ISSN:0192-0790    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0192-0790    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Safety of endoscopic procedures has been a major issue over the last 10 years. Outbreak of new infectious diseases (type C) hepatitis, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease) underlines the necessity for strengthening cleaning and disinfection guidelines. Patients should be ensured that all endoscopic procedures are carried out with high-level disinfection endoscopes and with sterile or single-use accessories. Improvements from a hygienic point of view of both endoscopes and washer-disinfectors are important goals for manufacturers. Adequate training of endoscopic staff is one of the most crucial points to achieve the highest quality control standards in digestive endoscopy.

ISSN:0192-0790    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Nine hundred seventy-nine cases of pill esophagitis due to nearly 100 different medications are reviewed. Pill-induced injuries occur when caustic medicinal pills dissolve in the esophagus rather than passing rapidly into the stomach as intended. Most patients suffer only self-limited pain, but esophageal hemorrhage, stricture, and perforation may occur, and fatal injuries have been reported. The incidence of this iatrogenic injury can be reduced but not eliminated by emphasizing the importance of taking pills while upright and with plenty of fluids.

ISSN:0192-0790    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIP) is a gastrointestinal motility disturbance characterized by recurrent episodes of postprandial nausea and bloating in the absence of mechanical obstruction of the small bowel or colon. Weight loss and severe malnutrition are often seen in advanced stages of the disorder. This article discusses the nutritional management of patients with CIP, focusing on general dietary as well as enternal and parenternal nutritional support. Enteral access methods and various enteral formulas used in CIP are also discussed.

ISSN:0192-0790    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Ribavirin, a nucleoside analogue, inhibits replication of RNA and DNA viruses and may control hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection through modulation of anti-inflammatory and antiviral actions. Ribavirin monotherapy has no effect on serum HCV RNA levels. In combination with interferon, this agent appears to enhance the efficacy of interferon. The aim of this study was to monitor serum HCV RNA levels early during therapy with interferon and ribavirin compared with that previously seen in the same patients during interferon monotherapy. Five patients who previously showed no response to therapy with interferon alfa 3 MU three times weekly for 6 months were retreated with the identical dose of interferon alfa 2b in combination with oral ribavirin 1,000 mg/day. Serum HCV RNA levels were monitored at baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 12 of therapy by a quantitative multicycle polymerase chain reaction assay. In the first 8 to 12 weeks, serum HCV RNA levels showed a greater decrease in all patients when retreated with combination therapy compared with interferon alone. Mean (± SEM) serum HCV RNA levels for interferon therapy alone were 3.3 ± 0.95, 1.2 ± 0.95, 1.6 ± 1.2, and 2.3 ± 1.2 × 106copies/ml at week 0, 4, 8, and 12, respectively. This was compared with 3.3 ± 0.83, 0.3 ± 0.2, 0.03 ± 0.02, and 0.15 ± 0.14 × 106, respectively, for the interferon and ribavirin group (p< 0.07 at week 8). Two of five patients had undetectable serum HCV RNA during combination therapy. Combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin in prior interferon nonresponders reduces serum HCV RNA levels compared with interferon alone. This may suggest some additional antiviral effect of ribavirin when given with interferon.

ISSN:0192-0790    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We determined the prevalence of hepatitis B markers and the compliance to hepatitis B vaccination in a University Hospital of Santa Maria, Lisbon. The program was begun in 1989 for all hospital personnel and students of the medical school. The screening included 2,360 health care workers and 1,153 students; 57% (2,360/4,103) of hospital personnel and 41% (1,153/2,779) of medical students appeared for vaccination. The prevalence of hepatitis B markers was 16.8% (397/2,360) for hospital personnel and 5.5% (64/1,153) for students, the chronic carrier appearing in 0.95% (22/2,360) of hospital personnel and 0.3% (4/1,153) of students. The departments with the highest prevalence were the Biochemical Laboratory (64%, 7/11), Surgery (42%, 13/31), Pulmonary (39%, 9/23), Emergency (29%, 7/24), Hematology Laboratory (29%, 7/24), and Orthopedics (29%, 10/35). The prevalence was higher in students in the last 3 years of medical school than those in the first 3 years (12.2% [22/181] vs. 7.2% [8/110],p= NS). Adverse effects to vaccination occurred in 14.5%, with local pain the most frequent in 8.6%. The serologic efficacy was 95% (1,044/1,097). A nonresponse was observed in male workers, 13% (26/200) compared with 5% (45/897) for females (p< 0.05). Older employees also showed higher nonresponse: The average age of workers with anti-HBs of 0 IU/l was 52.3 years and those with anti-HBs of more than 100 IU/l was 38.4 years (p< 0.02). Hepatitis B vaccination is safe and effective. Our study shows the need for a more aggressive approach to the vaccination of health care workers because a significant percentage of them are not protected.

ISSN:0192-0790    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Subcapsular hemorrhage and hepatic rupture are unusual catastrophic complications of the HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) syndrome. A high index of suspicion and prompt recognition are keys to proper diagnosis and management of affected patients. The optimal management of these patients is evolving. An aggressive multidisciplinary approach has considerably improved the morbidity and mortality associated with these complications. We present our experience with four cases of hepatic hemorrhage occurring in association with the HELLP syndrome and review the literature on this subject. All of our patients were multiparous, and three had a history of eclampsia/preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy. All four patients developed intrahepatic hemorrhage; two developed hepatic rupture requiring surgical intervention. Three patients developed disseminated intravascular coagulation and acute renal failure. Two patients developed pericardial effusion, pleural effusions, and ascites. One patient died of septic complications after multiple surgical interventions.

ISSN:0192-0790    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Technetium-99m-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-galactosyl-human serum albumin (Tc-GSA) is a receptor binding agent, specific for asialoglycoprotein receptor, that resides exclusively on the plasma membrane of mammalian hepatocytes. The usefulness of Tc-GSA for estimating the hepatic functional reserve was retrospectively evaluated in patients undergoing a hepatic resection. Tc-GSA scintigraphy was performed in 35 patients before hepatectomy, and the hepatic uptake ratio (LHL15) was calculated. The LHL15 was then compared with the findings of conventional liver function tests, the indocyanine green retention rate in 15 minutes (ICG R15), and histologic activity index (HAI) score. Significant correlations were observed between the LHL15 and values of ICG R15, prothrombin time activity, serum levels of total bilirubin, hyaluronic acid, and values of HAI score. Ratios of LHL15 to preoperative liver volume (LHL-V) correlated well with the regenerative rates of the residual liver after major hepatectomy. In addition, patients with more than 0.76 of LHL-V value had no complications in postoperative course, whereas those with less than 0.73 had several complications due to hepatic dysfunction. Tc-GSA scintigraphy thus appears to be a useful diagnostic tool for evaluating functioning mass of the liver and the values of LHL-V seems to be able to demonstrate regenerative activity in the residual liver after hepatectomy.

ISSN:0192-0790    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We evaluated factors affecting long-term survival after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicating cirrhosis. One hundred eighty-two patients with Child's class A or B cirrhosis and an HCC, not amenable to surgery or percutaneous ethanol injection, underwent 346 TACEs (mean 1.9) with epirubicin, iodized oil, and gelatin sponge. Many prognostic factors were subjected to univariate analysis and thereafter, when significant, to the Cox's hazard proportional model. Finally, the significant indices in the Cox's model were used to estimate the accuracy of the probability of death with computation of the area under the receiving operative characteristic (ROC) curve. The cumulative survival rates at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years were 0.83, 0.52, 0.40, and 0.16, respectively. According to Cox's model, the factors associated with significantly worse survival were the presence of ascites (p= 0.0027), elevated bilirubin levels (p= 0.0163), elevated α-fetoprotein (αFP) values (p= 0.0067), a tumor greater than 5 cm in diameter (p= 0.0001), and the absence of a tumor capsule-like rim (p= 0.0278). According to these parameters, the accuracy of the probability of death estimated with ROC analysis was 0.63. Minor and major complications occurred in 82 patients (45%) and caused death in 2 patients. Long-term prognosis after TACE for HCCs in patients with Child's class A or B cirrhosis depends on the presence of ascites, the bilirubin level, the αFP value, the diameter of the tumor, and the presence of a tumor capsule-like rim. However, when considered altogether, these variables are poor predictors to evaluate survival, and other factors should be investigated to identify subjects more responsive to TACE. Complications occur in a high percentage of patients, but they do not affect long-term prognosis.

ISSN:0192-0790    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID