Biomedical subjects

J Raffensperger

Publications and source records attributed to J Raffensperger.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1979

Benign neoplasmia and pseudoneoplasia of the small bowel in children.

Fourteen cases of benign tumorous conditions in children are reported. Each new growth described represents a true neoplasm, one simulating a true neoplasm, or one simulating a true tumor, clinically and/or radiographically. The series contains 10 female and 4 male patients. Most patients were under 1 year of age when manifestations--most often, gastrointestinal hemorrhage or bowel obstruction-- of the condition became evident. Nine patients had roentgenographic findings which indicated the presence of an abnormality, but the specificity of the findings was low. Some patients had cutaneous or other somatic clinical stigmata found in known syndromes also containing gastrointestinal pathology. These stigmata and the awareness of the clinical and roentgenographic manifestations of small bowel tumors in children should lead to an early diagnosis and hopefully to the usually successful surgical therapy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1979

The gracilis sling for fecal incontinence.

During the past 20 yr, we have transplanted the gracilis muscle to the perianal position for use as a sphincter to achieve continence in 7 completely incontinent children, ages 7 to 16 yr. Complete continence was achieved in three, three were improved and one transplant became infected and failed completely. The procedure has been performed as originally described by Pickrell. The bowel must be impeccably clean prior to the operation and the muscle must be sutured as tightly as possible about the anus. These two details, in addition to postoperative training, are essential for a successful result.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1979

Liver abscess.

A liver abscess may occur secondary to an umbilical vein catheterization or infection in other parts of the body, and is associated with immune deficiencies, especially chronic granulomatous disease. There are no specific signs and symptoms, but an unexplained fever with upper abdominal tenderness and an enlarged liver were present in all of our cases. A liver-spleen scan is the most useful diagnostic test, demonstrating a filling defect in the liver. A single abscess may be unroofed and drained. When multiple abscesses are found, as many as possible are drained, but long-term specific antibiotic therapy is the most important treatment.

Child↗