תוצאת חיפוש

Smoking Habits of Young Israeli Soldiers

I. Askenazi, J. Shemer

Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

A random sample of 32,166 soldiers were interviewed (on their day of discharge from the Israeli Defence Forces, between 1980-1995) with regard to smoking habits. Among men, prevalence of current smoking was 46.8%, and among women 32.9%. Over the study period, prevalence in men decreased 27%. Among women, prevalence decreased from 1981 to 1991, but since then it has steadily increased. Among men, mean number of cigarettes smoked decreased from 21.6 in 1989 to 16.6 in 1995. Among women cigarettes smoked decreased from a mean of 14.3 in 1989 to 13.1 in 1995. 65.9% of the men and 49.3% of the women had started smoking by the age of 18. Among men the age distribution of smoking changed hardly at all over the years of the study. However, the proportion of women who began to smoke in the youngest age bracket (15 years of younger) doubled over the course of the study.

Osteoid Osteoma of the Patella

I. Cohen, A. Aner, V. Rzetelny

Dept. of Orthopedics, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon

Osteoid osteoma is a primary, benign, bone tumor with a typical X- ray appearance. The diagnosis is usually straightforward when it involves the long bones of the leg. However it may occur in unusual locations, such as in flat and cancellous bones. The following case demonstrates the difficulty in diagnosing it in an extremely rare site. A 25-year-old woman with long-standing anterior, right knee pain had had 3 interventions: 2 diagnostic arthroscopies and a distal, femoral biopsy. Since there had been no improvement in her condition, the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma of the patella was suggested, supported by recent X-ray and scintigraphicfindings. This rare condition was confirmed by biopsy of the upper pole of the patella, a procedure that was followed by complete recovery. 6 years later, she is now completely free of pain and has no clinical or X-ray evidence of recurrence.Review of the literature revealed only 5 previously reported cases of osteoid osteoma of the patella. All were diagnosed relatively late and in 1 the tumor was diagnosed only after total patellectomy. Diagnosis of these rare cases that mimic much more common causes of patello-femoral pain demands a high index of suspicion.

Ischemic Hepatitis in Congestive Heart Failure after an Episode of Hypotension

Ora Shovman, Jacob George, Yehuda Shoenfeld

Dept. of Medicine B and Autoimmune Disease Clinic Research Unit, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

Ischemic hepatitis can occur as an acute episode in advanced congestive heart failure (CHF). The mechanism is massive necrosis of the central lobules resulting from acute hypoxia when low cardiac output further reduces oxygen supply, aggravating underlying congestion due to poor venous outflow. We describe a 70-year-old woman with congestive heart failure for 7 years who was admitted with jaundice, vomiting, abdominal pain and oliguria after an episode of hypotension. The diagnosis of ischemic hepatitis was established by a documented episode of severe hypotension, followed by elevation of serum transaminases, a rise in serum bilirubin and LDH levels, prolonged prothrombin time and acute renal failure. Other causes of acute hepatitis, such as a virus or drugs were excluded, and improved liver and renal function followed hemodynamic stabilization. We conclude that ischemic hepatitis should be considered whenever acute hepatitis follows a recent episode of systemic hypotension, especially in the context of concomitant CHF.

Insertion of Hickman Catheters in an Interventional Radiology Suite

Eli Konen, Alex Garniak, Binyamina Morag, Izhar Hardan, Zalman Rubinstein

Depts. of Radiology and Hemato-oncology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer

In the past 20 years Hickman catheters have gained increasing acceptance for many uses, including bone marrow transplantation, long-term chemotherapy, total parenteral nutrition, dialysis, and administration of antibiotics and fluids. Until the past decade these catheters were inserted in the operating room. We present our experience in the percutaneous placement of 203 Hickman catheters in an interventional radiology suite in 190 consecutive patients within a period of 30 months. Catheter placement was successful in 202 (99.5%). The main complications were infections, necessitating removal of the catheter in 11 cases (5.4%) and unintentional dislodgement of the catheter in 8 (3.9%) - all in women and most on the right side. Pneumothorax and thrombosis in the catheter each occurred once. In another patient the guide wire broke during insertion and had to be percutaneously removed from the pulmonary artery. Late fracture of the catheter occurred in 2 others in whom the intravascular fragment was removed percutaneously. We believe that percutaneous Hickman catheter placement in the radiology suite offers advantages over traditional surgical placement.

Biological Test for Menopausal Osteoporosis

Benjamin Klein, Nathan Rojansky

Depts. of Experimental Surgery and of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah- Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem

Osteoporosis has become a major public health problem in many western countries in which about 25% of women by the age of 65 will have had osteopenic fractures. The most important contributing factor to this condition is loss of gonadal function. This progressive disease, characterized by reduction in bone mass, may be prevented by estrogen replacement therapy. While there are several methods of diagnosing the disease when already established, there is no method that can identify women at high risk of developing osteoporosis. We have developed a biological test in which the serum of postmenopausal women is added to rat osteoprogenitor cell culture and its influence on proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of bone cells is determined. The serum of 20 menopausal women was examined by the biological test and the results compared to the findings of dual photon absorptiometry. This showed that rapid bone-losers had a significantly lower mineralization index as compared to nonosteopenic women (p<0.0001). The proliferation index (cell count) and alkaline phosphatase activity did not show significant differences between osteopenic and nonosteopenic groups. This preliminary study showed that a test based on serum reacting with a culture of bone cells to induce mineralization may be of value in the diagnosis of osteoporosis.

Disappointing Response of Chronic C Hepatitis to Interferon

E. Theodor, A. Regev

Medicine E and Liver Clinic, Beilinson Medical Center and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

From February 1990 to August 1995 we treated 58 patients with chronic hepatitis C using alfa-interferon, 3 million units 3 times weekly for 6 months. Of the 48 patients with adequate follow-up, 34 did not respond to treatment at all. 10 patients responded, but within a few months hepatic enzymes again increased. These 2 groups can be considered failures of interferon treatment. In 4 patients enzymes remained normal for the duration of follow-up, (10-34 months). Even in this small group, 1 patient had a positive test for HCV RNA after completion of treatment. A partial explanation of our disappointing results may be the high prevalence of a subtype of C hepatitis-subtype 1b, which has recently been reported in Israel. This strain is particularly resistant to interferon. The means to define subtypes were not, and as far as we know are not yet available in Israel. Various groups have attempted to improve the outcome of treatment of hepatitis C, which in other hands too was still far from satisfactory. Thus, regimens of interferon utilizing higher doses and longer periods of treatment are being evaluated, as well as the addition of Ribavirin, which hopefully will improve results.

Pediatric Flexible Bronchoscopy

Haim Bibi, David Shoseyov, Michael Armoni, Melly Ohali, Shlomo Pollak, Menachem Schlesinger

Pediatric Dept., Pediatric Emergency Room, Pediatric Day Care Hospital and Immunology and Clinical Allergy Unit, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon; and Bikur Holim Hospital, Jerusalem (Affiliated with the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev)

Between 1993-1996, 200 pediatric flexible bronchoscopies were performed. Indications were: chronic cough (158 children), persistent pulmonary infiltrates (89), recurrent stridor (28), suspected tracheobronchial foreign body (20), suspected tuberculosis (17) and hemoptysis (3). Some children had more than 1 indication. 124 patients were boys (mean 4.18+2.86 years; range 1 month-15 years) and 76 were girls (mean 4.39+2.7 years; range 4 months-15 years). The procedure included direct vision recorded by video-camera and broncho-alveolar lavage; the lavage fluid was sent for culture, Gram and Ziehl-Nielsen stains and for cytology. There were a few minor side effects: mild stridor which resolved within a few hours (10 children) and transient fever (3). This simple, flexible instrument was effective and helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of children with respiratory symptoms in a secondary hospital facility.

Acute Fungal Endocarditis Due To Trichosporon Beigelli

Nahum Nesher, Alon Erez, Doron Nezer, R. Finkelstein, Y. Barel

Dept. of Cardiac Surgery, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa and Technion Faculty of Medicine

We report a 59-year-old woman with acute fungal endocarditis of a prosthetic valve caused by the endogenic organism, Trichosporon beigelli. This slowly developing disease mainly effects drug addicts who use intravenous narcotics. In nonaddicts it is rare, with mortality as high as 50%. There are only sporadic reports of T. beigelli as a complication long after open heart surgery. The ongoing infection is undetected for even several years after the primary infection, due to its prolonged latent phase. We present the difficulties of diagnosis, and of treating the disease with a combination of surgery and of long-term chemotherapy.

Leg-Lengthening For Length Inequality

Zvia Burgansky, Abraham Ganel, Uri Givon

Pediatric Orthopedics Unit, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer (Affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University)

32 patients (age range 1.5-22 years) were treated for leg-length discrepancy. 39 lengthening procedures were performed of which 36 involved gradual distraction, in 2 cases chondrodiasthesis was used, and 1 had 1-step elongation. Gradual distraction was done according to Ilizarov, including corticotomy and a 1-week delay before the initiation of distraction. In 33 cases Wagner's external fixator was used, in 2 an Ilizarov frame and in 1 an orthofix fixator. There was complete clinical and radiological union in all but 1 case. Significant correction of leg-length discrepancy and equalization of leg-length was achieved in most patients. In some growing patients over-correction was successfully achieved. The most prevalent complications were pin-site problems, axis deviation, joint subluxation and joint contractures. At latest follow-up most of these complications had disappeared. 91% of the patients either functioned normal or were only mildly limited.

Ct-Guided Core Needle Biopsy Of Abdominal, Pelvic And Retroperitoneal Masses

M. Sklair-Levy, A.I. Bloom, Y. Sherman, S. Fields, J. Bar-Ziv, Y. Libson

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

CT-guided core needle biopsy of abdominal, pelvic and retroperitoneal masses is accurate and safe and can be performed on an outpatient basis. Between 1987 and 1995, 809 patients (age range 1-87 years) underwent 851 biopsies (minimal lesion diameter 1 cm). Cutting needles were always used, facilitating both cytological and histological diagnosis while minimizing risk of complications. A positive result (malignant, inflammatory or infectious) was obtained in 69% of the 809 and a negative result (normal tissue) in 17.4%, while in 13.6%, material for diagnosis was insufficient. Biopsy was repeated in 42 of them in whom radiological or clinical suspicion of malignancy was high. In 24 (60%) a positive result was obtained after the second biopsy.

Significant complications occurred in 7 (0.8%). 1 hemo-rrhaged following liver biopsy and required blood transfusion. Pancreatitis occurred in 6 (2.6%) following pancreatic biopsy. An intra-abdominal fluid collection in 1 necessitated percutaneous drainage. There was no mortality following the procedure and no documented case of needle-tract seeding of tumor. All outpatients were discharged within 3 hours of completion of the biopsy, without ill effects.

"Charge" Association

Asher Barak, Lidia Gabis, Biniamin Mogilner, Shulamit Gelman-Kohan

Pediatric and Neonatal Depts., and Clinical Genetic Unit, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot

CHARGE association represents a group of congenital anomalies with no clear etiology. The broad array of abnormalities, which involves several systems, has been the basis for the acronym CHARGE: coloboma, heart anomaly, choanal atresia, retarded growth and development, hypoplastic genitalia and ear malformation. We present 3 children with CHARGE association to illustrate the phenotypic variability and note the multidisciplinary treatment they received. It is recommended that this entity be approached in an interdisciplinary, integrated way to allow for faster diagnosis and better prognosis.

Effectiveness of Selective Hepatic Artery Embolization in a Child after Blunt Hepatic Trauma

Y. Sweed, A. Engel, M. Halberthal

Depts. of Pediatric Surgery and Radiology and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Rambam Medical Center, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, The Technion, Haifa

A 9-year-old boy was admitted after a bicycle fall. Abdominal CT-scan revealed severe liver injury (stage IV according to the liver injury scale of the American Association for Surgery Trauma), including ruptured intraparenchymal hematoma with active bleeding. The patient was hemodynamically stable and was treated conservatively for the first 2 days. On the 3rd day selective hepatic artery angiography was performed because of abdominal distension and the need for 7 pints of packed red blood cells. Active right hepatic artery bleeding was identified and treated successfully by embolization. We think that early angiography and selective embolization should always be considered for acute or continuous bleeding after liver injury.

Diverticular Disease of the Appendix

R. Greenberg, Shmuel Avital, Hanoch Kashtan, Yehuda Skornik

Dept. of Surgery A, Tel Aviv Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

The incidence of appendiceal diverticulosis in pathologic specimens is 0.004-2.1%. Diverticular disease of the appendix is classified as congenital (true) or acquired (false). The clinical presentation differs from that of acute appendicitis. The average age is older, the pain is often intermittent, and while localized in the right lower abdominal quadrant, is of longer duration. No further treatment besides appendectomy is needed. Since a high rate of perforations, peritonitis and lower gastrointestinal bleeding have been reported as complications, it is recommended that in those with an incidental finding of diverticula of the appendix during surgery, that appendectomy be performed. It is not recommended to perform prophylactic appendectomy when diverticula of the appendix are found on barium enema.

On the Value of the Placebo: Reflections on Homeopathy

Pesach Lichtenberg

Dept. of Psychiatry, Herzog Hospital, Jerusalem

A case is presented in which homeopathic "treatment" helped, despite the fact that the patient did not take the medication. The author surveys research which has been conducted on homeopathy and concludes that its benefits derive from non-specific influences of the healer upon the patient, similar to a placebo effect. The importance of this influence is stressed, and its wider application in conventional medicine is urged.

Drinking and Driving

A. Peleg, P. Shvartzman, R. Peleg

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

A worrisome connection between driving and drinking was found in 166 people randomly surveyed in public places in Beer Sheba. 80% of the study population stated that they drink alcoholic beverages. Of these, 45% reported drinking at least once a week, and 21% drank 3 glasses/cans at each drinking bout. We noted a trend among those who drank frequently to drink greater amounts. Of the sample, 110 interviewees stated that they had a driver's license and that they drank alcoholic drinks. 39% reported driving after a number of alcoholic drinks, and 23% of them did so invariably or frequently. 5% drank while driving. The drinkers exhibited a high-risk behavioral pattern, remaining in the car with friends (53%) or relatives (16%) also under the influence of alcohol. Those who are aware of the influence of alcohol on their driving skills and the danger of being involved in car accidents, moderate their consumption of alcohol. The results of the study confirm our hypothesis that there is an upswing in the phenomenon of high-risk driving connected with drinking alcoholic beverages.