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Biomedical subjects

J I Miller

Publications and source records attributed to J I Miller.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Angiogenesis as a predictor of survival after surgical resection for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Some patients with surgically resected stage I non-small-cell lung cancer eventually have metastatic disease. A histologic marker of metastatic potential and diminished survival for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer may distinguish this patient population. This study evaluates the degree of angiogenesis as a predictor of cancer-related death after operation for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer. METHODS: Demographic, surgical, and histopathologic data, including presence of vascular invasion, were reviewed for 106 patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer from 1985 through 1990. Visual quantitation of microvessels immunostained with factor VIII-related antigen and CD31 in 5 microm sections from the paraffin blocks of tissue defined rumor angiogenesis. RESULTS: Follow-up was 95.1% complete, mean 5.2 +/- 3.0 years. Lung cancer-related mortality rate was 24.4% at 5 years. Mean microvessel counts were 20.7 +/- 11.2 for FVIII and 29.6 +/- 18.1 for CD31. Univariate analysis revealed an FVIII count of at least 20 (p = 0.025) and blood vessel invasion (p = 0.017) to be significant predictors of disease-related death. After adjustment for other patient and tumor characteristics, multivariate Cox regression analysis found an FVIII count of at least 20 (hazard ratio 2.9) and blood vessel invasion (hazard ratio 3.7) to be significant independent correlates of lung cancer death (p = 0.018 and p = 0.011, respectively). CD31 quantitation did not predict survival on univariate or multivariate analyses and did not correlate strongly with FVIII quantitation (Spearman's rank correlation r = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis reveals a significant association between tumor neovascularization and cancer-related mortality rate among patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer. Microvessel quantitation of FVIII, as an indicator of tumor angiogenesis and metastatic potential, may define a subset of patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer who could benefit from adjuvant therapy after surgical resection.

Adenocarcinoma

Treatment of rhinocerebral mucormycosis with intravenous interstitial, and cerebrospinal fluid administration of amphotericin B: case report.

IMPORTANCE: Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is extremely difficult to treat. Approximately 70% of patients are poorly controlled diabetics, and many of the remainder are immunocompromised as a consequence of cytotoxic drugs, burn injuries, or end-stage renal disease. Despite standard treatment consisting of surgical debridement and the intravenous administration of amphotericin B, rhinocerebral mucormycosis is usually a fatal disease. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We describe the case of a 16-year-old male patient with juvenile onset diabetes mellitus who presented with fever, right-sided hemiparesis, and dysarthria. Axial view computed tomography revealed abscess formation in the left basal ganglia and frontal lobe, which was proven by stereotactic biopsy to contain Rhizopus oryzae. INTERVENTION: Intravenous administration of amphotericin B (30-280 mg/dose) was begun on the day of admission. On hospital Day 20, after the occurrence of frank abscess formation, the lesion was aggressively debrided. Despite these therapies, there was neurological deterioration characterized by the development of hemiplegia and aphasia. Sequential computed tomographic scans enhanced with contrast medium demonstrated progressively enlarging lesions. Ommaya reservoirs were placed into the abscess cavity and the frontal horn of the contralateral lateral ventricle. The patient was then treated with intracavitary/interstitial injections of amphotericin B during the course of 80 days and three doses of intraventricular amphotericin B. Clinical and radiographic improvement was achieved after treatment. Two years after the initial diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed no evidence of disease and an examination revealed a neurologically intact and fully functional patient. CONCLUSION: We conclude that with an infection as morbid as rhinocerebral mucormycosis, it is advisable to use surgical debridement and all available routes for delivering amphotericin B to infected cerebral parenchyma, which include intravenous, intracavitary/interstitial, and cerebrospinal fluid perfusion pathways.

Adolescent

Pathologic findings in lung volume reduction surgery.

PURPOSE: Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) has re-emerged as an alternative in the management of patients with chronic, debilitating, emphysematous lung disease. This has permitted the formal evaluation of pathologic pulmonary changes present in these patients. This study seeks to describe systematically the pathologic findings present in patients undergoing LVRS. METHODS: Tissue sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin, as well as special stains, were retrospectively reviewed from the specimens of 65 nonconsecutive LVRS patients (male patients, 66%; female patients, 31%; mean age, 63.2+/-6.76 yr). All operations were conducted via an open technique (bilateral, 83%; unilateral, 17%). RESULTS: Histologic emphysema grade was mild in 9%, moderate in 72%, and severe in 19% of patients. Microscopic bullae were noted in 75% of specimens. Three patients, each with radiographic evidence of a lesion preoperatively, had small (1.1 to 2.8 cm) adenocarcinomas. Granulomatous bronchiolitis and pneumonitis were noted in one patient who postoperatively developed progressive respiratory compromise. An old, inactive aspergilloma was found in the specimen of another patient. Additional findings of potential clinical significance included bronchiolitis (54), bronchiolectasis (6), and bronchoalveolar metaplasia (1). Incidental findings included interstitial fibrosis and scar (55), interstitial inflammation (20), calcification (20), and ossification (11), bone marrow emboli (4), chemodectoma (2), and carcinoid tumorlets (1). CONCLUSION: This systematic analysis of the resected specimens from patients undergoing LVRS describes a wide range of pathologic findings, including those clinically relevant, as well as incidental. As the application of LVRS continues to expand, the likelihood of discovering clinically significant pathologic lesions (eg, carcinoma) will undoubtedly increase.

Aged

Belsey Mark IV antireflux procedure for complicated gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: Over the past 20 years, medical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease has met with increasing success, but a proportion of patients continue to have symptoms or complications requiring surgical treatment. The variety of operations available attests to the general lack of satisfaction with any single procedure. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of 276 patients who underwent the Belsey Mark IV antireflux procedure at our institution between 1979 and 1995. The indication for operation was gastroesophageal reflux disease refractory to medical therapy in 137 patients, gastroesophageal reflux disease with symptomatic stricture or Schatzki's ring in 36, achalasia or epiphrenic diverticulum in 74, paraesophageal hernia in 27, and esophageal mass in 2. Fifteen patients (5.4%) had undergone prior antireflux operations. RESULTS: There was one perioperative death (0.4%) resulting from an apparent myocardial infarction in an 87-year-old woman who underwent operation for paraesophageal hernia with volvulus. Two patients had contained leaks diagnosed by routine postoperative contrast studies; both were managed successfully without operation. Two patients required early reoperation for recurrent symptoms: 1 underwent a repeated Belsey Mark IV procedure and the other underwent an esophagogastrectomy. An additional 7 patients experienced late recurrence of symptoms requiring surgical management. The overall complication rate was 10.1%, with minor pulmonary complications (2.1%) and atrial arrhythmias (1.8%) occurring most commonly. CONCLUSIONS: The Belsey Mark IV procedure is a safe and effective operation for the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease with complications, and it compares favorably with other antireflux procedures.

Adolescent

Esophagectomy for cancer.

We are faced with the challenge of treating, palliating, or curing esophageal cancer, considered by some to be the most insidious of cancers. This article acquaints the reader with historic milestones regarding resection of esophageal cancer, preoperative evaluation and preparation, and the various techniques currently being used to perform esophagectomy for cancer.

Cardia

Esophageal perforation: emphasis on management.

BACKGROUND: Perforation of the esophagus is a deadly injury that requires expert management for survival. METHODS: We performed a retrospective clinical review of 66 patients treated at Emory University affiliated hospitals for esophageal perforation between 1973 and 1993. RESULTS: Iatrogenic perforations accounted for 48 injuries (73%), barogenic perforations occurred in 12 patients (17%), trauma was causative in 3 (5%), and 3 patients had esophageal infection and other causes. Lower-third injuries occurred in 43 cases (65%), middle third in 14 (21%), and upper third in 9 (14%). Early contained perforations were managed successfully by limiting oral intake and giving parenteral antibiotics in 12 patients. Cervical perforations were drained without attempt at closure of the leak. Perforations with mediastinal or pleural contamination recognized early were managed by primary closure and drainage in 28 patients. Reinforcement of the primary closure using stomach fundus, pleural, diaphragmatic, or pericardial flap was performed in 16 patients. Those perforations that escaped early recognition required thoughtful management, using generous debridement and drainage and sometimes esophageal resection. The esophageal T tube provided control of leaks in 3 of these patients and was a useful adjunct. Using these management principles, we achieved a 76% survival rate for all patients. Six patients with perforations complicating endoesophageal management of esophageal varices were a high-risk subset with an 83% mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal perforation remains an important thoracic emergency. Aggressive operative therapy remains the mainstay for treatment; however, conservative management may be preferred for contained perforations and the esophageal T tube may be used for late perforations.

Aged

Lung volume reduction surgery: lessons learned.

BACKGROUND: The concept of lung volume reduction for generalized emphysema was proposed by Brantigan and associates in 1958 and reintroduced by Cooper and colleagues in 1994. The present study presents lessons learned from an 18-month experience. METHODS: From August 1, 1994, to August 1, 1995, 53 patients underwent lung volume reduction at Emory University for generalized emphysema. There were 17 women and 36 men ranging in age from 55 to 75 years. The length of stay ranged from 10 to 59 days. At the time of presentation, 47 patients were receiving oxygen and 35 were receiving steroids. Forty-six patients were operated on using a median sternotomy and 7 through a unilateral thoracotomy. All patients underwent preoperative and postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation. RESULTS: There was one early death and four late deaths. Lessons learned from this group of patients are presented. CONCLUSIONS: Lung volume reduction surgery remains a sea of relatively uncharted waters, with the future direction yet to be determined.

Aged

Continuous postoperative lCBF monitoring in aneurysmal SAH patients using a combined ICP-laser Doppler fiberoptic probe.

Cerebral vasospasm remains the principal cause of morbidity and mortality following successful clipping of intracranial aneurysms. Current management often requires subjective judgments concerning presumed abnormalities of cerebral blood flow. In this study, a combined intracranial pressure (ICP)-laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) fiberoptic probe that permits continuous monitoring of local cerebral blood flow (lCBF) was used in the postoperative management of 20 aneurysm patients. Using this probe, lCBF was simultaneously recorded and integrated on a real time basis with other physiological parameters, including ICP, systemic arterial pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, central venous pressure, and pulse oximetry. The combined probe also provided the ability to obtain precise and detailed information concerning the presence or absence of cerebral autoregulation and CO2 vascular reactivity, and allowed calculation of the cerebral vascular resistance. Continuous monitoring of lCBF in this manner complemented by transcranial Doppler and angiographic data permitted early detection of cerebral ischemia, helped to differentiate cerebral ischemia from edema and hyperemia, was useful in titrating blood pressure and fluid management, provided direct feedback about the effectiveness of instituted therapies, and determined early on when medical management was of no avail and that interventional neuroradiology was indicated. Evidence is presented that the presence of angiographic vasospasm and increased velocities on TCD do not always correlate with ischemia in the microcirculation and that direct measurements of lCBF are often at variance with calculations of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP).

Adult

Diagnosis and management of chylothorax.

Chylothorax is the presence of lymphatic fluid in the pleural space resulting from a leak of the thoracic duct or one of its major divisions. This condition is being recognized more frequently after both cardiac and general thoracic surgical procedures. Increased understanding of the physiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of chylothorax has significantly decreased the initial mortality in the majority of medical centers.

Chylothorax

Rigid bronchoscopy.

Rigid bronchoscopy is indicated for the presence of significant bleeding, a foreign body, or in pediatric patients. A thorough knowledge of endobronchial anatomy and expertise with rigid bronchoscopy is a necessity for the practicing general thoracic surgeon.

Anesthesia

Acute and delayed space problems following pulmonary resection.

The goal at the completion of a pulmonary resection should be to have no residual space. When a residual space persists either early or late, there are a number of therapeutic modalities that can be utilized to deal with this. Early recognition and prevention whenever possible are the keys to success in dealing with this problem.

Humans

Sternal release and advancement with thoracotomy and osteotomy for idiopathic osteopenia.

Transient neurologic changes developed in a rare case of progressive thoracic kyphosis secondary to idiopathic osteopenia with marked spinal and chest cage deformities. The patient underwent correction by both anterior thoracic and posterior spinal approaches, with concomitant sternal release and advancement. After 16 months he continues to have good anatomic and functional results.

Adult

Use of pleura, azygos vein, pericardium, and muscle flaps in tracheobronchial surgery.

Desmoplastic reactions secondary to adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation in stage IIIA lung cancer, plus advances in complex tracheobronchial surgery, have rejuvenated an interest for augmenting bronchial stump coverage and suture line reinforcement. We present the techniques and applications of harvesting pleural, azygos vein, pericardial flaps, and fat pad grafts, and intrathoracic transposition of chest wall muscle flaps.

Adipose Tissue

Prostate-specific antigen obtained under optimal conditions determines extracapsular adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) obtained under optimal conditions with the presence or absence of organ-confined prostate cancer following radical prostatectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 300 consecutive patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy were retrospectively reviewed. Ninety-three patients were excluded who had a pre-operative PSA level potentially altered by various factors (prostate infection, manipulation or instrumentation). RESULTS: A pre-operative PSA value < 4 ng/mL accurately predicted pathologically confined disease in 42 of 51 patients (82%) which contrasted with extracapsular disease in 74 of 84 patients (88%) who had a PSA value > 10 ng/mL. One of the 53 patients with a PSA > 15 ng/mL had organ-confined disease at surgery. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that optimal serum PSA values correlate well with pathological stage.

Adenocarcinoma