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M Tenembaum

Publications and source records attributed to M Tenembaum.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

[Thrombophlebitis on intravenous cardiac stimulator electrodes].

The main feature of venous thrombosis on endocardial pacing electrodes are described with reference to 7 cases: the incidence is relatively low (0.4 to 4 p. 100) and the diagnosis obvious in the typical axillary-subclavian form associated with pain, oedema and collateral circulation. Diagnosis is mainly clinical and rehoplethysmography, rather than venography with its potential complications, is the complementary investigation of choice. Internal jugular, innominate vein, vena cava and intracardiac thrombosis may also occur. The vena cava syndromes are observed mainly in patients with multiple electrodes. Atrial or ventricular endocavitary thrombosis may give rise to hemodynamic signs of cardiac failure or to thromboembolism which may be fatal. Operational technique is an important factor in the etiology of early thrombosis especially when the approach vein is ligatured. In the late period, the loss of venous mobility due to the presence of a foreign body makes the vessel susceptible to compression in the cervico-brachial region. The mainstay of treatment is anticoagulation with intravenous or subcutaneous heparin with mobilisation and elevation of the affected arm. Fibrinolysis may be indicated in superior vena cava syndromes (case no 1), the results being better when therapy is instituted early on. Long term anticoagulation is not indicated (case no 7) and may even be dangerous in elderly patients with multiple electrodes.

Aged↗

Postoperative pneumoperitoneum: an unusual etiology.

Although postoperative pneumoperitoneum is a common finding, it is particularly disturbing when there is an increase in the amount of postoperative pneumoperitoneum or when the radiographic finding of pneumoperitoneum is accompanied by such physical findings as increased abdominal tenderness, peritoneal signs or paralytic ileus. Four patients operated upon at the Mount Sinai Hospital are presented. All patients underwent abdominal surgery for treatment of some form of inflammatory bowel disease and all were receiving systemic corticosteroids in the postoperative period. Abdominal findings of tenderness, ileus and peritoneal irritation developed shortly after the removal of Penrose drains in the postoperative period. Pneumoperitoneum was confirmed by abdominal roentgenographs. The first patient in this group underwent a laparotomy with essentially negative findings other than a freely open drain tract. The subsequent three patients were managed by close observation and frequent abdominal radiographs. These three patients had contrast roentgenographic studies of the upper gastrointestinal tract to rule out perforation of a peptic ulcer, and in the patient upon whom reservoir ileostomy had been performed, a contrast study of the reservoir was performed. All patients recovered fully with this management and there were no sequelae. The mechanism for the appearance of pneumoperitoneum after removal of drains, particularly when the patient is receiving systemic corticosteroids, is discussed. Emphasis is placed on the need to consider and rule out perforation of a hollow viscus in this situation before accepting drain removal as the sole cause of post-operative pneumoperitoneum.

Abdomen↗