Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and sphincterotomy.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an important diagnostic technique to evaluate patients with biliary and pancreatic disease. Since 1970, over 1000 ERCPs in the Surgical Endoscopy Unit of Beth Israel Medical Center have been performed; this report summarizes the most recent 300 cases. This paper will document the indications and methodology as well as the improved morbidity and mortality rates associated with this procedure. In contrast to earlier reports, the incidence of hyperamylasemia is now 8.3% and clinical pancreatitis, 2.3%. Cholangitis occurred in less than 1% of patients. In addition, 40 patients had endoscopic sphincterotomy. Retained and recurrent common duct stones were the most frequent indications for this procedure. There was one death. In another patient, a duodenal perforation was treated successfully by antibiotics and parenteral fluids. We believe this technique has many advantages over choledochotomy in properly selected patients.     

Fibular ligament rupture during growth

In comparison with injuries sustained in adult life, ruptures of the fibular ligaments before growth is complete are more frequently characterized by chondral, osseous and periosteal loosening, which was seen up to the 14th year of age in about 50% of our own population of 129 patients up to the 16th year of life. The average age of patients with osseous and chondral lesions was clearly lower than that of those with periosteal injuries, which was lower than that of patients with inter-ligament ruptures. Accidents at school and during school sports classes were the most frequent cause, being involved in more than 50% of cases; of the various kinds of sport engaged in soccer was the most frequent cause, accounting for 28.8% of all cases. Manual examination of ligamentous stability compared with the opposite side by roentgenoscopy without anaesthesia has proved its worth for a definite diagnosis in fresh injuries. In all cases of evident ligamentous instability operative treatment was indicated, with subsequent immobilization with a plaster cast for 6 weeks. Stable healing of the ligament and a good functional result in all cases as well as a very low rate of complications vindicate this management. Conservative therapy, especially in the age group with normally high activity levels, is now considered correct only in exceptional cases or when operative treatment is refused.     

Tetanus disease. Experience with 2 intensive treatments during 13 years]

The Authors present a retrospective analysis of 58 cases of tetanus hospitalized in two ICU in 13 years of activity. The mortality reported (39.7%) is comparable to other Authors or statistical analysis but it is better if correlated to patient age. Patients of the highest classes (III and IV classes of Edmonson e Flowers) had the highest mortality but no significant variation was seen between patients of the III and IV class. The most frequent cause of death has been cardiac arrhythmia. Cardiac arrhythmias happened in most cases in the first 15 days of hospitalization. 37.9% of patients developed pneumonia: prolonged hospitalization (more than 15 days) and high classes of the disease have been the most important risk factors for Hospital-acquired pneumonia in tetanic patients.     

Sudden death in chronic dialysis patients

Methods. Causes of sudden death were investigated in 113 chronic dialysis patients who died during the 10-year period from July 1979 to January 1989; post-mortem examination was performed on 93 of the cases (autopsy rate; 82.3%). Sudden death was regarded as death 24 h after the onset of acute illness in patients without any restriction in their daily activities. There were 35 sudden death cases out of the 93 autopsied chronic dialysis patients. We analysed the causes of sudden death for all chronic dialysis patients and for those who died suddenly. Results. The mean age of the 93 cases was 61.4 ± 10.5 years (±SD). Stroke was the most frequent cause of death (24 cases, 25.8%) in the 93 autopsied cases. This was followed by cardiac disease in 18 (19.4%), infectious disease in 16 (17.2%), malignancy in 14 (15.1%), and dissecting aortic aneurysm in 5 (5.4%). The mean age of the 35 sudden death cases was 60.9 ± 10.9 years. Of the 35 sudden death cases in chronic dialysis patients, dissecting aortic aneurysm was the most common cause of sudden death (5 cases, 14.3%), followed by cerebral haemorrhage in three (8.6%), acute subdural haematoma in three (8.6%), acute myocardial infarction in two (5.7%), cerebral infarction in two (5.7%), and subarachnoidal haemorrhage in one (2.9%). Conclusions. Dissecting aortic aneurysm, leading frequently to stroke as a cause of sudden death in chronic dialysis patients, at least in Japan, should be carefully differentiated from other cardiac disease in chronic dialysis patients, such as severe atherosclerosis.     

Fulminant hepatic failure and liver transplantation: experience of Virgen de la Arrixaca Hospital

INTRODUCTION: For patients with fulminant hepatic failure who show a poor evolution despite medical treatment, liver transplantation is an option, with survival rates of greater than 50%. The ideal time to perform the transplant is controversial, as it must not be done too soon (when the liver disease is still reversible) or too late (when the patient is in an irreversible clinical situation). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of the clinical histories of 34 patients admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of fulminant hepatic failure included 26 who underwent transplantation. The most frequent cause was viral (n=10, 38%); with no etiology established in 11 cases (42%). Thirteen patients had preoperative complications, the most frequent being renal insufficiency. As for degree of AB0/DR compatibility, 13 cases were identical (40%), 17 compatible (51%), and the other three incompatible (9%). RESULTS: Thirty-three transplants were performed in 26 patients: four were retransplants due to chronic rejection, two for primary graft failure, and one for hyperacute rejection. The overall mortality rate was 46% (12 patients). The most frequent cause of death was infection (50%). The overall actuarial survival rate was 68% at 1 year, 63% at 3 years, and 59% at 5 years. The factors associated with a poor prognosis were renal and respiratory insufficiency, a grade D electroencephalogram, and encephalopathy grades III and IV, the last being the only prognostic factor identified in the multivariate analysis. The prognostic factors for mortality were a grade D electroencephalogram, encephalopathy grades III and IV and respiratory insufficiency, the last being the only prognostic factor identified in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Good results of transplantation for the management of fulminant hepatic failure depends on optimal selection of transplant candidates, which means identifying them early, reducing the waiting time, and excluding factors associated with a poor prognosis.     

Race and cause specific survival with prostate cancer: influence of clinical stage, Gleason score, age and treatment

PURPOSE: We assess the influence of race on stage stratified cause specific survival of men with prostate cancer, and Gleason score, age at diagnosis and treatment on potential racial differences in survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 524 black and 396 white men were diagnosed with prostate cancer at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center between January 1982 and December 1992. Clinical stage was determined by retrospective review of the medical records and Gleason score of biopsy material as assigned by a single uropathologist. Of 611 patients who died the cause of death was determined by retrospective or prospective review of hospital records in 493 and by review of the death certificates in 102. In 16 cases the cause of death was indeterminate. Median potential followup was 112 months (range 60 to 182) and median period of observation was 61 months (range 1 to 182). RESULTS: Cause specific survival with stage T1b-2 cancer was lower in 231 black than in 264 white men of all ages (p = 0.02) and lower in 110 black than in 170 white men younger than in 70 years at diagnosis (p = 0.04). Gleason 7 to 10 cancer, which was associated with a less favorable cause specific survival compared to Gleason 2 to 6 cancer (p <0.0001), was more common in black than in white men with stage T1b-2 cancer of all ages (p = 0.01) and younger than 70 years at diagnosis (p = 0.04). No or unknown treatment status, which was associated with a less favorable cause specific survival compared to treatment (p = 0.05), was more common in black than in white men with stage T1b-2 cancer of all ages (p = 0.0005) but not significantly different when stratified by age. In men of all ages racial differences in cause specific survival were not significant when adjusted for age and Gleason score (p = 0.14) or age, Gleason score and treatment status (p = 0.17). In men younger than 70 years racial differences in cause specific survival were not significant when adjusted for age and Gleason score (p = 0.22). There were no significant racial differences in overall or age stratified all cause survival of men with stage T1b-2 cancer. There were no significant differences in overall or age stratified cause specific or all cause survival of 112 black and 58 white men with stage T3-4 cancer, or 181 and 74, respectively, with metastatic cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that local stage prostate cancer is more lethal in black than in white men and the difference is most pronounced in men younger than 70 years. The survival disadvantage of black men with local stage cancer is due in part to a propensity for development of less differentiated and more aggressive malignancies.     

A nationwide survey of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis in Japan: etiology, prognosis and treatment diversity

Background

The etiology, prevalence, and prognosis of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) including renal vasculitis vary among races and periods.

Method

To improve the prognosis of Japanese RPGN patients, we conducted a nationwide survey of RPGN in the nephrology departments of 351 tertiary hospitals, and found 1772 patients with RPGN (Group A: diagnosed between 1989 and 1998, 884 cases; Group B: diagnosed between 1999 and 2001, 321 cases; and Group C: diagnosed between 2002 and 2007, 567 cases). ANCA subclasses, renal biopsy findings, treatment, outcome and cause of death were recorded.

Result

The most frequent primary disease was renal-limited vasculitis (RLV) (42.1%); the second was microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) (19.4%); the third was anti-GBM-associated RPGN (6.1%). MPO-ANCA was positive in 88.1% of RLV patients and 91.8% of MPA patients. The proportion of primary renal diseases of RPGN was constant during those periods. The most frequent cause of death was infectious complications. The serum creatinine at presentation and the initial dose of oral prednisolone decreased significantly in Groups B and C compared to Group A. However, both patient and renal survival rates improved significantly in Groups B and C (survival rate after six months in Group A: 79.2%, Group B: 80.1%, and Group C: 86.1%. Six-month renal survival in Group A: 73.3%, Group B: 81.3%, and Group C: 81.8%).

Conclusion

Early diagnosis was the most important factor for improving the prognosis of RPGN patients. To avoid early death due to opportunistic infection in older patients, a milder immunosuppressive treatment such as an initial oral prednisolone dose reduction with or without immunosuppressant is recommended.     

Atherosclerotic complications after renal transplantation

Death with functioning graft, the most frequent cause being cardiac death, continues to be the most frequent cause of long-term graft loss. The risk of cardiovascular death in the transplanted patient is lower than in patients with other modalities of renal replacement therapy, but continues to be substantially higher than in the general population. Amongst the factors predicting patient and graft survival are hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking and possibly hyperhomocysteinemia. It is concluded that lowering of blood pressure to levels far lower than levels accepted in the past, more widespread administration of statines, cessation of smoking and possibly administration of folate should reduce cardiovascular mortality and possibly also influence chronic allograft vasculopathy.     

Survival of patients with synchronous brain metastases: an epidemiological study in southeastern Michigan

OBJECT: It has been suggested that synchronous brain metastases (that is, those occurring within 2 months of primary cancer diagnosis) are associated with a shorter survival time compared with metachronous lesions (those occurring more than 2 months after primary cancer diagnosis). In this study the authors used data obtained from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program to determine the incidence of synchronous brain metastases and length of survival of patients in a defined population of southeastern Michigan residents. METHODS: Data obtained in 2682 patients with synchronous brain metastases treated between 1973 and 1995 were reviewed. Study criteria included patients in whom at least one brain metastasis was diagnosed within 2 months of the diagnosis of primary cancer and those with an unknown primary source. The incidence per 100,000 population increased fivefold, from 0.69 in 1973 to 3.83 in 1995. The most frequent site for the primary cancer was the lung (75.4%). The second largest group (10.7%) consisted of patients in whom the primary site was unknown. The median length of survival was 3.2 months. There was no significant difference in the median survival of patients with primary lung/bronchus and those with an unknown primary site (3.3 months and 3.2 months, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who present with synchronous lesions have a poor prognosis, and the predominant cause of death, in more than 90% of cases, is related to systemic disease; however, despite poor median survival times, certain patients will experience prolonged survival.     

Infarktbedingter kardiogener Schock

Cardiogenic shock is the most frequent cause of death in cases of acute myocardial infarction. The mortality rate is 50–80%. Cardiogenic shock is characterized by critical reduction of cardiac pumping capacity with hypoperfusion and inadequate oxygen supply to the peripheral organs. The diagnosis of “cardiogenic shock due to infarction” is reached based on clinical and hemodynamic criteria. Rapid initiation of diagnostic and therapeutic measures can have a positive effect on the deathly spiral of cardiogenic shock. In this context, prompt reperfusion of the infarcted artery and effective hemodynamic stabilization with drug therapy are important.     

Vascular trauma in infants and children.

A 20-year retrospective evaluation of vascular trauma in infants and children was undertaken. The study included 53 cases of blunt and penetrating vascular injuries in pediatric patients. There were 36 males and 17 females ranging in age from 24 days to 14 years (average, 10 years). The most frequently encountered sites of arterial trauma were the brachial or superficial femoral artery, and of venous trauma the inferior vena cava. Any patient presenting to the Emergency Center with an injury in proximity to a major vessel, hematoma formation, audible bruit, or palpable thrill underwent prompt arteriography or immediate operative exploration of the injury sit. All patients in the series were managed operatively. There were 41 major arterial and 32 major venous injuries. No patient required a major amputation. Most injuries were repaired by primary closure or segmental resection and end-to-end anastomosis; interposition vein grafts and substitute conduits were used in four patients with more extensive injuries. A 13% operative mortality was encountered: the most frequent cause of death was intraoperative exsanguinating hemorrhage. The triad for successful management of vascular trauma in pediatric patients is: 1) a high index of suspicion, 2) performance of aggressive diagnostic studies when indicated, and 3) prompt surgical intervention.     

Perioperative pulmonary embolism: a nationwide survey in Japan]

Pulmonary embolism is a leading cause of death and morbidity in the perioperative period. To obtain a contemporary overview of the epidemiology of acute pulmonary embolism, a questionnaire was mailed to anesthesia department chair-persons at 179 hospitals in Japan. The 158 cases were reported from the 88 hospitals. The cause of embolism was thromboembolism 127, gas 13, fat 9, amniotic fluid 4 and tumor 3. The mortality rate for patients with thromboembolism was high (29%). Dyspnea was the most frequent symptom (60%) and hypotension was the most frequent clinical sign (54%). The signs which suggested massive pulmonary embolism, such as hypotension, cyanosis (53%), syncope (39%) and cardiac arrest (29%) were frequently seen. Most of the pulmonary embolisms occurred during the operation and within 7 days after the operation. The high risk factors associated with thromboembolism were age, malignancy, obesity and the type of surgery performed. Treatment performed included anticoagulation 81%, catecholamine infusion 66%, thrombolysis 14%, surgical embolectomy 8% and extra-corporeal circulation 4%. This study indicates that the perioperative pulmonary embolism is still associated with high mortality and requires an immediate diagnosis and intensive therapy.     

Clinical characteristics of deceased hemodialysis patients affected by COVID-19

Background

The recent outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health emergency of international concern. In China, Wuhan, Hubei Province was the epicenter. The disease is more severe in patients with high comorbidities and dialysis patients fall into this category.

Methods

In this report, we reviewed the whole course of the epidemic emerged in the HD center of Wuhan NO.1 Hospital by 28 February 2020. We compared the differences on the epidemiological characteristics and clinical features between patients surviving from COVID-19 and patients who died.

Result

In this hospital, at time of the present report, 627 patients were on chronic hemodialysis and the prevalence of affected cases was 11.8% (74/627).The median age of the COVID-19-positive patients was 63 years (range 31–88), with an almost even gender distribution (females accounted for 54.4%).The most frequent presenting symptom was cough (41.9%), followed by fatigue (24.2%), fever (17.2%) and dyspnea (14.8%); 22.4% of the cases were and asymptomatic. Fourteen of the 74 patients died (19%), as for presenting symptoms, cough was more frequent in patients who died (P?<?0.05). Surviving patients had higher levels of phosphate and albumin, and lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). Chest CT scan was positive in all cases, including in asymptomatic ones, and revealed in about three fourths of the cases bilateral (76.2%) lesions; in each lung lesions were multiple in about half of the cases of the cases (52.3%). After diagnosis, median time to death was 7 days in the 14 patients who died, with a range between 4 and 18 days.

Conclusion

This preliminary, single Center study identifies hemodialysis patients as a population at high risk of severe, and deadly COVID-19 infection. While classic baseline clinical conditions, including age, kidney disease and gender, are not significantly associated with survival in COVID-19 infected hemodialysis, our study also suggests a significant association between risk of and death, poor nutritional status and less than optimal metabolic balance.

     

What’s new in burn-associated infections?

Infection remains the most common cause of death in the severely burned patient. The systemic immunosuppression following burn injury allows infection to occur in any organ system, but predominantly in the lungs. In addition, the loss of the skin barrier permits microorganisms to colonize and invade the burn-injured tissue. The use of topical antimicrobial agents and early burn wound excision have significantly decreased the occurrence of invasive burn wound infection. Even so, burn wounds must be examined each day, and a biopsy should be performed of any area showing local signs indicative of infection. If histologic examination of the biopsy tissue confirms invasive infection, local and systemic interventions are required. Candida is a common colonizer of the burn wound, but rarely invasive. Aspergillus species are the most common filamentous fungi found in invasive burn wound infections. Viral infections are uncommon, but should be in the differential diagnosis of patients with cutaneous herpetic lesions and signs of systemic sepsis with no other apparent source. Pneumonia is the most common organ-specific life-threatening infection of extensively burned patients. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent causative organism at the United States Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center during 1996–1997. Other causes of infection, such as suppurative thrombophlebitis, should be in the differential diagnosis of the septic burn patient with no obvious source. Infection control procedures, including scheduled surveillance cultures, utilization of cohort nursing care, and strict enforcement of patient and staff hygiene, should be instituted at all burn centers.     

Nephroblastoma in adults. Three case reports]

The authors report three nephroblastoma's cases occurred in adult and treated at Ibn Rochd Oncology Center at Casablanca. The average of age was 24 years (19-29 years) and the delay of diagnosis was five months (3-8 months). The most frequent clinical sign was a lumbar fossa mass. At diagnosis, radiological exams revealed that patients presented an advanced stage and metastatic disease in one case. The treatment was a total nephrectomy with ganglioma dissection when the tumor was resectable followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Two patients was in progressive disease despite treatment, and one patient was lost at follow-up. The prognosis of adult's nephroblastoma remains very severe, due to the advanced stage at diagnosis and the mediocre reply to the treatment.     

Brain death due to supratentorial masses: diagnosis using transcranial Doppler sonography

Since cadaveric donation is the main source of organs for transplantation in many countries, the diagnosis of brain death is an important issue. The cessation of cerebral circulation is one phenomenon closely related to brain death. Transcranial Doppler sonography is one of the accepted techniques to establish cessation of cerebral circulation. One of the limitations attributed to Doppler is the lack of sensitivity for this diagnosis. The objective of this research was to establish whether transcranial Doppler sonography showed acceptable sensitivity and whether this was affected by the location of the intracranial mass effect. Twenty-four patients underwent transcranial Doppler sonography to establish the incidence of the three sonographic patterns associated with brain death: separation diastole-systole, reverberating flow, and systolic spikes. In all the cases the insonation of the arteries of the base of the skull was performed. In supratentorial lesions, the predominant pattern was a reverberating flow, while in infratentorial lesions systolic spikes pattern was most frequent. Our study showed a high sensitivity of transcranial Doppler sonography for the diagnosis of brain death and the existence of different mechanisms of cerebral circulatory arrest depending on the location of the intracranial pressure wedge.     

Colorectal cancer--clinical course, epidemiologic and pathologic aspects

In the past 3 years colorectal cancer became the second cause death (after the broncho-pulmonary cancer) exceeding gastric cancer by 4150 deaths in 2002 (19,05 per hundred thousand inhabitants) and 4860 deaths in 2006. Material and methods: 644 of the 18,978 patients coloscopically investigated at the lasi Gastroenterology and Hepatology Institute in the interval 2000-2007 in which pathology results revealed colorectal cancer, and 279 patients operated at the First Clinic Surgery of the Iasi "Sf. Spiridon" Hospital during 2008-2010 were selected for this study. Results: Colorectal carcinoma has a high incidence in the patients over 60 years. Sex distribution of the tumors showed that this disease most commonly affects males. The male/female ratio was 1.3. In less than 3% of the cases the disease occurred at ages under 40 years. The most frequent clinical manifestations were intestinal transit disorder (97%), pain syndrome on the left side of the abdomen (82.82%), and progressive severe constipation (67.89%). 24.07% of the colorectal cancer cases were located at the level of the proximal colon (cecum, ascending colon, hepatic flexure, transverse colon and splenic flexure), while 75.9% were located at the distal level. The most frequent macroscopic form was the vegetative one (89.91%).     

The traumatic emergency patient in emergency service. Critical evaluation of 718 emergency cases

The emergency service activities of 718 traumatic cases during a two years period are critically analyzed: Reanimations in traumatic patients are rare (3.8%) and have a bad outcome. Regarding stabilization of vital functions, intravenous infusion is the most frequent kind of treatment (ca. 75%). Compared to other studies endotracheal intubation and ventilation are rather often carried out (greater than 17%). Catheterization of the vena cava is rarely used (less than 3%), coniotomia of the trachea never performed. The emergency doctor's first diagnosis was verified in 97%. In the remainder he was wrong, however, this being of no grave consequence. First aid treatment was adequate in 87% but incomplete in 13%. Nevertheless, incompleteness of treatment did not caused any patient's death.     

Cardiovascular causes of death at Tshepong Hospital in 1 year, 1989-1990. A necropsy study.

Cardiovascular disease is the third most common cause of death in Tshepong Hospital in the western Transvaal, and the most common cause of death in patients older than 35 years. A prospective study was undertaken which included limited necropsies in 90 of the 167 cardiovascular disease deaths over 1 year. A reliable mortality pattern for cardiovascular deaths is described. Additionally, attention is paid to co-existing conditions. Conditions relating to cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension, benign hypertensive nephrosclerosis, atherosclerosis and obesity, were also evaluated. Cerebrovascular conditions were found in 32% of cardiovascular deaths. Intracerebral haemorrhage was found in 50% and cerebral infarction in 29% of cases. Fifty-seven per cent of cardiovascular deaths were due to cardiac conditions, the most common being pulmonary hypertension (31%), dilated cardiomyopathy and chronic rheumatic valvular disease (17% each) and hypertensive heart disease (14%). Forty-nine per cent of subjects were hypertensive, while 40% exhibited benign nephrosclerosis and only 3% of the examined vessels had signs of severe atherosclerosis. Tuberculosis was present in 13% of cases. The clinical diagnosis was the same as the final necropsy diagnosis in 38% of cases. These results emphasise the importance of performing necropsies to obtain reliable mortality statistics.