תוצאת חיפוש

Retinal Injury Induced by Laser Pointers

D. Israeli, Y. Hod, O. Geyer

Eye Dept., Carmel Medical Center, Haifa

Laser pointers originally designed for use during presentations are ubiquitous and are even sold as toys (such as pens or on key chains) in drug stores. Though reported as safe, the laser pointers still carry the risk of potential damage to the eye. We report a 16-year-old boy with bilateral retinal injury caused by 20-30 seconds of exposure to a laser pointing-device. Immediately thereafter, vision was blurred bilaterally and he noted a central red scotoma in each eye. Symptoms resolved spontaneously within 2 days but the retinal scars remained all during the 10 months of follow-up.

It is clear from our report and 3 other publications that retinal damage can develop from misusing laser pointers. Laser hazards and safety should be stressed for the general public. We recommend that laser-pointers should not be available as toys to children and teenagers.

Photodynamic Therapy of Nasal Basal Cell Carcinoma

R. Haddad, M. Cohen, O. Kaplan, R. Greenberg, H. Kashtan

Dept. of Surgery, Tel Aviv-Sourasky Medical Center

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a noninvasive modality used topically for several skin cancers. We evaluated the effects of PDT on basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the nose, using aminolevulinic acid (ALA) as a photosensitizer and a non-laser light source (Versa-LightTM). The advantages of this light source are synergistic, hyperthermia and fewer side effects.

A paste of 20% ALA was applied topically to biopsy-proven BCC of the nose. Lesions were covered with occlusive light-shielding dressing and after 18 hours they were submitted to 10 minutes of exposure to the light. Initial evaluation was made after 21 days and every 3 months thereafter. Patients who did not respond after 2 treatments were referred for surgery.

Mean follow-up in 31 patients was 19 months (range 6-36). There were no significant side-effects. There was complete response in 24/27 (88.9%), in whom there was recurrence in 2/27 (7.4%).
 

Prevention and Treatment of Procedural Pain in Pediatric Wards

R. Gorodischer, L. Herzog, E. Herzog

Depts. of Pediatrics A and Anesthesiology, Soroka University Medical Center; and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba

Present knowledge and available pharmacological agents allow for adequate prevention and treatment of pain in children. We present guidelines we prepared for the prevention and treatment of procedural pain in children in our general pediatric ward. This followed extensive review of the literature, participation in scientific meetings, discussions with experts and consultation with interested clinicians. Successful implementation of the guidelines requires increased appreciation of the importance of pain prevention, participation of the nursing, as well as medical staff, and ability to evaluate pain in children of various ages.
 

Surgical Repair of Myxomatous Mitral Valve

D. Bitran, O. Merin, I. Dzigivker, D.Rosenmann, S. Od-allah, S. Silberman

Depts. of Cardiothoracic Surgery and of Anesthesiology and Cardiology; Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem

Myxomatous mitral valve disease is now the most common cause of mitral regurgitation in the western world. Repair of the leaking valve has become standard surgical procedure during the past 2 decades. Between 1993-1999 we performed 113 repairs of the mitral valve. In 25 patients the etiology was myxomatous degeneration (no mortality). Long-term clinical results depend on patients' functional class at surgery. Based on this fact, and the good surgical results, it is recommended to refer such patients even with severe mitral incompetence for surgery at an early stage, even if symptoms are minimal.

Antioxidant Profile of Human Saliva and its Biological Significance

R. M. Nagler, A. Z. Reznick

Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Salivary Clinic and Oral Biochemistry Laboratory; Rambam Medical Center and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa

Saliva is the first biological medium to come in contact with materials entering the body through the oral cavity. These materials are contained in food and drink (or inhaled as volatile ingredients). Accordingly, saliva contains various defense mechanisms which have been thoroughly investigated. They include immunological and enzymatic systems aimed at pathological microorganisms. Saliva also can protect the mucosa against mechanical insults and when required, promote its healing via agents such as the epidermal growth factor.

Another defense mechanism in saliva which has been gaining increased attention and seems to be of paramount importance is its antioxidant system. We discuss both the molecular and enzymatic components of the salivary antioxidant system in respect to mixed, parotid, submandibular and sublingual saliva and under various physiological conditions of secretion.

Cholesterol Pericarditis Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis

B. Knobel, P. Rosman

Dept. of Medicine B, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon; and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

Cholesterol pericarditis (CP) is a rare and unusual disease characterized by chronic pericardial effusion with high cholesterol concentration. Precipitation of cholesterol crystals may occur and induce inflammation and constrictive pericarditis. CP may be idiopathic, but is usually associated with a systemic disease, such as tuberculosis, myxedema, or as in our case, rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

We present a 78-year-old woman with RA, typical deformities of the metacarpo- and metatarso-phalangeal joints and subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules. She was hospitalized with increasing dyspnea and weakness and a 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiogram showed a large pericardial effusion, without tamponade.

Blood cholesterol was 208 mg/dl, triglycerides 169 mg/dl, LDH 37 u/L and rheumatoid factor 2560 u; glucose, kidney, and thyroid function tests were normal and PPD test negative. Pericardiocentesis yielded 800 ml of opaque, cloudy fluid, with glucose 19 mg/dl, cholesterol 264 mg/dl (normal 20-40 mg/dl), triglycerides 169 mg/dl, LDH 5820 u/L and rheumatoid factor 40 u; viral titers and cultures for bacterial, mycobacterial and fungal infections were negative. The pericardial fluid had a distinctive scintillating, gold-paint appearance and many cholesterol crystals were evident microscopically.

The patient responded to treatment with methotrexate and steroids. Factors responsible for increase in pericardial fluid cholesterol may be its liberation from injured pericardial cells and rheumatoid nodules, lysis of red cells, or lymphatic obstruction and impairment of the absorptive capacity of the pericardium.

Screening for Early Detection of Prostatic Cancer

A. Neheman, Y. Shotland, Y. Metz, A. Stein

Dept. of Urology, Carmel Hospital, Lady Davis Medical Center, Haifa

Prostatic cancer (PC) is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer mortality in men word-wide. In Israel it is the most common cause of cancer mortality in men, after lung cancer and colo-rectal cancer.

We screened, for the first time in Israel, for prostatic cancer using serum levels of PSA and a digital rectal examination (DRE). The purpose was not only to diagnose PC but also to increase public awareness of the condition.

300 men in the Haifa area who met statistical criteria for early diagnosis of PC participated. They filled a questionnaire regarding risk factors for PC (age, family history (FH) of prostatic and breast cancer, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, previous PSA sampling) and were examined. Those who had out-of-ragne, age-related PSA values, or a pathologic DRE underwent trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS) examination and guided biopsy of the prostate. Those with a positive biopsy for PC underwent radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy.

41 (14.3%) had out-of-range, age-related PSA levels and 10 (3.5%) had a pathologic DRE. 39 (13.3%) underwent TRUS and biopsy and 6 (2.04%) had clinically significant PC, all early stages (Gleason 4-6).

Correlation between age and PSA has been proven statistically significant (p<0.05). Symptoms of urinary tract obstruction and nocturia were related to a high PSA (p=0.035 and 0.002, respectively). Those with PC had at least 1 symptom of urinary tract obstruction; 6 (15.3%) who underwent TRUS and biopsy and a FH of prostate cancer. However, no subject with a FH of PC had biopsy-proven cancer. Those with PC had PSA values from 4.9 to 31.8 ng/ml (9.6 median). Age-related PSA had a positive predictive value of 17.1%.

Results of our annual screening for early detection of PC using age-related PSA, and DRE are encouraging: cases detected were clinically significant and treatable. It would appear that screening for PC will result in decreasing the incidence of metastatic cancer and therefore mortality. 
 

Diagnosis and Therapy in Acute Stroke: A Rehabilitation Center Viewpoint

M. Motin, J. Streifler, A. Tsur, H. Ring

Neurological Rehabilitation Dept., Loewenstein Rehabilitation Center, Ra'anana; Neurological Unit, Rabin Medical Center, Golda Campus, Petah Tikva and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv

The extent of the diagnostic work-up of patients with acute stroke was evaluated in 101 patients admitted for rehabilitation during a 4-month period in 1997. This included specific blood tests and neuro- and cardiac imaging, and compared the extent of work-up in a community hospital versus a rehabilitation center. Comparisons were also made with similar investigations 10 and 20 years earlier.

Results demonstrated that the trend to admit younger stroke patients (<50 years) to neurological (as opposed to medical) departments observed between 1977-1987 persisted in 1997.

The use of CT scan increased dramatically from 1977 to 1987 (19% vs 78%), and in 1997 was actually 100% The use of carotid duplex and echocardiography increased steadily during the 3 decades reaching 26% and 28% respectively. Tests for thrombophilia were seldom done. However, in neurological departments it was done in about 50% of the younger stroke patients. In neurology departments carotid duplex was done 2 to 3 times more often than in medical departments.

During rehabilitation imaging tests were done once or more in almost half the patients. The results and those of additional blood tests, have led to modification of antithrombotic treatment in 14% of the younger group and 4% of the older group.

We have clearly shown that while stroke work-up has become more comprehensive in recent years, there is still much to do in this field. Stroke units or teams in our general hospitals will increase stroke awareness, improve work-up and hasten definitive treatment.
 

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.

Surgery for Blepharoptosis in Muscular Dystrophy

Ori Mahler, Asher Milstein, Ayala Pollack, Daniel Hauben

Eye Dept., Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot; and Plastic Surgery Dept., Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva

In some muscular dystrophies there is ocular involvement characterized by blepharoptosis and ophthalmoplegia. These conditions occur in chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia, oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy, mitochondrial myopathy, myotonic dystrophy, and ocular myasthenia, among others. Although they differ in their systemic clinical manifestations and in genetic inheritance, ocular involvement is common to all of them. Manifestations include bilateral progressive blepharoptosis with or without extraocular muscle malfunction.

During surgical repair of the ptotic eyelid, consideration must be given to eyeball movements, in addition to maximal eyelid elevation, and to avoiding overcorrection and consequent corneal overexposure, leading to dryness and visual impairment. With these muscular dystrophic disorders, resection of the levator muscle or blepharoplasty alone does not suffice. Follow-up shows that most patients need a secondary repair after a short while. Operative correction uses a frontalis sling for eyelid elevation and support.

A series of 8 patients with these diseases, operated on by various surgical techniques during the past 7 years, is presented.

A Molecular Method of Diagnosis of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Shoshana Israel, Chaim Brautbar

Tissue Typing Unit, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is caused mainly by deficiency of the 21-hydroxylase enzyme. The disease may appear in the classical salt-losing, simple virilizing forms or as a mild, nonclassical form. 21-hydroxylase is encoded by the CYP21B gene on the short arm of chromosome 6, in the midst of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex, between HLA Class I and Class II regions.

We describe a method for identifying mutations in the CYP21B gene. It is based on amplification of the gene using the polymerase chain reaction and identification of mutations with sequence-specific oligo-probes. The mutations identified were: V281 and P30L responsible for nonclassical CAH, and I2 splice, Q318X, I172N, cluster E6, and a deletion including 8bP in the third exon (8bP del) responsible for the classical form of CAH.

We also analyzed 2 families affected with the classical form of CAH which demonstrate possible complications in genotyping. Typing for HLA haplotypes can be helpful in certain cases, as demonstrated in 1 of the families presented. In this case it was necessary to distinguish between 2 possible genotypes: 1 with the mutations in tandem on 1 chromosome and the other with the mutated genes on both chromosomes. HLA haplotyping enabled the assignment of the mutations to the relevant chromosomes and thus allowed correct genetic counseling.

The other family demonstrated the importance of CYP21B genotyping in individuals with the nonclassical form of CAH. This form may consist of 1 mild and 1 severe mutation, representing a serious potential for transmitting the classical form of CAH.

Prematurity: Interplay between Psychological and Biological Risk Factors Leading to Infant Psychopathology

Miri Keren, Galia Tyano, Leah Sirota

Community-based Infant Mental Health Unit, Geha Hospital; Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University; Kibbutz Seminar, Ramat Aviv; Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery, Schneider Children's Hospital, Petah Tikva; and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

Concepts such as risk factor, vulnerability, protective factor and resiliency have become central in the field of developmental psychopathology. The birth of a very-low-birth weight premature baby can be used as a paradigm of the interplay between these factors. Indeed, prematurity implies for both infant and parents, biological as well as psychological risk factors. They may interact in such a way that the child's emotional, cognitive and social development will deviate from normal. Understanding the psychological impact of premature birth includes reference to both the normal psychological processes that characterize pregnancy that are jeopardized by a premature, often traumatic delivery, and to the special significance of being a parent in the Special Care Nursery.

The contrast between the expected appearance of the baby and that of the sick-looking, tiny premature, together with uncertainty about its medical status, often affect the parents' bonding process. In addition, must learn quickly to cope with issues such as total dependence on a verybusy team, loss of control of the care of their baby, and their unclear roles as parents. Added to these risk factors are the specific neurobehavioral characteristics of premature babies, which often make it hard for parents to read their cues and respond to them properly.

A clinical vignette illustrates the chain of psychological and biological events that lead to severe disturbance of the early parent-child relationship. It also brings up the question of psychosocial intervention in the Special Care Nursery, both in terms of early detection of families at risk and the types of intervention.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies Reported in Israel National Registry, 1995 and 1996

V. Insler, O. Gonnen, D. Levran, Y. Lotan, B. Fish, G. Potashnik, A. Kogosovsky, R. Ron-El

Committee of the Israel National Registry Assisted Reproductive Technologies*

National registration of the results of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is maintained by many countries. The Israel Committee for Registry of ART asked 19 in-vitro fertilization (IVF) units in 1995 and 20 in 1996 to report on their activities and results.

Data were collected by questionnaires and analyzed by computer. The most common ovarian stimulation was the combination of GnRH agonist and gonadotropins. There were 10,89 treatment cycles in 1995, of which 45% were with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In 1996, of 12,72 cycles, 54% were with the ICSI procedure. Embryos were transferred into the uterine cavity in 90% of the conventional IVF cycles and in 95% of the ICSI cycles. The overall pregnancy rate was 22% per embryo transfer in the conventional IVF and ICSI cycles. The delivery rate was 13.7% and 15.4% per embryo transfer in the conventional IVF and ICSI cycles, respectively. The rates for abortion and tubal pregnancy were 24% and 1.3%, respectively.

These results are better than in previous years and are comparable with results in some western European countries. Efforts are being made to convert the registry into a real-time computerized system.

Committee of the Israel National Registry of ART.

Folic Acid for Preventing Neural Tube Defects

Ziv Gil, Adi Aran, Orna Friedman, Liana Beni-Adani, Shlomo Constantini

Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba; Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Dana Children's Hospital, Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv

Spina bifida and anencephaly are the most common, serious malformations in neural tube defects (NTD). Randomized trials in the last 2 decades have demonstrated that folic acid, 0.4 mg/d, reduces the incidence of NTD by more than 50%. We investigated the use of folic acid and multivitamins containing folic acid in childbearing women.

Of 221 women interviewed, 67 (30%) regularly took pills containing 0.4 mg folic acid. Women with higher educational levels were more likely to take multivitamins with folic acid than were the less educated (p=0.05). Of the women who took folic acid, only 5 (7.5%) used separate folic acid tablets, before and during their pregnancy. The rest used multivitamins containing folic acid. The 5 women who took folic acid separately were college-educated and nonreligious, and they took multivitamins in addition (p>0.05).

Of the women interviewed, 58 (26.2%) were Bedouin of the Negev. 24 (41.4%) of them took pills containing folic acid on a regular basis. This percentage is higher than that in the Jewish women in the study who took folic acid for prevention of NTD (17%; p=0.038).

Most of the women took folic acid after the first trimester. Only a minority took daily periconceptional folic acid. Multivitamins containing 0.4 mg of folic acid were more popular than folic acid tablets alone. This study emphasizes the need for continuing efforts to increase consumption of folic acid and awareness of its benefits among women of childbearing age.

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.