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%.

Retinal Lesion due to Excessive Exposure to Sunlight

Irene Krasniz, Itzchak Beiran, Benjamin Miller

Dept. of Ophthalmology, Rambam Medical Center and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa

Retinal damage caused by direct exposure to the sun's rays is well recognized by the ophthalmic community. Although functional ability in solar retinopathy is usually regained within weeks, some suffer long-term visual impairment. Anatomic damage to the retina, even in those who regain full vision, is permanent. We describe 2 cases of solar retinopathy, 1 of which remained with permanent loss of vision. The role of medical education in preventing damage from solar retinal hazards is stressed.

Sensitivity and Resistance of Helicobacter Pylori to Antibiotic Treatment

Benny Avidan, Batia Weiss, Yeuda Chowers, Anita Younash, Simon Bar-Meir, Nathan Keler

Dept. of Gastroenterology and Microbiology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer

Resistance to antibiotics is considered the main reason for failure to eradicate Helicobacter pylori (HP). Resistance rates are different in developed and developing countries and are not known for Israel. We studied HP resistance rates in 40 patients who underwent esophagoduodenoscopy for various indications and were found to have gastric HP colonies.

Sensitivity was determined by E-test, using clarythromycin, amoxycillin, clindamycin, erythromycin and metronidazole. The resistance rate for metronidazole was up to 67% but that for clindamycin was only 10%. HP was very sensitive to both macrolide antibiotics, erythromycin and clarythromycin.

1000 Cardiac Catheterizations in Congenital Heart Disease

Benjamin Zeevi, Galit Bar-Mor, Michael Berant

Cardiac Catheterization Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

Over the past 15 years, percutaneous therapeutic cardiac catheterization has become increasingly important in the treatment of congenital heart disease. We describe our experience in 1000 such catheterizations between 1993-1997. 55% were in 1-12-year-olds; only 20% were in patients younger than 1 year old and 11.3% were in adults with congenital heart defects. In about 50% it was at least a second cardiac catheterization. Overall, there were 425 therapeutic cardiac catheterizations, increasing from 33% in the first 200 procedures, to 63% in the last 200.

We performed 30 different types of therapeutic catheterizations: 23.3% were valvular dilations, 21.4% vessel angioplasties, 36.9% closure procedures, 9.2% electrophysiological procedures, and 9.2% miscellaneous. In 31.3% of therapeutic catheterizations we used 12 new procedures. Minor complications occurred in 8.5% and major in 0.6%; most complications were successfully treated or were self-limited and there was no residual damage.

In this report the current role of each type of major catheterization is discussed on the basis of our experience. Further development of technology for lesions not amenable to currently available transcatheter methods, and longer follow-up for current techniques will consolidate the role of therapeutic cardiac catheterization in congenital heart disease.

Information Provided for Informed Consent in Clinical Trials

Avishay Sella

Genitourinary Medical Oncology Unit, Dept. of Oncology, Rabin Medical Center (Beilinson Campus), Petah Tikva, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

The Helsinki Declaration contains recommendations guiding physicians who conduct clinical trials. One is that the requirement for informed consent is essential for approval of a trial. An important component of the informed consent doctrine is that all data required for the participant's decision must be provided. We analyze data of a therapeutic trial, and define 12 data components outlined in, or directly derived from the Helsinki Declaration.

61 instances of informed consent for therapeutic clinical trials from various fields of medicine, from 1994 to 1997, were analyzed. In each the presence of the 12 components was evaluated.

The data demonstrated that there were only 5 components cited in most cases of informed consent: trial objectives, methods, treatment plan, risks, and the option of withdrawing. Benefit to the participant was mentioned in half the cases, while only limited information was provided about other components such as life-threatening and unpredictable risks, and alternative treatment.

Examples of informed consent from 1997 showed statistical improvement since 1994 in the data concerning trial objectives, methods, risks and alternative therapy. Informed consent documents of international multicenter trials compared with local trials showed statistical improvement in the data components of the trial objectives, methods, and risks, including those of potentially life-threatening and unpredictable risks, and alternative therapy. Analysis of informed consent showed that not all components required for a comprehensive decision regarding participation in a clinical trial are included. These data emphasize the need to design a structured informed consent protocol in which all the required data components are specifically outlined for potential participants.

Effect of Specific Inspiratory Muscle Training on Dyspnea and Exercise Tolerance in Congestive Heart Failure

Paltiel Weiner, Joseph Waizman, Rasmi Magadle, Noa Berar-Yanay, Benny Pelled

Depts. of Medicine A and Cardiology, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera

It has been shown that the inspiratory muscles of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) are weaker than normal. This weakness may contribute to dyspnea and limit exercise capacity. But respiratory muscles can be trained for increase in both strength and endurance. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of specific inspiratory muscle training (SIMT) on muscular performance, lung function, dyspnea and exercise capacity in moderate heart failure.

10 patients with CHF (NYHA functional class II-III) received 1/2 hour of SIMT daily, 6 times/week, for 3 months. They started breathing at a resistance 15% of their Pimax for 1 week and the resistance was then increased incrementally to 60%. Spirometry, inspiratory muscle strength and endurance, and the 12-minute walk test were performed before and after the training period. All showed an increase in inspiratory muscle strength and endurance. This was associated with a small but significant increase in FVC, a significant increase in the distance walked (458±29 to 562±32 m, p<0.01), and improvement in the dyspnea index score.

SIMT resulted in increased inspiratory muscle strength and endurance. This increase was associated with decreased dyspnea and an increase in submaximal exercise capacity. SIMT may prove to be useful complementary therapy in CHF.

Combined Sclerotherapy and Surgery for Huge Cervical Lymphangioma

Zvi Steiner, Asher Pressman, Jorge Mogilner

Dept. of Pediatric Surgery, B'nei Zion Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Technion Institute of Technology, Haifa

Lymphangioma is a benign developmental anomaly of the lymphatic system located in about 40% of cases in the neck and usually completely resectable. In some cases it invades adjacent structures such as the larynx, pharynx, or tongue. In such cases it is almost impossible to resect completely, as this would endanger vital structures.

We describe a baby born with a huge cervical lymphangioma which invaded the tongue, larynx, pharynx and other cervical structures. He was treated with bleomycin and aethoxysklerol. The sclerotherapy shrank the lymphangioma considerably and it became resectable. At 2 years of age the cosmetic result is good and vital function, such as swallowing and facial expression, are preserved.

Laparoscopy for Common Bile Duct Stones

Ibrahim Matter, Moshe Wald, Shmuel Eldar

Depts. of Surgery and Urology, B'nai-Zion Medical Center, Haifa

We performed 75 laparoscopic cholecystectomies during July and September 1996. In 3 men and 4 women, aged 32-87 years, there was obstructive jaundice caused by choledocholithiasis. During laparoscopy in the jaundiced patients, calculi were identified by cholangioscopy and intra-operative cholangiography. They were washed into the duodenum (confirmed cholangiographically) after intravenous glucagon injections and dilation of the papilla of Vater.

Serum bilirubin and liver enzyme levels returned to normal within a few days. There was no operative or postoperative morbidity, nor any biliary-related systemic complications. Average postoperative hospitalization was 3 days.

D-Lactic Acidosis in Short Bowel Syndrome

Ben-Ami Sela, Joseph Zlotnik, Tamar Masos, Joseph Danieli, Sarah Mazia-Beni, Anita Jonas

Institute of Chemical Pathology and Pediatric Intensive Care and Gastroenterology Units, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

A boy of 20 months and a girl of 27 months who had previously undergone massive bowel resection due to congenital intestinal obstruction are described. During grad-ual reduction of total parenteral nutrition and initiation of oral feeding, both developed severe, acute metabolic acidosis, accompanied by encephalopathy and ataxia. After the laboratory identification of massive amounts of the d-Disomer of lactic acid in urine and blood, both were successfully treated with IV bicarbonate, and metronidazole to suppress the overgrowth of colonic lactobacilli responsible for the metabolic crisis.

Exhaustion of Motor Cortex after Head Injury Revealed by Trans-Cranial Magnetic Stimulation

M. Elron, G. Levi, M. Trovnick, J.F. Soustiel, H. Hafner, A. Chistyakov, M. Feinsod

Center for Treatment and Applied Research in Head Injury, Dept. of Neurosurgery, Rambam Medical Center and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, The Technion, Haifa

We evaluated the pattern of motor evoked potentials elicited by single-pulse and slow-rate (1 Hz) repetitive, transcranial, magnetic stimulation (RTMS) in minor head injuries. The motor response to a single magnetic stimulus in patients with minor head injury was characterized by a significantly higher threshold than in healthy subjects. However, central and peripheral motor conduction was normal in all patients. A stable pattern of MEP throughout the RTMS session was the most prominent feature in the control group. A progressive decrease in MEP amplitude and irregular alternation of large and very small MEPs over the course of RTMS was observed in minor head injury. The higher threshold of the motor response and the abnormal patterns of MEP behavior revealed by RTMS may reflect impaired excitability and enhanced exhaustion of the motor cortex in patients with minor head injuries, which improve with time.

Balloon Angioplasty of Native Coarctation of the Aorta

Benjamin Zeevi, Galit Bar-Mor, Michael Berant

Cardiac Catheterization Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petah Tikva, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

The use of balloon dilatation to treat native coarctation of the aorta is gaining acceptance among interventional pediatric cardiologists, but is still controversial. We describe our experience with this procedure in 21 children, mean age 5.6 years and mean weight 21.1 kg. Most had an additional congenital heart defect, most commonly a bicuspid aortic valve. 17 were asymptomatic, 3 had tachypnea and 1 infant had severe congestive heart failure and was ventilated. The mean systolic blood pressure was 129.7 mm Hg.

Balloon dilatation was successful in 90% (19), decreasing the mean maximal systolic gradient from 35.3 to 9 mm Hg (p<0.001), and increasing the narrowest area from 3.9 to 8.2 mm (p<0.001), with a mean balloon-to-coarctation width-ratio of 2.8. There were no complications. Of 15 who underwent repeat cardiac catheterization at a mean interval of 10.6 months, 2 had a maximal systolic gradient of more than 20 mm Hg. 1 of these underwent successful repeat angioplasty and the other, who also had a small aneurysm, underwent surgical repair successfully. 2 others had small aneurysms and they are being followed clinically.

All patients were seen again after a mean interval of 31 months. The mean systolic blood pressure was 104 mm Hg, significantly lower than before intervention (p<0.002). 1 had an increased pressure gradient between right arm and leg of 35 mm Hg at later follow-up, and repeat cardiac catheterization demonstrated a good result 13 months after the initial procedure. She is awaiting a third catheterization. Overall, 90% had good mid-term results.

Based on our experience and recent reports, balloon angioplasty is safe and effective in most children older than 7 months and should be considered a viable alternative to operation for discrete aortic coarctation. Further long-term evaluation is needed.

Percutaneous Closure of Patent Arterial Ducts with Occluding Spring Coils

Benjamin Zeevi, Galit Bar-Mor, Michael Berant

Cardiac Catheterization Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petah Tikva and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

In recent years percutaneous closure of small and medium- sized patent arterial ducts has been achieved using occluding spring coils. We describe our experience in 93 patients with this tec, using a snare to facilitate the procedure in most. All patients had a clinically apparenpatent arterial duct and had undergone attempts at transcatheter closure at a mean age of 6.8 years. In 1, the duct was a residual lesion following surgical ligation, and in 5 it was a residual following attempted closure with the Rashkind double-umbrella. The mean narrowest diameter of the ducts was 2.1 mm.

In our 93 patients implantation was successful in 92 (99%), using 1 coil (82 patients), or 2 (10 patients), and in 1 by a combination of a double-umbrella device and an occluding spring coil.

The mean fluoroscopic screening time for the whole group was 22.8 minutes, which decreased to 16.8 minutes in the last 50 patients. The coil embolized in 7 patients, but was retrieved in 6 and the ducts were subsequently occluded with another coil. In 1 patient the coil was left in a distal small branch of the left pulmonary artery and the duct was successfully occluded with a double-umbrella.

Color-Doppler echocardiogram performed the morning after placement of the coils showed residual leaks in 18%. At mean follow-up of 24.6 months repeat imaging showed residual leaks in only 3 of these patients (3%).

We conclude that occlusion of small to medium-sized ducts using coils appears to be effective and is the treatment of choice. The use of a snare to hold and manipulate the coil as it is delivered improves control of the coil, the accuracy of its placement, as well as giving complete occlusion of the ducts.

Combination Chemotherapy in Metastatic Urothelial Cancer

A. Sella, D. Flex, D. Gafni, O. Rabinovitz, A. Sulkes, J. Baniel

Genitourinary Medical Oncology Unit, Depts. of Oncology and Urology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv

The treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer is based on the combination of cisplatin, methotrexate, vinblastine and adriamycin (M-VAC). From November 1994 to May 1997 we treated 25 patients (51 men, 3 women, aged 50-77) with M-VAC. The tumor originated from the urinary bladder in 14 (56%) and the upper urinary tract in 11 (44%). Disease sites included: primary - 5 (25%), lymph nodes - 17 (68%), lungs - 10 (40%), bones - 8 (32%), pelvic mass and liver each - 4 (16%), with an overall median of 2 (1-5) sites per patient.

9 patients (38%) had complete responses and 8 (32%) had partial responses, for an overall response rate of 68% (95% CI 48.5%-85%). The median duration of response was 15.3 (1.6-29.6+) months. Median survival of responders was 19.1 (4.8-35.7+) months compared to 6.2 (0.7-11.2) for the non-responders (p<0.05). 13 (52%) of patients are alive, of whom 8 (32%) are free of disease and 5 with a single metastatic site on presentation at follow-up.

In the 118 treatment cycles we observed grade III-IV toxicity: myelosuppression 53 (45%), thrombocytopenia 4 (3%), stomatitis 8 (6.7%), diarrhea 3 (2.5%). There were 22 infectious episodes and 1 patient died of sepsis.

We achieved a high response rate with the combination M-VAC. However, only a third had long-term disease-free states and treatment was associated with excessive toxicity. Thera-peutic approaches with new agents are required to improve the response rate and toxicity.

Muir-Torre Syndrome: Importance of Clinical Diagnosis and Genetic Investigation

Hana Strul, Paul Rozen, Tova Naiman, Ruth Shomrat

Gastroenterology Dept. and Genetics Institute, Tel Aviv Medical Center and Tel Aviv University

Muir-Torre syndrome is a relatively rare cutaneous manifestation of hereditary nonpolypous colorectal cancer (HNPCC). This autosomal dominant syndrome is characterized by a combination of sebaceous gland and malignant visceral tumors. The common sites of internal malignancies are the gastrointestinal tract and urinary system. It appears in early adult life and its clinical course is relatively slow.

In some families genetic diagnosis can identify asymptomatic carriers of the mutation. All first-degree relatives, especially mutation carriers, should be referred from the age of 20 years for routine follow-up and early treatment, as it has been proven to decrease morbidity and mortality.

We present a 51-year-old man with Muir-Torre syndrome diagnosed by the presence of multiple adenomas of sebaceous glands, colonic adenoma and adenocarcinoma of the duodenum. The family history was typical for HNPCC. A mutation in the hMSH2 gene on chromosome 2p was found in the patient and in several asymptomatic family members. The aim of this report is to increase awareness of this syndrome and emphasize the importance of referring patients and their families for clinical and genetic counseling and diagnosis.

The Fate of Gallstones "Dropped" during Laparoscopy

Menashe Barzilai, Arie Bitterman, Dorit Schlag-Eisenberg, Nathan Peled

Depts. of Radiology and Surgery B, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the procedure of choice for removing symptomatic, stone-containing gallbladders. It is estimated that in 30-40% of these operations stone(s) spill into the peritoneal cavity. It was assumed that these "dropped stones" are harmless and are dissolved and absorbed spontaneously. We present a 70-year-old woman in whom such a stone, dropped during laparoscopy, led to formation of an intraperitoneal abscess.