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R E Koehler

Publications and source records attributed to R E Koehler.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Advances in gastrointestinal intervention: the treatment of gastroduodenal and colorectal obstructions with metallic stents.

Metallic stents are currently an established component of the endoluminal treatment of stenoses within the blood vessels, bile ducts, esophagus, trachea, and bronchi. With the development of newer stent designs and delivery systems and the general momentum toward minimally invasive therapies, metallic stent placement has expanded into the nonsurgical therapy for gastroduodenal and colorectal obstructions. The use of metallic stents within the stomach, duodenum, or colon is intended not to be curative but to provide nonsurgical palliation for the symptoms of gastric or colonic obstruction. This palliation may be intended for the life of the patient in the case of unresectable disease or as a temporizing procedure prior to a definitive surgical procedure. In the latter clinical scenario, the benefits of a minimally invasive intestinal decompression procedure include (a) quick and noninvasive relief of the intestinal obstruction in an acutely ill patient that obviates a more extensive procedure; (b) allowance of time to improve a patient's overall medical condition and thus to allow a patient to better tolerate the definitive surgical procedure; and (c) reduction of the complexity of the definitive procedure by eliminating the need for staged procedures and allowing the definitive procedure to be performed at one setting.

Colonic Diseases↗
PubMed2000

Intramural tracking: a feature of esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the frequency of intramural tracking in patients with esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis and to characterize the morphologic features of this finding on barium studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of radiology files at two institutions revealed 30 cases of esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis diagnosed at esophagography. In all cases, the radiographs were reviewed retrospectively to determine the frequency and morphologic features of intramural tracking in these patients. The number and distribution of pseudodiverticula and the presence or absence of strictures or esophagitis were also noted. RESULTS: Fifteen (50%) of 30 patients with esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis had intramural tracking on esophagography. The tracks had an average length of 1.2 cm (length range, 0.3-7 cm) and an average width of 1.6 mm (width range, 1-4 mm). The pseudodiverticula were more numerous and had a more diffuse distribution in patients with tracking than in patients without tracking. Although patients with and without tracking had a similar frequency of strictures and esophagitis, patients with tracking were more likely to have strictures involving the upper or mid esophagus, whereas patients without tracking were more likely to have strictures in the distal esophagus. These findings indicate that intramural tracking is more likely to occur in patients with the diffuse form of esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis. CONCLUSION: Intramural tracking was detected on esophagography in 50% of patients with esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis, so this type of tracking is a more common radiographic finding than has previously been recognized. Although intramural tracking has little or no known clinical significance, it is important to be aware of this finding so that it is not mistaken for a large flat ulcer in the esophagus or for an extramural collection associated with esophageal peridiverticulitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Botulinum toxin versus pneumatic dilatation in the treatment of achalasia: a randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Intrasphincteric injection of botulinum toxin is a new treatment option for achalasia. AIMS: To compare the immediate and long term efficacy of botulinum toxin with that of pneumatic dilatation. METHODS: Symptomatic patients with achalasia were randomised to botulinum toxin (22 patients, median age 57 years) or pneumatic dilatation (20 patients, median age 56 years). Symptom scores were assessed initially, and at one, three, six, nine, and 12 months after treatment. Objective assessment included oesophageal manometry initially and at one month, and barium oesophagram initially and at one, six, and 12 months post-treatment. RESULTS: Pneumatic dilatation resulted in a significantly (p=0.02) higher cumulative remission rate. At 12 months, 14/20 (70%) pneumatic dilatation and 7/22 (32%) botulinum toxin treated patients were in symptomatic remission (p=0.017). Failure rates were similar initially, but failure over time was significantly (p=0.01) higher after botulinum toxin (50%) than pneumatic dilatation (7%). Pneumatic dilatation resulted in significant (p<0.001) reduction in symptom scores, and lower oesophageal sphincter pressure, oesophageal barium column height, and oesophageal diameter. Botulinum toxin produced significant reduction in symptom scores (p<0.001), but no reduction in objective parameters. CONCLUSIONS: At one year pneumatic dilatation is more effective than botulinum toxin. Symptom improvement parallels objective oesophageal measurements after pneumatic dilatation but not after botulinum toxin treatment for achalasia.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Comparison of two barium suspensions for dedicated small-bowel series.

OBJECTIVE: The in vivo radiographic features of two commercially available formulations of barium used as contrast media in dedicated small-bowel series were compared. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six consecutive outpatients referred for a dedicated small-bowel series were randomly administered either E-Z-Paque or Entrobar. Representative survey radiographs from each examination were randomized and reviewed by six gastrointestinal radiologists from three institutions. Each observer assigned a numeric score (1 = poor, 2 = fair, 3 = good, and 4 = excellent) that rated the quality of the radiograph with respect to these characteristics: definition of fold pattern, translucency, distention, and integrity of the barium column. Statistical analysis was performed for each characteristic using Wilcoxon's two-sample rank sum test. RESULTS: All six observers found a statistically significant difference between the two barium formulations for mean scores for definition of fold pattern and translucency. Mean scores for fold pattern were 3.3, 3.0, 3.2, 3.6, 3.3, and 3.4 for Entrobar and 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 3.2, 2.6, and 2.7 for E-Z-Paque. Mean scores for translucency were 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 3.1, 2.7, and 3.3 for Entrobar and 1.6, 1.7, 2.1, 2.3, 1.9, and 2.7 for E-Z-Paque. No statistically significant difference was found for mean score for distention or integrity of the barium column. CONCLUSION: On radiographs, Entrobar was found to have superior characteristics for visualization of fold pattern and translucency but offered no advantages for distention or integrity of the barium column. Improved translucency and definition of fold pattern may translate into improved sensitivity and confidence in diagnosing small-bowel abnormality.

Barium Sulfate↗
PubMed1999

Pancreas divisum: implications for diagnostic and therapeutic pancreatography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence, distribution, and clinical significance of pancreatic ductal changes due to pancreatitis on ERCP in patients with pancreas divisum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1993 through December 1997, 1714 patients underwent 2469 ERCP studies. Ninety-four patients (5.5%) had pancreas divisum. Retrospective review of the spot radiographs was performed to establish the presence and location of pancreatitis. Clinical indications for and therapy during ERCP were correlated with radiographic findings. RESULTS: Of the 94 patients with pancreas divisum, 54 (57%) had radiographic evidence of pancreatitis. Of these 54 patients, 44 had at least one episode of clinically documented pancreatitis, seven had recurrent abdominal pain, and three underwent ERCP for biliary indications. In 76% of the 54 patients with radiographic evidence of pancreatitis, only the dorsal system showed irreversible inflammatory change (p < .0001). Acute recurrent pancreatitis was the most common indication for ERCP in divisum patients and was statistically more common than in pancreatitis patients with normal anatomy (p < .0001). Sixty-two (66%) of the 94 patients with pancreas divisum underwent endoscopic pancreatic intervention, most commonly minor papilla sphincterotomy or stenting or both. Eleven patients with clinically documented pancreatitis had no abnormalities revealed by ERCP. CONCLUSION: In our population of patients referred for ERCP and found to have pancreas divisum, the prevalence of pancreatitis was very high and usually was limited to a dorsal distribution.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Expandable metal stents for the treatment of colonic obstruction: techniques and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Acute left-sided colonic obstruction is a surgical emergency whose management is controversial. Because experience using expandable metal stents for relief of this type of obstruction is limited, we evaluated their effectiveness, feasibility, safety, and outcome. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with acute colorectal obstruction underwent placement of various metal stents under fluoroscopic and endoscopic guidance. On an intent-to-treat basis, stents were placed for decompression before one-stage surgical resection in 10 patients and palliatively in 15 patients. Two preoperative patients had unresectable malignant disease, and stents were left for palliation resulting in 17 palliative and 10 preoperative patients for analysis. RESULTS: Stent placement was technically successful in 94% of patients. Overall effectiveness in relieving obstruction was 85% (palliative 82%, preoperative 90%). In the palliative group, stent duration ranged from 2 to 64 weeks (mean 17.3 weeks). Major complications occurred in 7 patients (30%). CONCLUSIONS: Expandable metal stents are a feasible, effective adjunct and alternative to surgery for acute colorectal obstruction.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Hysterosalpingography with videofluoroscopy: effect on radiologic practice in an academic medical center.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors attempted to determine whether videotaping the fluoroscopic portion of hysterosalpingography would result in changed diagnoses or an increase in diagnostic confidence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-nine consecutive outpatients underwent routine hysterosalpingography. The fluoroscopic portion of the examination was captured on videotape. Two consecutive interpretations of each hysterosalpingogram were made by attending radiologists. First, spot radiographs were interpreted alone. Second, these images were viewed along with videofluoroscopy. Concordance of and confidence in findings for the two interpretations were assessed with the two-tailed Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Interpretations of spot radiographs alone and with videofluoroscopy were in agreement in 92 of 99 uterine examinations and 164 of 198 tubal examinations. For uterine examinations classified as normal, interpretations of spot radiographs and videofluoroscopy were in agreement in 56 of 57 cases; there was no change in confidence with review of videofluoroscopic images. For uterine examinations interpreted as abnormal, agreement was noted in 36 of 42 cases (P = .04), and confidence increased with videofluoroscopy in 10 of 42 cases (P = .00001). With normal tubal findings, interpretations agreed in 94 of 118 cases, and confidence increased in 56 of 118 cases (P = .002). With abnormal tubal findings, interpretations agreed in 70 of 80 cases, and confidence increased in 20 of 80 cases (P = .002). When findings with and without videofluoroscopy were discordant, confidence was always higher after review of video-fluoroscopic images. CONCLUSION: Review of videofluoroscopic images obtained during hysterosalpingography increases the accuracy and confidence of diagnoses compared with review of spot radiographs alone.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed1997

Treatment of colonic obstruction with expandable metal stents: radiologic features.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of expandable metal stents for colonic decompression in patients presenting with acute malignant obstruction and to describe the associated radiographic findings. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Using both fluoroscopic and endoscopic guidance, we placed expandable metal stents within the colons of 13 patients presenting with acute malignant obstruction. Stents were placed in four patients to permit a standard bowel cleansing before surgical resection with primary anastomosis. In the other nine patients, stents were placed for palliation of nonresectable tumors, obviating colostomy. Outcomes and complications were analyzed. The radiologic aspects of procedural planning, stent placement, assessment after placement, and detection of complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the four surgical candidates who were successfully resected with primary anastomosis, two received incomplete bowel cleansing because of stent migration with recurrent obstruction. Eight of the nine patients who had stents placed for palliation of nonresectable tumors had relief of acute obstruction. Complications in this group included two perforations, one that required immediate colostomy and one that was self-limited and conservatively treated. Two other patients of the eight developed early stent obstruction, requiring colostomy in one. The other patient who had a stent placed for palliation of a nonresectable tumor declined further treatment. Contrast-enhanced enema examination proved useful in assessing the suitability of lesions for stent decompression, directing the choice of stent type and the most appropriate position for the patient during the stent placement. Immediately after stent placement, plain abdominal radiographs and water-soluble contrast enema examinations helped us verify stent position and patency. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that placement of expandable metal stents in patients presenting with acute, malignant colonic obstruction is a viable alternative to colostomy and can potentially decrease morbidity and mortality. Radiologic assessment before, during, and after stent placement plays an integral role in the management of patients undergoing stent decompression of the colon.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Timed barium swallow: a simple technique for evaluating esophageal emptying in patients with achalasia.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to define a simple technique for timing a barium swallow by which radiologists can assess esophageal emptying in patients with achalasia before and after minimally invasive therapy. Our purpose was also to determine the best method of quantifying the degree of emptying using this timed technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the barium swallow technique, upright frontal spot films of the esophagus are obtained at 1, 2, and 5 min after ingestion of 100-200 ml of low-density (45% weight in volume) barium sulfate (volume of barium determined by patient tolerance). Forty-two of these barium swallows done by 23 patients with achalasia were retrospectively reviewed. The examination served either as a baseline study or as a 1-month follow-up study after patients had undergone pneumatic dilatation or Clostridium botulinum toxin injection. The spot films were digitized, and a region of interest was drawn around the column of barium by two observers. The change in area seen in the region of interest on the 1- and 5-min films served as the gold standard for percentage of emptying. The spot films were then analyzed by four other observers, each of whom independently, subjectively, and qualitatively estimated the percentage of emptying between the 1- and 5-min spot films. Percentages were divided into quintiles. On a separate occasion, each of these four observers also independently measured the height and width of the barium column on the 1- and 5-min spot films. The product of height times width seen on the 1- and 5-min films became the quantitative estimate for percentage of emptying. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant difference between the percentage of emptying as measured on the digitized images by the two observers and the height-times-width calculations or qualitative emptying percentage as estimated by the four observers. Interobserver agreement for the area evaluated on the digitized films as well as the height-times-width measurements and qualitative estimates of emptying was almost perfect (the correlation coefficients being 0.99, 0.87, and 0.93, respectively). CONCLUSION: The timed barium swallow is a simple and reproducible technique. Both qualitative assessment and estimated change in area based on height-times-width measurements of the barium column are accurate methods of estimating esophageal emptying.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Mast cell cholangiopathy: another cause of sclerosing cholangitis.

A 75-year-old woman with known systemic mastocytosis presented with abdominal pain, ascites, and bile duct thickening on computed tomography and ultrasonography. A liver biopsy specimen showed infiltration with mast cells. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed ductal changes compatible with those found in primary sclerosing cholangitis. Brush cytology of the intrahepatic bile ducts confirmed mast cell infiltration. Systemic mastocytosis can infiltrate the biliary system, producing a cholangiopathy radiographically similar to primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Nodular sarcoidosis of the liver and spleen: analysis of 32 cases.

PURPOSE: To describe the computed tomographic (CT) appearance of nodular hepatosplenic sarcoidosis and its association with stage with chest radiography and clinical status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients (21 women, 11 men; aged 25-68 years) with nodular hepatosplenic sarcoidosis were evaluated. CT findings were described along with chest radiographic stage, clinical status, and level of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). RESULTS: Nodules were small, multiple, and of low attenuation. Organomegaly was common. Abdominal adenopathy was present in 76% of the patients. Chest radiographs were normal in 25%; 61% had stage 1 or 2 radiographs. Abdominal or systemic symptoms were present in 66%. ACE level was elevated in 10 (91%) of 11 patients tested. No change in chest radiographic stage was noted in 74% of patients with follow-up radiographs. CONCLUSION: Nodular hepatosplenic sarcoidosis is associated with organomegaly, adenopathy, and symptoms. Nodules were not associated with advanced lung disease and did not herald a change in chest radiographic stage. An elevated ACE level may be helpful in diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Picture archiving communication systems in the intensive care unit.

The authors review the potential of picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) in the critical care environment. Presented and analyzed is a university hospital intensive care unit (ICU) PACS project. The objective of the project is to provide reliable, timely viewing of bedside radiographs in selected ICUs within the hospital. Key features include redundancy of critical hardware components and viewing stations that are simple to operate. The system was implemented in phases with incremental evaluation of performance and goals. PACS subsystems are discussed. On the basis of this experience, ICU PACS specifications and general considerations are presented. Also presented is a comparison of 10-year cost projections for conventional screen-film radiography and an ICU PACS that incorporates computed radiography. The costs of the two alternatives are comparable. PACS is a viable alternative to conventional screen-film imaging in the ICU setting and offers improved and more efficient patient care.

Alabama↗
PubMed1994

Flow cytometry: potential utility in monitoring drug effects in breast cancer.

Flow cytometric analysis of DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction are well recognized prognostic indicators in breast cancer. The present paper deals with the widening of the applications of flow cytometry to monitoring the effectiveness of antiestrogen therapy, detecting clonal selection and emergence of drug resistance, and monitoring chemosensitizing properties of drugs. Antiestrogen activity can be studied by DNA flow cytometry to address clinical research problems such as patient-specific pharmacokinetics, dosing compliance, and acquired antiestrogen resistance. Patient plasma specimens containing various concentrations of triphenylethylenes can be monitored for drug-induced effects using cell cycle measurements and correlated to in vivo drug levels. DNA flow cytometry has also been instrumental in the study of the effects of prolonged low-dose (0.5 microM for > 100 days) tamoxifen treatment on human estrogen receptor negative MDA-MB-231 cells, where it was shown that tamoxifen may significantly alter cell cycle kinetics and tumorigenicity of these cells, selecting a new, more aggressive, and rapidly growing clone. Lastly, it has been shown that the chemosensitizing properties of another triphenylethylene antiestrogen, toremifene, on estrogen receptor negative, multidrug resistant MDA-MB-231-A1 human breast cancer cells can be studied using flow cytometric analysis. Toremifene (and its metabolites N-desmethyltoremifene and toremifene IV) are able to "resensitize" MDA-MB-231-A1 cells to vinblastine and doxorubicin, as reflected in a marked shift of cells to G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Flow cytometry is a widely available technique that might be applied clinically to monitor, at the cellular level, drug effects on tumors, including the modulators of drug resistance.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1994

Omeprazole versus H2-receptor antagonists in treating patients with peptic stricture and esophagitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although dysphagia in patients with peptic stricture is attributed to a decreased luminal diameter, coexistent esophagitis may be an equally important cause. The goals of this study were to determine whether medical healing of esophagitis in patients with stricture improves dysphagia and decreases dilatation need and to compare the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of omeprazole versus H2-receptor antagonists (H2RA). METHODS: Thirty-four dysphagic patients with peptic stricture and erosive esophagitis were dilated and randomized to omeprazole 20 mg every day versus H2RA (ranitidine 150 mg twice daily or famotidine 20 mg twice daily). Patients received further dilatations only if dysphagia frequency was greater than or equal to once per week. At 3 and 6 months, patients were assessed for esophagitis healing, dysphagia relief, and bougienage requirements. Cost-effectiveness of omeprazole and H2RA was determined. RESULTS: Patients with healed esophagitis at 3 and 6 months were more likely to dysphagia-free and to require fewer dilatations than patients with persistent esophagitis. At 6 months, omeprazole produced a significantly (P < 0.01) higher rate of esophagitis healing, dysphagia relief, and fewer dilatations compared with H2RA. Omeprazole was also 40%-50% more cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS: Esophagitis healing improves dysphagia and decreases dilatation need in patients with peptic stricture. Omeprazole heals esophagitis and relieves dysphagia more efficaciously than H2RA while decreasing costs to patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Detection of gastroesophageal reflux: value of barium studies compared with 24-hr pH monitoring.

OBJECTIVE: Monitoring of esophageal pH is widely held to be the most sensitive test for gastroesophageal reflux, but it is expensive and is not available in all centers. Controversy surrounds the role of barium studies in the detection of reflux despite years of experience with their use. We studied the efficacy of fluoroscopic detection of spontaneous and provoked gastroesophageal reflux compared with 24-hr monitoring of esophageal pH. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 117 subjects with clinical findings suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux, we recorded fluoroscopic observations of spontaneous reflux and of reflux elicited by coughing, the Valsalva maneuver, rolling from supine to the right lateral position, and the water-siphon test. Subjects were considered to have reflux if 24-hr monitoring of esophageal pH within 14 days of the barium examination showed esophageal pH to be less than 4 for intervals exceeding the 95th percentile values previously reported for a control group. RESULTS: Barium studies showed unprovoked, spontaneous reflux in 26% of subjects proved by pH measurements to have gastroesophageal reflux. When the water-siphon test was used, the sensitivity of fluoroscopic detection rose to 70%, with a specificity of 74% and positive predictive value of 80%. Clinically significant reflux was detected radiographically in five patients in whom it was not detected by pH monitoring. CONCLUSION: These data are contrary to prior reports and indicate that barium studies are useful for screening patients with clinical findings suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux. The sensitivity of barium studies is highest when maneuvers are used to elicit reflux.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Treatment of achalasia: the best of both worlds.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a retrospective analysis of one center's experience with treating achalasia over 4 yr with skilled gastroenterologists using primarily the Rigiflex balloon dilator and with a senior surgeon performing Heller myotomies. METHODS: Newly diagnosed cases of achalasia were identified by a computer search of hospital records. Charts were reviewed for the presence/severity of dysphagia, regurgitation, heartburn, and chest pain. Weight loss was also recorded. Esophageal manometries and barium swallows were reviewed. Choice of treatment was made freely by patients. With an a priori definition of success, follow-up was conducted by telephone interviews. RESULTS: A total of 45 achalasia patients (mean age, 46 yr; 32 females, 13 males) were identified with a symptoms-frequency as follows: dysphagia, 100%; regurgitation, 78%; heartburn, 50%; and chest pain, 42%. Mean weight loss was 17.5 pounds. Primary treatment was pneumatic dilation in 36 patients and surgery in nine patients. In a total of 45 pneumatic dilations, three (6.6%) were complicated by perforation. Five (14%) patients required repeat dilation. Mean duration of follow-up for pneumatic dilation and surgery was 27 months and 20.8 months, respectively. The overall excellent-good success rates were: pneumatic dilation 88% and surgery 89%. In comparing the efficacy of pneumatic dilation versus surgery, all symptoms were improved significantly (p < 0.01) in both groups, except heartburn, which increased postmyotomy. CONCLUSIONS: If both procedures are available by skilled operators, pneumatic dilation and surgery are equally effective in the treatment of achalasia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

A breast cancer clone selected by tamoxifen has increased growth rate and reduced sensitivity to doxorubicin.

The in vivo growth rate and the chemosensitivity patterns of a cell clone selected by tamoxifen from the estrogen receptor-negative human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 was studied in the nude mouse model and with flow cytometry. To investigate the growth rate of the wild-type and clone cells in vivo, the cells were inoculated into the opposite flanks of 5 male nude mice. Drug sensitivity to doxorubicin (10 ng/mL), vinblastine (1 ng/mL), and paclitaxel (1 ng/mL) was examined in wild-type/clone cell mixture using flow cytometry. Northern blot technique was used to study the expression of mdr-1 messenger RNA in both the wild-type and the clone cells. The tumors derived from the clone and wild-type cells were, following a 3-week growth period, 260.2 +/- 78.8 mm2 vs. 68.3 +/- 50.8 mm2 in size, respectively (P < 0.001). Following a 28-day continuous exposure, doxorubicin was selectively, toxic to the wild-type cells, while having no apparent effect on the clone population. However, paclitaxel- and vinblastine-treated wild-type/clone cell mixtures did not exhibit a differential cytotoxic effect on either cell population. It was concluded that the clone selected by tamoxifen shows an aggressive growth rate in vivo and an altered chemosensitivity pattern to doxorubicin in vitro.

Animals↗