Pseudomembranous Colitis: Clinical, Endoscopic and Radiological Correlation - A 2 - Year Experience

Fabiana Benjaminov MD⁽¹⁾, Rivka Zissin MD⁽²⁾, Benjamin Novis MD⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾Gastroenterology Institute and ⁽²⁾CT Unit, Meir Hospital, Sapir Medical Center, Kfar-Saba, affiliated to the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel

Abstract: The incidence rates of pseudomembranous colitis are rising. Early diagnosis and treatment are required for management of this potentially life-threatening disease. This report outlines our 2-year experience (1997-1998) at the gastrointestinal institute with 43 patients diagnosed with pseudomembranous colitis and describes the clinical course and imaging studies.

The group consisted of 25 women and 18 men, aged 34-93 years (mean: 67). Thirty-nine patients were treated with antibiotics. Twelve patients were referred directly to an endoscopic examination with a presumed clinical diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis (diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain) that was confirmed by colonoscopy. Thirty-one were referred to colonoscopy following abdominal imaging performed to clarify cause of fever and abdominal pain. Twenty-nine patients had an abdominal CT, one had an US and one a barium follow-through. The CT finding suggesting pseudomembranous colitis included colonic mural thickening in 28 patients (71% diffuse versus 29% segmental colitis), with an average wall thickness of 16 mm. Sixteen patients (59%) had pericolonic fat changes and 15 patients (51%) had ascites. All of these patients, except one, had endoscopic findings consistent with pseudomembranous colitis.

Five patients (11.6 %) died due to the severe PMC.

To conclude, as an abdominal CT is often performed in the acutely ill patient, it may arouse the diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis in the proper clinical setting. Such a suspected diagnosis justifies endoscopic evaluation, which is the most reliable diagnostic examination.

דן ליבוביץ, אמנון זיסמן, יהודית קליינמן, אריה לינדנר

המח' לאורולוגיה, מרכז רפואי אסף-הרופא, צריפין

סרטן הערמונית הוא המחלה הממארת השכיחה ביותר בגברים והיארעותה מגיעה לכדי 900 חולים חדשים לכל 100,000 לשנה. איבחון מוקדם של המחלה בשלב בו השאת מוגבלת לבלוטת הערמונית, מאפשר ריפוי מלא בחלק ניכר מן החולים. האפשרויות הטיפוליות כוללות כריתת ערמונית רדיקלית, טיפול קרינתי והקפאה קריוגנית.

בניתוחים קריוגניים (נ"ק), מבוצעת הקפאת השאת בתוך הגוף על ידי החדרת גלאי לאיבר המטרה והשראת טמפרטורה נמוכה קיצונית בסביבות 180 – מ"צ. כדור הקרח הנוצר סביב הגלאי כולל בתוכו את ריקמת המטרה, וחשיפתה לטמפרטורה נמוכה קוטלת כל ריקמה ביולוגית. כיום, מהווים נ"ק אפשרות טיפולית מקובלת בחולים בסרטן הערמונית, והפעולה קיבלה את אישור מינהל המזון והתרופות בארה"ב (FDA). בסקירתנו, נדון הניסיון העולמי בנ"ק כטיפול בלוקים בסרטן הערמונית.

גילה ברונר

המרפאה לסקסולוגיה ביחידה להפרעות תנועה – מחלקת עצבים, והשירות הסוציאלי, המרכז הרפואי סוראסקי, תל אביב

מיניות היא מימד חשוב באישיותו של האדם והיא כוללת רבים מן ההיבטים הנכללים בחוויית הזהות הגברית והנשית*. המיניות איננה רק סך של החיים הארוטיים או יחסי-המין של האדם, כי אם היא כוללת בתוכה את הצורך בקשר עם הזולת, באהבה, במגע, בחמימות ובאינטימיות. המיניות באה לידי ביטוי בכל אחת מן המחשבות, הרגשות וההתנהגויות של האדם, בין אם במודע ובין אם לא במודע. לא זו בלבד, אלא שהמיניות משפיעה אפילו על דברים יום-יומיים, כדוגמת הדרך שבה מטופל משוחח, עונה או מתייחס לרופא/ה שלו, והאופן שבו אדם עומד, נע, לוחץ יד או נוגע באחרים.

נוכח משמעותה הרחבה הזו של המיניות, ניתן בנקל להבין כיצד זו יכולה להיות מקור לאושר ושמחה, אך בו-בזמן הפרעות במיניות עלולות לגרום לכאב, תיסכול וצער רב. במילים אחרות, הבריאות המינית והתיפקוד המיני הם מרכיבים חשובים ומרכזיים באיכות חייו של כל אדם, בכל גיל, ויש לשלב את הטיפול בבריאות מינית כחלק מן הטיפול הרפואי השיגרתי.

תכליתה של הרשימה הנוכחית היא להדגיש את חשיבותו של הקשר בין מצבי בריאות וחולי לבין מיניות ולהציג דגם יישומי המאפשר לרופאים, שאינם בעלי הכשרה ייחודית בתחום הטיפול המיני, להתמודד עם מיניותם של המטופלים, כפי שזו עולה במסגרת עבודתם הרפואית הרגילה.

תחילתו של המאמר שלהלן בסקירת הקשר שבין מצבי בריאות וחולי לבין בריאות מינית. המשכו בהצגת הקשיים העלולים להתעורר בניסיון לעסוק בבעיות של בריאות מינית בקליניקה הרפואית וסופו בהצגת דגם המכונה "הדגם האינדוקטיבי", שכן דגם זה מאפשר כניסה מדורגת ומתונה לתוך שיח בנושא הבריאות המינית, בקצב המותאם לפונה ולרופא המטפל גם יחד.

* בשל מורכבותה של השפה העברית, קשה להתייחס למגוון ההתנהגויות הקיימות באוכלוסייה. עם זאת, העקרונות המוצגים במאמר זה מותאמים למטופלים מבני שני המינים, לזוגות נשואים או שאינם נשואים, לבני כל הגילים וכן לזוגות הטרוסקסואליים או הומוסקסואליים.
 

ענבר צוקר¹, לאה סירוטה¹, נחמה לינדר¹

¹המח' לטיפול נמרץ פגים, מרכז שניידר לרפואת ילדים בישראל, פתח-תקווה

ילודים, ובמיוחד פגים במשקל לידה נמוך, נמנים עם קבוצות החולים הנזקקות בשכיחות גבוהה לערויי-דם ותוצריו. על פי הערכות, כ- 80% מהילודים השוקלים פחות מ- 1500 ג', יקבלו מספר ערויי-דם בשבועות הראשונים לחייהם. ערויים אלה ניתנים כדי לתקן אנמיה תסמינית, הנגרמת כתוצאה ממישלב של חסר ייצור מספיק של דם ע"י הילוד ובמיוחד הפג הגדל, ושל איבודי דם מישניים לבדיקות. לעיתים, ניתנים ערויים במסגרת פעולות טיפוליות מיוחדות, המצריכות מתן ערויי דם בכמות גדולה, כגון ניתוחי לב וערוי חלופין. הטיפול בערויי דם יכול לגרום לשורה של סיבוכים מיידיים ומאוחרים. חלקם יכולים לחול בכל קבוצת גיל וחלקם ייחודיים לילודים. המטרה בסקירה זו היא לדווח על הסיבוכים האפשריים של ממתן ערוי-דם בילודים, תוך התייחסות למאפיינים הייחודיים לתת-אוכלוסייה זו של חולים.
 

Eosinophilic Pneumonia induced by Minocycline

Eli Rosen

Medical Dept. B, Hillel Yaffe Hospital, Hadera

Eosinophilic pneumonia is a rare adverse effect of minocycline. To date there are about 70 chemical compounds that cause drug-induced, eosinophilic lung disease.

A 20-year-old woman who developed eosinophilic pneumonia due to minocycline is described. Diagnosis was established by history, signs and symptoms, peripheral eosinophilia, chest x-rays and response to combined cessation of treatment and a short course of steroids.

Physicians should be aware to this rare adverse effect of the drug. Attention to the possibility of minocycline-induced eosinophilic pneumonia can prevent unnecessary, expensive investigation. Cessation of intake is usually sufficient for cure.

Atrophic Gastritis Presenting with Pulmonary Embolism

Muhammad A. Abdul-Ghani, Rima Feldman, Moshe Shai, Jacob Varkel

Dept. of Medicine C, Western Galilee Hospital, Naharia

Atrophic gastritis is an autoimmune gastropathy in which there is destruction of gastric parietal cells. This results in intrinsic factor deficiency and disturbance in vitamin B12 absorption. Its clinical manifestationa are therefore the consequences of B12 deficiency and include anemia and neurological defect. In addition, lack of B12 results in metabolic changes, including disturbances of methionine metabolism and accumulation of homocysteine.

In recent years, there has been increasing evidence suggesting that hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for thrombo-embolic disease. We describe a 51-year-old man with atrophic gastritis, severe B12 deficiency and hyperhomocystein-emia. The initial clinical manifestation was pulmonary embolism, without either anemia or neurological signs. B12 deficiency should therefore be considered in patients being investigated for hypercoagulability.

Hospitalization for Renal Colic: Epidemiological Features and Clinical Manifestations

Yahav Oron, Amir Shahar, Eran Dolev

Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer; Israel Defense Forces Medical Center; Meir General Hospital, Sapir Medical Center, Kfar Saba; and Dept. of Medicine H, Sourasky-Tel Aviv Medical Center

The medical records of all patients referred to the emergency department (ED) of Sheba Medical Center for renal colic during 1996 were analyzed. Patients discharged from the ED and those hospitalized were compared.

There was no significant difference between the 2 groups with regard to average age or sex distribution. Statistically significant differences were found with regard to frequency of chills and fever, history of renal colic, referral for renal colic during that year or hospitalization for renal colic or nephrolithiasis, previous positive imaging, stone removal by surgery or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, fever exceeding 37.5^o and administration of fluids, pethidine or pramin in the ED, prolonged stay in the ED and previous appendectomy.

A conditional regression model tested the predictive value of each of those factors. Inclusion of independent variables into the model led to an overall correct classification rate of 84.43%, with 44.83% sensitivity and 93.16% specificity. There were correlations between referrals for renal colic, overall renal colic rate and average monthly temperature, so there was no pure correlation between average monthly temperature and referrals to the ED for renal colic.

The major indications for hospitalization were actually the clinical ones, indicating either an active metabolic disease or suspected obstruction of the urinary tract. Treatment in the ED and duration of the visit indicated disease severity.

Multiresistant Escherichia Coli from Elderly Patients

Ilana Slucky-Shraga, Moshe Wolk, Sofia Volis, Israel Vulikh, David Sompolinsky

Dept. of Medicine and Microbiology Laboratory, Mayanei Hayeshua Hospital, Bnei Brak; Central Laboratories, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem; and Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan

We examined all ceftriaxone-resistant Escherichia coli isolates obtained from clinical samples during 16 months (1‚Dec. '97 - 31 Mar. '99). A total of 97 resistant isolates from 36 patients were obtained, mostly from urine specimens. Of these patients, 35/36 were over 75 years old, most lived in nursing homes, were dependent on nursing in their daily lives, and were incontinent and/or had indwelling catheters.

All 97 isolates had similar susceptibility profiles: resistant to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, ampicillin, amoxycillin/clavulanate, tricarcillin/clavulanate, aztreonam, and cefuroxime; decreased susceptibility to ceftazidime and cefepime; and susceptible to imipenem and meropenem. Double-disc tests indicated that all strains produced extended spectrum beta-lactamase(s). All the isolates belonged to 1 of 3 E. coli serotypes: 79 were 0153:H31, 13 were 0142:H10, and 5 were 0102:H6.

Minocycline Pneumonitis and Eosinophilia

Noam Fink, Meir Mouallem

Dept. of Medicine E, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

Pneumonitis with eosinophilia is one of the less common and severe adverse effects of minocycline. The disease evolves in days or weeks from the beginning of treatment, and is usually characterized by dyspnea, fever and bilateral infiltrates in the chest X-ray. With cessation of the antibiotic, and sometimes adding cortico-steroids, clinical and roentgenological resolution follow.

We present a case given minocycline for folliculitis and 3 weeks later fever, cough and shortness of breath developed. The clinical and roentgenological course was consistent with minocycline pneumonitis accompanied by eosinophilia.

Aortopexy for Tracheomalacia in Infants and Children

I. Vinograd, B. Klin, A. Silbiger, G. Eshel

Depts. of Pediatric Surgery, and Anesthesia, Dana Children's Hospital, Sourasky-Tel Aviv Medical Center;  Dept. of Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care Unit, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

During the past 12 years (1985-1998), 28 infants and children were operated on here for tracheomalacia. The diagnosis was made in all using rigid bronchoscopy. During the examination the infants breathed spontaneously, but the trachea collapsed on forced expiration.

Indications for surgery were repeated cyanotic spells ("dying spells") in 22, recurrent pneumonia, and inability to extubate (in 8). In 11 there were more than 1 indications. Age at surgery was from 7 days to 3 years (average 11.7 months).

All 28 children underwent bronchoscopy and guided aortopexy via a left-third intercostal approach. The ascending aorta and aortic arch (and in 6 the proximal innominate artery as well) were lifted anteriorly, using 3-5 non-absorbable sutures (5.0). The sutures were placed through the adventitia of the great vessels and then passed through the sternum.

Respiratory distress was significantly improved in 21. Another 2 required external tracheal stenting with autologous rib grafts, and in 1 other an internal Palmaz stent was introduced for tracheal stability. In 4 aortopexy failed, 1 of whom had tracheobronchomalacia throughout, and another 3 had laryngomalacia which required tracheostomy to relieve the respiratory symptoms.

Postoperative complications were minor: pericardial effusion in 1 and relaxation of the left diaphragm in another. 1 infant subsequently died, of unknown cause 10 days after operation, after having been extubated on the 1st postoperative day. On long-term follow-up (6 months to 12 years) 25 were found free of residual respiratory symptoms and 3 remained with a tracheostomy.

Thus, infants and children with severe tracheomalacia associated with severe respiratory symptoms, can be relieved by bronchoscopic guided suspension of the aortic arch to the sternum.

Current Trends in Surgery for Female Urinary Stress Incontinence 

M. Neuman, A. Musaiev, Y.Z. Diamant

Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem

Quality of life of 5% of the female population is impaired by urinary stress incontinence. Its cause is pelvic floor relaxation and the cure is surgical. The most widely performed operations are retropubic colposuspensions and sling operations, which have relatively high, well-proven cure rates. Yet because of the long rehabilitation required, gyneco-urologists seek minimally invasive ways to solve the problem.

Vaginal colporrhaphy and laparoscopic operations are not common, but the recently reported TVT might become popular if proven effective.

Videothorascopic Sympathectomy for Palmar Hyperhidriosis

Nahum Nesher, Ronen Galili, Ram Sharony, Gidon Uretzky, Milton Saute

Dept. of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lady Davis - Carmel Medical Center and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa

Palmar hyperhidriosis is not a life-threatening disease but leads to loss in the quality of life. Conservative treatment is ineffective and major surgery involves perioperative complications and esthetic impairment.

From 1992 to 1998 we treated 156 patients with palmar hyperhidriosis using a single port, drainless videothoracoscopic procedure with almost no complications.

Jet Lag Causing or Exacerbating Psychiatric Disorders

Gregory Katz, Rimona Durst, Josef Zislin, Hilla Knobler, Haim Y. Knobler

Kfar Shaul Mental Health Center, Jerusalem (Affiliated with the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem)

Desynchronization of circadian rhythmicity resulting from rapid travel through at least 4 time zones leads to symptoms of jet lag syndrome. The most commonly experienced symptoms in normal individuals are sleep disorders, difficulties with concentrating, irritability, mild depression, fatigue, and gastrointestinal disturbances.

There is strong evidence relating affective disorders to circadian rhythm abnormalities, such as occur in jet lag. Less convincing suggestions relate jet lag to psychosis. We presume, relying on the literature and our accumulated experience, that in predisposed individuals jet lag may play a role in triggering exacerbation of, or de novo affective disorders, as well as, though less convincing, schizophreniform psychosis or even schizophrenia. An illustrative case vignette exemplifies the possible relationship between jet lag following eastbound flight and psychotic manifestations.

Preflight Assessment by Hypoxic Inhalation Test in Cardio-Pulmonary Patients 

J. Lebzelter, G. Fink, E. Kleinman, I. Rosenberg, M.R. Kramer

Pulmonology Institute, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva

Flying may expose passengers to hypoxic conditions, which may induce hypoxemia, particularly in those with chronic heart and/or lung disease. Onset of dyspnea, wheezing, chest pain, cyanosis and right heart failure can lead to urgent need for oxygen during flight. The hypoxia inhalation test (HIT) provides a safe and simple means of identifying those who may develop hypoxemia during flight.

We report our experience with 48 self-reporting patients who underwent HIT prior to pre-planned air travel. They inhaled for 15-minute periods a reduced oxygen concentration (F₁O₂ 15%) under normobaric conditions, during which O₂ saturation was monitored by pulse oximeter; electrocardiogram, blood pressure and symptoms were also monitored. O₂ saturation of 85% (PaO₂ 50 mm Hg) was considered a positive test. In the 8 cases (17%) with a positive test, 5 had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 3 had cardiovascular and/or combined heart-lung disease.

We calculated predicted O₂ partial pressure in altitude (PaO₂ ALT) and compared it to actual results in the 8 patients with a positive HIT. In 5, use of the predicted formula would have under-diagnosed the hypoxemia that developed during the HIT. Thus, the results of the HIT changed treatment strategy in these patients. We recommend that patients with positive tests use O₂ (2LPM or 4LPM) during flight.

HIT is practical and of potential benefit in the objective assessment of patients with various degrees of heart, lung or combined heart-lung disease. Clinicians should be aware of the relative risk of hypoxia during flight in such patients, and of the value of HIT in identifying them, leading to increase in its use.

Family Physicians' Attitudes to Clinical Guidelines for Treatment of Diabetes 

Sasson Nakar, Shlomo Vinker, Tal Baro-Aloni, Eliezer Kitai

Dept. of Family Medicine, Rabin Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

Clinical guidelines are systematically developed statements designed to help practitioners and patients make decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical states. Attitudes of family physicians to clinical guidelines for treating diabetes and guidelines in general were evaluated from anonymous questionnaires answered by physicians participating in continuous medical education throughout the country (May-June 1998). The questionnaire dealt with attitudes to the recently published specific guidelines for treating the diabetic patient and overall perception of the efficacy of clinical guidelines.

293 family physicians, aged 40.2‏7.0 responded (83%). 93.5% appreciated the guidelines and thought them applicable. Most (83.7%) reported the guidelines to be of help in their daily work; 31.4% said they were oversimplified; a quarter said they aimed main at containing costs. Most respondents preferred written guidelines of up to 5 pages.

In view of our results, attention can now be turned to developing ways to implement the guidelines. To improve adherence, they need to be short and the rate of publication of new clinical guidelines should be slowed.