תוצאת חיפוש

Diagnostic Laparoscopy for Abdominal Lymphoma

D. Lev-Chelouche, D. Margal, J.M. Klausner, A. Szold

Dept. of Surgery B, Tel Aviv-Sourasky Medical Center (Affiliated with Sackler Medical Faculty, Tel Aviv University)

Imaging-guided (CT/US) percutaneous biopsy has significantly improved diagnosis of intra-abdominal lymphoma. However, in many cases the tissue retrieved may be inadequate for specialized studies such as immunophenotyping or cytogenetic analysis that may be required for a complete analysis of lymphoma or determination of therapy.

The success of diagnostic laparoscopy in the diagnosis and staging of gastrointestinal malignancies suggests that it could be used for intra-abdominal lymphomas as well. We describe our experience in 15 patients with suspected lymphoma who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy during 1995-98.

Preoperative investigation performed in all included percutaneous FNA in 9 without conclusive diagnosis. Laparoscopy was diagnostic for lymphoma in 14 (93%) while in 1 there was a false negative result due to sampling error and the lymphoma was only diagnosed at a second laparoscopy.

There was no mortality nor any major complication. Average hospital stay was 2 days and patients were then referred for further oncological treatment. Our experience shows that diagnostic laparoscopy is a safe and efficient tool and without major complications in diagnosing abdominal lymphoma.
 

Familial Occurrence of Ebstein Anomaly

Ruti Margalit-Stashefski, Avraham Lorber, Eyal Margalit

Family Practice Unit, Kupat Holim Klalit, Haifa, Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Rambam Hospital, Haifa and Ophthalmology Dept., Hadassah--University Hospital, Jerusalem

Ebstein anomaly is a rare congenital disease which affects location, structure and mobility of the tricuspid valve, and right atrium and ventricle. Although most cases are sporadic, familial occurrence has been reported. We report 2 brothers born with Ebstein anomaly. The parents were first degree cousins and there were 8 other children. 2 daughters were born with other congenital heart anomalies, 1 with ventricular septal defect and the other with severe pulmonary artery stenosis. We suggest that in some families, Ebstein anomaly is an autosomal dominant disease with different expression in the sexes.

Participation of Patients with Uret-Eral Calculi in Clinical Decision Making, and Level of Anxiety

Ilana Margalith, Amos Shapiro

Hadassah-Hebrew University School of Nursing, and Dept. of Urology, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem

In a study examining the relationship between patient participation in clinical decision making and levels of anxiety, patients were offered a choice of treatment for ureteral calculus. 42 received information about 2 treatment options, ultrasound fragmentation of the stone through a ureteroscope and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), and were asked to choose the method that they preferred. 54 received treatment decided on by the physician without their participation in the decision making process. Anxiety was measured before meeting with the physician, immediately after the meeting and on hospitalization for treatment. The contribution of the patient's perception of participation in the decision- making process and level of education was also examined. There was a decrease in level of anxiety after meeting with the physician only among those who did not actually participate in the decision-making process (p<0.05). There was no change in the level of anxiety among those offered choice of treatment. However, a decrease in anxiety was evident among patients who perceived that they had received information about their illness and its treatment (p<0.01). This was not the case for patients who perceived themselves as participants in decision making unless they had a relatively high-level of education (p=0.05).