.

Acute Disease↗

Management of the acute abdomen. A test of judgement.

Most patients with abdominal pain do not need an operation, but identification of those who do is an important role for the primary care physician. A carefully performed physical examination in conjunction with selected laboratory tests usually establishes the general diagnosis and allows the physician to decide among management alternatives. These include early operation, observation, or further evaluation using special studies.

Abdomen, Acute↗

Heparin mediates transmembrane potassium transfer in hyperkalemic dogs.

Unheparinized, ureter-ligated control dogs that are potassium loaded, i.e., infused with 2 mEq of KCl/kg until prelethal electrocardiographic changes of hyperkalemic cardiotoxicity appear (end point), transfer 57 +/- 4% (1.7 +/- 0.1 mEq/kg) of administered potassium to intracellular fluid. Heparinized controls transfer 73 +/- 1% (3.2 +/- 0.2 mEq/kg); with simultaneous alpha-adrenoreceptor blockade, that proportion increases to 81 +/- 2% (4.80 +/- 0.7 mEq/kg) and with simultaneous beta-receptor blockade it is 58 +/- 3% (1.1 +/- 0.1 mEq/kg). In potassium loaded, ureter-ligated dogs, heparin increases transmembrane potassium transfer as effectively as does a dosage of atropine large enough to cross the blood-brain barrier and its influence on potassium transfer, like that of atropine, is suppressed by beta-adrenoreceptor blockade.

Animals↗

Management of the acute abdomen complicating oral anticoagulation therapy.

Acute abdominal pain in the patient receiving oral anticoagulants poses a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. We describe two cases of peritonitis requiring laparotomy in anticoagulated patients, and review 49 similar case reports from the world literature. These patients were usually explored for signs of bowel obstruction. At operation, the intestine often appeared infarcted, but pathologic examination commonly revealed intramural hematomata. In contrast, we present microscopic evidence of hemorrhagic cecal infarction complicating oral anticoagulation therapy in one patient. Intramural intestinal hemorrhage is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain in the anticoagulated patient who undergoes laparotomy. In addition to intramural hemorrhage, 14 per cent of patients had coexistent volvulus, appendicitis, intestinal wall disruption or intestinal infarction. We conclude that anticoagulated patients with suspected intramural intestinal hemorrhage may have severe intraabdominal pathology requiring operation. Therefore, operation is mandatory for patients who fail to improve after a short course of expectant management.

Abdomen, Acute↗

The pathology of nonpalpable breast cancer.

A principal goal of mammographic screening is the early detection of breast cancer. We reviewed records of 125 women who were referred because of nonpalpable, suspicious abnormalities on mammogram, which subsequently proved to be cancer, requiring mammographic localization biopsy and subsequent surgery for therapy. We found that 72 (57.6%) had invasive tumors, 15 (12%) showed evidence of microinvasion and 38 (30.4%) were noninvasive. A total of 115 patients had lymphadenectomy as part of their definitive surgery. Nine (12.7%) of the patients with infiltrating tumors had between one and 10 malignant nodes on histologic section. None of the patients with noninvasive or microinvasive tumors were found to have involved nodes. The mammographic abnormalities which led to biopsy in our series were: calcifications in 74 (59.2%) patients, mass lesions in 39 (31.2%), mass lesions with calcifications in 11 (8.8%), and asymmetry in one (0.8%). Of the nine patients with nodal metastases, seven (77.8%) had a mass with or without calcifications as the indication for biopsy. Increasing tumor size was found to correlate with invasive tumors on histopathologic examination and the incidence of lymph node metastases. Thirty-seven (54.4%) of the patients with infiltrating tumors had a tumor size greater than 1 cm. Further, seven (77.8%) of the nine lymph node positive patients had tumors between 1 and 3 cm in size. Of note, however, is that two (22.2%) patients with microscopic tumors had involved nodes. The 4-year actuarial survival in patients with infiltrating tumors was 85.2 per cent, while that for patients with noninvasive or microinvasive tumors was 100 per cent (median follow-up of 20 months).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

One-stage repair of colovaginal fistula complicating acute diverticulitis.

Fourteen patients with colovaginal fistula secondary to sigmoid diverticulitis were seen between 1964 and 1988. Thirteen had undergone prior hysterectomy. Three different operative approaches were used. Three patients were treated with colostomy alone; one died and the fistula persisted in one. Five patients underwent staged procedures. One patient died of complications after the second stage of a planned three-stage procedure. Four patients underwent a two-stage procedure (fistula takedown, colectomy with colostomy and colostomy closure), all with good results. Six patients were treated with one-stage fistula takedown, colectomy and primary anastomosis, without major complication. We advocate this as the procedure of choice and emphasize the following principles of epidemiology and management: 1) colovaginal fistula complicates diverticulitis in elderly women usually following hysterectomy; this association may be a factor in etiology; 2) vaginography is useful in diagnosis; and 3) planned one-stage repair is the best surgical approach.

Aged↗

Effect of a prior portasystemic shunt on subsequent liver transplantation.

Fifteen patients who had a prior portasystemic shunt underwent orthotopic liver transplantation. Shunt types were portacaval in six patients, H-graft mesocaval in six, distal splenorenal in two, and proximal splenorenal in one. Mean blood loss and hospital stay were highest in the portacaval group. Retransplants (two patients) and deaths (two patients) also were limited to this group. In this report, technical considerations, advantages, and disadvantages of the various shunt types are described. Management of patients with late stages of portal hypertension must include estimation of the effects of a portasystemic shunt on subsequent liver transplantation. It is concluded that portacaval shunts should be avoided in patients who may be considered for transplantation. Distal splenorenal shunts are best performed in younger patients with intractable variceal bleeding who are not expected to require transplantation in the near future. A mesocaval H-graft is the shunt of choice in patients who are current liver transplant candidates.

Adult↗

Randomized prospective trial of OKT3 for early prophylaxis of rejection after liver transplantation.

A group of 52 liver transplant patients was prospectively randomized to receive prophylactic immunosuppressive therapy consisting of either Orthoclone OKT3 for 14 days, azathioprine, and steroids (25 patients); or cyclosporine, azathioprine, and steroids (27 patients). The groups were similarly matched for age, diagnosis, and Child's classification. The patients were studied to determine the effect of these two regimens on the incidence of rejection, infection, renal dysfunction, and mortality. Seven rejection episodes, as determined by clinical and histological criteria, occurred in seven of 25 patients (28%) receiving OKT3 compared with 18 episodes in 27 patients (67%) receiving cyclosporine during the first 14 days after transplantation (P less than 0.02). In 20% of the OKT3 patients, CD3+ levels of greater than 10% developed during therapy, and 16% of the patients developed anti-OKT3 antibodies during OKT3 treatment. Five patients were retreated with OKT3 for steroid-resistant acute rejection episodes; all had resolution of the rejection episode. Infectious complications were similar in each group. Renal function, as measured by serum creatinine, was significantly better with OKT3 than with cyclosporine (P less than 0.003) at 14 days. We conclude that prophylactic OKT3 is effective in reducing the number of early rejection episodes after liver transplantation; after 14 days the incidence of rejection is similar; reuse of OKT3 has been successful in liver transplant patients; infectious complications are similar between OKT3 and cyclosporine; and OKT3 preserves renal function better than cyclosporine and is thus indicated in patients with compromised preoperative renal function.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗

A report from the NIDDK Liver Transplantation Database.

The development and pilot phase of the NIDDK LTD project has been successfully completed by recruiting and uniformly evaluating at baseline and follow-up of 176 candidates and 101 transplant patients from 5 LTD Clinical Centers (Baylor University Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Minnesota, and University of Pittsburgh). The first set of analyses presented in this report describes the characteristics of the candidates, recipients and donors who were enrolled in the LTD pilot study. Other findings must be regarded as trends until more data become available. Candidates who presented with fulminant or subacute liver failure as well as those with lupoid type chronic active hepatitis had the highest selection rate for transplantation while those with malignancy and alcoholic cirrhosis had the lowest. Overall, little selection occurred on the basis of age alone. Early posttransplantation recovery characterized by prolonged ICU stay, or by death or retransplantation in the ICU, were significantly influenced by operative and recipient factors. Generally, when function of other organ systems was impaired, the event rates were higher. Abnormal neurological status represented the greatest risk. For the ICU course, patients with fulminant disease fared the worst and cirrhotics the best. Long operation (greater than 8 hrs) and blood use in excess of 3,000 ml had 2-3 times the risk for long ICU stay or adverse ICU events. Surprisingly, donor and harvesting factors also played a significant role in the early posttransplantation course. Such trends were shown for drug abuser donors and for rapid hepatectomy time. The harvesting surgeon's assessment of the donor and the graft had good predictive value of the ICU course. Finally, patients who required retransplantation within 6 weeks more often had donors with histories of longer hospitalization and fewer grafts that were deemed excellent or good at harvest.

Databases, Bibliographic↗

Amyand's hernia.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Appendicitis↗

Infectious complications in liver transplantation.

Thirty-five patients received 42 liver homografts between February 1984 and August 1985. One or more infections developed in 23 patients (66%) some time after transplantation. An average of 2.5 infections per infected patient occurred. Of 37 bacterial infections, two thirds were either bacteremias or localized intra-abdominal infections. The median onset was 29 days after operation. Thirteen viral infections were identified, with a median onset of 18 days after operation. Nine fungal infections, six disseminated and three localized, were identified, with a median onset of nine days after operation. Infection was the primary cause of death in five (14%) of 35 patients. Fatal infections were evenly distributed among bacterial (two), fungal (three), and viral (two) pathogens. Despite advances in surgical techniques and the use of cyclosporine, infection after orthotopic liver transplantation is a serious problem. Certain patients can be identified as high risks for infection and require an aggressive diagnostic workup followed by early institution of antimicrobial therapy.

Adolescent↗

Indolent presentation of pancreatic abscess. Experience with 100 cases.

One hundred cases of pancreatic abscess were identified at five hospitals affiliated with UCLA between 1973 and 1985. Patients were included if a pancreatic mass or phlegmon followed an episode of pancreatitis, if the clinical impression was pancreatic abscess, and if drainage cultures were positive. Less than three Ranson's signs were present on admission in 72% of patients. The admission temperature was less than 38.3 degrees C in 71% of patients, and 27% of patients never had a fever. Abdominal tenderness was absent in 40% of patients. The admission amylase concentrations and white blood cell counts were normal in 36% and 23% of patients, respectively. Extensive débridement, external drainage, and a low threshold for reoperation were the mainstays of surgical therapy. Twenty patients (20%) died, but Ranson's signs did not predict outcome. pancreatic abscess may have an insidious presentation. A high index of suspicion, early computed tomographic scanning, and diagnostic needle aspiration may be necessary to establish this diagnosis.

Abscess↗

Orthotopic liver transplantation for biliary atresia. Evolution of management.

Forty-five patients with biliary atresia were accepted for orthotopic liver transplantation. Nine patients died awaiting transplantation, and 36 underwent transplantation. A portoenterostomy had been performed in 28 of these 36 patients, and its presence did not significantly affect the intraoperative blood loss (5.6 vs 4.1 blood volumes), the need for retransplantation (21% vs 12%), biliary complications (21% vs 12%), postoperative infections (36% vs 25%), or survival (82% vs 63%). These results indicate that early portoenterostomy is appropriate early therapy for biliary atresia; however, prompt referral to a liver transplant center for evaluation at the first sign of cholestasis is needed to attain optimal results for transplantation. Revisions of the portoenterostomy prior to transplantation did not improve the longevity of the procedure but did substantially increase complications and death after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Biliary Atresia↗

The value of echocardiography in blunt chest trauma.

All victims of blunt injury to the chest or precordium admitted to a Level I trauma center in a 1-year period were evaluated prospectively with two-dimensional echocardiography on the day of admission, serial determinations of creatine kinase (CK) and MB isoenzyme radioimmunoassay (CK-MB) over the first 24 hours, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring over at least the first day, and serial 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) over the first 3 days. The patients were divided into four groups based upon the results of echocardiography. Group A (n = 35) had normal ECHO and ECG; Group B (n = 16), normal ECHO and abnormal ECG; group C (n = 14), ECHO showing abnormal wall motion and/or pericardial fluid; group D (n = 8), ECHO showing a nontraumatic valvular or wall motion abnormality. Nineteen patients required an operation under general anesthesia. Group C patients had significantly higher CK, CK-MB, numbers of associated injuries, and Injury Severity Scores; seven required invasive hemodynamic monitoring. No cardiac morbidity of general anesthesia was seen. We conclude that echocardiography is an important tool for diagnosis and triage which may be used to stratify a homogeneous patient population into groups with acute, chronic, and no cardiac disease. Cardiac injury occurs in a setting of multisystem trauma. Patients with normal echocardiogram and ECG on admission do not require intensive care monitoring.

Adolescent↗