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Conventional mammography, physical examination, thermography and xeroradiography in the detection of breast cancer.

From July 1, 1973, through January 15, 1975, at the Emory University Clinic independent physical examinations, conventional mammography, thermography and xeroradiography of the breast were carried out on 1,003 symptomatic patients by both physicians and radiologic technologists. One year after completion of the study there had been 360 breasts biopsied with 53 malignant and 307 benign lesions demonstrated. Seventy-three percent of the cancers were histologically Stage 0 or Stage I. The detection rate of the cancers by physician and technologist respectively were: 1) conventional mammography 87 and 74%; 2) xeroradiography 65 and 46%; 3) physical examination 62 and 51%; and 4) thermography 29 and 27%. In non-malignant breasts the physician and technologist designated cancer respectively in: 1) thermography 4 and 6%; 2) conventional mammography 6 and 6%; 3) xeroradiography 8 and 10%; and 4) physical examination 11 and 12%.

Adult↗

Estimated risk and occurrence of breast cancer in asymptomatic and minimally symptomatic patients.

Mathematical procedures, some unique to this study, were applied to 114 suggested risk factors, with as many as 10 subsets, from history, physical and x-ray examination on 30,904 breast studies on 7,252 patients referred from the Emory University Clinic since 1963. One-fifth of the cancers were unrelated to symptoms; 82% of the cancers were free of axillary lymph node metastasis. There was no sign or symptom that predicted preclinical cancer. Interaction of numerous indicators subjected to strong statistical procedures could contribute to establishing risk of even early breast cancer. The results of hierarchic discriminant analyses demonstrated the feasibility of using simultaneously large numbers of risk factors in a systematic way to pinpoint patient with mammary cancer. Based on usual clinical and x-ray assessment of the women 12.5% of the noncancer patients required biopsy to demonstrate 70% of the cancers with a cancer to benign rate of 1 to 4. Using the same data with discriminant analyses, 5.6% of the patients would require biopsy, at the rate of 11.9% of the population. A computerized system has been developed for widespread application to provide the clinician with a highly objective and totally consistent assessment of risk for breast cancer in each of his patients.

Age Factors↗

The contribution of antibiotic use on the frequency of antibiotic resistance in hospitals.

Abundant evidence suggests a relationship between antibiotic resistance and use, including animal models, consistent associations between resistance and antibiotic use in hospitals, concomitant variation in resistance as antibiotic use varies, and a dose-response relationship for many pathogen/antibiotic combinations. Much of the evidence has come from studies performed in single hospitals. Most multicentre studies on resistance have not included data on antibiotic usage. Despite this substantial body of evidence, some studies have failed to demonstrate an association between antibiotic resistance and use, suggesting other contributing factors such as cross-transmission, inter-hospital transfer of resistance, a community contribution to resistance, or a complex relationship between resistance and the use of a variety of antibiotics. A multicentre study, project ICARE (Intensive Care Antimicrobial Resistance Epidemiology), implemented in 1994 by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, has found dramatic differences in the patterns of antibiotic usage and resistance in US hospitals. The findings suggest that antibiotic usage is the major risk factor in development of antibiotic resistance in hospitals but the relationship can be complex with additional factors involved. Understanding the problem of antibiotic resistance in a hospital cannot be achieved without knowledge of the hospital's pattern of antibiotic use.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Utility of millipore filter and cell block in thyroid needle aspirates: which method is superior?

The main goal of thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is to distinguish nodules that require surgery from those that do not, thereby decreasing the number of diagnostic thyroidectomies. Several cytologic preparations are used to reach a definitive diagnosis, including smears using conventional stains, such as Diff-Quik (DQ) and Papanicolaou (Pap), millipore filters (MF), and cell blocks (CB). This study is undertaken to study the efficacy and adequacy to reach a definitive diagnosis of two cytologic preparations, MF and CB, in thyroid aspirates. All thyroid needle aspirates performed at Emory University Hospitals from January 2003 to April 2005 that had both MF and CB preparations for microscopic evaluation were studied. Conventional stains (DQ and Pap) were prepared. An initial aliquot of the specimen was divided for MF, and the remaining specimen submitted for CB preparation. All MF and CB slides were reviewed blindly. Adequacy criteria were assessed as 6-8 groups of follicular cells, with each containing 10 or more cells. Patient demographics, cytologic diagnoses, and follow-up information were retrieved. A total of 218 cases met our criteria; 21 of these cases were excluded due to lack of available diagnostic slides. Thus, a total of 197 cases were studied. Approximately two-third of the cases (57.9%) were diagnosed on DQ- and Pap-stained smears only, in which both CB and MF were inadequate. About 4.6% of the cases were diagnostic on both CB and MF; 36.0% on MF only, and 1.5% on CB preparation only. In more than half the cases (57.9%), diagnosis of thyroid FNA was rendered only on conventional stained smears. MF smears appeared to be superior for diagnostic yield (40.6%) than CB (6.1%), which is dependent on specimen cellularity. Therefore, MF rather than CB should be added to conventional stained smears (DQ and Pap) to supplement the diagnostic yield, especially in specimens of low cellularity.

Adolescent↗

Development of infant independence in a captive group of lowland gorillas.

In March 1976, 3 lowlands gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) were born to primiparous females living with an adult male in a large compound at the field station of the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center of Emory University. Observations of parent and infant behavior began at the birth of the infants, using several methods of data collection. This report focuses on the development of independence in these infants over the 1st 1 1/2 years of life. As expected, measures of mother-infant contact and proximity decreased with age. Several measures suggested that infant independence developed as an interactive process between mothers and infants, with primary responsibility changing over the months of study. Maternal behaviors that served to maintain mother-infant contact were found to decrease with age, with an eventual shift to infant responsibility for contact maintenance. Additionally, the adult male appeared to influence developing independence as reflected in the maternal protectiveness evoked by his behavior.

Animals↗

The incidence of occult metastases for cancer of the oral tongue and floor of the mouth: treatment rationale.

One hundred thirty-six surgical cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue and floor of the mouth at the Emory University Hospitals were reviewed for the incidence of occult metastases. Thirty-five percent of the T1 T2 lesions of the anterior tongue had occult metastases. The figure was 31.5% for similarly staged lesions of the floor of the mouth. The presence of regional metastases resulted in a 2-year determinate survival rate of 37% and 32% for patients with oral tongue and floor of the mouth lesions, respectively. The poor prognosis in the study for delayed cervical metastases and the high incidence of occult cervical metastases have led the authors to propose a more aggressive therapy for the clinically negative necks in these two sites of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.

Adolescent↗

Incidence and characteristics of patients with hand ischemia after a hemodialysis access procedure.

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics of chronic renal failure patients who developed hand ischemia in the limb carrying the dialysis angioaccess. A retrospective review of the charts of 352 patients who underwent 409 upper extremity arteriovenous access, and who were subsequently diagnosed as steal syndrome, was performed at the Emory University Hospital between February 1992 and January 1997. Hand ischemia occurred after 13 of 299 arteriovenous grafts (4.3%) and after 2 of 110 direct forearm arteriovenous fistulas (1.8%). Six patients developed ischemic manifestations immediately postoperatively, 2 in the first week, 4 after 1 month, and 1 after 1 year. Thirteen occurred in association with the primary access procedure. Two cases occurred following graft thrombectomy and outflow dilatation. Seven patients were mildly symptomatic with dialysis-induced pain, coldness, or numbness; 8 patients developed severe ischemic manifestations in the form of sensory loss in 3, severe intolerable pain with impalpable pulse in 3, and digital gangrene and amputation in 2, one of whom developed an unhealed amputation stump and required a higher amputation level with satisfactory healing of the revised stump. Three patients were treated conservatively, 6 by banding, 4 by ligation, 1 by embolization, and 1 by distal ligation and bypass operation. Clinical characteristics of patients with hand ischemia included long-standing insulin-dependent diabetes (10), chronic hypertension (12), peripheral arterial disease (14; 93.3%), coronary artery disease (8), and systemic lupus erythematosis (1). Severe peripheral arterial diseases are commonly found and may be markers for risk of hand ischemia after access surgery.

Amputation, Surgical↗

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is less expensive than open Belsey Mark IV.

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is a relatively new technique used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The purpose of this study was to compare the cost to the patient and insurer of a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LN) to an open Belsey Mark IV (B4), the previous standard operation for GERD at Emory University Hospital. A retrospective review of 20 consecutive patients undergoing LN or B4 for GERD was performed. Patients were well matched for age, severity of disease, and comorbid illness. The data were analyzed using an unpaired Student's t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank analysis. The results are as follows (mean +/- SD): [table: see text] We conclude that the charges for laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication are significantly less than the charges for Belsey Mark IV. The majority of the savings resulted from a shortened hospital stay.

Adult↗

Morbidity and mortality associated with carotid endarterectomy: effect of adjunctive coronary revascularization.

The occurrence of significant carotid disease in patients requiring coronary revascularization results in the dilemma of whether simultaneous or staged operations should be performed. To determine appropriate therapy we reviewed this experience at Emory University Hospital. During a 10-year period from 1983 to 1992, 110 patients underwent carotid endarterectomy during the same hospitalization or simultaneously with coronary artery bypass; 907 patients underwent carotid endarterectomy alone during the same period. The combined 30-day postoperative stroke and death rate was 18.2% for the 110 patients undergoing concomitant procedures. When comparing morbidity and mortality rates for those having simultaneous carotid endarterectomy and coronary artery bypass with those having delayed coronary artery bypass, the latter group was found to have a 6.6% combined risk of postoperative stroke or death within 30 days, whereas those undergoing simultaneous procedures had a 26.2% rate. In the control group of 907 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy alone during the same period, the combined 30-day mortality and stroke morbidity rate was 2.1%. Although the patient population undergoing simultaneous carotid and coronary revascularization may have more severe disease, we believe that combining the procedures during the same operative setting results in an increased perioperative stroke and death rate. Consequently only extremely high-risk patients are selected for simultaneous procedures; otherwise our experience suggests that delaying coronary artery bypass by several days will reduce overall postoperative mortality and stroke morbidity.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗

Carotid endarterectomy in the octogenarian.

During a 10-year period from January 1983 to December 1992, 79 carotid endarterectomies were performed in patients aged 80 years or older. This represented 7.4% of the total patient population undergoing carotid endarterectomy at Emory University Hospital. The indications for surgery in this elderly population were transient ischemic attacks in 24 (30.3%), cerebrovascular accident in 12 (15.2%), amaurosis fugax in seven (8.9%), vascular tinnitus in one (1.3%), and asymptomatic stenosis in 35 (44.3%). The average degree of ipsilateral stenosis was 76.8%. Concomitant risk factors included coronary artery disease in 43%, systemic arterial hypertension in 51.9%, diabetes mellitus in 10.1%, and significant smoking history in 53.2%. Seventy-six percent of the procedures were performed under local anesthesia, and in all but two intraluminal shunts were used. Combined 30-day mortality and postoperative stroke morbidity in this population was 1.3% (one patient). Long-term follow-up ranging from 1 to 10 years (average 35 months) revealed no ipsilateral strokes. This experience suggests that carotid endarterectomy can be performed in an elderly population with morbidity and mortality rates similar to those in a younger cohort.

Aged↗

Experience with percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) in the management of biliary tract disease.

BACKGROUND: Biliary tract disorders often present significant management difficulties, particularly in patients who are poor surgical candidates. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) is an infrequently utilized alternative that might offer significant therapeutic benefit. We reviewed our experience with the use of this modality as a definitive therapy for biliary tract disorders. METHODS: Patient records at the Atlanta VAMC and Emory University hospitals were reviewed. We identified 17 patients who had undergone 25 PTCS interventions between August 1994 and December 1998. The indications for PTCS included dilatation of biliary-enteric anastomoses in four patients, biliary stone removal (with or without lithotripsy) in eight patients, stricturoplasty in four patients, biopsy of suspected biliary neoplasms in seven patients, and removal of obstructing clot in one patient. Most procedures (n = 17) were performed through percutaneous transhepatic tracts (12-18 Fr) that were <1 week old. All tracts were dilated to operating size on the day of the procedure. All patients received periprocedural antibiotics. RESULTS: The interventions were successful in seven of eight stone removals, four of five stricturoplasties, three of four anastomotic dilatations, seven of seven biopsies, and the single clot removal. The only complication involved one episode of hemobilia, requiring angio-embolization of a small branch of the right hepatic artery. CONCLUSIONS: PTCS is a safe, useful, and well-tolerated adjunct to the more common endoscopic and surgical techniques for managing complicated biliary tract disorders. Our experience suggests that PTCS can be performed early, without prolonged sequential dilatation of the percutaneous transhepatic tract, and may allow avoidance of operation in high-risk surgical candidates.

Adult↗

[Future of interventional cardiology in the treatment of coronary artery disease].

BACKGROUND: The development of interventional cardiology (PCI) started already with the introduction of catheterization but was pushed forward by A. Grüntzig with the percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) 1977. In the beginning very slow progress could be observed. This changed when Grüntzig changes to Emory university, Atlanta. Already after 10 years alternative techniques were introduced like stent implantation and rotablation, coronary atherectomy, laser angioplasty, ultrasound therapy. During the following years, it became obvious that only for stent implantation (see W. Rutsch et al, Berlin, p.481) and rotablation (see T. Dill et al, Bad Nauheim, p.502) standard indications could be seen in addition to PTCA. Brachytherapy for treatment of in stent restenosis and laserwire recanalisation of occluded vessels were added. NEW METHODS: New protection systems - aspiration or filters - were introduced for increase of PCI safety in venous bypass stenosis (see C. Hamm et al, Bad Nauheim, p.527). The main step forward seems to be the introduction of drug eluting covered stent either with polymer (see E. Grube et al, Siegburg, p.508) or ceramic coating (see H. Wieneke et al, Essen, p.518). Restenosis rates, which were already reduced by bare stent for 20-30%, could be lowered below 10%. RESULTS: In patients with diabetes and main stem stenosis or multi vessel disease, coronary artery bypass surgery is indicated, but in other patients PCI seems to be as good as surgery in relation to mortality and myocardial infarction rates. With drug eluting stents the role of PCI may become even more pronounced, because the revascularization rate could be further reduced (see W. Rutsch, Berlin, p.481). CONCLUSION: The future will demonstrate even further main steps for interventions like the percutaneous bypass attempts and the introduction of gen-therapy (A. B. Buchwald, Göttingen, p.533). Meanwhile we can observe a drop of 1-2% mortality in coronary artery disease related to 60% influence of prevention and 40% to advanced PCI therapy. This is still a remarkable successful story in medicine provided by cardiology.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Are the favorable outcomes of splenectomy predictable inpatients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)?

BACKGROUND: Historically, splenectomy has been an accepted procedure in the management of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). However, it is also true that the response to splenectomy in patients with ITP seems to be unpredictable. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify clinical variables that might predict a favorable response to splenectomy in patients with ITP. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively for 40 adult patients with ITP who underwent laparoscopic (LS) and open (OS) splenectomy at Emory University Hospital between 1992 and 1999. Demographics and outcomes were recorded. Age, sex, disease duration, comorbidities (ASA > 2), previous response to steroids and/or other medications, and preoperative platelet count were analyzed by univariate (t-test, Fisher's exact test) and multivariate statistical methods. RESULTS: Of the 20 patients in each group, improved platelet counts were noted in 18 patients (90%) in the LS group and 20 patients (100%) in the OS group. Follow-up (16 +/- 3 months) was obtained in 19 LS patients (95%) and 16 OS patients (80%), with 84% and 87.5% sustained response rates, respectively. After univariate analysis, two variables (age and disease duration) were found to be significantly related to the outcome of splenectomy (p <lt; 0.01). However, after multiple logistic regression analysis, only disease duration (relative risk = 1.083; CI, 1.004-1.167) was an independent prognostic factor for a sustained response to splenectomy. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the response to splenectomy (laparoscopic and open) in patients with ITP cannot be adequately predicted on the basis of presplenectomy clinical variables. However, disease duration and patient age should be taken into consideration when selecting patients for splenectomy.

Adult↗

Recent experience with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy/jejunostomy (PEG/J) for enteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Enteral feeding is the preferred means of nutritional support in patients unable to eat orally. Jejunal-placed feeding tubes are often considered optimal for this purpose. Successful administration of such tube feedings depends on the method of placement and the size of the tube. Herein we review our experience with endoscopically placed jejunal feeding tubes. METHODS: Thirteen percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy/jejunostomy (PEG/J) tubes were placed in 13 patients at the Emory University hospital by one surgeon. Indications for jejunal placement included aspiration in five patients and suspicion of increased reflux susceptibility in eight patients. Insertion of an 8.5-Fr nasobiliary tube was attempted in nine patients using the technique described by Coates and MacFadyen. A 12-Fr tube was placed in four patients using a technique that took advantage of previously placed PEG tubes. RESULTS: Initial placement was successful in all but one patient. Nine tube-related complications occurred in seven patients. These included six tube occlusions, one tube site infection, one peristomal leak, and one tube perforation that required replacement. Five of six tube occlusions (83%) occurred in the smaller 8.5-Fr. tubes. There was one non-tube-related death. CONCLUSIONS: PEG/J insertion can be performed successfully and safely in most patients. Long-term tube patency is, however, dependent on the use of tubes with a large diameter; thus, modalities that enable placement of larger-sized tubes are preferable. Further technical developments are needed to facilitate the endoscopic insertion of larger jejunostomy tubes.

Adult↗

The role of antipsychotics in treating delirium.

The mainstay of the pharmacologic management of delirium remains typical antipsychotics, primarily haloperidol. Typical antipsychotics are associated with significant side effects, particularly in the elderly. This article reviews the literature on the use of both typical and atypical antipsychotics in the management of acute delirium, with a focus on the elderly. In this population, typical antipsychotics are associated with substantially more drug induce side effects--either extrapyramidal side effects or anticholinergic effects from the antipsychotics alone or in combination with benztropine or trihexyphenidyl. Anticholinergic toxicity is especially problematic in delirious, demented patients, because most dementias are associated with pre-existing deficiencies in cholinergic neurotransmission. These issues will be reviewed for typical antipsychotics as well as the emerging literature on the use of atypical antipsychotics-- risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine--for pharmacologic management of acute delirium. Data from two studies conducted at the Wesley Woods Center at Emory University will be briefly reviewed as they constitute the largest series to date investigating the pharmacologic management of delirious demented patients.

Antipsychotic Agents↗

Comparison of coronary angioplasty with medical treatment for single- and double-vessel coronary disease with left anterior descending coronary involvement: long-term outcome based on an Emory-CASS registry study.

The 3 to 5-year clinical outcomes of 627 consecutive patients selected for treatment with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) at Emory University Hospital for one- or two-vessel coronary artery disease with involvement of the left anterior descending coronary artery, between July 1981 and June 1983, and 865 patients in the Coronary Artery Surgery Study with similar coronary artery disease involvement selected for medical therapy between 1975 and 1979 were compared. Cox analyses and stratified life table analyses were used to adjust for differences in 13 variables including concurrent medical therapy. Complete follow-up was obtained in 97% of PTCA patients and 99% of medically treated patients. After correction for baseline differences in significantly predictive variables, there was no difference between the relative risk of death after PTCA vs medical therapy (RR = 0.7; p = 0.36). However, results of analysis of prospectively defined subsets showed a potential survival benefit after PTCA for patients with an ejection fraction less than 50% (RR = 0.2; p = 0.02) and also for patients with two-vessel disease (RR = 0.2; p = 0.04). For the groups as a whole there was no difference in risk of infarction after PTCA and medical therapy (RR = 0.8; p = 0.58). However, for patients with 90% to 99% LAD stenosis there was a trend toward lessened risk of infarction after PTCA (RR = 0.6; p = 0.15). No patient subset had a higher risk of death or infarction with PTCA (p less than or equal to 0.15). The likelihood of later surgery was increased after PTCA (RR = 1.5; p = 0.002). Angina, employment, and activity levels were improved after PTCA. Thus PTCA compared to medical therapy was associated with improved functional status and may decrease the risk of death and infarction in certain patient subsets. However, bypass surgery was more often performed in patients initially treated with PTCA. These data should be interpreted in light of their nonrandomized study origin and generation from different clinical sites.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Value of coronary bypass surgery. Controversies in cardiology: Part I.

The value of coronary bypass surgery has been studied carefully during the last decade. Four methods, none perfect, have been used to compare the results of such surgery with the results of medical therapy. New data are likely to be merely supportive rather than the outcome of a definitive study with a new and a acceptable experimental design. It is therefore time to analyze the available data in light of the treacherousness of the disease and to determine if a clear trend is evident. There appears to be sufficient evidence to state that properly performed coronary bypass surgery will increase coronary blood flow and relieve angina pectoris in 90 percent of patients; total relief of angina can be expected in 60 percent and partial relief in 30 percent. Compared with modern medical therapy, properly performed coronary bypass surgery appears to prolong the life of patients who have obstruction of the left main coronary artery or triple or double vessel disease. There is not adequate evidence to state that the procedure will prolong the life of patients with single vessel obstruction. However, patients with single vessel obstruction and unacceptable angina pectoris should be considered for bypass surgery (especially patients with obstruction of the left anterior descending coronary artery). In practice, at Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, bypass surgery is recommended for young people with few symptoms if compelling obstructing lesions are present and in older patients only if their symptoms require it. Medical therapy is given before and after bypass surgery. When bypass surgery is performed in an excellent fashion (operative risk 1 percent) a great deal of "controversy" about this problem vanishes.

Angina Pectoris↗

Current status of dilatation catheters and guiding systems.

Both balloon catheters and guiding catheters for PTCA are high-quality instruments with an advanced degree of reliability and practicality. The standard set-up at Emory University consists of a steerable 3.0-mm balloon catheter and a Judkins-type guiding catheter.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗