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D A Albertson

Publications and source records attributed to D A Albertson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Free jejunal grafts of the pharynx: surgical methods, complications, and radiographic evaluation.

Free jejunal grafts have been used in the surgical treatment of patients with carcinoma of the pharynx and upper esophagus. Post-operative complications, including swallowing difficulty, are frequent and radiographic assessment may be required. In this pictorial paper, we describe the surgical technique of free jejunal grafting of the pharyngoesophagus, and the radiographic appearances and clinical importance of early and delayed complications following the procedure. Dysphagia after placement of a jejunal graft is a common occurrence which is often multifactorial, and may be related to functional, anatomic, or a combination of factors.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1994

Detection of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid with I-131 MIBG.

Imaging with I-131 MIBG has proved useful for the detection of pheochromocytoma, neuroblastoma, and other neoplasms of neural crest origin. The authors present a case of a patient who was initially diagnosed as having follicular carcinoma of the thyroid in which I-131 MIBG played a key role in leading to the diagnosis of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. Local and distant metastases were detected using I-131 MIBG imaging. Uptake of I-131 MIBG by medullary carcinoma of the thyroid has both diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗
PubMed1994

Pancreaticoduodenectomy with reconstruction by Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy: no operative mortality in a series of 25 cases.

Historically, pancreaticojejunostomy has been responsible for frequent and serious technical complications and significant mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy. To physiologically isolate this anastomosis from the gastrointestinal and biliary anastomoses, I have used Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy for reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy since 1981. This report is a retrospective review of a consecutive personal series of pancreaticoduodenectomies done between 1981 and 1991. Twenty-five patients ranging in age from 28 to 80 years had either pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (17 cases), classical Whipple-type pancreaticoduodenectomy (4 cases), or total pancreatectomy (4 cases). Mean operative time was 6.3 hours, mean estimated blood loss was 1,068 mL, and mean number of units transfused was 1.6 units. Although 9 patients (36%) had a significant postoperative complication, only 2 (8%) required reoperation. Mean postoperative length of stay was 12.2 days. There was no clinical evidence of leak from the pancreaticojejunostomy, and there was no in-hospital or 30-day postoperative mortality. Five patients (20%) operated on for pancreatic carcinoma survived for 5 years. No patient operated on for pancreatitis has died, though only 50% remain pain free. With reconstruction by Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy, pancreaticoduodenectomy can be accomplished with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Malignant papillary cystic tumor of the pancreas.

An example of the rare papillary cystic tumor of the pancreas was diagnosed cytologically by aspiration of the primary neoplasm. Subsequently, it metastasized, proving its low-grade malignant behavior. Diagnostic cytomorphologic features included abundant straight and branched papillary tissue fragments, and uniform, pale nuclei with folds or grooves. Although the primary tumor had a typical histologic appearance, metastases demonstrated increased nuclear pleomorphism and hyperchromasia, bizarre tumor giant cells, and an increased mitotic rate. Vimentin was diffusely positive, whereas neuron-specific enolase and somatostatin were focally and weakly reactive. Neurosecretory and zymogen granules were absent ultrastructurally. By flow cytometric study, the tumor was aneuploid (DNA Index = 1.3).

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1990

Dysphagia following fundoplication: "slipped" fundoplication versus achalasia complicated by fundoplication.

Failure to obtain preoperative esophageal manometry in patients being considered for antireflux surgery can result in immediate persistent postoperative dysphagia due to a missed diagnosis of achalasia. We describe the clinical assessment and management of a case of delayed postoperative dysphagia due to a "slipped" fundoplication, which is contrasted with three patients with immediate postoperative dysphagia due to a missed diagnosis of achalasia. Surgical revision was required to correct the "slipped" fundoplication, and pneumatic dilatation was successfully used in two of three cases of achalasia complicated by fundoplication. Careful preoperative esophageal evaluation with manometry is essential to rule out the presence of a primary esophageal motor disorder.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Does fine-needle aspiration biopsy really spare patients thyroidectomy?

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is widely used in the evaluation of nodular thyroid disease. From January 1979 to May 1983, 100 patients underwent FNA biopsy at Wake Forest University Medical Center for evaluation of nodular thyroid disease. Forty-six underwent immediate thyroidectomy based upon clinical and cytologic criteria. Fifty-three patients identified as having benign atypical or normal cells initially were managed nonoperatively. An additional patient with Hürthle cell neoplasm diagnosed by cytologic evaluation refused surgery and is included in the group treated nonsurgically. This report concentrates on the characteristics and subsequent course of these 54 patients. Emphasis was placed on whether surgery was actually avoided or merely delayed by the results of FNA biopsy. Follow-up evaluation ranged from 16 to 92 months (mean, 57 months). Fifty-two (96%) patients had not been operated upon for thyroid disease during the follow-up period, and in none of the 52 had there developed new indications for surgery. The two (4%) patients who had undergone thyroidectomy proved to have benign disease. The authors conclude that with adequate clinical follow-up, FNA biopsy can accurately and appropriately guide the nonoperative management of nodular thyroid disease, and that the technique does spare patients the cost and risk of thyroidectomy, both initially and during subsequent follow-up evaluation.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1988

The role of MR imaging in the diagnosis and treatment of anterior sacral meningocele. Report of two cases.

Anterior sacral meningoceles are rare. This report describes familial anterior sacral meningoceles in a father and daughter who underwent magnetic resonance imaging as part of the preoperative evaluation. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a pelvic teratoma in the daughter and confirmed the absence of abnormal tissue in the father--findings not clearly provided by ultrasound studies, myelography, or contrast-enhanced computerized tomography. It is believed that MR imaging is the most useful preoperative diagnostic technique available in establishing a treatment plan for anterior sacral meningocele.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Causes of the failed cervical exploration for primary hyperparathyroidism.

Over a period of 42 years, 581 patients with presumed hyperparathyroidism underwent an initial cervical exploration. Abnormal parathyroid glands were removed from 495 patients (85.2%). There was a greater probability of operative success in women, patients over 50 years of age, and patients with hypercalcemia, hypertension, or nonspecific abdominal pain. There was no association of operative outcome with some of the "classic" manifestations of hyperparathyroidism--peptic ulcer disease, neuropsychiatric symptoms, pancreatitis, bone disease, or urolithiasis. The probability of surgical success improved with time, increasing from 56 per cent in the 1950s to 97 per cent in the present decade. This improvement appears to be related to greater operative experience, since all four parathyroid glands were more likely to be found with increased experience, and there was a strong correlation between finding four parathyroids and achieving persistent normocalcemia. The most common causes of operative failure were inaccurate calcium assays (the patient was not truly hypercalcemic), an inappropriate diagnosis ("normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism"), and surgical inexperience. These three factors accounted for at least three fourths of all negative explorations. More accurate diagnostic studies, and careful exploration by an experienced surgeon should maximize the probability of a successful operation for primary hyperparathyroidism.

Calcium↗
PubMed1986

Is serum parathormone assay necessary in evaluating primary hyperparathyroidism?

Serum parathormone (PTH) values are believed useful in diagnosing hyperparathyroidism and in evaluating patients before parathyroid operation. From 1975 through 1983, 328 adults patients with persistent hypercalcemia and normal renal function underwent cervical exploration for presumed primary hyperparathyroidism. Preoperative serum PTH values were obtained in 137 patients. Eight had negative explorations (5.8%): serum PTH values were normal in three patients and elevated in five. Serum PTH values were normal or low in 31 of the other 129 patients (false-negative rate = 24%). Of 191 patients for whom neither serum PTH nor nephrogenic cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate values did not were obtained preoperatively serum PTH values did not reduce the incidence of negative cervical explorations and, when obtained, they were misleading in one fourth of patients who benefitted from parathyroid exploration.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1985

Metastatic oat cell carcinoma of the lung producing extrahepatic bile duct obstruction.

Although carcinoma of the lung metastatic to the pancreas is not unusual in autopsy series, it is rare as a cause of extra-hepatic bile duct obstruction among the living. We have reported two cases of oat cell carcinoma of the lung in which the first sign of metastatic disease was extrahepatic bile duct obstruction. Ultrasonography provides a quick, direct, and noninvasive means of evaluating such obstruction, allowing early diagnosis and surgical palliation.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Subtotal parathyroidectomy versus total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation for secondary hyperparathyroidism.

A retrospective review of patients treated for secondary hyperparathyroidism by total parathyroidectomy with parathyroid autotransplantation (tPTX) and subtotal parathyroidectomy (sPTX) is presented. Ten patients underwent tPTX, and 22 patients underwent sPTX between 1977 and 1982. Hypocalcemia and complications of its treatment were a problem in the tPTX patients. One patient in the tPTX group and no patients in the sPTX group have required reoperation for recurrence. Both procedures were highly successful in relieving symptoms of secondary hyperparathyroidism and in reversing renal osteodystrophy. The authors believe that sPTX is a proven, effective operation and the operative treatment of choice for secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Arterial thromboembolic complications of peritoneovenous shunting for malignant ascites.

Peritoneovenous shunting for the treatment of malignant ascites has become increasingly popular. This technique can be complicated by tumor embolization, congestive heart failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Arterial thromboembolism has been encountered in two patients following LeVeen shunt insertion. Recurrent bilateral femoral artery thromboemboli and a cerebrovascular accident occurred in one patient and cerebrovascular thromboembolism developed in a second patient. Major arterial embolization is potentially a serious, although infrequent, complication of peritoneovenous shunting in patients who have malignant ascites.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Hepatic intra-arterial infusion of vincristine.

Currently the chemotherapeutic agents available for intra-arterial infusion in metastatic liver cancer are limited to only a few. The recent demonstration of the feasibility of prolonged IV infusion of vincristine led to exploration of hepatic intra-arterial infusion of this agent. A continuous infusion of 0.4 mg total dose was administered daily for 5 days via a hepatic artery catheter to each of six patients with metastatic liver cancer. Transient but life-threatening toxicity principally involving the nervous and gastrointestinal systems occurred in five of them. Future investigation of hepatic intra-arterial infusion of vincristine should be based on dose-schedules other than that employed in the current trial.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Post-traumatic acalculous cholecystitis on a neurosurgical service.

Post-traumatic acalculous cholecystitis is a potentially lethal complication that may develop in patients during hospitalization for trauma. Three case reports illustrate that obscuration of many early diagnostic symptoms and signs may make this complication particularly treacherous in the neurosurgical patient. Suspicion should be aroused by unexplained fever, leukocytosis, elevated serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase values, and developing intolerance to oral or tube feedings. There may be a rapid progression to signs of an acute abdominal condition. Symptoms are most likely to occur 1 week to 1 month after the episode of trauma. Patients of all ages are susceptible. Diagnosis is best confirmed by noninvasive iminodiacetic acid hepatobiliary scanning accompanied by ultrasound or abdominal computed tomographic scanning. The treatment of choice is emergency cholecystectomy. The cause is most likely multifactorial and is probably related to hypotension, sepsis, or biliary stasis with subsequent cystic duct obstruction. Although this disease is rare, its incidence is apparently increasing, and a high index of suspicion is warranted in the neurosurgeon involved in the care of the biliary tract disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism revisited.

From 1957 through 1981, 550 cervical explorations for presumed primary hyperparathyroidism were performed in 536 patients at the North Carolina Baptist Hospital. Fifty-one of those patients who did not have persistent hypercalcemia are the basis of this report. Twenty-six patients with hypercalciuria and normal renal function had recurrent passage of calcium-containing renal stones, but never had documented hypercalcemia. Only five patients (19%) had positive findings at exploration: small, hyperplastic glands (n = 3); small adenomas (n = 2). Seventeen of the 23 patients for whom follow-up data were available continued to form and pass renal stones postoperatively, including three of the five patients with "pathologic" glands (follow-up range: 4 months to 21.3 years; mean--7 years, 9 months). Twenty-five patients (also with normal renal function) had chronic calcium nephrolithiasis, hypercalciuria, and isolated or occasional elevations of serum calcium ranging from 10.6 to 10.9 mg/dl. Thirteen of these patients had abnormal parathyroid glands: adenomas (n = 12); hyperplasia (n = 1). All but two of the 13 were cured of their nephrolithiasis, but all ten of the patients with no abnormal glands for whom follow-up data were available continued to pass renal stones (follow-up range--8 months to 18 years; mean--5 years, 7 months). Thus, our experience with treating "normocalcemic" hyperparathyroidism has been disappointing. Although a substantial number of patients with occasional mild hypercalcemia may benefit from cervical exploration, those patients are not, by definition, truly normocalcemic. Metabolic evaluation can separate hypercalciuric recurrent stone formers with autonomous secondary hyperparathyroidism from patients with suppressible secondary hyperparathyroidism, and can thus more accurately identify patients who may benefit from parathyroid exploration.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Oxyphil cell adenoma and hyperparathyroidism.

Although the oxyphil cells of the human parathyroid generally are not thought to be involved in the secretion of parathyroid hormone, there have been numerous reports in the literature describing functional oxyphil cell adenomas. We reviewed 453 consecutive parathyroid explorations in 446 patients over a 13-year period and identified 15 patients whose hyperparathyroidism had been caused by adenomas composed almost exclusively of oxyphil cells. All patients were relieved of their hypercalcemia postoperatively, and there have been no recurreness during a mean follow-up of 40 months (100% follow-up). Three patients have died, all without evidence of recurrent hyperparathyroidism at the time of death. Immunoperoxidase and ultrastructural studies confirm that oxyphil cells from these adenomas contain parathyroid hormone and suggest that they are capable of secretory activity. A review of the literature showed that functional oxyphil adenomas occur more frequently than is usually appreciated, although they are an uncommon cause of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Adenoma↗