תוצאת חיפוש

Volume Reduction Surgery in Emphysema

M.R. Kramer, I. Bar, I. Eidelman, M. Bublil, I. Nitzan, C. Sprung, S. Godfrey, G. Merin

Depts. of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Anesthesiology, and Institute of Pulmonology, Hadassah-University Hospital and Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem

Volume reduction surgery (VRS) is a new procedure based on the concept that relieving hyperinflation in emphysema improves diaphragmatic and chest wall mechanics and ventilation perfusion mismatch. We present our early experience with 16 patients who underwent VRS from August 1995 to June 1996. Patient selection was based on: PFT, CT scan, V/Q scan, ABG's and 6-min walk. After pulmonary rehabilitation, operation was by median sternotomy and bilateral lung shaving. Pulmonary function improved significantly. FEV1 increased from 0.68 ± 0.2 to 1.0 ± 0.2 L (p<0.01) and FVC increased from 1.7 ± 0.5 to 2.7 ± 0.5 L (p<0.017). Total lung capacity decreased from 129% ± 24% to 108% ± 20% (p<0.03). 6-min walk increased from 221 ± 90 to 404 ± 123 meters (p<0.001). Complications included 1 death, prolonged air leak in 7 cases and infection in 2. Quality of life improved substantially in 12 of the 16 cases; in 3 cases there was only slight improvement and in 1 the condition became worse. Volume reduction surgery is a promising surgical solution in selected patients with advanced emphysema.

The Serotonin Syndrome

L. Broude, I. Iancu, O.T. Dolberg, J. Zohar

Psychiatric Division, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer

The frequent use of selective, serotonin reuptake inhibitors has increased the risk of the serotonin syndrome. This condition is related to stimulation of 5HT1A receptors and is characterized by agitation, confusion, tremor, fever and shivering. A 29-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man with the syndrome are reported, The importance of early diagnosis and treatment is emphasized, and aspects of the syndrome in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder are presented.

Hyperbaric Oxygen for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

A. Abramovich, A. Shupak, Y. Ramon, O. Shoshani, Y. Bentur, G. Bar-Josef, U. Taitelman

Israel Naval Medical Institute, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Haifa and Israel Poison Information Center, Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa

Severe cases of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from all over Israel are treated at the Israel Naval Medical Institute with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). Between 1.11.94 and 15.2.95, 24 cases of CO poisoning were treated. Poisoning was usually due to domestic gas-fired heating systems, CO being the only toxin involved. Since delay between termination of CO exposure and arrival at the emergency department averaged 55 minutes, the level of carboxyhemoglobin measured on presentation did not always reflect the true severity of the poisoning. Poisoning was defined as severe and requiring HBO treatment when 1 or more of the following indications was present: evidence of neurological involvement, cardiographic signs of acute ischemic injury, metabolic acidosis, carboxyhemoglobin level greater than 25%, and pregnancy. 20 (84%) recovered consciousness during the course of 1 session (90 min.) of HBO treatment (p2 2.8 ATA) or immediately thereafter, with resolution of other signs of CO poisoning. 3 required a second treatment session before their symptoms resolved. A patient who arrived in deep coma with severe cerebral edema died. HBO is an important element in the combined treatment of severe CO poisoning. There should be greater awareness of the danger of CO poisoning and the means of preventing it, both among medical staff and the population as a whole, mainly in areas in which cold weather requires use of heating systems, which may be gas-fired.

Prognostic Factors And Surgical Results In Traumatic Cataract

Yuval Gelfand, Joseph Pikkel, Benjamin Miller

Ophthalmology Dept., Rambam Medical Center and Bruce Rappoport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa

The visual outcome in 23 men and 2 women with traumatic cataracts was analyzed retrospectively. Their average age was 33 and they ranged from 10 to 69 years. Surgical results were either very good or very poor. Associated retinal injuries significantly decreased final visual acuity (p = 0.001). Those with initial visual acuity restricted to finger counting had better visual results than those with initial visual acuity restricted to light perception (p = 0.01) and hand motions (p = 0.02). Usually the lens was removed via the pars plana; the most common mode of optical correction was contact lenses.

Motor Vehicle Accidents And Eye Injuries

J. Pikkel, Y. Gelfand, E. Mezer, B. Miller

Dept. of Ophthalmology, Rambam Medical Center and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa

The medical records of 24,632 patients treated in our surgical emergency service over a 3-year period were reviewed to determine the frequency and characteristics of ocular trauma caused by motor vehicle accidents (MVA). MVA-related injuries accounted for 13.9% of all visits to the service and involved 1106 of the patients (33%), of whom 77% were young males. At least 1 pathological finding was found in 858 (77.6%) and 169 (15.2%) were admitted. 16 patients sustained very severe ocular injuries which resulted in poor vision.

Temporal Hemianopia And Diabetes Insipidus Following Head Injury

M. Zaaroor, D. Goldsher, M. Feinsod

Center for Treatment and Applied Research in Head Injuries, Dept. of Neurosurgery and Diagnostic Radiology Dept., Rambam Medical Center and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa

Bitemporal hemianopia and diabetes insipidus following head injury are caused by a lesion in the center of the optic chiasm, together with injury to the adjacent pituitary stalk or the hypothalamus. This combination was thought to be a rare complication of severe head injury. The case of a 16-year-old male is presented, which together with recent reports suggests that this relatively under-recognized syndrome is not infrequent, that it may follow even minor head injury, and that magnetic resonance imaging can demonstrate the chiasmal lesion.

Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Elderly

A. Yaretzky, J. Feldman, P. Alterman, B. Finkeltov

Dept. of Geriatric Medicine and Rheumatology Clinic, Meir Hospital, Kfar Saba and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

Opinions differ as to whether late onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represents a clinical subset and whether age at onset involves differences in therapy and prognosis. In this retrospective study we compared 23 patients with early onset RA (average onset 52.8 years; 91.3% of them women), with 36 with late onset (average onset 70.3 years; 67% of them women). No statistically significant differences were found as to demographic, clinical, laboratory or radiographic characteristics. 

Differentiated Thyroid Cancer In Arabs In Northern Israel

J. Zidan, S. Kassem, D. Karen, A. Kuten, E. Robinson

Northern Israel Oncology Center, Rambam Medical Center, and Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa

Prognostic factors and survival rate of 53 Arabs with differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid treated here were reviewed. Papillary carcinoma was diagnosed in 35 (66%) and follicular carcinoma in 18 (34%); the female/male ratio was 2.3/1 and the median age 32. Age, gender, tumor size, histology and tumor stage were important prognostic factors. The 20-year actuarial survival rate of the entire group was 96%. The probable reason for the high survival rate was the low median age.