תוצאת חיפוש

Willingness to Donate Organs: Attitude Survey among Israeli Jews

Peri Kedem-Friedrich, Rina Rachmani

Psychology Dept., Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan and Information and Education Unit, Israel Transplant Center

A public opinion survey of Israeli Jewish adults (September) showed a large potential willingness to donate organs after death, while only a third of the sample was opposed. Nevertheless, only a very minor proportion held donor's cards, and over half expressed opposition to holding a donor card. As to next-of-kin's organs, when the wishes of the relative were not known, a quarter of the sample opposed, a quarter agreed, and the remaining half hesitated to make a decision.

Willingness to donate was not correlated with gender, age or income, but was related to religiosity: the more religious, the less willing to donate. And the religious reason was the salient one given for hesitation about donating, although there were many who could give no reason for their hesitation. Family members, doctors and rabbis (in ascending order) influenced willingness to consent to next-of-kin donations.

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in AIDS

Alina Weisman, Geris Shehada, Ilana Oren

Depts. of Medicine A and Hematology, Rambam Medical Center and Technion School of Medicine, Haifa

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is characterized by 5 findings: fever, neurological abnormalities, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, severe thrombocytopenia and renal abnormalities. The syndrome occurs more often in females, usually in their 20's. Since the beginning of the current AIDS epidemic, there have been reports of an association between HIV infection and TTP. We describe a 31-year-old man with HIV who developed TTP, and review the literature.

Miliary and Reticulo-Nodular Pulmonary Brucellosis

Nasser Gattas, Norman Loberant, David Ri

Medical Dept. B and Radiology Depts., Western Galilee Regional Hospital, Nahariya and Rappaport Faculof Medicine, The Technion, Haifa

Brucellosis is a classical zoonosis caused by a Gram-negative bacillus of the genus Brucella. Human brucellosis can either be acute or chronic and present with a variety of manifestations, mostly with fever and signs of musculo-skeletal involvement. It may be complicated by involvement of the cardiovascular, central nervous or genito-urinary systems. However, pulmonary brucellosis is a rare complication.

We report a case of miliary and reticulo-nodular brucellar pneumonia with positive blood and sputum cultures and positive serological tests. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case to be reported from Israel of miliary pneumonia with sputum positive for brucellosis.

Optic Glioma in Children with Type 1 Neurofibromatosis

M. Ben-Arush, H. Goldberg, A. Kuten, J. Guilbord, R. El-Hassid

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit, The Northern Israel Oncology Center, and Division of Neurosurgery, Rambam Medical Center; and Technion School of Medicine, Haifa

During the period 1985-95 we treated 5 girls and 13 boys with optic glioma associated with Type 1 neurofibromatosis (median age 3 years, range 2-10 years). 6 were treated with radiotherapy alone, 1 with surgery and radiation therapy and 1 with chemotherapy in order to postpone irradiation to an older age; 1 is being followed with no therapy. All children are alive, 2-10 years from diagnosis (mean follow-up time 5.4 years). 3 had improvement of vision following therapy and in 4 visual ability stabilized, including the child being followed without treatment. In 1 vision deteriorated despite therapy.

Kaleidoscopic Autoimmunity

Yehuda Shoenfeld

Unit for Study of Autoimmune Diseases and Medical Dept. B, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

We describe an 18-year-old girl with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who developed chronic active hepatitis following splenectomy that cured the ITP. This is a phenomenon in which an organ belonging to the immune system is resected, which results in cure of one autoimmune disease but in the emergence of another, apparently unrelated, second autoimmune disease. We refer to this phenomenon as kaleidoscopic autoimmunity, explaining that some autoimmune diseases are not induced by autoantigen-driven mechanisms, but rather result from immune dysregulation.

Trisomy 18 Anomalies on Sonography and Calculated Risk of Chromosomal Abnormalities During First Trimester

Ron Maymon, Arie Herman, Eli Dreazen, Mati Glasner, Zvi Weinraub

Ultrasound Unit, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zrifin, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University; and Women's Health Center, Kupat Holim, Holon Branch, Tel Aviv-Jaffa District

Trisomy 18 is a chromosomal disorder giving multiple anomalies. Its frequency depends on maternal age. We report a 28-year-old woman in her first pregnancy, who underwent first trimester scanning for screening. Due to increased nuchal translucency and exomphalos, chorionic villous sampling was performed. Cytogenetic diagnosis was trisomy 18 and termination of pregnancy was carried out immediately.

Pheochromocytoma Multi-Organ Crisis: Nonseptic Hyperthermia and Shock

Michael Y. Shapira, Elena Zuckerman, Taufic Zuebi, Oded Jurim

Divisions of Medicine and Surgery, Hadassah-University Hospital; Geriatrics Dept.; Herzog Hospital, Jerusalem; and Dept. of Medicine, Yoseftal Hospital, Eilat

Pheochromocytoma usually presents with nonspecific symptoms such as headache, palpitation, chest pain and hypertension. We present a 48-year-old woman hospitalized due to a pheochromocytoma multi-organ crisis (PMC). It consists of a tetrad of symptoms: multi-organ failure, hyperthermia, encephalopathy and unstable blood pressure. Distinguishing PMC from septic shock may be difficult, and requires needs a high clinical index of suspicion.

Massive Pulmonary Embolism

Ron Ben Abraham, Eran Segal, Dov Freimark, Elinor Goshen, Hanoch Hod, Jacob Lavee, Zvi Ziskind, Azriel Perel

Depts. of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine and Cardiac Surgery, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

Pulmonary embolism is a common event in hospitalized patients. In some cases it presents with hemodynamic collapse, indicating massive obliteration of the pulmonary vasculature and has a very grim prognosis; 2/3 of such patients die within 2 hours of onset of symptoms. We describe our experience in 13 patients with massive pulmonary embolism. An aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach, utilizing sophisticated imaging techniques, thrombolytic therapy and surgery, led to the survival of 8 of the patients. Our experience supports an aggressive approach in these seriously ill patients.

Acute Gastroenteritis caused by Enterohemorrhagic E. Coli O157:H7

Tuvia Weinberger, Tony Hayek, Shlomo Keidar

Dept. of Medicine E, Rambam Medical Center, and Dept. of Family Care, Haifa and West Galilee, and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa

We report a 48-year-old man admitted for watery diarrhea, high fever, chills and abdominal cramps. Entero-hemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 was isolated. This new, dangerous pathogen causes dysentery and complications such as hemolytic uremic syndrome and thrombotic thrombo-cytopenic purpura. These complications can cause renal failure, neurological deficit and death. Recognition of E. coli O157:H7 infection is important since it causes a rare and dangerous condition. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case reported in Israel.

Mixed Uterine Mesodermal Tumors: Clinical and Pathological Characteristics

Samuel Ariad, Alexander Rabinovitz, Ilana Yanai-Inbar, Benjamin Piura

Depts. of Oncology and of Pathology, and Gynecology-Oncology Unit, Soroka Medical Center and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba

During 1971-1996, 17 patients with mixed mesodermal uterine tumors were treated. Average age at diagnosis was 67.3 years, 12/17 were of European and 5/17 of Afro-Asian extraction. The overall 5-year survival was 21%. 10/17 patients had mixed mesodermal tumors with a heterologous mesenchy-mal element, and 7/17 had a homologous mesenchymal element (carcinosarcoma). 6/17 had another primary malignancy, including breast cancer (3/17), bilateral metachronous breast tumor (2/17), and malignant lymphoma of the neck region (2/17). All 3 with breast cancer had previously been treated with tamoxifen. 1 had simultaneous mesodermal tumor and ovarian thecoma. Simultaneous autoimmune manifestations occurred in 2/17, including thrombocytopenic purpura in 1, and myasthenia gravis in another. Mesodermal tumor of the uterus is a relatively rare malignancy with aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. It also had unusual associations with other primary tumors, hormonal treatment, and autoimmune manifestations.

Bromocriptine for Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis

Reuven Mader

Rheumatic Disease Unit, HaEmek Medical Center, Afula

In recent years prolactin (PRL) has emerged as an important immunomodulator in various autoimmune disorders. Bromocriptine (BRC) is a dopamine agonist that suppresses secretion of PRL. Good clinical response to BRC has been reported in patients with psoriatic arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus. 5 mg of BRC at bedtime were given to 5 patients (aged 35-50) with refractory rheumatic arthritis (RA) who had failed to respond to previous treatment with at least 2 disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Patients were assessed at 4-6 week intervals for 6 months. 3 showed more than 25% improvement in the number of tender and swollen joints at 12 weeks of treatment. However, in only 2 of them was improvement maintained till the end of the 6 months. There were no changes in other measures of disease activity. 1 patient dropped out of the study due to acute exacerbation of her disease 4 weeks after initiation of BRC and required intra-articular injections of corticosteroid. The remaining patient did not show any significant clinical changes. No correlation was found between serum PRL levels and disease activity over time. It is suggested that some patients with refractory RA might improve with BRC. Its use in larger doses in larger groups of patients may help elucidate its role in the treatment of RA.

Consanguinity among Arabs in Israel

Lutfi Jaber, Orli Romano, Mordechai Shohat

Bridge to Peace Community, Taiba Pediatric Center; Schneider Children's Medical Center (Beilinson Campus), Petah Tikva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

In a previous nationwide study, we examined the rate of consanguineous matings in the Israeli Arab community. The average inbreeding coefficient was 0.0192, much higher than that reported for the general population of Israel, 0.0038 in 1956-7. The inbreeding coefficients of 69 Arab villages, towns and cities (excluding the Bedouin in the South) were determined. Knowledge of the inbreeding coefficients of the various local populations is of value for geneticists, pediatricians and gynecologists and for planning suitable health programs.

Gram-Negative Enteric Bacteremia in Children in the Negev

Michal Maimon-Greenwald, Eugene Leibovitz, Nimrod Maimon, Nechama Peled, Ron Dagan

Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit and Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Soroka Medical Center and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba

During 1989-1994, there were 322 episodes of Gram-negative enteric bacteremia in 308 children. The incidence increased from 31/100,000 in children younger than 15 years of age during 1989-1991, to 50/100,000 during 1992-1994. The most common pathogens were Klebsiella, E. Coli, Salmonella and Enterobacter. 39% of episodes were nosocomial and a significant increase was recorded for each species during the last 3 years of the study. Klebsiella represented the most common pathogen causing nosocomial bacteremia, while E. coli and Salmonella were the main pathogens causing community-acquired bacteremia. In this study in southern Israel, the incidence of Gram-negative enteric bacteremia was significantly higher in Bedouin children, with the exception of bacteremia due to Salmonella, which occurred mainly in Jewish children.

Nissen Fundoplication by Laparoscopy

Dan Seror, Oded Zamir, Raphael Udassin, Amos Vromen, Tanir M. Allweis, Herbert R. Freund

Depts. of Surgery and Pediatric Surgery, Hadassah-University Hospital, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem

Short term results following laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication were evaluated in 31 patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux. 6 were females and 26 males, and they ranged in age from 5 months to 64 years (mean: 4.9 years in 19 younger than 18 years, and 39.3 years in 12 adults). Most of the adults who complained of pain and heartburn underwent pH monitoring, endoscopy, and manometry as needed. Milk scan was the most useful diagnostic tool for the evaluation of the children, who suffered mainly from gastroesophageal-related pulmonary disease. Indications for laparoscopic operation were identical with those for conventional open Nissen fundoplication. 1 case of dysautonomia died postoperatively; the rate of complications, mostly minor, was 22.5%. 3 patients required conversion to open Nissen fundoplication due to cardiorespiratory instability secondary to pneumothorax in 2, and to esophageal perforation in the third. 5 adults developed temporary dysphagia. 3 children had only partial improvement in their pulmonary disease following the operation, while the other 15 had complete relief. The total time for the laparoscopic operation averaged 245 minutes in adults, and 228 in children. Discharge was usually on the fourth postoperative day in adults (mean: 6.0 days). Regurgitation and heartburn were cured in 10 out of 11 adults (91%). All parents of children were satisfied. Symptomatic outcomes following laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication compare favorably with those of open surgery with respect to mortality, complications, and outcome.

ATLS Course in Emergency Medicine for Physicians?

Ron Ben-Abraham, Michael Stein, Yoram Kluger, Amir Blumenfeld, Avraham Rivkind, Joshua Shemer

Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces; and Trauma Units of Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, and of Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem

Implementation of Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) skills among practicing physicians and its perceived utility in their civilian practices, as well as in their potential army combat assignments, was evaluated. 177 physicians in various subspecialties, who were graduates of ATLS training courses, answered a specially designed telephone questionnaire. An unexpectedly high percentage of physicians (47%) had used their ATLS training when called to treat trauma victims. 67% of physicians stressed the contribution of the ATLS course to enhancing their skills. We believe that a properly designed ATLS course for general practitioners would be very beneficial for trauma victims.