תוצאת חיפוש

Quinidine-Induced Rheumatic Toxicity

D. Almoznino-Sarafian, N. Cohen, R. Zaidenstein, V. Dishi, E. Zeckler

Depts. of Medicine C, A and F, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin (Affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University)

2 women with quinidine-induced lupus are presented. This condition is rare; only about 30 cases have been reported in the English literature. Both our patients had arthritis of the wrist, antinuclear antibodies with homogenous pattern and elevated ESR. Anti-double stranded DNA antibodies were present in 1 patient, and a petechial rash in the other. Complete resolution of arthritis occurred within a few days after quinidine withdrawal, but antinuclear antibodies persisted for several months.

Disappointing Response of Chronic C Hepatitis to Interferon

E. Theodor, A. Regev

Medicine E and Liver Clinic, Beilinson Medical Center and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

From February 1990 to August 1995 we treated 58 patients with chronic hepatitis C using alfa-interferon, 3 million units 3 times weekly for 6 months. Of the 48 patients with adequate follow-up, 34 did not respond to treatment at all. 10 patients responded, but within a few months hepatic enzymes again increased. These 2 groups can be considered failures of interferon treatment. In 4 patients enzymes remained normal for the duration of follow-up, (10-34 months). Even in this small group, 1 patient had a positive test for HCV RNA after completion of treatment. A partial explanation of our disappointing results may be the high prevalence of a subtype of C hepatitis-subtype 1b, which has recently been reported in Israel. This strain is particularly resistant to interferon. The means to define subtypes were not, and as far as we know are not yet available in Israel. Various groups have attempted to improve the outcome of treatment of hepatitis C, which in other hands too was still far from satisfactory. Thus, regimens of interferon utilizing higher doses and longer periods of treatment are being evaluated, as well as the addition of Ribavirin, which hopefully will improve results.

Leg-Lengthening For Length Inequality

Zvia Burgansky, Abraham Ganel, Uri Givon

Pediatric Orthopedics Unit, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer (Affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University)

32 patients (age range 1.5-22 years) were treated for leg-length discrepancy. 39 lengthening procedures were performed of which 36 involved gradual distraction, in 2 cases chondrodiasthesis was used, and 1 had 1-step elongation. Gradual distraction was done according to Ilizarov, including corticotomy and a 1-week delay before the initiation of distraction. In 33 cases Wagner's external fixator was used, in 2 an Ilizarov frame and in 1 an orthofix fixator. There was complete clinical and radiological union in all but 1 case. Significant correction of leg-length discrepancy and equalization of leg-length was achieved in most patients. In some growing patients over-correction was successfully achieved. The most prevalent complications were pin-site problems, axis deviation, joint subluxation and joint contractures. At latest follow-up most of these complications had disappeared. 91% of the patients either functioned normal or were only mildly limited.

Maggot Therapy for Gangrene and Osteomyelitis

K.Y. Mumcuoglu, M. Lipo, I. Ioffe-Uspensky, J. Miller, R. Galun

Dept. of Parasitology, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem

5 patients with diabetic-foot were treated by maggot therapy. The most serious case was in a 75-year-old man who had gangrene and osteomyelitis of the right foot. Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus sp., Providencia stuartii and Staphylococcus spec. (coagulase positive) were isolated from lesions which did not respond to antibiotic therapy. The patient had twice refused amputation but agreed to maggot therapy. Larvae of the sheep blowfly Phoenicia (Lucilia) sericata were used for twice-weekly treatment over a period of 7 months. Sterile larvae were applied to the wound and replaced every 3-4 days. After 4 months of treatment, the necrotic tissue around the toes and on the sole of the foot detached from the healthy tissue. During the last 3 months of treatment the larvae removed the remaining infected tissue. As therapy progressed, new layers of healthy tissue covered the wound. The offensive odor associated with the necrotic tissue and the intense pain in the foot decreased significantly. At the end of therapy, during which there were no complaints of discomfort, he was able to walk. In the 4 other patients who had relatively superficial gangrene, the maggots debrided the wounds within 2-4 weeks. Thereafter treatment was continued with antibiotics. Maggot therapy can be recommended in cases of intractable gangrene and osteomyelitis, when treatment with antibiotics and surgical debridement have failed.

Efficacy and Safety of Acarbose Treatment of Niddm

Julio Wainstein, Medinah Jedwab

Dept. of Medicine C and Diabetes Unit, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon

An uncontrolled multicenter study of the efficacy and safety of treatment of diabetes with acarbose was conducted on 169 NIDDM patients in 12 medical centers in Israel. Acarbose was administered for 19 weeks, and the patients were followed for an additional 12 weeks. A substantial decrease in HbA1c levels from 8.5% to 7.5% (p<0.001) and in postprandial serum glucose levels from 283.6 mg/dl to 248.5 mg/dl (p<0.01) was seen during treatment. On follow-up, HbA1c levels increased by 0.45% and postprandial serum glucose rebounded from 256.4 mg/dl to 287.9 mg/dl. Acarbose was shown to be effective in treating NIDDM and to be safe and well-tolerated.

Effectiveness of Selective Hepatic Artery Embolization in a Child after Blunt Hepatic Trauma

Y. Sweed, A. Engel, M. Halberthal

Depts. of Pediatric Surgery and Radiology and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Rambam Medical Center, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, The Technion, Haifa

A 9-year-old boy was admitted after a bicycle fall. Abdominal CT-scan revealed severe liver injury (stage IV according to the liver injury scale of the American Association for Surgery Trauma), including ruptured intraparenchymal hematoma with active bleeding. The patient was hemodynamically stable and was treated conservatively for the first 2 days. On the 3rd day selective hepatic artery angiography was performed because of abdominal distension and the need for 7 pints of packed red blood cells. Active right hepatic artery bleeding was identified and treated successfully by embolization. We think that early angiography and selective embolization should always be considered for acute or continuous bleeding after liver injury.

On the Value of the Placebo: Reflections on Homeopathy

Pesach Lichtenberg

Dept. of Psychiatry, Herzog Hospital, Jerusalem

A case is presented in which homeopathic "treatment" helped, despite the fact that the patient did not take the medication. The author surveys research which has been conducted on homeopathy and concludes that its benefits derive from non-specific influences of the healer upon the patient, similar to a placebo effect. The importance of this influence is stressed, and its wider application in conventional medicine is urged.

Acute Effusive Constrictive Pericarditis in Influenza A

N. Reichman, N. Kaufman, E. Flatau

Dept. of Medicine B, Central Emek Hospital, Afula and Technion Faculty of Medicine, Haifa

Constrictive pericarditis may complicate the course of several viral infections, mainly Coxsackie virus group B, as well as in rheumatoid disease, radiation and neoplasm. Perimyocardial involvement during influenzal infections is usually mild and does not progress to constriction or tamponade. A single case of cardiac tamponade caused by influenza A was reported in 1986. We report a case of acute effusive-constrictive pericarditis due to influenza A infection. Corticosteroids resulted in some benefit, but did not relieve constriction, which required extensive pericardiectomy.

Is Crohn's Disease Different In The Elderly?

Itzhak Pappo, Oded Zamir, Herbert R. Freund

Dept. of Surgery, Hadassah-University Hospital, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem

We reviewed the records of 22 patients hospitalized at onset or first presentation of Crohn's disease after age 50. There were 12 females and 10 males, and the mean age was 64.5 years. The most common presenting symptoms were: abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea and weight loss. The disease was located in the small bowel in 14, in the ileo-colic region in 3 and in the colon in 5. The median interval from onset of symptoms until diagnosis was 42 months. 12 (54%) underwent surgery. All 5 patients with colonic disease were operated. 6 patients underwent small bowel resections, mostly terminal ileum, while 1 had resection of both terminal ileum and left colon. The recurrence rate was 70% in the medically treated and 50% in those operated. 1 patient died after surgery for Crohn's disease (4.5%), and 3 others died of unrelated causes. Compared to younger patients, the symptomatology, clinical course, need for and response to surgery, and its complications, did not differ in these older patients, but the recurrence rate seemed to be higher.

Volume Reduction Surgery in Emphysema

M.R. Kramer, I. Bar, I. Eidelman, M. Bublil, I. Nitzan, C. Sprung, S. Godfrey, G. Merin

Depts. of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Anesthesiology, and Institute of Pulmonology, Hadassah-University Hospital and Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem

Volume reduction surgery (VRS) is a new procedure based on the concept that relieving hyperinflation in emphysema improves diaphragmatic and chest wall mechanics and ventilation perfusion mismatch. We present our early experience with 16 patients who underwent VRS from August 1995 to June 1996. Patient selection was based on: PFT, CT scan, V/Q scan, ABG's and 6-min walk. After pulmonary rehabilitation, operation was by median sternotomy and bilateral lung shaving. Pulmonary function improved significantly. FEV1 increased from 0.68 ± 0.2 to 1.0 ± 0.2 L (p<0.01) and FVC increased from 1.7 ± 0.5 to 2.7 ± 0.5 L (p<0.017). Total lung capacity decreased from 129% ± 24% to 108% ± 20% (p<0.03). 6-min walk increased from 221 ± 90 to 404 ± 123 meters (p<0.001). Complications included 1 death, prolonged air leak in 7 cases and infection in 2. Quality of life improved substantially in 12 of the 16 cases; in 3 cases there was only slight improvement and in 1 the condition became worse. Volume reduction surgery is a promising surgical solution in selected patients with advanced emphysema.

Hyperbaric Oxygen for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

A. Abramovich, A. Shupak, Y. Ramon, O. Shoshani, Y. Bentur, G. Bar-Josef, U. Taitelman

Israel Naval Medical Institute, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Haifa and Israel Poison Information Center, Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa

Severe cases of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from all over Israel are treated at the Israel Naval Medical Institute with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). Between 1.11.94 and 15.2.95, 24 cases of CO poisoning were treated. Poisoning was usually due to domestic gas-fired heating systems, CO being the only toxin involved. Since delay between termination of CO exposure and arrival at the emergency department averaged 55 minutes, the level of carboxyhemoglobin measured on presentation did not always reflect the true severity of the poisoning. Poisoning was defined as severe and requiring HBO treatment when 1 or more of the following indications was present: evidence of neurological involvement, cardiographic signs of acute ischemic injury, metabolic acidosis, carboxyhemoglobin level greater than 25%, and pregnancy. 20 (84%) recovered consciousness during the course of 1 session (90 min.) of HBO treatment (p2 2.8 ATA) or immediately thereafter, with resolution of other signs of CO poisoning. 3 required a second treatment session before their symptoms resolved. A patient who arrived in deep coma with severe cerebral edema died. HBO is an important element in the combined treatment of severe CO poisoning. There should be greater awareness of the danger of CO poisoning and the means of preventing it, both among medical staff and the population as a whole, mainly in areas in which cold weather requires use of heating systems, which may be gas-fired.

Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Elderly

A. Yaretzky, J. Feldman, P. Alterman, B. Finkeltov

Dept. of Geriatric Medicine and Rheumatology Clinic, Meir Hospital, Kfar Saba and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

Opinions differ as to whether late onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represents a clinical subset and whether age at onset involves differences in therapy and prognosis. In this retrospective study we compared 23 patients with early onset RA (average onset 52.8 years; 91.3% of them women), with 36 with late onset (average onset 70.3 years; 67% of them women). No statistically significant differences were found as to demographic, clinical, laboratory or radiographic characteristics.