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Biomedical subjects

J B Marshall

Publications and source records attributed to J B Marshall.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Polyps in the colon. Answers to key questions.

Adenomatous polyps in the adult colon and rectum are of great clinical importance because they can undergo malignant degeneration. Size and histologic type are useful in predicting the likelihood of malignancy. In most cases, biopsy is required to distinguish small adenomas (< 1 cm) from hyperplastic polyps, which do not undergo malignant degeneration. An adenomatous polyp found during proctosigmoidoscopy warrants total colonoscopy with polypectomy, because of the possibility of a synchronous adenoma or cancer. Periodic colonoscopic follow-up is advised, because of the high rate of recurrent ("metachronous") adenomas. The optimal screening technique for colorectal polyps and early cancer in the general population remains to be defined. The most commonly used program at present entails periodic fecal occult blood testing and flexible proctosigmoidoscopy. Diets high in fiber and low in fat may have protective effects against the development of colonic neoplasms.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1992

Chest pain in patients with normal coronary arteries. A new look at potential causes.

Recurrent chest pain in patients with normal coronary arteries is a difficult clinical problem. Although long-term studies have shown that these patients have an excellent prognosis in terms of cardiac morbidity and mortality, many patients remain physically debilitated and continue to visit emergency departments. Recent information suggests that microvascular angina, esophageal disorders (including reflux disease and dysmotility), and panic disorder may be important causes of pain in such patients. It is particularly important to consider the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is easier to diagnose and treat than most other causes of recurrent chest pain.

Angina Pectoris↗
PubMed1992

Clinical spectrum of paraesophageal herniation.

Paraesophageal herniation is a potentially devastating condition of the gastroesophageal hiatus commonly manifesting in patients of advanced age with other significant medical problems. Surgical treatment is generally indicated to avoid catastrophe related to gastric volvulus. The operative approach utilized should be individualized to the patient's pathophysiologic condition rather than attempting to apply a single repair for all patients with this heterogeneous clinical problem.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas. Report of an unusual case and review of the literature.

Squamous cell carcinoma is an uncommon form of cancer of the pancreas, comprising 0.5-3.5% of cases. We report an unusual case that occurred in a very young woman and showed cystic characteristics. Interesting radiographic features included extensive pancreatic calcifications and pancreatic duct communication to the mass. A literature review of this rare form of pancreatic cancer is also provided.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Colonoscopy.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Cecum↗
PubMed1991

Bleeding esophagogastric varices. Ways to treat active episodes and prevent recurrence.

Bleeding from esophagogastric varices carries a high mortality rate. Active variceal bleeding can usually be temporarily controlled medically with a combination of intravenous vasopressin and nitroglycerin, with balloon tamponade, or with endoscopic sclerotherapy. Because of the high likelihood of recurrence, long-term treatment, such as repeated sclerotherapy, propranolol therapy, or shunt surgery, is necessary. The proper selection of such measures requires consideration of the site of variceal bleeding, local availability of specialized techniques, and patient factors. Only liver transplantation reverses the liver damage and offers hope of improved long-term survival. As success at identifying high-risk patients by endoscopic features improves, propranolol or other pharmacologic prophylaxis may become an acceptable treatment.

Balloon Occlusion↗
PubMed1991

New surgical approach to complicated gastroesophageal reflux disease: transthoracic parietal cell vagotomy.

Surgical treatment of peptic stricture of the esophagus associated with columnar (Barrett) metaplasia can be a difficult problem. Collis-Nissen fundoplication restores an intraabdominal antireflux barrier for most cases of peptic stricture; however, 20% of patients may have persistence of pathological acid reflux. By reducing acidity of postoperative reflux, parietal cell vagotomy may complement nonresectional surgical results for Barrett stricture.

Esophageal Stenosis↗
PubMed1991

A new balanced operation for complex gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Twenty-seven patients with advanced gastroesophageal reflux disease have been treated with combined transthoracic parietal cell vagotomy and Collis-Nissen fundoplication. Gastric acid analyses (n = 20) obtained preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively demonstrated a significant late reduction in gastric acid output. Twenty-six patients (96%) have experienced relief of gastroesophageal reflux disease at a mean of 13.3 months (range, 6 to 25 months) without postvagotomy symptoms. Transthoracic parietal cell vagotomy may be considered as an adjunct to mechanical surgical control of advanced gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Primary small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Report of 11 cases and review of the literature.

Primary small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus is an uncommon esophageal malignancy. This report details the clinical and pathologic aspects of 11 cases seen at our institution over 20 years, as well as 123 other cases reported in the literature. Small-cell carcinomas of the esophagus show considerable histologic heterogeneity. Neurosecretory granules can be found in the majority of cases and some show evidence of multidifferentiation. Like primary small-cell cancers of the lung, those in the esophagus are highly aggressive, are usually associated with spread at the time of diagnosis, and have a dismal prognosis regardless of treatment. The possible origin of this interesting variety of esophageal neoplasm is also discussed.

Carcinoma, Small Cell↗
PubMed1991

Endoscopic management of retained cystic duct stones.

The finding of residual common bile duct stones after cholecystectomy is a relatively frequently encountered problem for which effective nonoperative therapy exists. Retained stones in a cystic duct remnant are very rare. We present a case of multiple retained stones in a long variant cystic duct remnant following cholecystectomy and common duct exploration, which was successfully managed with endoscopic sphincterotomy and balloon extraction.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Chronic constipation in adults. How far should evaluation and treatment go?

In all patients who present with constipation, a history should be taken and physical examination and proctosigmoidoscopy performed. Structural evaluation of the entire colon by barium enema should be considered when constipation is of recent onset, is severe, or does not resolve with simple measures. A colonic transit study should also be considered in the latter two situations. Anorectal manometry, defecography, and electromyography are helpful in patients with diagnosed or suspected outlet delay. Treatment is most often empirical. Simple, helpful measures include education, dietary fiber supplementation, adequate fluid intake, and regular physical activity. When laxatives are necessary, they should be used sparingly. Pelvic floor retraining may be helpful in the management of patients with outlet delay. Select patients with intractable constipation may benefit from surgery, although results are variable.

Cathartics↗
PubMed1990

Diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders.

Esophageal motility disorders are now known to be a heterogeneous group of conditions that commonly cause dysphagia and chest pain. Motor dysphagia is usually provoked by solids and liquids (in contrast to mechanical dysphagia, which is usually provoked by solids only). Chest pain with these disorders is nonspecific and can mimic angina pectoris. In many patients with diffuse esophageal spasm or nutcracker esophagus, pain appears to be caused by abnormal sensory function rather than contraction abnormalities. Barium esophagography and esophageal manometry are complementary studies in the evaluation of motility disorders.

Barium Sulfate↗
PubMed1990

End-expiratory pressure best approximates intrinsic lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Report of a patient with Cheyne-Stokes respiration.

Recent studies have shown that the respiratory oscillation inherent in the station pull-through technique of measuring lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure is the result of active diaphragmatic contraction. A recent study in cats suggested that intrinsic LES tone is best reflected by end-expiratory pressure during spontaneous respiration. This finding is confirmed in a patient we report with achalasia and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia who had Cheyne-Stokes breathing. LES pressure during periods of central apnea approximated end-expiratory pressure during periods of hyperpnea.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Achalasia due to diffuse esophageal leiomyomatosis and inherited as an autosomal dominant disorder. Report of a family study.

Although achalasia is usually of idiopathic origin, it may be secondary to another disease process such as neoplasia. The first description of a familial achalasia syndrome that appears to be secondary to diffuse esophageal leiomyomatosis with entrapment of nerve ganglia is presented. Documented in four generations of a family, the disease followed an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Long lower esophageal sphincter pressure zones and a high incidence of epiphrenic diverticula were interesting accompaniments of achalasia in this family. Many achalasia-affected family members have also had associated intestinal leiomyomas or neurofibromas. Affected family members also had urticaria pigmentosa, and some had systemic mast cell disease as well.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Gastrointestinal manifestations of mixed connective tissue disease.

We examined the gastrointestinal tract abnormalities in 61 patients with mixed connective tissue disease. The first 34 were part of a prospective longitudinal study that included manometric and radiographic evaluation of the esophagus. Heartburn (48%) and dysphagia (38%) were by far the most common gastrointestinal symptoms. Seventeen percent of patients undergoing manometry had distal esophageal aperistalsis, and 43% low-amplitude peristalsis (less than 30 mmHg). Studies in 10 patients before and after treatment suggested that esophageal dysfunction in mixed connective tissue disease may be responsive to corticosteroids. Upper esophageal sphincter hypotension was also common. One patient had marked upper esophageal sphincter hypotension and recurrent aspiration, which resolved with corticosteroid therapy. Findings on radiographic studies of the stomach and small bowel in 54 patients and barium enemas in 16 patients were reviewed. Our series included one case each of malabsorption, colonic and small bowel perforations due to vasculitis, chronic active hepatitis, and acute pancreatitis. In conclusion, any area of the gastrointestinal tract may be affected by mixed connective tissue disease, although the esophagus is the most common location. The gastrointestinal aspects of mixed connective tissue disease overlap with those of progressive systemic sclerosis, polymyositis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Acute gastrointestinal bleeding. A logical approach to management.

Management of acute gastrointestinal bleeding follows a logical sequence of steps. The first priority is to assess the magnitude of blood loss and resuscitate the patient. The patient history and nasogastric aspiration can help localize the source of bleeding to the upper tract or lower tract. Treatment of suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding is usually empirical and consists of histamine 2 blockers (or sucralfate [Carafate]) or antacids. Diagnosis of the specific bleeding site is based on the severity, activity, and nature of the bleeding. Endoscopic and radiographic techniques may be useful. Intravenous vasopressin (Pitressin) therapy and endoscopic sclerotherapy are important in the management of variceal hemorrhage. Therapeutic endoscopic techniques are being used more often to manage nonvariceal bleeding as well.

Acute Disease↗