תוצאת חיפוש

Evaluation of Laparoscopy and Laparoscopic Ultrasound in Pancreatic Lesions

P. Schachter, Y. Avni, A. Rosen, A. Czerniak

Depts. of Surgery A and of Gastroenterology, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon

Pancreatic lesions present a diagnostic challenge. Even modern imaging techniques are not sensitive enough in determining resectability of pancreatic tumors. A substantial proportion of patients therefore undergo unnecessary surgical exploration. We determined the impact of laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound (LAPUS) examinations on surgical decision-making in 60 patients with pancreatic lesions.

Of 48 with solid pancreatic lesions, 22 were defined by LAPUS as having nonresectable tumors, while conventional imaging studies defined only 9 of them as such. 3 of these 9 underwent successful resections of the pancreatic mass. Surgical intervention was ruled out by LAPUS in 16 patients (33.3%) but 26 had resectable lesions of whom 25 underwent surgery. 3 of this group were found to have nonresectable tumors at surgery, a false-positive rate of 6.2%. Overall sensitivity of LAPUS in our series was 88%.

In 12 patients with cystic pancreatic lesions LAPUS contributed significantly to the preoperative decision due to clear imaging of the cystic lesion. Additional information was obtained from ultrasound guided-biopsy of the cyst wall, as well as determination of tumor-marker levels in the cystic fluid aspirate. LAPUS contributed significantly to operative management in 58%.

Evaluation of Asthmatic Children Presenting at Emergency Rooms

Haim Bibi, Elena Shoychet, David Shoseyov, Michael Armoni, Emil Chai, Dorit Ater

Pediatric Pulmonary Clinic and Pediatric Dept., Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon; Pediatric Pulmonary Clinic, Bikur Cholim Hospital, Jerusalem; Emergency Room, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon; and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba

Bronchial asthma in the pediatric age group has become prevalent recently. Many children who suffer from asthma arrive at the emergency room (ER) with exacerbations which did not respond to medical treatment at home.

Between July and December 1997, 136 children 8 months to 14 years of age (61% below 3 years), were studied in our pediatric ER. Investigation included physical examination and pulse oximetry, which were used as guidelines for scoring the children on arrival and post-treatment. Spirometry was done in those who could cooperate. For each patient a detailed questionnaire about medical and sociodemographic factors was filled.

Primary pediatricians used mainly beta-agonist and corticosteroid inhalators, while pediatric pulmonologists used mainly inhaled steroids. There was no relationship between severity of attack on arrival at the ER, mode of treatment and speed of recovery in the ER. More children treated by a general pediatrician more were admitted to hospital. Low parental education and paternal smoking were risk factors for recurrent hospital admissions.

Our results indicate that parents must be educated to stop smoking, especially those with asthmatic children, and primary pediatricians should be updated with regard to proper treatment and follow-up of asthma.

Propafenone Dose for Emergency Room Conversion of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

D. Antonelli, A. Darawsha, S. Rimbrot, N.A. Freedberg, T. Rosenfeld

Dept. of Cardiology and Emergency Room, Central Emek Hospital, Afula

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), a frequent cause of repeated hospitalization, is effectively treated with propafenone. The time to conversion to sinus rhythm is a consideration when managing AF in the emergency room. We investigated the conversion rates of paroxysmal AF by 3 different oral propafenone (P) regimens, in terms of time to conversion.

188 patients with onset of AF within 48 hours were treated with propafenone (P): 48 received 600 mg as a first oral dose followed after 8 hrs by 150 mg (Group A); 82 received 300 mg as a first dose, followed by the same dose 3 and again 8 hrs later (B); 58 received 150 mg every 3 hrs, up to a total dose of 600 mg (C). P was stopped when sinus rhythm was achieved.

Rates of conversion to sinus rhythm after 3 hrs in the 3 groups were: 46%, 41% and 26% respectively; after 8 hrs: 77%, 78% and 70%; and after 12 hrs: 81%, 84% and 76%. Treatment was discontinued in 8. There was excessive QRS widening (>25% of the basal value) in 1 in group A, 1 in group B and 2 in group C; wide-QRS tachycardia occurred in 4 in group B. In Group A there was a higher rate of early successful conversion, with a lower incidence of side-effects than with the other regimens.

Changes in Structure and Process Components of Trauma Care in Emergedepartments

Rephael Joseph Heruti, Ron Ben-Abraham, Yanir Abramovitch, Michael Stein, Joshua Shemer, Baruch Marganit

Trauma Control, Israeli Center for Disease Control (ICDC), Israel Ministry of Health and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

In recent years there have been tremendous efforts to improve primary trauma care. The Ministry of Health and other authorities have invested in new trauma facilities in various hospitals. A nationwide survey with regard to structure and function of emergency departments was carried out. Compared to a similar survey conducted in 1992, significant progress in quality and quantity of equipment at various emergency departments was demonstrated. However, there are still differences between various hospitals. A drive to standardize trauma care will undoubtedly contribute to improvement in care of the injured.

Clinical Characteristics of those who Leave the Emergency Room Against Advice

A. Carmel, H. Amital, Y. Shemer, A. Sahar

Emergency Dept. and Dept. of Medicine B, Gertner Institute for Medical Service Research, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

The object of this study was to characterize those who leave the emergency department agmedical advice and to examine the short-term consequences. The study was conducted retrospectively 1992 and prospectively during May-August 1993 by telephone interviews. About 0.5% of all the patients who applied to the emergency department left against medical advice. Their main characteristic was that they were mostly young, single men. A wide range of complaints had brought them to the emergency department, very similar to that of the control group, but with a higher tendency to abuse drugs and alcohol. Most of those who left against medical advice had less severe disease than the controls. However 10% of them had to be hospitalized within the subsequent 2 weeks, in comparison with 4% of the controls. This study suggests that improving the efficiency of the emergency department will decrease the number leaving against advice.

Choanal Atresia: 13 Years of Experience

U. Cinamon, J. Kronenberg

Depts. of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer

Choanal atresia is uncommon and consists of congenital blockage between the nasal cavity and the nasopharynx. The anomaly presents either immediately after birth as respiratory distress, or as a coincidental finding at an older age. Treatment is usually surgical. The approaches are transnasal, transseptal, transpalatal and transantral. Different types of stents are used and for various periods after each type of correction. Between 1983-1996, 20 patients with choanal atresia were operated on, in 12 of whom it was bilateral. The youngest was 3 days old and the oldest 22 years (average 6 years). The 20 patients underwent a total of 29 operations of which all were transnasal except for 2 corrected through a transseptal approach; 3 had their primary operation elsewhere. In all cases the atresia was bony or combined bony and membranous, except for 2 in whom there was combined atresia on 1 side and membranous on the other. The success rate was 75% in those first operated on here, in whom stents were employed. In our last 5 cases we used the endonasal approach and a rigid endoscope, a safe technique that has the advantage of direct unobscured vision.

Therapeutic and Toxic Theophylline Levels in Asthma Attacks

Aliza Zeidman, Joseph Gardyn, Zinaida Fradin, Gershon Fink, Moshe Mittelman

Dept. of Medicine B, Rabin Medical Center, Golda (Hasharon) Campus and Pulmonary Institute, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva; and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

Although first-line therapy for bronchial asthma has changed over the past decade to anti-inflammatory medication such as inhaled corticosteroids and cromolyn with possible addition of beta-agonists, theophylline is still useful and therefor widely used. However, several studies have raised serious questions regarding its efficacy in acute asthmatic exacerbations. These studies, the narrow therapeutic range of the drug, the frequency of side effects and interactions with common drugs, and individual variation in clearance and metabolism, have prompted its reevaluation in the management of asthma. Therapeutic serum levels of theophylline are between 10 to 20 mcg/ml. Most adults achieve these concentrations with daily slow-release oral theophylline preparations, 200-400 mg (approximately 10 mg/Kg) twice a day. However, when such a patient presents to the emergency room (ER) in an asthmatic attack, immediate intravenous theophylline is often given, regardless of maintenance treatment. Since the rationale for this common therapeutic approach has been challenged, the current study was undertaken. Serum theophylline levels were measured in 23 consecutive asthmatics presenting to the ER in an acute attack. 15 (68%) had therapeutic levels (above 10 mcg/ml) and 2 had toxic levels (above 20 mcg/ml), prior to receiving the standard intravenous theophylline dose given for an attack. These data indicate that most patients with bronchial asthma on oral maintenance theophylline do not require additional intravenous theophylline when in an attack. It probably will not benefit them and may even induce serious theophylline toxicity.

Epidemiologic Characteristics of Pediatric Emergency Room Referral and Hospitalization for Diarrhea in the Negev

Moni Benifla, Drora Fraser, Zvi Weizman, Amalia Levy, Ron Dagan

Dept. of Epidemiology and Health Services Evaluation and S. Daniel International Center for Health and Nutrition, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and Pediatric Dept. and Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Soroka Medical Center and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Diarrheal diseases weigh heavily on the health of children, especially in developing countries, but also impose burdens on health care services worldwide. This study was performed to determine whether patterns of referrals in the Negev to the pediatric emergency room (PER) for diarrhea differ between the Jewish and Bedouin populations of the Negev, and the extent of the burden imposed on the PER and in-hospital services in the Negev. Characteristics of referrals and hospitalizations were examined from March 1994 to February 1995. Of the 27,834 referrals to the PER for children under 16, 2518 (9%) had diarrhea and there were 5,169 hospital admissions, 701 (13.6%). The annual rates of referral were 146 per 10,000 in Jews and 225 in Bedouin, giving an odds ratio (OR) of 1.5 (p<0.001). for Bedouin. The rates of hospitalization were 23 per 10,000 in Jews and 99 in Bedouin (OR 4.4, p<0.001). 1380 (54.8%) of the PER referrals were of infants under a year of age. For hospitalization, the annual rates were 164 per 10,000 in Jews and 756 in Bedouins (OR 4.9, p<0.001). During June to August referrals and hospitalizations for diarrhea were significantly higher, and from December to February significantly lower than during the remaining months. These differences arise from the marked seasonal pattern in the Bedouin population, whereas in the Jewish population there was no seasonal variation. Even in the 90's the burden on health services in the Negev as a result of diarrheal illness is considerable and the Bedouin population still contributes to that burden disproportionately. There is need both to reduce the gap in referrals and hospitalization between the populations, as well as to reduce the rates, using currently available means such as education, while developing new technologies, such as vaccines.

Cellular Phone Interference with Medical Instruments

David Adler, Yona Mahler, Avi Israeli

Medical Engineering Dept., and Administration, Hadassah-University Hospital, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem

Cellular telephones and other telecommunication equipment occasionally cause malfunctioning of medical equipment, including life-support equipment. We review such malfunctioning and relate it to Israeli and worldwide standards, analyzing the characteristics of the interference in terms of amplitude and frequency. The results of a controlled study of interference by cellular telephones and portable 2-way radios with medical devices in our clinical departments are also presented. The levels of background environmental electromagnetic noise at several sites in both Hadassah hospitals (Ein Karem and Mount Scopus) were measured, as well as signal levels of cellular telephones and other communication equipment at various distances and in various areas. We recommend 2 different levels of restrictions on the use of this equipment within the hospital.

These include prohibition of the use of wireless telecommunication equipment in intensive care areas and operating theaters. In all other areas it is recommended to turn off the cellular telephone within 1 meter of medical devices and not to transmit (but only to receive) calls with a portable 2-way radio within a 5 meter distance of medical devices.