תוצאת חיפוש

Fatal Asthma in Children: Preventable?

Haim Bibi, Jamal Mahamid, David Shoseyov, Michael Armoni, Zvika Liss, Menachem Schlesinger

Pediatrics Dept., Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon (Affiliated with the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev); Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Bikur Holim Hospital, Jerusalem, and Kupat Holim Klalit, Darom District

Sudden death from asthma is rare but occurs in the young age group. We recently faced this rare situation, when 3 asthmatic children were dead on arrival at the local emergency room. All 3 had been treated with beta-2 agonist inhalation on a regular basis, without anti-inflammatory treatment. 2 of the children died while inhaling the beta-2 agonist. It is important that there be clear guidelines and full education about the management of asthma, during and between exacerbations, to prevent such deaths.

Taxol as Second-Line Therapy in Recurrent Breast and Ovarian Cancer

R. Borovik, M. Steiner, J. Atad, B. Sneiderman, T. Rosenberg, S. Palti

Oncology Depts., Lin Medical Center and Carmel Medical Center, Haifa

Results of chemotherapy with Taxol (paclitaxel) in 55 patients with recurrent breast and ovarian cancer were reviewed. Taxol was given as a 3-hour infusion, every 3 weeks, on an outpatient basis. There was complete or partial response in 8 patients (23%) with breast cancer and 10 (50%) with ovarian cancer. Performance status and previous response to adriamycin were important prognostic factors. Toxicity was manageable. Treatment had to be stopped for hypersensitivity reactions in only 2 patients. Taxol given in an ambulatory clinic is safe and effective.

Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy of Mediastinal Masses Guided by Computed Tomography

M. Sklair-Levy, D. Shaham, I. Sherman, I. Bar-Ziv, I. Libson

Depts. of Radiology and Pathology, Hadassah-University Hospital, Jerusalem

Progress in diagnostic radiology and pathology during the past decade has changed the approach to diagnosis of mediastinal masses. Diagnosis by CT-guided needle biopsy (CTNB) has replaced open biopsy and mediastinoscopy. CTNB of mediastinal masses is accurate, reliable and safe. It is done under local anesthesia, in ambulatory patients and is tolerated well. Between July 1987 and April 1997 we performed 67 biopsies in 63 patients aged 6-86 years; 33 were women (average age 40.8 years) and 30 men (average age 38.3 years). 57 of 67 biopsies were core biopsies for histologic examination and 10 were cytologic biopsies. In this report we concentrate on the 57 core biopsies. 41 of the biopsies were diagnostic; in 3 of them no evidence of malignancy was found. In 38 of the biopsies a tumor, malignant or benign, or an inflammatory process was diagnosed. In 24 of the biopsies the diagnosis was lymphoma. In 16 there was not enough material for diagnosis. We repeated the biopsy in 4 of the latter due to high suspicion of malignancy and reached a diagnosis in all 4 of them. In 6 the diagnosis was reached only by operation. The biopsies were from all compartments of the mediastinum. There were no complications such as pneumothorax or bleeding, except for 1 case of mild hemoptysis. In conclusion, CTNB of mediastinal lesions is accurate, safe and relatively cheap. In 72% a diagnosis was reached in the first attempt and a second attempt raised the diagnostic rate to 79%. We believe that CTNB should be the first step in tissue diagnosis of mediastinal masses, including those with a high suspicion of lymphoma.

Oncogenetic Counseling and Genetic Testing of Those at High Risk for Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Livia Theodor, Ronit Shiri-Sverdlov, Galit Hirsch Yechezkel, Revital Bruchim Bar-Sade, Eva Gak, Irit Friedman, Anna Kruglikova, Gilad Ben-Baruch, Shulamit Risel, Moshe Z. Papa, Boleslav Goldman, Eitan Friedman

Oncogenetics Unit, Dept. of Clinical Epidemiology, Institute of Genetics, and Gynecology, Oncology, and Surgical Depts., Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer

There is inherited predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer in 5-10% of all women with these diseases. Germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 presumably account for most of the genetically susceptible individuals. We summarize 2 years of experience in counseling and testing for inherited predisposition to these cancers.

597 women (from 320 families) have been evaluated since August 1995. 242 were evaluated for inherited predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer. One-third had clear-cut evidence of familial background. 74 families were of Ashkenazi origin; the age range of breast cancer was 30-35, of ovarian cancer 40-45. In 80% of families other cancers were also noted in first degree family members, including lung, colon, and prostate cancer and leukemia.

Genetic testing revealed that 45% of affected and 25% of unaffected women were carriers of a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2: 67/90 185delAG (BRCA1), 12/90 6174delT (BRCA2), and 4/90 of 5382insC (BRCA1). In addition, a novel mutation in exon 11 of BRCA1 was detected, carried by 7/90 women. The experience gained in oncogenetic counseling and genetic testing for inherited cancer predisposition will eventually enable determining an optimal, rational therapeutic regimen in carriers of mutations.

Drowning in Israel: 1990-1992

R. Goldman, G. Kaplan, R. Gurvich, V. Barell

Pediatric Division, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer; and Health Services Research Unit, Israel Ministry of Health

There are no epidemiolostudies of drowning in Israel in the scientific literature, despite prominent reports in the media. We analthe extent of mortality from drowning in Israel during 1990-92, attempting to identify and characterize groups at high risk, and to determine trends and differences between Israel and other countries. Computerized death certificate files were provided by the Israel government Central Bureau of Statistics; deaths from drowning were included among external causes codes E-830, 832, E-910, E-954, E-964, E-984.

In Israel, as in the United States, mortality from drowning is the fourth cause of death among all unintentional causes, and the second cause in age-groups 1-24, ranking after transport accidents. During 1990-92 there were 1.2 drownings a year/100,000 population. The highest rates were found among young non-Jews 15-24 years old (7.8/100,000) and among elderly Jews (3.5/100,000). Unintentional drowning accounted for 89% of all deaths; while about 10% were defined as suicides. Males had a rate almost 3 times greater than females, and the among Arabs was 2.4 times greater than among Jews. The 1990-92 drowning rate was slightly lower than in previous years.

Drowning rates in Israel are lower than in the United States, except in the elderly. Apparently the principal reason for this difference is difference in sites of drowning. In Israel most drownings occur in the sea, so site data are unavailable for international comparisons. Careful consideration of the categories (E-codes) included in the rates, and of local registration procedures, is necessary for international comparisons.

Foreign workers, tourists and other nonresidents are not included in national vital statistics. But estimations based on Ministry of Interior sources show that foreign workers (most, recent arrivals) during the last few years are an extremely high risk group. Population-based drowning rates are not an accurate estimation of drowning risk, since universal exposure to the "opportunity to drown" is assumed.

Ketogenic Diet for Intractable Epilepsy in Adults

Yaffa Schiff, Tally Lerman-Sagie

Nutrition and Diet Unit, Tel Aviv Medical Center; and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon; and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

The ketogenic diet is an accepted alternative for children with intractable generalized or multi-focal seizures not amenable to surgery. It is not commonly used in adults because of the impression that the diet is less effective after childhood, when it is more difficult both to achieve ketosis and to change dietary habits. We present a 20-year-old man with intractable epilepsy since early childhood who is being treated with great success by a medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet. It has not only controlled the seizures but has also improved quality of life. We recommend a therapeutic trial of the ketogenic diet in intractable epilepsy for all ages.

Nursing Home-Acquired Pneumonia: Guidelines for Hospitalization

A. Yaretzky, C. Vigder, I. Feldman

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

To determine if there are any specific features of nursing-home acquired pneumonia we carried out a retrospective study in a nursing home between 1995-1996, based on clinical and laboratory data. We found no correlation between these findings and the severity of pneumonia, so it would be hazardous to determine rigid guidelines. These patients should be treated in the nursing home as long as conditions allow, in order to avoid hospitalization.

Delirium Tremens in Israel

G.-Z. Ezrielev

Mental Health Center, Beer Sheba

We discuss pathogenetic aspects (biochemical, pharmacological) of delirium tremens (DT) in accordance with the acute clinical processes, the development of psychosis, and preventive treatment used in the various stages. A typical patient, a 33-year-old man, and the difficulties in diagnosis and treatment are presented and conclusions from the dangerous behavior of the patient are drawn.

Living-Related Liver Transplantation

N. Bar-Nathan, Z. Shapira, E. Shaharabani, A. Yussim, Y. Ben-Ari, T. Sheinfeld, I. Zehavi, R. Shapira, G. Dinari, Z. Ben-Ari, R. Tur-Kaspa, E. Mor

Dept. of Transplantation and Liver Institute, Rabin Medical Center (Beilinson Campus), and Pediatric Intensive Care and Pediatric Gastroenterology Units, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petah Tikva

Our experience with living-related liver transplantation is described. In 2 boys and 1 girl, aged 4-4.5 years with acute, fulminating hepatitis A, the presence of very severe jaundice (bilirubin levels > 18 mg%) associated with severe coagulopathy (INR>10) and encephalopathy indicated the need for urgent liver transplantation. In all 3 cases the left lateral hepatic segment of a matched blood type parent was transplanted. None of the donors suffered a serious complication postoperatively and all returned to full activity in 6-16 weeks. The post-transplantation course was uneventful in 1 child, but in the other 2 there was hepatic arterial thrombosis in 1 at 1 day and in the other at 8 days post-transplantation. Early detection of arterial thrombosis by Doppler sonography permitted salvage of the 2 hepatic grafts after thrombectomy and re-anastomosis. In 1 of these 2 children an anastomotic biliary stricture was found 2 months after transplantation. It was corrected at surgery and a percutaneous stent was inserted. All 3 children are alive with normal graft function at 2, 7 and 8 months post-transplantation, respectively. This initial experience indicates that living-related liver transplantation is feasible in Israel. The technique might help to solve our severe organ shortage for children awaiting liver transplantation.

Primary Care Physicians in Israel Compared with European Countries

P. Shvartzman, R. Gross, H. Tabenkin, D. Yuval, M. Grinshtein, B. Wienka

Dept. of Family Medicine, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba;

Brookdale Institute, Jerusalem; and Nivel Institute, Maastricht, the Netherlands

This study compares Israeli primary care physicians with those of European countries. In Israel a larger proportion of those in primary care are women. The Israeli physicians see many patients a day, but almost never make home visits. They also report for work the fewest hours a day, but spend 21 hours a month in continuous medical education. (more than Europeans?) The Israeli primary care physician scores high in screening for breast cancer and blood cholesterol level, but very low in the fields of minor surgery and alcohol and smoking prevention, contraception, nutrition counseling and normal pregnancy follow-up. Residency training and education may be inadequate, and more emphasis has to be put on the health system and recognizing environmental influences.

Intradermal Hepatitis B Vaccination in Those Not Responsive to Intra-Muscular Vaccination

Hanna Bauer, Israel Potasman, Neora Pick

Infectious Disease Unit, Bnai Zion Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, The Technion, Haifa

Health care workers are at continuous risk of hepatitis B infection. Currently recommended intramuscular vaccination confers immunity in only 85-90%. We examined the immunogenicity and safety of intradermal vaccination of hepatitis B vaccine in nonresponders. 400 hospital employees who had been immunized as recommended were screened for anti-HBs antibodies and 50 were found seronegative. Each received an intramuscular booster injection and antibody level was measured a month later. Excluded were 33 employees, including 24 late responders, 2 HbsAg carriers and 7 uncooperative employees. 17 employees (mean age 47.1 yrs) then received a series of 3 intradermal injections of Energix B, 0.25 ml in the forearm, 2-3 weeks apart. The mean number of previous intramuscular injections was 4.6±1.4 month later there was a mean titer of 315.4±347.0 miu/ml of antibody in 16/17 workers. Side effects were minimal. Intradermal injection of hepatitis B vaccine for nonresponders seems effective for inducing seroconversion. Its cost-effectiveness for the health care system warrants assessment.

Percutaneous Revascularization of the Left Main Coronary Artery as Coronary Artery Bypass in High Surgical Risks

Yoseph Rozenman, Chaim Lotan, Hisham Nassar, Mervyn S. Gotsman

Cardiology Dept., Hadassah-University Hospital (Ein Kerem) and Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem

Coronary artery bypass grafting is the treatment of choice for obstructive disease of the left main coronary artery. Its proximal location and easy accessibility make the left main artery an inviting target for percutaneous intervention, an approach contraindicated by the high associated risk. We describe 2 patients at high operative risk in whom the obstructed main coronary artery was successfully revascularized percutaneously. Coronary stenting and rotational ablation of calcified arteries are essential for successful outcome and minimize complications.

Aseptic Loosening of Joint Implants

Dror Fuchs, Chaim Zinman, Dina Lewinson

Orthopedic and Traumatology Dept. B, Rambam Medical Center; and Div. of Morphology Sciences, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, The Technion, Haifa

The purpose of orthopedic joint implants is to improve joint movement. Within the past 30 years, biomechanical improvements affecting the life-span of the implants has brought a new type of problem: the biological response to debris from the implant material contributes greatly to aseptic loosening of the prosthesis. The process is mediated by osteotropic factors, cytokines released from mononuclear cells, and osteoblasts and osteoclasts in the bone-cement interface or bone-implant interface.

Skeletonized Internal Mammary Arteries for Coronary Bypass Grafting

Jacob Gurevitch, Yosef Paz, Menachem Matsa, Amir Kramer, Dimitri Pevni, Oren Lev-Ran, H. Locker, Raphael Mohr

Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Sourasky-Tel Aviv Medical Center

The skeletonized internal mammary artery (IMA) is longer, and its immediate spontaneous blood flow is greater than that of the pedicled IMA, thus providing increased versatility for complete, arterial myocardial revascularization without the use of saphenous vein grafts. From April 1996 to May 1997, 583 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting here and in 415 (71%) complete arterial revascularization was achieved using bilateral skeletonized IMA. The right gastroepiploic artery was used in 57 (13%); there were 329 males (79%) and 86 women (21%); average age was 64 (30-87) and 175 (36%) were older than 70; 131 (32%) were diabetics. Average number of grafts was 3.2 (range 2-6 grafts). At 30 days, 5 (1.2%) had died and there had been 6 perioperative infarcts (1.4%), 5 CVA's (1.2%), and 6 had sternal wound infections (1.4%). Up to 1-12 months of follow-up was achieved in 409 (99%). Late mortality was 1.4% (of which 3 were noncardiac). 394 (97%) were angina-free at latest follow-up. We conclude that arterial revascularization using bilateral skeletonized IMA is safe, as postoperative morbidity and mortality are low, even in old and diabetic patients.

Perisacral Angiosarcoma after Irradiation of Carcinoma of the Sigmoid

J. Zidan, C. Stayerman, H. Turani

Oncology Unit and Pathology Institute, Rebecca Sieff Hospital, Safed

Secondary malignancy is a well-recognized complication of radiation therapy. The risk of postirradiation sarcoma in long-term follow-up is 0.03-0.8%. We report a case of radiation-induced perisacral angiosarcoma 6 years after pelvic irradiation for sigmoid cancer in a 77-year-old man. The tumor was diagnosed postmortem and was locally advanced and metastatic. He died 6 months after onset of symptoms. This case demonstrates the importance of long-term follow-up in those given radiotherapy.