יולי 1997

Bacterial Culture of Chip Tissue of Enucleated Prostates

I.Z. Ben-Zion, P.M. Dagtyar, J. Kaneti

Urology Dept., Soroka Medical Center and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba

To assess the prevalence of infection and colonization of the prostate by bacteria, chip tissue samples from 166 patients undergoing retropubic prostatectomy were submitted for bacterial tissue culture. In 28 patients with an indwelling catheter before surgery, E. coli, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas and Enterobacter were the commonest species encountered, the first the most common. In only 7 patients (20%) who didn't have an indwelling catheter before operation was the culture positive. We confirmed that the longer the time the catheter was indwelling before surgery, the greater the likelihood of positive cultures. However, postoperative outcome and morbidity were not related to culture results. We conclude that even though it is worth trying to sterilize the urine and prostate before prostatectomy, the effect on the postoperative outcome is minimal when proper antimicrobial therapy is given perioperatively.

Therapeutic and Toxic Theophylline Levels in Asthma Attacks

Aliza Zeidman, Joseph Gardyn, Zinaida Fradin, Gershon Fink, Moshe Mittelman

Dept. of Medicine B, Rabin Medical Center, Golda (Hasharon) Campus and Pulmonary Institute, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva; and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

Although first-line therapy for bronchial asthma has changed over the past decade to anti-inflammatory medication such as inhaled corticosteroids and cromolyn with possible addition of beta-agonists, theophylline is still useful and therefor widely used. However, several studies have raised serious questions regarding its efficacy in acute asthmatic exacerbations. These studies, the narrow therapeutic range of the drug, the frequency of side effects and interactions with common drugs, and individual variation in clearance and metabolism, have prompted its reevaluation in the management of asthma. Therapeutic serum levels of theophylline are between 10 to 20 mcg/ml. Most adults achieve these concentrations with daily slow-release oral theophylline preparations, 200-400 mg (approximately 10 mg/Kg) twice a day. However, when such a patient presents to the emergency room (ER) in an asthmatic attack, immediate intravenous theophylline is often given, regardless of maintenance treatment. Since the rationale for this common therapeutic approach has been challenged, the current study was undertaken. Serum theophylline levels were measured in 23 consecutive asthmatics presenting to the ER in an acute attack. 15 (68%) had therapeutic levels (above 10 mcg/ml) and 2 had toxic levels (above 20 mcg/ml), prior to receiving the standard intravenous theophylline dose given for an attack. These data indicate that most patients with bronchial asthma on oral maintenance theophylline do not require additional intravenous theophylline when in an attack. It probably will not benefit them and may even induce serious theophylline toxicity.

Surgical Approach to Benign Extradural Lesions of the Thoracic Spine

Ely Ashkenazi, Stephen T. Onesti, W.J. Michelsen

Depts. of Neurosurgery, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem and Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, The Bronx, New York

A benign epidural lesion in the thoracic spine is rare, and usually the result of intervertebral disc herniation or infection. Not long ago patients were diagnosed late in the course of their disease and the surgical results of the standard laminectomy usually performed were grave. The development of newer imaging techniques (CT and MRI) has made diagnosis much easier, so diagnosis is often earlier, when neurological deficit is minimal. Newer neurosurgical techniques and approaches to the thoracic spoine have been developed to treat these lesions, which we describe. Clinical data on 16 patients operated from January 1996 to January 1997 are presented.

Terbinafine-Induced Cholestatic Liver Injury

E. Shiloah, M. Horowiz, E. Zecler

Dept. of Medicine C, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin (Affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University)

A 43-year-old man presented with weakness, pruritus, skin rash and jaundice 2 weeks after treatment for onychomycosis with terbinafine (Lamisil) was started. Liver function tests showed combined hepatocellular and cholestatic injury. Ultrasound examination, computerized tomography and ERCP excluded extrahepatic obstruction. Serology was negative for HBV, HCV, HAV, CMV, and EBV. Liver biopsy was consistent with drug-induced cholestatic injury. Since the clinical picture did not improve when terbinafine was stopped, corticosteroids were started and resulted in complete clinical and laboratory recovery; liver function tests were normal 8 months after corticosteroids were discontinued.

Gastrointestinal Angiodysplasia

D. Zamir, C. Zinger, J. Jarchovski, Z. Fireman, R. Magadle, L. Zelikovski, G. Bartal, P. Weiner

Depts. of Medicine A and B, and Gastroenterology and Nuclear Institutes, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera

Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia is a cause of gastrointestinal bleeding in the elderly, for which surgery has been the only treatment. Estrogen has been reported beneficial in some cases in the past decade. Recurrent bleeding due to angiodysplasia occurred from the small intestine in a 75-year-old woman, and from the right colon in a 91-year-old man. The diagnoses were made by angiography in the first case and colonoscopy and erythrocyte- scanning in the second. There was aortic stenosis in both, a combination which has been reported in other cases. Both patients improved with estrogen therapy. However, after temporary stabilization, gastrointestinal bleeding recurred in the second patient and he was successfully operated on.

Surgical Repair of Fractures of the Clavicle

O. Safran, R. Mosheiff, Y. Mattan, M. Liebergall

Orthopedic Dept., Hadassah-University Hospital, Jerusalem

Clavicular fractures make up 45% of shoulder girdle fractures. The clavicle's susceptibility to injury is due to its subcutaneous position and its role as the bony connection between the thorax and the shoulder. In 95% of cases the mechanism of injury is a direct blow to the shoulder. These fractures are usually treated conservatively without surgery. But there are a few such fractures that require surgical repair in order to unite well. 9 patients were operated on for clavicular fractures during 1991-1995. The indications for surgical repair were lateral-third fracture, floating shoulder, neurovascular deficit or nonunion. The methods used were open reduction and fixation with either plate and screws, Kirchner wires, cerclage or a combination. All fractures united well, with no infections or new neurovascular deficits. Good range of shoulder motion and acceptable cosmetic results were achieved in all. 1 patient had functional limitation due to brachial neuritis caused by brachial damage at the time of injury. Indications for surgical repair and the methods used in these cases are similar to those described in the literature. The high rate of union and absence of complications support surgical repair for the few clavicular fractures that are not likely to unite properly.

Left Atrial Ball Thrombus

Carlos Cafri, Reuben Ilia, Benjamin Goldfarb

Cardiological Services, Soroka Medical Center and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba

An 80-year-old hypertensive woman with chronic atrial fibrillation was hospitalized because of recurrent syncope. Echocardiography revealed a large left atrial ball thrombus. Operative findings confirmed the echocardiographic diagnosis.