Israel Medical Association Journal

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of reversible and treatable cardiovascular risk factors among 26’477 healthy Israeli adults: 23’339 men and 3138 women aged 25-55 years.

Methods: We collected data during routine examinations performed as part of a screening program for Israel Defense Force personnel.

Objectives: To analyze our 8 year experience using TEM[1] for the management of rectal cancer.

Methods: Local resection by TEM was performed in patients with benign tumors and early rectal cancer. In addition, selected patients with T2 and T3 rectal cancers who were either medically unfit or unwilling to undergo radical surgery were also treated with this modality. Radical surgery was offered to all patients with incomplete tumor excision by TEM.

Results: Overall, 116 TEM operations for rectal tumors were carried out between 1995 and 2003, including 74 patients with rectal adenomas and 42 patients with rectal carcinomas. Twenty-five patients had T1 tumors that were all successfully removed, with clear tumor margins, by TEM. Fourteen patients had T2 cancer and 3 of them (21%) required additional radical surgery due to incomplete excision. Local recurrence was observed in one patient with T2 cancer. There was no mortality. Major surgery, or radiotherapy-related complications requiring additional surgical intervention was needed in five patients with T2 cancer.

Conclusions: Local excision by TEM is a safe surgical procedure and should be offered to highly selected patients with early rectal cancer.

Background: Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis has become the surgical procedure of choice for patients with ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis.

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term functional outcome of patients who underwent this surgical procedure.

Methods: We performed this observational study in 174 consecutive patients: 146 with UC[1] and 28 with FAP[2]. The patients, 91 males and 83 females with a mean age of 34.1 ± 10.6 years (range 6–67 years), underwent the procedure between January 1984 and January 2004 (mean follow-up 64.8 months, range 1–240 months). The indications for surgery were intractable disease in 124 patients (71%), dysplasia in 36 (21%), severe bleeding in 8 (5%), and perforation in 6 (3%).

Results: A protective ileostomy was performed in 140 patients (96%) with UC and 12 (43%) with FAP. An urgent three-stage procedure was necessary in 14 patients (8.4%). A mucosal proctectomy was performed in 94 (54%), and a double stapling technique in 80 (46%). Mean length of hospital stay was 9.4 ± 6.6 days (range 5–34 days, median 8). Complications included pelvic sepsis in 7 patients (4.2%), anastomotic leakage in 8 (4.8%), bowel obstruction in 22 (13.2%), incisional hernia in 12 (7.2%), anastomotic stenosis that usually responded to manual dilatation in 46 (27.6%), pouchitis in 106 (61%), recto-vaginal fistula in 3 (1.8%), retrograde ejaculation in 3 (1.8%), and impotence in 2 (1.2%). There was no mortality in this group of patients. The median number of bowel movements per 24 hours was six in UC patients and five in FAP patients, with at least one bowel movement during the night. Complete daytime and night-time continence was documented in 124 patients (71%). Overall satisfaction was 95%.

Conclusions: Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis confers a long-term good quality of life to both UC and FAP patients, and the majority of patients are fully continent with five to six bowel movements per day. 

While some claim that germ-line engineering is a definite possibility, the law in Israel and in most countries states that it should be avoided. This paper suggests that using GLE[1] in order to ‘self-evolve’ (when it becomes safe) is not only inevitable but also morally justified. This paper argues that,  

• The great achievements of healthcare during the last century, enabling longer life, have made almost everyone prey to late-onset diseases.


• The conundrum of healthcare allocation is worsening, partly due to late-onset dysfunctional genes that have escaped the barriers of natural selection.


• Trying to free future generations from late-onset diseases (such as Alzheimer’s for instance) may be considered as ‘eugenics’ but, if pursued freely and justly, is a noble goal.


• We will be affecting future generations whether or not we use GLE.


• By definition, GLE might be reversible; it follows therefore that GLE may not necessarily represent the dramatic change inserted in the germ line forever – as is usually suggested.


• Reproductive freedom and justice are paramount in this scenario. These values are not necessarily incompatible if the right policies are in place.

Background: Gallium scintigraphy is frequently used in the evaluation of fever of unknown origin, although its utility has been addressed in only a few studies.

Objectives: To evaluate the utility of gallium scintigraphy in the evaluation of patients with FUO[1] in our department.

Methods: We reviewed the charts of all patients from our department who had undergone gallium scintigraphy during the years 1995–2002 for the evaluation of FUO and who met the criteria for the definition of FUO. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data in addition to the results of gallium scintigraphy were documented. The patients were divided into two groups: those with a normal gallium study (group 1) and those with an abnormal gallium study (group 2). The second group was further divided into two groups: those whose gallium study results contributed to the diagnosis of the cause of FUO (group 2A) and those whose gallium study results did not (group 2B).

Results: A total of 102 patients met the study criteria. The male: female ratio was 54:48 and the mean age ± SD was 62.4 ± 20 years. A final diagnosis had been reached in 63 patients (62%), among whom the etiology was infectious in 54%, neoplastic in 19% and immunologic/rheumatic in 16%. Forty-one patients (40% of all the patients) (Group 2) had an abnormal gallium scintigraphy, and in only 21 patients (21% of all the patients) (Group 2A) did the gallium study results contribute to the diagnosis of the cause of FUO. However, in only two patients from Group 2A (2% of all the patients in our study) was the contribution of gallium study considered significant or crucial to the diagnosis of the cause of FUO.

Conclusions: The utility of gallium scintigraphy in the evaluation of FUO is very limited.

Background: Since the early 1970s testicular scintigraphy has been used to diagnose the cause of acute scrotal pain. The advent of Doppler sonography further enhances diagnosis by  providing simultaneous real-time scrotal imaging with superimposed testicular blood flow information.

Objectives: To assess the diagnostic value of Doppler sonography in patients with acute scrotal pain and scintigraphic findings suggestive of testicular torsion.

Methods: Seventy-five patients with acute scrotal pain underwent testicular scintigraphy and Doppler sonography. All patients who had scintigraphic findings suggestive of testicular torsion were included in the study and their files were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Twenty-seven patients had scintigraphic findings suggestive of testicular torsion. Radionuclide scintigraphy accurately detected all cases of testicular torsion. However, abscess, hematoma, hydrocele and other conditions simulated testicular torsion on scintigraphy, lowering the test specificity. These pathologies were clarified by Doppler sonography that was 95% specific and 86% sensitive for testicular torsion.

Conclusions: Doppler sonography should be used as the first-line modality in the evaluation of patients with suspected testicular torsion. Scintigraphy should be performed only in certain settings of equivocal sonographic findings to prevent false negative sonographic diagnosis.
 

Background: Leukotriene antagonist therapy in asthmatic patients alleviates symptoms and improves exercise tolerance, however the effect of these drugs on bronchial provocation tests and exhaled nitric oxide levels are less clearly established.

Objective: To determine the effect of montelukast treatment on airway hyperresponsiveness to exercise, methacholine and adenosine-5’-monophosphate and on exhaled nitric oxide levels in steroid-naive asthmatics.

Methods: Following a 2 week run-in period, 20 mild to moderate asthmatics were enrolled in an open label 6 week trial of oral montelukast-sodium therapy. Bronchial hyperreactivity (exercise, methacholine and adenosine-5’-monophosphate challenges) and exhaled nitric oxide levels were measured before and after the 6 week period.

Results: Montelukast treatment resulted in a significant improvement in exercise tolerance: median DFEV₁ 20.0% (range 0–50) prior to treatment vs. 15.0% (range 0–50) post-treatment (P = 0.029). A significant difference was also observed for exhaled NO[1] following therapy: median NO 16.0 ppb (range 7–41) vs. 13.0 (range 4.8–26) (P = 0.016). No change was seen in baseline lung function tests (FEV₁, MEF₅₀) or in the bronchial responsiveness (PC₂₀) for methacholine and adenosine-5’-monophosphate.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the leukotriene antagonist, montelukast-sodium, reduces bronchial hyperreactivity in response to exercise and reduces exhaled nitric oxide levels but has little effect on bronchial responsiveness to methacholine and adenosine challenges.

Background: Patients’ consent to being part of medical education is often taken for granted, both in primary and secondary care. Formal consent procedures are not used routinely during teaching and patients are not always aware of teaching activities.

Objective: To investigate patients’ attitudes and expectations on issues of consent regarding participation in teaching in general practice, and the influence of a student’s presence on the consultation.

Methods: The study took place in 46 teaching practices during the sixth year clinical internship in family medicine. Patients completed questionnaires at the end of 10 consecutive eligible consultations. The questionnaire contained data on the willingness to participate in teaching, the preferred consent procedure and the effects of the student’s presence. The doctors were asked to estimate the sociodemographic level in their clinic area.

Results: A total of 375 questionnaires were returned; the response rate was not affected by the clinic’s sociodemographic level. Overall, 67% of the patients had come into contact with students in the past; 3.2% of the participants objected to the presence of a student during the consultation; 15% would insist on advance notification of the presence of a student, and another 13.9% would request it; 4% stated that the presence of students had a detrimental influence on the physical examination and history; and 33.6% would refuse to be examined by a student without the doctor’s presence.

Conclusion: Most patients agreed to have a student present during the consultation; some would like prior notification; a minority refused the student’s presence. A large minority would refuse to be examined without the tutor’s presence. Our findings need to be taken into account when planning clinical clerkships.