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Biomedical subjects

T J Ball

Publications and source records attributed to T J Ball.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Methotrexate induces clinical and histologic remission in patients with refractory inflammatory bowel disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether methotrexate has anti-inflammatory activity in refractory inflammatory bowel disease. DESIGN: Nonrandomized, open-label, preliminary trial of methotrexate along with standard medications for 12 weeks. SETTING: Referral-based gastroenterology practice. PATIENTS: Twenty-one patients with refractory inflammatory bowel disease (14, Crohn disease; 7, chronic ulcerative colitis); 17 taking variable doses of corticosteroids and 14 on sulfasalazine or metronidazole. Of the 21 patients, 10 had previously failed azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine trials. INTERVENTIONS: Sulfasalazine and metronidazole were continued and prednisone dose was tapered according to clinical response. Methotrexate was given as a 25-mg intramuscular injection weekly for 12 weeks, then switched to a tapering oral dose if a clinical and objective improvement was noted. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Sixteen of twenty-one patients (11 of 14 patients with Crohn disease, 5 of 7 patients with chronic ulcerative colitis) had an objective response as measured by disease activity indices (modified Crohn's Disease Activity Index, 13.3 to 5.4 [P = 0.0001], Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index, 13.3 to 6.3 [P = 0.007]). Prednisone dosage decreased from 21.4 mg +/- 5.6 (SEM) to 5.5 mg +/- 2.0; P = 0.006 and 38.6 mg +/- 6.35 to 12.9 mg +/- 3.4; P = 0.01, respectively. Five patients with Crohn colitis had colonoscopic healing and 4 had normal histology at 12 weeks. In contrast, none of the 7 patients with ulcerative colitis had normal flexible sigmoidoscopies, despite histologic improvement in 5. Side effects included mild rises in transaminase levels in 2 patients, transient leukopenia in 1, self-limited diarrhea and nausea in 2 patients, and 1 case each of brittle nails and atypical pneumonitis. CONCLUSIONS: Although this pilot study is encouraging, further work is needed before methotrexate can be recommended for inflammatory bowel disease.

Colitis, Ulcerative↗
PubMed1989

Colorectal neodymium-YAG photoablative therapy. Comparing applications and complications on both sides of the peritoneal reflection.

Laser photoablative therapy has seen wide application in the esophagus, stomach, and rectum. Its use in the supraperitoneal colon has been less extensive because of fear of complications. One hundred fifteen patients who presented during a four-year period and underwent neodymium-YAG laser treatment on both sides of the peritoneal reflection (rectum, 47 patients; colon, 68 patients) were reviewed. The various lesions treated with laser therapy included 32 malignant tumors that presented with bleeding or obstruction, 44 large broad-based villous adenomas, six carcinoid tumors, and 33 patients with arteriovenous malformations or radiation proctitis who presented with acute hemorrhage or chronic blood loss. Overall treatment efficiency was 83% in the rectal group vs 87% in the colonic group. There was no significant difference in complication frequency or severity between the two groups, even though 45% of the colonic lesions were located in the thin-walled cecum. There was no laser-related mortality in this series. Laser photoablative therapy is safe and effective treatment for a wide variety of colorectal lesions. In experienced hands, it can be used on either side of the peritoneal reflection with equal efficiency and no increased risk of complications.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1989

Endoscopic placement of pancreatic stents and drains in the management of pancreatitis.

Although widely used in the biliary tree, little data is available on endoscopic placement of stents or drains within the pancreas. This report describes 17 patients, nine with acute relapsing pancreatitis and eight with chronic pancreatitis, who had drain or stent placement for hypertensive pancreatic duct (PD) sphincter, dominant ductal stenosis, duct disruption, or pseudocyst. Two patients have subsequently undergone surgery, and six other patients continue long-term stent placement with marked reduction of chronic pain or attacks of recurrent pancreatitis. All six pseudocysts resolved, although one recurred and required surgery. It is concluded that pancreatic drains or stents may obviate the need for surgery, temporize before definitive therapy, or direct a subsequent surgical procedure.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

Endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy as primary treatment for bleeding esophageal varices.

In this study of 75 patients with bleeding esophageal varices we confirm not only the ability of endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy (EVS) to control acute bleeding episodes but to effect variceal obliteration that confers a significant survival advantage, regardless of initial Child's classification. Survival correlates directly with the degree of hepatic dysfunction, although all patients regardless of Child's status have a statistically significant survival advantage when treated until esophageal variceal obliteration is achieved. All patients treated with EVS should be followed for life, but virtually all follow-up can be done on an outpatient basis. Shunt surgery should be reserved for: (a) patients whose acute bleeding cannot be controlled with EVS at the time of index bleed; and (b) patients who rebleed repeatedly or uncontrollably from gastric or duodenal varices. EVS is more cost-effective than other available treatments. It also effectively stabilizes potential candidates for orthotopic liver transplantation. Despite a progressive increase in the admissions for bleeding varices at our institution, the introduction of EVS has been associated with a significant decline in portosystemic shunt therapy. We believe that EVS is now the first-line treatment for all patients with bleeding esophageal varices.

Endoscopy↗
PubMed1988

Surgical versus endoscopic management of common bile duct stones.

The charts of all patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones admitted to Virginia Mason Medical Center between January 1, 1981 and July 31, 1986 were reviewed to define current methods of management and results of operative versus endoscopic therapy. Two hundred thirty-seven patients with CBD stones were treated. One hundred thirty patients had intact gallbladders. Of these patients, 76 (59%) underwent cholecystectomy and common bile duct exploration (CBDE) while 54 (41%) underwent endoscopic papillotomy (EP) only. Of the 107 patients admitted with recurrent stones after cholecystectomy, all but five were treated with EP. The overall mortality rate was 3.0%. Complications, success, and death rates were all similar for CBDE and EP, but the complications of EP were often serious and directly related to the procedure (GI hemorrhage, 6; duodenal perforation, 5; biliary sepsis, 4; pancreatitis, 1). Patients undergoing EP required significantly shorter hospitalization than those undergoing CBDE. Multivariate analysis showed that age greater than 70 years, technical failure, and complications increased the risk of death, regardless of procedure performed. Twenty-one per cent of those undergoing EP with gallbladders intact eventually required cholecystectomy. The conclusion is that the results of EP and CBDE are similar, and the use of EP has not reduced the mortality rates of this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Nd-YAG laser photoablation of sessile villous and tubular adenomas of the colorectum.

Neodymium (Nd)-YAG laser photoablation treatment was used to treat 46 patients with broad-based villous and tubular adenomas of the colon or rectum. These adenomas were distributed throughout the large bowel, with the majority (72%) located above the peritoneal reflection. Patients received an average of 2.1 treatments per adenoma, with 22 patients (48%) requiring only one treatment. Overall treatment success was achieved in 89% of cases (mean follow-up of 12 months), with four patients undergoing continued therapy. Of the patients who received a full course of treatment, only two (4%) were not taken to complete photoablation. Complications were minimal, and 92% of all laser treatments were done on an outpatient basis. Four patients had documented polyp recurrence that was controlled with additional laser treatment. Two patients with malignant polyps who were not surgical candidates were also treated with the laser, with no tumor recurrence seen at 11 and 14 months. Nd-YAG laser photoablation of large colonic polyps offers a safe, efficient, and cost-effective alternative to standard surgical resection.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1988

Nonoperative versus operative treatment of obstructive jaundice in pancreatic cancer: cost and survival analysis.

Pancreatic carcinoma is complicated by malignant obstructive jaundice in 40-70% of cases. Patients frequently are old, debilitated, unresectable, and faced with a dismal prognosis. Invasive endoscopic and radiologic procedures in the inoperable patient can provide palliation without the need for surgery, in most cases. Few studies have compared nonoperative palliation with conventional surgical biliary enteric bypass procedures. In a retrospective study of patients with pancreatic carcinoma, we found no difference between operative and nonoperative treatment in survival, total hospitalization, or morbidity and mortality. Cost analysis revealed significant savings with nonoperative treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

When push comes to shove: a comparison between two methods of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy has supplanted surgical gastrostomy in a number of medical centers. A variety of makeshift or commercially available gastrostomy kits has been used, as have several insertion techniques. Despite widespread use, however, there are conflicting reports regarding the best method of gastrostomy tube insertion. Studying 30 patients, 15 of whom underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with the "push" and 15 with the "pull" technique, we found both methods successful, and associated with an acceptable complication rate. In the authors' hands, the "pull" technique was technically easier.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗
PubMed1984

Endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage.

Endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) was completed in 30 of 34 attempts (88.2%). Sixteen patients are alive with functioning stents one to 14 months following insertion of the catheters. Eight patients died with functioning stents two weeks to four months following placement. Six stents were replaced due to sepsis or rising bilirubin one to eight months following initial insertion. The only immediate complication was sepsis, which developed in one patient. Since ERBD circumvents many of the complications associated with percutaneous transhepatic drainage, it has replaced this technique in our institution as the primary non-operative modality for biliary decompression. Percutaneous transhepatic drainage is now reserved for ERBD failures.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Impact of high-resolution computed tomography of the pancreas on utilization of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and angiography.

The impact of computed tomography (CT) on utilization of other diagnostic procedures was studied by comparing the results obtained in two groups of patients: (a) 278 patients studied prior to the availability of CT, and (b) 300 patients studied using CT. CT enabled an accurate diagnosis in 74% of patients without the use of additional examinations. Utilization of CT as the initial imaging procedure resulted in a decrease in the utilization of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and angiography by 68% and 54%, respectively. This resulted in a 47% decrease in the overall cost of radiologic diagnosis.

Angiography↗
PubMed1982

Double duct sign: reassessed significance in ERCP.

The double duct sign, defined as an abnormality of both the pancreatic duct and the contiguous part of intrapancreatic common bile duct, was found in 52 of 1180 patients studied by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Thirty patients were proved to have pancreatic malignancy and 22, benign pancreatic disease. Specific ductal characteristics found to indicate a malignant process were ductal obstruction, especially of the common bile duct, close proximity of the biductal lesions, a short stenotic segment of the common bile duct removed from the papilla, an abrupt, irregular transition from normal to stenotic or obstructed duct. Ductal characteristics suggesting a benign process were long length of common bile duct stenosis, calcium deposits, pseudocyst formation, and ectasia of pancreatic ductal branches central to the main duct lesion. This analysis indicates that the double duct sign per se is not disease specific, but when other ductal characteristics are assessed as a component of this finding, the ability to differentiate benign from malignant pancreatic disease is enhanced.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1981

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) in the evaluation of suspected pancreatic carcinoma: diagnostic limitations and contemporary roles.

The accuracy of ERCP and PTC in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma was evaluated in a series of 376 and 112 patients, respectively. ERCP had a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 97%; PTC had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 96%. Prior to the introduction of CT, these highly accurate examinations were the first major diagnostic procedures performed in patients with suspected pancreatic carcinoma. CT has had a significant impact on the role of ERCP and PTC and has replaced them as the initial procedure of choice. The current indications for ERCP and PTC were evaluated in a series of 211 patients with suspected pancreatic disease who were studied initially by CT. ERCP is now used to evaluate patients in whom CT is normal, equivocal, or technically unsatisfactory. PTC is used as a preoperative procedure for precise definition of biliary anatomy or for percutaneous placement of a palliative biliary drainage catheter.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1980

ERCP-guided percutaneous fine-needle pancreatic biopsy.

In patients with a radiologic diagnosis of unresectable pancreatic carcinoma, exploratory laparotomy for tissue diagnosis is no longer required. Histologic confirmation of the diagnosis may be obtained safely and accurately with percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) precisely localized the biopsy site for cytologic diagnosis of adenocarcinoma in 13 of 14 patients (93 percent) with pancreatic carcinoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

Impact of new diagnostic imaging methods on pancreatic angiography.

The results of 100 consecutive pancreatic arteriograms performed in concert with a combination of other diagnostic procedures (gray scale ultrasonography, computed tomography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography) were evaluated to determine the value of angiography in diagnosis and management of patients with known or suspected pancreatic disease. Angiography was found to be valuable for diagnosis in 68% (68/100) of cases and was considered helpful for management in 81% (57/70) of patients with pancreatic neoplasm, pancreatitis, or a nonpancreatic abnormality.

Angiography↗
PubMed1978

Rapid diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma.

An algorithmic approach for radiological evaluation of suspected pancreatic carcinoma was applied in more than 200 patients. Outpatient ultrasonography and barium studies of the upper gastrointestinal tract were followed by inpatient endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, angiography, and percutaneous biopsy. Evaluation took no more than two hospital days and exploratory laparotomy was not needed. Twenty-five patients had carcinoma. The diagnostic accuracy of the algorithm was 96%. Although this method did not increase the diagnosis of resectable tumors, it did result in rapid, accurate diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma at relatively low cost and with minimum patient discomfort. Hopefully, these results will eventually lead to earlier diagnosis and improved survival.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

Evaluation of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and angiography in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma.

A series of 118 patients with suspected pancreatic disease was studied by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Angiography was subsequently performed in 30 of these patients. ERCP was 95% accurate in the prospective diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. This study suggests that angiography is valuable in determining tumor resectability following ERCP diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. Angiography may obviate the need for exploratory laparotomy in patients with unresectable tumors and encourage aggressive treatment of resectable lesions. Patients with a high clinical suspicion of pancreatic disease should have angiography if the ERCP is normal, equivocal, or there is a cannulation failure.

Angiography↗
PubMed1977

The absolute configuration of SU 23397: a novel neuroleptic agent.

The absolute configuration of a novel chiral neuroleptic agent SU 23397 (I) was determined by ORD comparison of (+)-5-methoxy dihydro coumarilic acid (VIII), a synthetic precursor of SU 23397 (I), with (+)-dihydro coumarilic acid, whose absolute configuration is known. This assignment was confirmed by oxidative degradation of (+)-5-methoxy dihydro coumarilic acid VIII to D-(+)-malic acid.

Benzofurans↗