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J Raad

Publications and source records attributed to J Raad.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Anal achalasia after pull-through operations for Hirschsprung's disease -- preliminary experience with topical nitric oxide.

INTRODUCTION: Following definitive pull-through for Hirschsprung's disease (HD), a minority of patients develop constipation, incontinence and enterocolitis. The cause for these symptoms in some of the patients is believed to be "internal sphincter achalasia" related to abnormal innervation of the sphincter, with an absent anorectal relaxation reflex. Transanal myectomy, posterior sagittal rectal myectomy, anal dilatation and even intrasphincter injection of botulinum toxin have been used to solve this problem. Nitric oxide (NO) has been identified as the chemical messenger of the intrinsic non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic pathway mediating relaxation of the normal internal anal sphincter when applied topically. BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of topical isosorbide dinitrate (DTN) applied to the anus and its role in the management of patients with HD after pull-through who have ongoing difficulties in stool evacuation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four children, aged 2, 5, 7 and 13 years, who all underwent the Soave operation for Hirschsprung's disease, were assessed. Three patients had recurrent episodes of enterocolitis, and all had symptoms of difficulty in rectal/colonic evacuation. Conservative treatment of repeated anal dilatation under anaesthesia had failed to improve symptoms. A rectal myectomy and conversion of Soave to Duhamel procedure had been done in 2 without significant improvement in symptoms. In all patients, ano-rectal manometry was performed before and after application of DTN paste (1 mg/kg/day in two separate doses) which was continued for a minimum period of 3 weeks. Results. Marked symptom improvement was noted in all 4 children. On manometric assessment the median maximum pressure (pre-DTN application) was 165 mm Hg (range 96 - 250), the median sphincter length 2.7 cm (range 2.3 - 3.1) and the high-pressure zone (HPZ) median length 1.6 cm (range 1.2 - 2.1). After application of DTN paste, the maximum pressure dropped by a median of 88 mm Hg (range 46 - 90), total sphincter length shortened to a median of 2.1 cm and the HPZ by a median total length of 1.4 cm (range 0.01 - 0.9). In addition, vector volume was reduced by a median of 59 % (range 40.5 - 77). CONCLUSION: From these results, it is evident that DTN paste is not only an adjunct in the investigation, but can also be used as a temporary form of treatment of obstructive symptoms in Hirschsprung's disease patients.

Administration, Topical↗

[Vertebral hemangioma symptomatic during pregnancy. A case report and review of the literature].

Vertebral hemangioma is a relatively frequent but rarely symptomatic tumor. Physiologic changes during pregnancy may lead to spinal cord compression due to tumor expansion. We report a case of vertebral hemangioma during pregnancy: a 28-year-old woman, third trimester, third gestation, consulted for paraplegia of rapid onset; Magnetic resonance imaging showed a lesion of the 9th thoracic vertebra; a cesarean section was done, followed by laminectomy with partial symptom relief; pathology showed a benign vertebral hemangioma and treatment was completed with radiotherapy.

Adult↗

Postmortem cesarean section following maternal blast injury: case report.

We report a postmortem cesarean section resulting in fetal survival, performed 25 minutes after maternal blast injury. The time interval between cardiopulmonary arrest and delivery, prior maternal health status, and continued cardiopulmonary resuscitation represent important determinants of fetal survival. Improvement in maternal hemodynamic condition may potentially occur following the procedure. Postmortem cesarean section is advised in the event of fatal maternal trauma since it may result in fetal salvage.

Adult↗

[Pregnancy in a woman with mechanical mitral prosthesis: apropos of a case treated with intravenous heparin until delivery].

Pregnancy with mechanical mitral prosthesis poses several risks either for the fetus and the mother. A good care including the contribution of an obstetrician, a cardiologist, an anesthesiologist and a neonatologist is strongly recommended during pregnancy until delivery. The anticoagulation causes a major risk. The heparin may be given during the whole pregnancy or may be replaced by the oral anticoagulants from the 13 weeks of last menstrual period until 10 to 15 days before delivery. Considering the difficulty to have an adequate anticoagulation with subcutaneous heparin, we have tried in ambulatory with our patient the intravenous heparin under a strict observation.

Adult↗

Antibodies against spermatozoids. Studies in homosexuals, AIDS and infertile men.

The presence of antibodies against spermatozoids was evaluated in one person with AIDS and six homosexuals (HS). Indirect immunofluorescence was utilized along with immunoenzymatic trial with peroxidase (ELISA) in order to detect antibodies class IgG towards spermatozoids and their membrane proteins. Optic densities of the following groups of patients were compared: 1) One patient with AIDS. 2) Six homosexuals (HS). 3) Three HS with cells OKT8 greater than 30%. 4) Three HS with cells OKT8 less than 30%. 5) Three men with auto-antibodies against spermatozoids + infertility. 6) Two men without auto-antibodies against spermatozoids + infertility. 7) Five women, spouses of the infertile men. 8) Five multiparous with more than 3 pregnancies. 9) One man with orchitis. 10) Ten fertile and healthy (C.G.) heterosexual persons. The patient with AIDS and the one with orchitis had the highest optic densities (OD), (groups 1 and 9). Groups 8 and 10 had the lowest, non-significant values. Groups 2, 5 and 7 ranked second in place in reference to O.D. Groups 3, 4 and 6 ranked third in O.D. values. Groups 8 and 10 differed significantly at P less than 0.005 compared with the others. The presence of antibodies against spermatozoids was considered as an important factor associated with AIDS and previous states of the AIDS detected by OKT8 greater than 30% of lymphocytes. The IIF and ELISA were able to detect antigenic system in spermatozoids with allelic form, which may be similar to the mice locus t, or a new tissue specific system.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗