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Biomedical subjects

J H Gilliam

Publications and source records attributed to J H Gilliam.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Weight loss induced by gastric implant in rats. Effects of capsaicin sensory denervation.

To study the efficacy and mechanism of action of the intragastric bubble, 1- to 5-ml silicone bubbles were surgically implanted into the stomachs of 10- to 12-week-old female rats. To test the hypothesis that the satiety effects of the implant are mediated by visceral sensory nerves, a subgroup was treated as neonates with the sensory neurotoxin capsaicin, 50 mg/kg subcutaneously. In control animals, the implants caused a transient decrease in body weight, compared to sham-implanted animals, most evident at three days and abolished by 18 days after operation. In contrast, capsaicin-treated animals did not lose weight in response to gastric implantation. Substance P was decreased in the vagus nerves of capsaicin-treated animals, confirming sensory denervation. At autopsy, all gastric implanted rats had enlarged stomachs. We conclude that intact sensory innervation is essential for weight loss in response to the gastric bubble.

Animals

Prevalence of upper gastrointestinal disease in relation to age: radiologic and clinical implications.

Reports of 1126 endoscopies were reviewed to determine the age-related prevalence of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) diseases as a guide to radiologists performing UGI examinations. Results indicate that (1) there were positive findings in 78% of all endoscopic examinations, and thus most symptomatic patients can be expected to have at least one UGI abnormality; (2) many patients with UGI symptoms have two or more reportable disease processes; (3) the prevalence of serious or life-threatening disease, such as cancer or large ulcers, rises steadily with age; and (4) after age 60, approximately 60% of symptomatic patients have a serious UGI disease. Based on these findings, radiologists should not hesitate to make the diagnosis of multiple abnormalities and should expect to diagnose at least one abnormality in most symptomatic patients having an UGI study. Also, because of the high prevalence of serious lesions in the elderly, endoscopy should be considered for the initial examination of an elderly patient if poor physical status would render the radiologic examination difficult or unreliable.

Adolescent

Interventional endoscopy of the biliary and pancreatic ducts: current indications and methods.

The use of interventional endoscopy of the biliary and pancreatic ducts has increased dramatically in recent years. Although choledocholithiasis is the most common reason for endoscopic treatment, other indications include pancreatolithiasis, cholangitis, biliary pancreatitis, papillary stenosis, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, and benign or malignant ductal strictures. Endoscopic sphincterotomy is the cornerstone of therapeutic endoscopy and often precedes the use of balloon and basket stone extractors and placement of stents and endoprostheses. Other endoscopic methods include the use of lithotripsy, placement of drainage and infusion catheters, and coupling with percutaneous techniques. Radiologists need to be aware of the expanding indications and variety of endoscopic methods available for treating biliary and pancreatic disorders so that they can understand when the procedures are indicated.

Bile Duct Diseases

The multi-channelled pylorus.

The entity of multiple pyloric channels may be congenital but the majority are acquired lesions representing fistulae secondary to peptic ulcer disease in the pyloroduodenal region. The fistula usually joins the lesser curvature of the stomach with the superior aspect of the duodenal bulb. The multichannelled pylorus produces a characteristic radiological appearance on barium mean examination with a double or split barium column in the region of the pylorus. Four cases are described and illustrated.

Aged

Multiple esophageal webs.

The case of a patient with numerous web-like constrictions involving the entire body of the esophagus is presented. The appearance is unlike any previously described for esophageal webs and rings. No known etiologic factors could be implicated and we have no speculations as to the cause.

Aged