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Biomedical subjects

R Arbel

Publications and source records attributed to R Arbel.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Poor prenatal detection rate of cardiac anomalies in Noonan syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The wide variation and nonspecific nature of many of the associated ultrasonographic findings complicate prenatal diagnosis of Noonan syndrome. The aim of the present study was to define the rate of prenatal diagnosis of heart malformations in cases diagnosed postnatally with Noonan syndrome. METHODS: English-language literature review of 29 cases of Noonan syndrome examined prenatally with confirmed postnatal diagnosis and four case reports from our center. RESULTS: Cases were evaluated for cervical spine pathologies, cardiac anomalies and other pathological findings, including hydrops fetalis and polyhydramnios. Cardiac anomalies were suspected in only nine of 33 cases; three of these were associated with cystic hygroma. Cardiac anomalies were eventually diagnosed in 31/33 cases postnatally. Polyhydramnios was diagnosed in 19/33 cases in the third trimester, and hydrops fetalis was detected in eight of 33. Cystic hygroma was present in a total of nine cases at mid-trimester. CONCLUSIONS: Noonan syndrome is characterized by late-onset and progressive pathologies, particularly the associated cardiac anomalies, which develop through the course of gestation and postnatal life. This complicates or precludes prenatal diagnosis at mid-trimester or at any time in the prenatal period, and partly explains the low rate of detection of fetal cardiac lesions in this syndrome.

Female↗

The three vessels and trachea view (3VT) in fetal cardiac scanning.

OBJECTIVE: Comprehensive evaluation of the fetal heart has become a major part of targeted organ scanning to rule out fetal malformations. Evaluation of the mediastinal major vessels seems to be the most difficult and time-consuming part of fetal heart examination. Our aim was to define and evaluate the three vessels and trachea (3VT) view, a novel and simple method to examine the great vessels in the mediastinum, and its applicability in the clinical practice of fetal echocardiography, while establishing nomograms for cardiac vessel measurements obtained in this view. METHODS: The three vessels and trachea view was examined in 379 low-risk gravidae between 14+0 and 23+6 weeks' gestation. Six parameters in this plane were measured to establish nomograms. In another group of 984 mixed high- and low-risk patients we compared the time required to identify the aortic arch using the 3VT view as compared to the long-axis view. RESULTS: The 3VT view was readily and satisfactorily demonstrated in all but two of the 1363 cases examined. In 17 cases (out of a total of 982) more than 10 min were required to identify the aortic arch using the 3VT view and in 71 patients when employing the long-axis view (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The clinical applicability of the 3VT view to evaluate the anatomy of the major vessels in the mediastinum is demonstrated. Although a wide variation in the six parameters of the 3VT view used here precludes their use in diagnosing great vessel anomalies, some of the ratios between them have promising potential in the evaluation of great vessel malformations. Further, the 3VT view seems to be more efficient in identifying the aortic arch than does the long-axis view.

Adult↗

Percutaneous release of trigger digits.

Twenty nine patients with 31 trigger digits were treated by percutaneous release under local anaesthesia using an 18 gauge needle. One patient was lost to follow up, and the remainder were examined at a mean follow-up of 14 months. One patient (one thumb) experienced recurrent symptoms, and required an open release. The remaining 27 patients with 29 trigger digits had complete relief of their symptoms.

Adult↗

The effect of extended calving intervals in high-yielding lactating cows on milk production and profitability.

A field trial was conducted to examine the effect of extended calving interval (CI) on production and profitability of high yielding cows (n = 937). First insemination was performed at 154 and 93 d postpartum (pp), for treatment and control primiparous cows, respectively, and at 124 and 71 d pp for treatment and control multiparous cows, respectively. During the first experimental lactation, average daily value-corrected milk (VCM) yield was 28.5 and 27.7 kg/d of CI for treatment (n = 131) and control (n = 133) primiparous cows, respectively. No significant difference in average daily VCM yield (33.0 and 32.8 kg/d of CI) was found between treatment (n = 271) and control (n = 215) multiparous cows . In the first 150 d of the subsequent lactation, there were significant differences in milk and VCM production in favor of the treatment primiparous cows (41.4 vs. 39.7 kg of VCM/d) but no significant differences in the production of multiparous cows. Primiparous and multiparous cows with extended lactations were more profitable. During the first experimental lactation, there were advantages of $0.19 and $0.12/d of CI in the net returns for primiparous cows and multiparous cows with longer CI, respectively. When the economic analysis included the first experimental lactation plus the first 150 d of the subsequent one, the net return per day of CI was higher for cows with an extended voluntary waiting period: $0.21/d and $0.16/d for primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively. A delay of 60 d with respect to the usual voluntary waiting period in the beginning of inseminations of high yielding cows has economic advantages and allows the farmer an option for decisions regarding individual cows.

Animals↗

Testicular fine needle aspiration: the alternative method for sperm retrieval in non-obstructive azoospermia.

The objective of this prospective open study was to determine the feasibility of obtaining mature spermatozoa for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) by testicular fine needle aspiration (TEFNA) in men diagnosed with non-obstructive azoospermia. TEFNA consisted of a mean of 15 punctures and aspirations in each testis, using 23 gauge butterfly needles, connected to a 20 ml syringe with an aspiration handle. Patients (n = 85) underwent 111 TEFNA cycles. Mature testicular spermatozoa were recovered in 65 (58.5%) cycles from 50 (58.8%) patients. The sperm recovery rate by testicular histology was 14 out of 29 (48.3%) in patients with Sertoli cell-only, 13 out of 28 (46.4%) in patients with maturation arrest, 19 out of 20 (95%) in patients with hypospermatogenesis, four out of six (66.6%) in patients with tubular hyalinization due to non-mosaic Klinefelter's syndrome. No spermatozoa were found in two cases with post-irradiation fibrosis. ICSI was performed in all 65 cycles. In 58 cycles in which only the husbands' spermatozoa were used, 406 mature oocytes were injected, and 154 (37.9%) were normally fertilized. Of the 143 embryos that developed (92.8%), 119 were transferred in 42 cycles resulting in 18 clinical pregnancies (42. 8%), with 31 gestational sacs, providing an implantation rate of 26%. One abortion of a singleton pregnancy occurred (5.6%). No major side-effects, such as haematoma or infection were recorded. In conclusion, we have found TEFNA to be efficient, easy to learn, safe and well tolerated by all patients. In our opinion, TEFNA should be considered the first choice whenever sperm recovery is attempted in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Adult↗

Legionnaire's disease during pregnancy: a case presentation and review of the literature.

Acute pneumonia complicating pregnancy can have serious consequences for both the mother and the fetus. Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the most common bacterial pathogen, but Legionella pneumophila must be considered as well, especially in severe multisystem disease. With severe disease, premature delivery may occur as has been described in the only previous report of Legionnaire's disease during pregnancy. We present here the first report of Legionnaire's disease in pregnancy, resulting in the term delivery of a healthy infant. Also presented is an extensive review of the literature.

Adult↗

Traumatic separation of the symphysis pubis during pregnancy: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: To present an unusual case of traumatic extensive separation of the symphysis pubis during pregnancy and rationale for mode of treatment. DESIGN: Diagnosis for etiology of public and lower back pain following trauma in a 37-year-old woman in an advanced stage of pregnancy. METHODS: Physical examination and plain anterioposterior X-rays. CONCLUSION: Extensive traumatic separation of the symphysis pubis might result from a very forceful descent of the fetal head against the pelvic ring upon the mother's accidental falling. Propitious timing of a caesarian section permits the option of open reduction and internal fixation.

Accidental Falls↗

Treatment of finger-tip injuries with silver sulphadiazine occlusion dressing.

From 1982, patients with finger-tip injuries were treated with sulphadiazine occlusion dressings. The average time taken for the wound to heal, incidence of infection and absence from work were studied. The results of this method gave consistently good results when compared with other techniques which are summarized.

Aging↗

The disappearing needle.

This is a report of an unusual surgical curiosity involving the median nerve at the wrist. A sewing needle, which penetrated the region of the wrist joint anteriorly, unknown to the patient, also penetrated the median nerve without causing any initial discomfort or neurological deficit. There was no damage to the nerve but locating the "disappearing" needle at operation was difficult.

Child↗

Pseudogout of the wrist presenting as acute median nerve compression.

Two cases are reported of acute median nerve compression due to calcium pyrophosphate deposition in the wrist, masquerading as a septic condition. There have been recent reports in the literature of the effects of calcium pyrophosphate in joints of the upper limb (Resnick 1983 and Hensley, 1983) These conditions are uncommon and the presentation and initial symptomatology of our case led in the first patient to misdiagnosis and an unnecessary operation, which was avoided in the second case.

Adult↗