Israel Medical Association Journal

Microscopic colitis is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory bowel disease presenting with watery diarrhea. While colonoscopy and radiology findings are normal, the colon shows striking pathologic findings, including lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis. The clinical course is usually benign with sustained remission. Recent medical evidence shows that bismuth and budesonide are effective treatments.

Gadolinium-based agents are widely used in magnetic resonance imaging as contrast agents. These agents are radio-opaque enough for diagnostic imaging of the vascular tree by using digitally subtracted images as well as for imaging of the biliary system and the urinary tract. The recommended doses for gadolinium do not impair renal function or cause adverse reactions in patients with iodine sensitivity; thus patients with such conditions can safely undergo diagnostic angiography, either by MRI angiography or by catheterization using gadolinium as contrast agent, for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Background: Contralateral exploration of the groin has been common practice among pediatric surgeons for nearly 50 years, based on the high incidence of patent processus vaginalis on the contralateral side with the potential for the subsequent development of a hernia.

Objectives: To evaluate transinguinal laparoscopic examination of the contralateral side during repair of inguinal hernia in children in order to reach a decision regarding exploration of the contralateral side.

Methods: Over a of 21 month period 124 children with unilateral inguinal hernia underwent laparoscopic evaluation of the contralateral groin. The operations were performed under general anesthesia as ambulatory procedures.

Results: Transinguinal contralateral laparoscopic exploration was positive (patent processus vaginalis) in 26 children (21%) and negative (closed processus vaginalis) in 88 (71%). Failure to introduce the telescope occurred in 10 patients (8%) due to a friable or narrow hernia sac. Twenty-five children below 2 years of age were spared exploration of the contralateral side as a result of the negative laparoscopic examination. On the other hand, 15 children aged 2–17 had their contralateral groin explored because of a positive finding at laparoscopy.

Conclusions: Transinguinal laparoscopic examination of the contralateral side during repair of inguinal hernia in children is a simple, safe and quick method to avoid systematic bilateral explorations and should be part of every pediatric surgeon's experience.

Background: Congestive heart failure is extremely common in octogenarians and is associated with severe fatigue, shortness of breath, recurrent hospitalizations, and death. These patients, many of whom are anemic, are often resistant to standard CHF[1] therapy including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers and diuretics.

Objectives: To examine whether correction of the anemia (hemoglobin <12 g/dl) in CHF patients lowers their resistance to therapy.

Methods: Forty octogenarians with anemia and severe resistant CHF were administered a combination of subcutaneous erythropoietin and intravenous iron sucrose.

Results: This combination therapy led to a marked improvement in cardiac function, shortness of breath and fatigue, a marked reduction in the rate of hospitalization and a stabilizing of renal function.

Conclusion: Anemia appears to be an important but ignored contributor to the progression of CHF, and its correction may improve cardiac and renal status as well as the quality of life in elderly patients.