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Biomedical subjects

Z J Rubinstein

Publications and source records attributed to Z J Rubinstein.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

CT of the urinary tract after abdominoperineal resection for rectal carcinoma.

Computed tomography (CT) after abdominoperineal (AP) resection for rectal carcinoma is a routine procedure for the detection of recurrent tumor and distal metastases. We reviewed sequential CT scans after AP resection in 52 patients in order to see whether the urinary tract as a neighboring organ is involved in recurrent malignancy. Bladder displacement in itself was not associated with hydronephrosis. Such hydronephrosis developed, however, in 14 patients--13 with a presacral mass, and one with retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. In 23 of the 52 patients a presacral mass appeared, either fibrosis, infection, or recurrence. Severe hydronephrosis was found only with malignancy. We suggest that marked hydronephrosis associated with a presacral mass after AP resection is an indirect sign of malignancy.

Adult

CT of pelvic infection after cesarean section.

The CT findings in 6 women with puerperal sepsis after Cesarean section were reviewed. In four patients a right-sided mass was palpated. CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of Tubo-ovarian abscess in two of the patients, puerperal ovarian vein thrombosis (POVT) in the third and an enlarged adnexa with no signs of abscess formation in the fourth patient. The last two patients had normal adnexae but a large amount of gas in the uterus. All patients recovered after appropriate treatment. In patients with severe puerperal sepsis who do not respond to antibiotic therapy, CT scanning of the abdomen and pelvis is useful. This study can demonstrate whether there is an abscess which requires surgical intervention or POVT which needs additional anticoagulant treatment.

Abscess

Vesicoureteral reflux simulating renal function: CT appearance.

Urine may enter the pelvicalyceal system of the kidney either through renal excretion or via the ureter by vesicoureteral reflux. Opacified cyalyces and pelvis after the administration of intravenous contrast material are therefore not necessarily proof that the kidney is functioning. This phenomenon, well known from intravenous urography, may be observed on computed tomography studies as well. We present a case in which a CT scan showed a normal left and a contracted pyelonephritic right kidney with contrast material in pelvis and calydes of both kidneys without parenchymal enhancement on the right side. Subsequently marked vescioureteral reflux to the right kidney was demonstrated on cystourethrography and the kidney was shown to have no function on a nuclear scan. Contrast material in the collecting system associated with a small non-enhancing kidney on CT scan should suggest vesicoureteral reflux.

Child

Gossypiboma in the early post-operative period: a diagnostic problem.

A gossypiboma (a retained surgical sponge) usually has the characteristic appearance on CT of a soft tissue mass with air-bubbles and a whirl-like pattern. This finding may be confused in the early post-operative period with an abscess, especially when a fistula is present. We describe two patients, in whom this diagnosis was initially missed. A soft tissue mass containing air-bubbles in the early post-operative period with or without a fistula should include a retained pad, in the differential diagnosis.

Adult

Aortobronchial fistula as a complication of surgery for correction of congenital aortic anomalies.

An aortobronchial fistula is a rare condition that is invariably fatal if not diagnosed and surgically treated. Aortic aneurysms, both atherosclerotic and infective, were the main causes in the originally described cases. However, thoracic cardiovascular surgery has recently become the predominant cause. The authors describe two such patients who presented 4 1/2 and 5 years after surgery for the correction of congenital anomalies. Both patients had severe hemoptysis, and angiography helped establish the diagnosis of an aortobronchial fistula. This diagnosis should be considered in patients with hemoptysis and a history of thoracic surgery.

Adult

Femoral neuropathy: the role of computed tomography in diagnosis and management in 27 patients.

The computed tomography findings in 27 patients with an ultimate diagnosis of femoral neuropathy were reviewed. Haemorrhagic disorders were responsible for the neuropathy in 10 patients, neoplasia in eight, infection in five and in the remaining four patients no abnormality was noted on CT and the aetiology remained uncertain. Unilateral enlargement of the iliopsoas muscle or a soft tissue mass involving the iliopsoas compartment was noted in the 23 patients with positive studies. The exact nature of the mass could not be determined by CT alone, but, when considered together with clinical history and examination, a definitive diagnosis was possible in most instances. Whenever necessary, percutaneous needle biopsy or drainage was performed. Computed tomography should be performed at an early stage in all patients suspected of femoral neuropathy. It accurately demonstrates and delineates retroperitoneal masses causing this condition and allows further definitive diagnostic procedures such as biopsy or drainage to be performed when necessary.

Adolescent

Percutaneous transluminal recanalization of common iliac artery occlusions.

Percutaneous transluminal recanalization of occluded iliac arteries was attempted in 25 patients (26 limbs). In 22, successful recanalization was achieved, although 4 patients required additional surgical thrombectomy. The remaining 4 patients had surgical bypass procedures. The early and late results of percutaneous recanalization are presented as well as the technique used. We conclude that percutaneous recanalization of iliac occlusion is an effective procedure in the majority of cases. The option of surgical treatment remains viable when the percutaneous approach is unsuccessful.

Adult

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. A suggested method for analysis of clinical, arteriographic, and hemodynamic factors affecting the results of treatment.

Sixty-nine percutaneous transluminal angioplasties (PTAs) were performed in the iliac and the femoral arteries of 54 patients. The main factors that might affect the results were reviewed: associated diseases, severity of ischemic symptoms, location and type of lesions (stenosis or occlusion and their length), and presence of disease distal to the site dilated. The vascular status of the patients in our series was more severe than in most others. Improvement at follow-up (average 15 months) was maintained in 74% of 66 radiographically successful PTAs. Poor runoff was the only factor found to affect the outcome deleteriously. Intra-arterial pressure measurements performed during the procedure and vascular laboratory studies were most valuable in assessing immediate and long-term results. Wide variations in results of PTA published in the literature are due to differences in methods of selection, evaluation, and reporting. A plea is made for future presentations of PTA series in an analyzable and comparable way, including and correlating all relevant variables as in the model suggested by the present study.

Adult

Distribution and symmetry of arteriosclerotic lesions of the lower extremities: an arteriographic study of 200 limbs.

Lower-extremity arteriograms of 100 candidates for vascular surgery were reviewed. All the arteries in the 200 limbs were visualized and graded as normal, irregular, stenotic, or occluded. The occurrence of hemodynamically significant disease (stenosis or occlusion) was markedly different in various arteries: iliac--37%, common femoral--9%, superficial femoral--58%, deep femoral--19%, popliteal--17.5%, tibialis anterior--27.5%, tibialis posterior--28.5%, and peroneal--16.5%. A remarkable symmetry was observed between the two lower limbs. In 53-76% of contralateral vessels the arteriographic picture was identical. When one degree of difference in arteriosclerotic involvement was allowed, the symmetry increased to 80-96%.

Angiography

Persistent sciatic artery: a case report.

Persistence of the embryonic sciatic artery is a rare vascular anomaly with only 52 documented cases, of which only 19 had angiographic studies. We describe a patient with angiographic demonstration of persistence of a left sciatic artery associated with arterial anomalies of the opposite limb. The embryology radiological findings and clinical significance are discussed.

Angiography

The role of spermatic venography after surgical high ligation of the left spermatic veins: diagnosis and percutaneous occlusion.

Bilateral spermatic venography was performed in 40 patients who had previously undergone surgical high ligation of the left spermatic vein. Indications included recurrent or persistent varicocele or oligoteratospermia syndrome. Despite the prior surgery, 21 patients had venographic demonstration of a left-sided varicocele. Right-sided varicocele was demonstrated in 19 patients, 9 of whom also had left varicoceles. Only 9 patients did not have a varicocele demonstrated on either side. The various mechanisms of varicocele filling are discussed. Whenever a varicocele was demonstrated, immediate occlusion using steel coils was performed.

Embolization, Therapeutic

Percutaneous closure of a Blalock-Taussig shunt.

The technique used in the percutaneous closure of a Blalock-Taussig shunt in a 4-year-old child is described. After selective catheterization of the subclavian artery leading to the shunt, a spring coil was inserted which completely occluded the shunt.

Child, Preschool

Ileourethral fistula following cystectomy: a rare complication.

Fistulae between the urinary and intestinal tracts of adult male patients usually result from trauma, inflammatory diseases, necrosis and infiltration of a neoplasm of either the bladder, prostate or colon, or radiation therapy. We report 2 patients who developed an ileourethral fistula following cystectomy which had been performed for carcinoma of the bladder in 1 patient and leukoplakia of the bladder in the other. The diagnosis of an ileourethral fistula was established by retrograde urethrography and a barium follow-through study. Computed tomography performed in 1 patient showed a tumor mass in the pelvis.

Aged

Percutaneous venography and occlusion in the management of spermatic varicoceles.

Spermatic venography was performed in 140 patients; the main indications were subfertility and abnormal spermatogenesis. Of these 140 patients, 113 had positive examinations, with 33 of them having bilateral varicoceles. Of 146 total varicoceles demonstrated, 42 were found on the right side; the advantage of using the jugular vein approach in both the diagnosis and percutaneous treatment of these cases is stressed. Of the 146 varicoceles, 128 were successfully occluded using spring coils. Because of the frequency of bilateral subclinical varicoceles, spermatic venography and percutaneous embolization is recommended in all men with subfertility and oligoteratoasthenospermia.

Adolescent

Cardiac complications in vascular procedures: comparison of percutaneous angioplasty and surgery.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is currently recommended to high risk cardiac patients as a relatively safer procedure compared to reconstructive peripheral vascular surgery (RPVS). In order to evaluate this approach we studied the incidence of cardiac complications in 86 consecutive patients undergoing peripheral vascular procedures. 45 patients (Group I) underwent RPVS and 41 (Group II) PTA. The two groups were comparable regarding age, sex, the location of vascular lesions, the incidence of previous MI (Group I--40%, Group II--46%), and the incidence of angina pectoris (I--25%, II-29%). No special treatment or monitoring was used for patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) in the PTA group. Successful revascularization was achieved in 36 (80%) of the surgical patients and 25 (61%) of the patients who underwent PTA. There were two anginal attacks, two MIs, and one cardiac death in group I compared to six anginas, three MIs, and one death in Group II. These differences are not statistically significant. It is concluded that PTA carries a definite risk of cardiac complications in patients with known IHD.

Aged