Biliary–enteric fistulas: report of five cases and review of the literature

Internal biliary fistulas (IBF) are seen rarely. Because the symptoms and signs of IBF are not specific and the diagnosis is not suspected, these patients are commonly investigated with plain abdominal films (PAF), ultrasonography (US), upper gastrointestinal series (UGIS), barium enema (BE), and computed tomography (CT), but not always with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The purposes of this article are (a) to attract attention of radiologists to presumptive findings of IBF, so as not to misdiagnose this unsuspected and rare disease, and (b) review of the literature while presenting radiologic features of our cases. Five cases of IBFs in which extrahepatic biliary tree communicating with duodenum (four cases) and colon (one case) are reported. Diagnostic work-up of cases were done by PAF, US, UGIS, BE, and CT. Aerobilia, which cannot be explained using other means, ectopic gallstone and small bowel dilatation, nonvisualization of the gallbladder despite no history of cholecystectomy, and thick-walled shrunken gallbladder adherent to neighboring organs were suggestive findings of IBF in our study. Knowledge of imaging findings suggestive of IBF and a high index of suspicion increase the diagnostic rate of IBFs. Received: 4 June 1998; Revision received: 28 July 1998; Accepted: 14 October 1998     

Successful treatment of tracheomalacia associated with esophageal atresia without a tracheoesophageal fistula by aortopexy: Report of a case

Tracheomalacia (TM) is well known as a complication associated with esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF); however, the occurrence of TM requiring surgical treatment in a patient having EA without a tracheoesophageal fistula has never been reported. We describe herein a rare case of TM associated with EA without TEF. Respiratory distress was caused by compression of the trachea by a severely dilated upper esophageal pouch with weakness of the tracheal wall. Aortopexy was performed, and an excellent postoperative result was achieved.     

Narrowing the embryologic window of the adriamycin-induced fetal rat model of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula

We recently reported on a new fetal rat model of esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) induced by prenatal exposure to adriamycin (1.75 mg/kg i. p. injected daily to the pregnant dam from the 6th to 9th gestational days). With this treatment regime, many fetuses were resorbed and the number of associated malformations was very high. The present study demonstrates that similar doses of the drug administered only on the 8th and 9th gestational days allow higher fetal survival (9.7 3.9 vs. 6.8 4.7 fetuses per litter, P < 0.01) with a similar incidence of EA-TEF (41.2% vs. 56.4%, n. s.) and decreased occurence of associated anorectal and genitourinary malformations. Since this model is an instrument for further investigation of the disturbed cellular and morphogenetic events leading to EA and TEF, the narrowing of the embryologic window obtained by the present study will allow better focusing of the research on the critical period of time involved.     

Completely covered cloacal exstrophy: recognition of a new clinical sub-entity

A case showing many of the typical visceral features of cloacal exstrophy is reported. The patient had fn imperforate anus, a cecal-cloacal fistula, dehiscence of the pubiic symphysis, and lumbosacral spina bifida with synsingomyelia, but the lower abdominal wall was intact without any visceral extroversion. The pertinent literature was reviewed, and it was found that this case corresponded to t typical case of completely covered cloacal exstrophy. Only six cases, including the present one, have so far been reported in the literature. From a clinical viewpoint, it apparently occupies an intermediate position in the wide spectrum of cloacal anomalies between classical cloacal exstrophy and imperforate anus with recto-cloacal fistula, but anatomatically and embryologically it is definitely a variant of cloacal exstrophy. In other words, it looks like an imperforate anus with recto-cloacal exstrophy, but should be treated as a variant of loacal exstrophy. The anatomy, classification, embryology, diagnosis, and management of this peculiar surgical condition are discussed, and recognition of this entity is urged.     

全喉切除术后早期经口进食的临床观察

目的 :对喉癌、梨状窝癌行全喉切除术后早期经口进食进行可行性研究。方法 :42例行全喉切除术的患者 (其中喉癌 34例 ,梨状窝癌 8例 )随机分为两组 :观察组 2 1例 ,术后 48～ 72h经口进食 ;对照组 2 1例 ,按常规 10～ 12d经口进食。结果 :观察组咽瘘发生率为 4.8%(1/ 2 1) ,对照组为 9.5 %(2 / 2 1) ,两者差异无显著性意义(P >0 .0 5 ) ;观察组术后平均住院天数较对照组明显缩短。结论 :术前未行放疗的喉癌、梨状窝癌患者行全喉切除术后 48～ 72h经口进食是安全可行的。     

预防肺泡胸膜漏临床分析（附110例恶性肺肿瘤肺叶切除）

目的 探讨恶性肺肿瘤行肺叶切除后影响住院时间的因素。方法 研究分析1995年11月至2002年10月我科收治的110例恶性肺肿瘤行肺叶切除患者的临床病理资料，相关因素数值化后，以Logistic回归分析得到对住院时间影响较大的因素。结果 术后并发症气胸和术前肺功能指标第一秒用力呼气量(FEVl)是较大的影响住院时间因素。结论 提高术前肺功能储备及预防术后气胸的发生是缩短住院时间的关键。     

祛瘀法治疗疮疡病的临床体会

运用祛瘀法为主，结合清热、化湿、养阴、理气法以及祛腐、生肌、拖线、灌注等内外合治法，治疗臁疮、窦瘘、脱疽、股肿等疮疡疾病，并附验案四则。     

Successful Embolization of Coronary Arteriovenous Fistula Using an Interlocking Detachable Coil

Although the efficacy and feasibility of coil embolization of coronary arteriovenous fistulas have been reported, the procedure may be complicated by migration of the coil into peripheral vessels or pulmonary arteries. We report two cases of successful coil embolization of such lesions using an interlocking detachable coil. This system can provide safer and more effective coil embolization in patients with coronary arteriovenous fistula.     

The use of magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of malignant vaginal fistulas

The objective of this study was to determine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could reliably demonstrate fistulas and any associated mass and to see whether these findings were beneficial in the management of the fistula. Twelve consecutive patients presenting with suspected vaginal fistulas were examined prospectively with MRI, using a combination of sequences, for the presence, extent and configuration of fistulas and any associated mass. Comparison was made with CT when available. All patients underwent examination under anesthesia (EUA) and the findings compared. Of the 12 women presenting, seven had vesico-vaginal fistulas (VVF) and seven had recto-vaginal fistulas (RVF). Four women had both types of fistulas. The underlying pathology was cervical cancer (seven cases), colonic cancer (three cases), breast cancer (one case) and ovarian cancer (one case). Vaginal fistulas were unequivocally seen on MRI in eight of 10 cases with fistulas. In the two cases with a difference between the MRI and EUA findings, the MRI was interpreted as showing more than was found at EUA. In the seven women with VVF, MRI detected five of the cases. In the seven women with RVF, MRI detected all seven cases. Magnetic resonance imaging was correct in determining the presence of recurrent disease in the pelvis when an associated mass was seen (seven cases). Computer-assisted tomography was compared in 10 cases and in six cases, the results were comparable and in four cases, more information was obtained from the MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging appears to be accurate in detecting and defining complex gynecologic fistulas and should be considered the investigation of choice to aid the planning of restorative, salvage or palliative surgery.