תוצאת חיפוש

אליעזר גולן, איריס ויינטל, ז'ואל ברנהיים, סידני בן-שטרית וג'אק ברנהיים

פגיעה בכליות היא תופעה נפוצה בקרב חולים הלוקים בזאבת אדמנתית מערכתית (SLE) (זא"מ). הצורה הקשה ביותר של המחלה היא דלקת שיגשוגית מפושטת של פקעיות הכיליה (diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis) (דשמפ"כ). הטיפול עפ"י ה- "NIH Protocol" (טבלה 1) הוא הטיפול המקובל בדשמפ"כ, אך אין על כך אחידות-דעים בספרות הרפואית.

המטרה בעבודה היתה לבדוק את תוצאות מישלבי הטיפול השונים בחולי זא"מ עם אצל חולים בזא"מ עם דשמפ"כ שאובחנו במחלקתנו בין השנים 1976-1996, ולהשוות את תוצאות הטיפול על-פי הפרוטוקול הנ"ל עם תוצאות טיפולים אחרים.

נכללו בעבודה חולי זא"מ שאובחנו כלוקים בדשמפ"כ על-פי תוצאות ביופסיה מהכליות. החולים אותרו על-פי רשומות המכון לפתולוגיה, נערכה בדיקה נשנית של ההתקנים הפתולוגיים לאישוש האבחנה ולקביעת מדדי הפעילות והכרוניות, ונסקרו התיקים הרפואיים.

נמצאו 26 חולים העונים למדדים – 22 נשים ו-4 גברים. משך המעקב היה 74+-89 (טווח 9-255) חודשים. בקרב למעלה מ-80% הושרתה הפוגה, וכשליש מתוכם חוו לפחות התלקחות אחת. חולה אחד נפטר ו-4 חולים נזקקו לטיפול בדיאליזה. שישה עשר חולים טופלו על-פי הפרוטוקול שצוין לעיל ו-10 טופלו במשלבי טיפול אחרים. המאפיינים הבסיסיים של שתי הקבוצות היו דומים. לא נמצא הבדל סטטיסטי מובהק בין שתי קבוצות הטיפול בכל המאפיינים שנבדקו, הן מבחינת שיעור ההישרדות והן מבחינת שיעור הסיבוכים.

המסקנות היו שבחולי זא"מ עם דשמפ"כ היתה הישרדות החולים והכליות טובה תחת משטרי הטיפול הקיימים. הטיפול על-פי ה-"NIH Protocol" הוא טיפול הבחירה, אך אם מתעורר הצורך לחרוג מפרוטוקול זה, ניתן להשיג תוצאות טובות גם באמצעות מישלבי טיפול אחרים.

The Effect of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Therapy on Respiratory Diseases in Children

Y. Levin¹, A. Mandelberg², A. Gornstein³, F. Srour³, S. Reif⁴

¹The Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, ²The Unit of Pediatric-Pulmonology, Wolfson Hospital, ³The Unit of Pediatric-Surgery, Wolfson Hospital, ⁴The Unit of Pediatric-Gastroenterology, Dana Children's Hospital

In order to examine the effect of reflux therapy on Hyper Reactive Airway Disease (HRAD) and apnea severity, 107 children, 78 with HRAD and 29 with apnea, underwent pH monitoring in the Pediatric Surgery Unit of Wolfson Hospital and the Dana Children's Hospital during the years 1995-1998. Pathological reflux was defined by means of the Boix-Ochoa and RI (Reflux Index) scores. In patients with positive reflux, anti-reflux treatment was initiated. Prior to and following pH monitoring, the respiratory status of all patients (both with and without reflux) was evaluated by a pediatric pulmonologist employing commonly used scores to determine severity.

Results: Subject age ranged between one day and 15 years (mean: 15.44±29 months, median: 6.37 months). In HRAD, following anti-reflex treatment the reflux positive group showed a significant score improvement, from an average of 2.9±1.1 units to 1.54±1.2 units (p<0.0001); a decrease in the number of patients treated with oral corticosteroids (p<0.01); a close to significant decrease (p=0.069) in the average dose of inhaled corticosteroids; and a decrease in the number of patients using bronchodilators (p=0.042). The reflux-negative group, not treated for reflux, displayed no significant improvement, with only a decrease in the severity scores from 2.44±1.0 to 1.78±1.2 units (p=0.14), and no change on any of the other parameters.

In apnea, all patients improved, from an average score of 2.34±0.77 to 0.03±0.19 units (p<0.0001), with no significant difference between the reflux positive and the reflux negative groups.

In view of these findings, it is postulated that anti-reflux therapy may have an additive effect on HRAD severity, beyond that of spontaneous respiratory improvement. We therefore find it appropriate for every severe HRAD patient (frequent exacerbations or high corticosteroid dose) to undergo pH monitoring in order to treat those with proven reflux. In respect to apnea, we cannot attribute any significance to the existence of reflux or to anti-reflux treatment.

Tracheoesophageal Puncture after Total Laryngectomy

Roy Landsberg, Frida Korenbrot, Dov Ophir

Depts. of Otolaryngology and of Head and Neck Surgery, Meir Hospital, Kfar Saba and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University; and the Israel Cancer Association Voice Rehabilitation Program

Total laryngectomy due to malignant laryngeal tumors is followed by loss of speaking ability. Voice restoration in laryngectomized patients is the main target in their rehabilitation. Until the late 70's, esophageal speech was considered the most effective rehabilitation method. In 1980 Singer and Blom introduced a prosthesis for tracheoesophageal speech which has been gaining popularity. Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) can be performed either at the time of total laryngectomy, or later.

30 of our patients underwent TEP between 1991 and 1999, 15 at the time of total laryngectomy and 15 as a delayed secondary procedure. Mean follow-up was 36 months (range 6 months to 8 years) during which all regained speaking ability.

Over the long range, speech rehabilitation with the prosthesis was successful in 24 (80%). In only 1 in the primary TEP group did treatment fail, as the prosthesis had to be removed due to local recurrence of the tumor. Long range failure in 5/15 patients after secondary TEP stemmed from difficulties some patients had in handling the prosthesis and from psychological difficulties in adapting to the new speech device. Complications were mostly minor and occurred mainly in the secondary TEP group.

TEP performed at the time of total laryngectomy, or later as a secondary procedure, is effective for speech rehabilitation after laryngectomy.

Photodynamic Therapy for Dysphagia due to Esophageal Carcinoma

H. Kashtan, F. Konikoff, R. Haddad, M. Umansky, Y. Skornick, Z. Halpern

Dept. of Surgery A and Institute of Gastroenterology, Tel Aviv Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

Surgery is the mainstay in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma and is effective for palliation of dysphagia. Patients unfit for surgery are difficult therapeutic problems. We evaluated photodynamic therapy for palliation of dysphagia in this condition.

Patients were given 5-aminolevulinic acid, 60 mg/kg, orally and 24 hour later gastroscopy was performed during which red light illumination (100 j/cmŽ2 for 600 seconds) was administered. This was repeated 48 hours later. The degree of dysphagia was recorded before and 14 days after treatment.

8 patients with an advanced non-resectable tumor, or who were unfit for surgery, were thus treated. 4 had squamous cell carcinoma of the mid-esophagus and 4 had adenocarcinoma of the lower esophagus. There was mild, self- limited photosensitivity in all. Liver and renal function tests and blood count were not affected by the treatment. Dysphagia was improved in all except 1 patient. A patient with early stage disease continued to eat a normal diet.

We believe that photodynamic therapy with systemic aminolevulinic acid as a photosensitizer and a non-laser light source is feasible and safe in advanced esophageal cancer. It is an effective modality for relief of dysphagia in that condition.

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.

Multiple Angiodysplastic Lesions of the Colon - a Therapeutic Challenge

Nir Hilzenrat, Edit Liberty

Division of Gastroenterology and Dept. of Medicine E, Soroka Medical Center and Ben-Gurion University, Beer Sheba

Colonic angiodysplasia is one of the most frequent causes of recurrent lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding, mainly in the elderly. In 50% of patients multiple angiodysplastic lesions were reported when they were the cause of rectal bleeding. Bleeding from angiodysplasia is more severe and less responsive to treatment in those with coagulation disorders. A 74-year-old woman with an artificial mitral valve who was treated with coumadine is reported. A few years after operation she began to develop severe recurrent rectal bleeding because of multiple angiodysplastic lesions along the right colon, proven by colonoscopy. She was frequently hospitalized for blood transfusions; endoscopic treatment was not feasible and the surgical risk of colectomy was very high. Treatwith estrogen and progesterone significantly decreased recurrent episodes of bleeding.

Taxol as Second-Line Therapy in Recurrent Breast and Ovarian Cancer

R. Borovik, M. Steiner, J. Atad, B. Sneiderman, T. Rosenberg, S. Palti

Oncology Depts., Lin Medical Center and Carmel Medical Center, Haifa

Results of chemotherapy with Taxol (paclitaxel) in 55 patients with recurrent breast and ovarian cancer were reviewed. Taxol was given as a 3-hour infusion, every 3 weeks, on an outpatient basis. There was complete or partial response in 8 patients (23%) with breast cancer and 10 (50%) with ovarian cancer. Performance status and previous response to adriamycin were important prognostic factors. Toxicity was manageable. Treatment had to be stopped for hypersensitivity reactions in only 2 patients. Taxol given in an ambulatory clinic is safe and effective.

Diagnosis of Cerebral Embolism by Transesophageal Echocardiography

A. Mahagney, D. Sharif, B. Weller, E. Abineder, B. Sharf

Depts. of Neurology and Cardiology, Bnai Zion Hospital, Haifa

Cerebrovascular events have high mortality and morbidity, especially in the elderly. Ischemia is the main cause and 30% of the ischemic events are embolic and of cardiac origin. The clinical picture is not always typical of the type of stroke, but diagnosis of the mechanism of the event determines treatment. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a sensitive procedure more appropriate for diagnosing emboli of cardiac origin than transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). We therefor compared TEE and TTE in the determination of the source of emboli in 65 patients with ischemic stroke but without significant atherosclerotic changes in their carotid arteries, and compared these findings with those in 50 patients without stroke. 68% of the patients had potential sources of emboli according to TEE, compared to only 15% according to TTE. In the control group only 24% had potential sources of emboli by TEE. The findings were: clots in the left atrium, severe aortic atheroma, patent foramen ovale with paradoxical shunt, spontaneous echocardiography contrast, vegetations and mitral valve prolapse. The study showed that TEE is better than TTE in detecting the etiology of embolic stroke in those with normal carotid arteries, thus determining appropriate management.

Thoracoscopic Biopsy of Pulmonary Lesions in Nonpulmonary Malignancy following Chemotherapy

Oded Zamir, Myriam Weyl Ben-Arush, Dan Seror, Herbert R. Freund

Surgical Dept., Hadassah-University Hospital, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem and Miri Shitrit Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa

The appearance of focal pulmonary lesions in a patient with a nonpulmonary malignancy is worrisome. Apart from metastasis, the differential diagnosis includes benign conditions such as infectious and granulomatous diseases, enlarged lymph nodes, atelectasis, radiation pneumonitis, and bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP). CT-guided needle biopsy is not always diagnostic and may not be feasible in very small lesions. Since open lung biopsy is associated with considerable morbidity, many physicians tend to postpone tissue diagnosis for a few weeks and perform a biopsy only if repeat chest CT scans show increase in size or number of the lesions. This approach may lead to undesirable delay of appropriate treatment. We report video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy in 7 patients with nonpulmonary malignancy who developed lung lesions following chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Histological examination proved metastatic lesions in only 2. There were no operative complications and recovery was rapid and smooth in all patients. Thoracoscopic lung biopsy is an effective, minimally invasive diagnostic tool that obviates the need for thoracotomy in these patients.

Esophageal Carcinoma Presenting as Fever of Unknown Origin

Sody Naimer, Alexander Levine

Depts. of Family Medicine, Beer Sheba, and Gush Katif Medical Center

Fever of unknown origin presents both a clinical and diagnostic challenge and is usually caused by inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. We present a unique case of a previously healthy 77-year-old woman whose sole complaint was fever. Complete hospital investigation failed to reveal the underlying process. 4 months after the onset of fever, dysphagia appeared and she was then diagnosed as suffering fsquamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. The question of early barium swallow X-ray in such cases is raised.