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Biomedical subjects

S D Braun

Publications and source records attributed to S D Braun.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Contrast venography of the leg: diagnostic efficacy, tolerance, and complication rates with ionic and nonionic contrast media.

A prospective, three-center study of two contrast agents for leg venography was performed to evaluate both the relative frequency of adverse effects and whether low-osmolality agents provided significant advantages for this procedure. Fifty-four patients were studied with the standard preparation (iothalamate meglumine) and 57 with a nonionic agent (iopamidol). Both were used at an iodine concentration of 200 mg/mL, and there were no differences in volume of contrast material, duration of infusion, percentage of positive studies, or overall diagnostic adequacy. Patient discomfort was less with iopamidol than with iothalamate (18% vs. 44%), although discomfort was generally mild in both groups. By objective follow-up studies, the frequency of postvenographic thrombosis was not significantly different in the two groups (8% vs. 9%). Contrast venography, then, had a low frequency of complications when either a dilute conventional or a low-osmolality agent was employed. Although the frequency of postvenographic thrombosis was low with both agents, patient discomfort was less with the low-osmolality formulation.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Pulmonary angiography with iopamidol: patient comfort, image quality, and hemodynamics.

The choice of a contrast agent for pulmonary angiography has important implications for patient comfort, image quality, and perhaps the safety of the procedure, particularly for "high-risk" patients. In a prospective study the nonionic, low-osmolality agent iopamidol eliminated the problem of image degradation due to coughing, and patients showed excellent tolerance for it. However, pressure measurements obtained within 3-5 minutes of injection of iopamidol and diatrizoate sodium meglumine 76% showed no significant difference in the hemodynamic effects of the two contrast agents, either for normotensive or for pulmonary hypertensive patients. Contrary to a common presumption, pulmonary hypertension by itself did not appear to increase the risk of pulmonary angiography. The theoretic presumption of greater hemodynamic stability with low-osmolality contrast agents was not clinically evident in this trial with iopamidol. At present, enhanced patient comfort and improved image quality remain the only confirmed bases for choosing this contrast agent for pulmonary angiography.

Adult↗

Percutaneous balloon dilatation of ureteral strictures.

Percutaneous balloon dilatation of ureteral strictures has not gained widespread acceptance, despite proven success with the techniques for dilating stenotic blood vessels. Thirty-one ureteral strictures (in 30 patients) that were dilated during a 42-month period were reviewed to assess the results and to determine which patients are most likely to benefit from the procedure. Eighteen (58%) of 31 strictures were successfully dilated and remained patent for at least 6 months. Thirteen (42%) of 31 strictures resulted in failed patency either immediately (two patients) or within 3 months (seven patients), 6 months (three patients), or 21 months (one patient). Fourteen (64%) of 22 strictures less than 7 months of age were successfully dilated. All dilations for strictures more than 7 months of age failed. Four strictures were of unknown age. Nine (69%) of 13 strictures located in the proximal or midureter remained patent, and three (60%) of five dilations at a ureteroileal anastomosis were successful. Neither of two strictures at a ureterocolic anastomosis was treated successfully. We conclude that percutaneous balloon dilatation is an effective treatment of ureteral strictures in some patients, especially when the strictures are less than 7 months of age.

Adult↗

Transthoracic needle aspiration: use of a small chest tube to treat pneumothorax.

The primary complication of transthoracic needle aspiration is pneumothorax. The efficacy and safety of using a small chest tube to treat this complication were examined by reviewing the records of 876 patients who underwent transthoracic needle aspirations between January 1981 and February 1986. Among these patients, 212 (24%) sustained a pneumothorax, and 92 (11%) required placement of a small 9-French chest tube attached to a flutter-type (Heimlich) valve. Duration of chest-tube drainage ranged between 24 hr and 3 weeks (mean, 2.2 days). Complete resolution of the pneumothorax and subsequent removal of the chest tube after 24 hr of drainage occurred in 38 (41%) of the 92 patients. Twenty-nine (32%) required 48 hr of drainage, and nine (10%) required 3 days. The remaining 16 (17%) required longer periods of drainage ranging from 4 days to 3 weeks. The tubes of six of this last group of patients were attached to a suction apparatus, and three of these patients eventually had a 28-French chest tube placed surgically. No significant complications occurred. The use of a small chest tube for treatment of pneumothorax after transthoracic needle aspiration is easy, safe, and efficacious.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Ultrasonically guided percutaneous transhepatic transcholecystocholangiography in the nondilated biliary tree.

Five patients with CT or ultrasound-proven nondilated intrahepatic biliary radicles underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic transcholecystocholangiography (PTHTCC) for visualization of the biliary tree following failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. In no instance were more than 2 passes of a 22-gauge needle necessary to enter the gallbladder. Visualization of the biliary tree was excellent in all cases, and there were no complications. Therefore, PTHTCC is a safe and reliable method of visualizing the nondilated biliary tree.

Adult↗

Fine needle aspiration biopsy in malignant obstructive jaundice.

Percutaneous cytodiagnosis of malignancy in patients with biliary tract obstruction is often useful in planning subsequent therapy. Of 121 patients presenting for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and biliary drainage, 45 had fine needle aspiration biopsies. Forty-one patients had malignant obstruction of the biliary tree, while benign disease was present in 4 patients. Neoplasia was diagnosed in 12 of 13 patients with bile duct carcinoma, 16 of 22 patients with pancreatic cancer, and 3 of 6 patients with other malignancies. Radiologic biopsy sensitivity was only slightly inferior to surgical biopsy sensitivity in the same patient population. A scheme for biliary cytodiagnosis is presented, which uses a percutaneous approach for patients with suspected pancreatic carcinoma and a transcatheter approach for patients with suspected bile duct carcinoma. The utility of this procedure and the low complication rate are stressed.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗

Infectious complications of percutaneous biliary drainage.

The infectious complications of percutaneous biliary drainage were reviewed in 132 patients with obstructive jaundice. Cholangitic or septic episodes occurred more frequently in patients with malignant (54%) than in those with benign (22%) disease, and frequently were not related to catheter insertions or manipulations. The frequency and mechanisms of bacterial colonization of bile and blood in patients with obstructive jaundice before and after biliary drainage are reviewed. The significant morbidity and mortality related to postdrainage infectious episodes is stressed, and the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis is discussed. The significant risks and complications of percutaneous biliary drainage must be considered prior to catheter placement, particularly in the most debilitated patients.

Bacterial Infections↗

Timing of chest film follow-up after transthoracic needle aspiration.

Transthoracic needle aspiration of pulmonary lesions is an extremely common procedure. Pneumothorax, the most common complication, is potentially life threatening. In an effort to determine the optimum time for obtaining chest radiographs to detect pneumothorax, all cases of pneumothorax that occurred after transthoracic needle aspiration between 1981 and 1984 were reviewed. During this period, 673 transthoracic-needle-aspiration procedures were performed. Pneumothorax occurred in 160 patients (23.8%), and 78 (11.5%) of these required a chest tube or aspiration. Of the total number of pneumothoraces, 142 (89%) were detected immediately, 15 (9%) were first seen after 1 hr, and only 3 (2%) were first seen on the 4-hr radiograph. Of the pneumothoraces requiring intervention, 69 (88%) were detected immediately while the remainder were first picked up after 1 hr. There were no significant pneumothoraces detected after the 1-hr radiograph. Immediate fluoroscopy and a routine chest radiograph 1-hour postprocedure are recommended. For outpatients 1-hr and 4-hr follow-up radiographs should be taken.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Digital indirect portography.

Thirty-eight patients underwent digital indirect portography with arterial injections of dilute contrast medium. The portal system was seen in 37 patients. Compared with conventional portography, the technique offers many advantages, including increased sensitivity and earlier visualization of the portal venous system, lower contrast loads, and lack of need for vasodilators. Digital indirect portography is an excellent method for evaluating the portal venous system.

Adolescent↗

Technique to facilitate percutaneous nephrostomy in non-obstructed kidneys.

A technique for performing antegrade pyelography during nephrotomy is described--puncture with a 21-gauge, 20-cm Cope needle, placement of a 0.018-inch SMG mandril "coat-hanger"-shaped guidewire, with the needle exchanged for a 3-French multi-sidehole dilator. Use of the 3-French dilator provides more security and less trauma to the renal pelvis; nephrotomy time is also curtailed. In 25 patients the technique was used successfully with 2 minor complications.

Humans↗

Complications of percutaneous nephrostolithotomy.

In 224 patients, renal stones were removed from the urinary tract using either direct extraction with a basket or forceps (59 patients), ultrasonic lithotripsy (164 patients), or infusion chemotherapy (one patient). Residual stone fragments were present more frequently in patients treated with ultrasonic lithotripsy (27%) than with direct extraction (5%). Other complications included hemorrhage (eight patients), catheter dislodgement (four patients), large amounts of urine extravasation (three patients), glycine ascites (three patients), infection (two patients), pneumothorax (one patient), and a prolonged ileus (one patient). More complications occurred among the first 50 patients than the last 50 patients, even though more difficult cases, including patients with staghorn calculi, were accepted during the latter period. Although a learning curve exists, complications can be minimized by attempting to treat more favorable cases during the initial experience.

Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materi↗

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty vs. surgery for renovascular hypertension.

Therapeutic results in 102 hypertensive patients were evaluated after either renal artery percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) or surgical bypass procedures for renovascular hypertension. A minimum of 6 months of follow-up was accepted to evaluate therapeutic success or failure. Renal angioplasty had a beneficial result in each of 13 patients with fibromuscular dysplasia and in 10 (83%) of 12 patients with atherosclerotic lesions that did not involve the origin of the renal artery. Although surgery was also beneficial in each of six patients with fibromuscular dysplasia, it helped only five of 10 patients with atherosclerosis of the renal artery. Angioplasty results were similar to surgical results for atherosclerotic lesions that involved the origin of the renal artery. Angioplasty was unsuccessful in two cases of neurofibromatosis because of the firm nature of the lesions, where a bypass procedure was successful in one case. Major complications were more common in surgical cases than in angioplasty. PTA is recommended for all renal artery lesions; surgery should be reserved for failed PTA or recurrent renal artery stenosis after PTA.

Adolescent↗

Percutaneous approach to nephrolithiasis.

Percutaneous techniques were successful in removing stones from 101 (92%) of 110 kidneys attempted. Ultrasonic lithotripsy was used on 80 kidneys in 74 patients with stones 5-38 mm in diameter. The most common complication was incomplete disintegration with retained stone fragments. Twenty patients were treated by direct stone extraction, either by a stone basket or forceps. The average hospitalization for percutaneous stone removal of 10 days was not significantly different from that for open nephrolithotomy. However, patients undergoing percutaneous stone removal had only a 3-10 day convalescence after hospital discharge before returning to normal activity.

Adolescent↗