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Biomedical subjects

Mitchell S Cappell

Publications and source records attributed to Mitchell S Cappell.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Colon cancer during pregnancy.

The medical community should become mobilized to diagnose colon cancer earlier in pregnancy to improve prognosis. The primary care physician or obstetrician should refer the pregnant patient with significant gastrointestinal complaints to the gastroenterologist for evaluation. Likewise, the gastroenterologist should be prepared to perform sigmoidoscopy, preferably without endoscopic medications, for significant lower gastrointestinal symptoms such as persistent rectal bleeding. Sigmoidoscopy is particularly sensitive in identifying colon cancer in pregnant patients because their cancers are usually distal and within reach of the sigmoidoscope.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

The fetal safety and clinical efficacy of gastrointestinal endoscopy during pregnancy.

More than 12,000 pregnant patients in the United States per annum have conditions that are normally evaluated by EGD. More than 6000 pregnant patients in the United States per annum have conditions that are normally evaluated by sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. About one thousand more have symptomatic choledocholithiasis during pregnancy, which is a strong indication for endoscopic sphincterotomy in nonpregnant patients. Endoscopy during pregnancy raises the unique issue of fetal safety. Endoscopic medications comprise a significant component of fetal endoscopic risks. Safety of EGD during pregnancy has been examined in a case-controlled study of 83 patients, a mailed survey of 73 patients, and 28 case reports. Safety of sigmoidoscopy during pregnancy has been examined in a case-controlled study of 46 patients, a mailed survey of 13 patients, and 10 case reports. Safety of therapeutic ERCP during pregnancy has been analyzed in studies of 23, 10, 6, and 5 patients, and in 32 case reports. These studies suggested that EGD, sigmoidoscopy, and ERCP should be performed when strongly indicated: EGD for significant upper gastrointestinal bleeding, sigmoidoscopy for nonhemorrhoidal rectal bleeding, and ERCP for symptomatic choledocholithiasis when sphincterotomy is contemplated. PEG and colonoscopy are currently considered experimental during pregnancy because of insufficient data on fetal safety. Several cases of PEG and colonoscopy were successfully performed during pregnancy. Performance of endoscopy during pregnancy should increase with further technical refinements, and greater awareness of procedure safety.

Endoscopy, Digestive System↗

The role of esophagogastroduodenoscopy in the diagnosis and management of upper gastrointestinal disorders.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy has revolutionized the clinical management of upper gastrointestinal diseases. Millions of EGDs are performed annually in the United States for many indications, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, dysphagia, or surveillance of premalignant lesions. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is very safe, with a low risk of serious complications such as perforation, cardiopulmonary arrest, or aspiration pneumonia. It is a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic test, especially when combined with endoscopic biopsy. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is increasingly being used therapeutically to avoid surgery. New endoscopic technology such as endosonography, endoscopic sewing, and the endoscopic videocapsule will undoubtedly extend the frontiers and increase the indications for endoscopy.

Procedural Sedation↗

The role of sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy in the diagnosis and management of lower gastrointestinal disorders: technique, indications, and contraindications.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy have revolutionized the clinical management of colonic diseases. Colonoscopy has a broad range of indications, including evaluating lower GI symptoms such as lower GI bleeding, evaluating abnormal radiographic findings, and screening and surveillance for colon cancer. Colonoscopy is increasingly being used therapeutically. Patient evaluation, patient instructions, and colonic preparation before colonoscopy are essential for safe and efficient colonoscopy. Intravenous sedation reduces patient pain and anxiety during colonoscopy, but requires monitoring by pulse oximetry and automated measurements of vital signs. An experienced colonoscopist can complete colonoscopy in 90% or more of cases, using maneuvers to maintain the colonic lumen in view, straighten the colonoscope, and avoid looping during colonic intubation.

Colonic Diseases↗

The role of sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy in the diagnosis and management of lower gastrointestinal disorders: endoscopic findings, therapy, and complications.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy have revolutionized the clinical management of colonic diseases. Colonoscopy is a highly sensitive and specific test. Colonic diseases often produce characteristic colonoscopic findings, as well as characteristic histologic findings, as identified in colonoscopic biopsy or polypectomy specimens. Colonoscopy is relatively safe, with a low incidence of serious complications, such as colonic perforation, hemorrhage, cardiopulmonary arrest, or sepsis. Colonoscopy is becoming more important clinically because of more widespread use of screening colonoscopy for colon cancer, application of therapeutic colonoscopy, and exciting new technical improvements.

Angiodysplasia↗

Radiologic diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal hemorrhage and ischemia.

Major breakthroughs in catheter, guidewire, and other angiographic equipment currently allow interventional radiologists to diagnose massive life-threatening upper and lower GI hemorrhage and to stop the bleeding safely and effectively using superselective catheterization and microcoil embolization. Similarly, the interventional radiologist can treat acute intestinal ischemia safely and effectively with selective catheterization and papaverine administration and treat chronic mesenteric ischemia by percutaneous angioplasty and stent placement. A multidisciplinary approach, including the gastroenterologist, radiologist, and surgeon, is critical in managing GI bleeding and intestinal ischemia, particularly in patients at high risk or presenting as diagnostic dilemmas.

Diverticulitis, Colonic↗