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Biomedical subjects

K Iwata

Publications and source records attributed to K Iwata.

580 records · Page 33Linked to original sources

Improved long-term survival following complete eradication of esophageal varices by sclerotherapy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Conflicting results have been reported concerning the effect of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy upon the long-term survival of cirrhotic patients with esophageal varix. The recurrence and rebleeding of esophageal varices seems to be an important factor influencing long-term survival. We investigated the long-term survival of patients after complete eradication of esophageal varices. METHODOLOGY: Forty patients treated by endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for acute esophageal variceal bleeding were studied. The recurrence rate of varices and the long-term survival of patients in whom complete eradication of esophageal varices was obtained were compared with those of patients in whom the eradication of varices was incomplete. RESULTS: The frequency of the recurrence/deterioration rate of varices and rebleeding in the complete eradication group was significantly lower than that in the incomplete eradication group (10.7% vs. 100%, 0% vs. 58.3%, respectively, p < 0.01). Accumulated 5-year survival rate of the complete eradication group was significantly higher than that of the incomplete eradication group (68.2% vs. 43.2%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Complete eradication of esophageal varices by endoscopic injection sclerotherapy is effective both in preventing variceal re-bleeding and in improving the survival of cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices.

Acute Disease↗

Discrepancy between metrizamide CT and myelography in diagnosis of cervical disk protrusions.

With the advent of the relatively safe water-soluble contrast medium metrizamide, cervical myelography followed by metrizamide computed tomography (CT) can be performed easily. Sixteen patients with cervical disk protrusions (eight central and eight posterolateral) were studied by both procedures to evaluate the diagnostic value of each. In 75% of the posterolateral disk protrusions, myelography was as diagnostic as metrizamide CT. Metrizamide CT was definitely superior to myelography in 75% of the central disk protrusions with delineation of compressed cord. Information provided by metrizamide CT is detailed enough to allow the selection of a definitive anterior approach without delay.

Cervical Vertebrae↗

Chronic liver failure induced by long-term administration of tegafur: a case report.

A 55 year-old man was admitted with massive ascites. Although the laboratory data on admission were compatible with hepatic cirrhosis and remarkable esophageal varices were observed during endoscopy, the imaging findings such as computed tomography and ultrasonographic examination did not confirm hepatic cirrhosis. The patient had no history of alcohol abuse, blood transfusions or acute hepatitis. Serological markers related to viral and autoimmune hepatitis were all negative. Seven years ago, the patient had undergone an operation for colon cancer and has been taking tegafur since then for a total of 55 months. Tegafur was suspected as the causative agent for the liver dysfunction of this patient and the administration of tegafur was stopped. His laboratory data improved gradually and the ascites vanished. The first liver biopsy performed 6 months after discontinuation of tegafur still revealed chronic active hepatitis. However, at the liver biopsy performed 18 months after withdrawal of tegafur, inflammatory activity had subsided and the third liver biopsy, performed 34 months thereafter, revealed further improvement of the pathological changes that had occurred in the liver. We therefore conclude that the administration of tegafur may have caused chronic active liver injury with portal hypertension manifested as ascites and esophageal varices.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗