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Biomedical subjects

R E Koehler

Publications and source records attributed to R E Koehler.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Computed tomography in the staging of esophageal carcinoma.

The computed tomographic (CT) findings in 52 patients with histologically proved esophageal carcinoma were reviewed. In 30 of these patients, the CT findings were correlated with findings at surgery or autopsy. CT was found to be highly accurate in predicting tumor size and assessing invasion of the tracheobronchial tree and spread to the liver, adrenals, and celiac and left gastric nodes. By quantifying the contact between the tumor and aorta, it was found that the CT appearance correctly predicted the presence or absence of aortic invasion in 24 of 25 cases (five cases were indeterminate). CT was insensitive in detecting metastatic spread to local periesophageal nodes; in these cases the tumor tended to involve the nodes without enlarging them. CT is an accurate method for assessing the spread of esophageal carcinoma. Its use can prevent unnecessary surgery in patients with inoperable tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1983

Radiologic evaluation of complications after esophagogastrectomy.

The use of surgical stapling devices has caused renewed interest in the performance of esophagogastrectomy by reducing complications to an acceptable level. This has resulted in a more complicated radiographic appearance of the procedure. Since complications can be devastating, prompt recognition by the radiologist is critical. Sixty consecutive patients undergoing esophagogastrectomy were examined 7 days postoperatively with esophagrams. Forty-seven had been performed using the end-to-end anastomosis stapler. The spectrum of normal postoperative appearances is described. Follow-up examinations were performed in 29 patients. Postoperative complications included leak at a staple line (four), gastric outlet obstruction (two), gastric necrosis (two), and position-dependent problems with gastric emptying (five). Leaks were manifested by pleural effusions and by contrast extravasation, generally at the anastomosis or the distal gastric margin of resection. Late complications included benign strictures (eight), recurrent malignancy (seven), tracheal aspiration (one), reflux esophagitis (two), and bronchoesophageal fistula (two). The presence of a mass greater than 1.5 cm, particularly one extending across the anastomosis, correlated highly with recurrent malignancy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1983

Computed tomographic features of biliary obstruction.

A retrospective review of CT scans in 69 consecutive patients with proven biliary obstruction due to both malignant and benign causes was performed to define and differentiate CT changes. Abrupt termination of a dilated extrahepatic biliary duct was characteristic of a malignant process in the absence of a mass. Gradual tapering of a dilated duct was specific for benign disease. Other findings, such as degree of intra- or extrahepatic duct dilatation and presence or absence of a dilated pancreatic duct were not reliable in distinguishing benign from malignant causes. The authors also found CT to be accurate in detecting common duct stones with a sensitivity exceeding 80%.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Barium examination of the pharynx after vertical hemilaryngectomy.

Vertical hemilaryngectomy (VHL) is an effective treatment for localized true-vocal-cord carcinoma. Single- and double-contrast barium pharyngoesophagrams in 13 post-VHL patients (11 with dysphagia or suspected tumor recurrence, and two asymptomatic volunteers) were reviewed retrospectively. The two asymptomatic volunteers illustrated the normal postoperative appearance, demonstrating an unaltered pharynx, with no barium aspiration. Barium aspiration into the laryngeal vestibule or trachea was seen in 10 cases and was the only abnormal radiographic finding in four such patients. Three instances of tumor recurrence were identified. In two such cases, aspirated barium revealed a narrowed, irregular lumen of the residual laryngeal vestibule with a mass protruding into the subglottic part of the airway. The third example of recurrent malignancy was manifested by a tracheoesophageal fistula. Findings on the barium examination mimicked recurrent tumor in four cases. In one instance, a mound of granulation tissue protruding into the subglottic airway was confused with tumor recurrence. In three cases, the radiographs demonstrated apparent narrowing and mucosal irregularity of the residual laryngeal vestibule. This appearance was due to early postoperative edema or to transient deformity of the pliable residual hemilarynx during deglutition, as shown by videotaped fluoroscopy.

Barium↗
PubMed1983

CT appearance of sclerosing cholangitis.

Ten cases of sclerosing cholangitis, both primary and secondary forms, were found to have similar abnormalities within the liver on CT examinations. These changes are different from those seen in cases of biliary obstruction due to tumor, stone, inflammatory mass, or other focal process. The finding of focal, discontinuous areas of minimal intrahepatic biliary dilatation without associated mass lesion seems to be highly suggestive of sclerosing cholangitis. Only the rare, diffuse form of cholangiocarcinoma would be likely to produce a similar CT appearance.

Cholangitis↗
PubMed1982

The clinical significance of large lymphoid follicles of the colon.

In 17 patients, large colonic lymphoid follicles were visible on air-contrast barium-enema examination (ACBE). They varied in size but were at least 4 mm in diameter and located predominantly in the rectosigmoid region. Inflammatory bowel disease was found in 13 patients (73%) and lymphoma in 1. In 100 controls without signs or symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, the lymphoid follicles did not exceed 3 mm; they were visible radiographically in 52% of patients under 30 and 17% of those over 30. Lymphoid follicles which measure greater than or equal to 4 mm on ACBE should suggest inflammatory bowel disease or, less likely, lymphoma or dysgammaglobulinemia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Barium examination of the esophagus after total laryngectomy.

Barium examination of the esophagus is often useful for evaluating the cause of dysphagia, a frequent condition in patients who have undergone total laryngectomy. The examination may be difficult to interpret, however, because a variety of anatomic changes may be produced by radiation, infection, fistula, recurrent tumor, or the operation itself. Radiographic and clinical information on 45 total-laryngectomy patients, whose follow-up periods ranged from six months to 17 years, were analyzed. A recurrent tumor was found in 15 patients and was evident radiographically as a mass deviating the neopharynx in 14. Benign strictures in 14 patients appeared either as a long symmetrical narrowing or as a very short, weblike narrowing. Fistulas were demonstrated in 13 patients and presaged the development of recurrent tumors in five. Cricopharyngeal muscular dysfunction accounted for dysphagia in five cases. An understanding of these patterns leads to more accurate interpretation of the postoperative barium examination of the esophagus, and the radiographic findings often indicate the correct diagnosis with a high degree of confidence.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

A prospective comparison of the evaluation of biliary obstruction using computed tomography and ultrasonography.

A total of 103 consecutive patients with suspected biliary obstruction were studied using both computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) to evaluate the relative accuracy of the methods. In 47 patients with confirmed obstruction, CT and US were comparable accurate in differentiating obstruction from nonobstruction. The precise level of obstruction was identified by CT in 88% and by US in 60%; the cause of obstruction was accurately predicted by CT in 70% and by US in 38%. Both methods detected useful additional information, such as cholelithiasis or retroperitoneal adenopathy. The authors use US as a screening examination; if there is doubt about the level and cause of sonographically demonstrated obstruction, CT has proved to be an accurate means of further evaluation.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

Radiographic abnormalities after gastric bypass.

Postoperative radiographic findings in the gastrointestinal tract were analyzed in 43 of 72 patients with gastric bypass for morbid obesity. In 15 patients studied because of early postoperative vomiting or abdominal pain, two showed leak from the proximal gastric pouch and six showed impairment of proximal pouch emptying at the anastomosis or proximal efferent loop. In four of the six, the impaired emptying was due to transient postoperative edema and improved spontaneously. Three patients had impairment of distal gastric pouch emptying due to pylorospasm. Five patients studied in the late postoperative period showed dehiscence of the gastric staple line, which can be difficult to demonstrate radiographically. Familiarity with the normal and the abnormal radiographic appearance after gastric bypass is important in elucidating the nature of the problems that can arise after this operation.

Digestive System↗
PubMed1981

Evaluation of three effervescent agents for double-contrast upper gastrointestinal radiography.

The agent used to introduce gas into the stomach is an important factor in determining the quality of double-contrast upper gastrointestinal radiography. The efficacy of 3 effervescent agents formulated for use in double-contract upper gastrointestinal radiography was evaluated in 300 patients. Patients found 2 granular preparations (E-Z-Gas granules and Baros) easier to swallow than a powdered agent (E-Z-Gas powder). Bubble formation and flocculation of barium in the stomach were less of a problem with Baros. Differences in mucosal coating and visualization of area gastricae were not statistically significant.

Bicarbonates↗
PubMed1981

Gastric bypass for morbid obesity: a medical--surgical assessment.

With the operative modifications and dietary guidelines described in this report, death and complications from gastric bypass were minimal, and weight loss was marked. Ninety per cent of a group of 69 patients lost more than half of their excess weight within the first two years after operation. Stringent preselection of patients for operation was crucial to the success of the operation, and marked alterations of eating behavior was necessary to achieve the weight loss. Mild electrolyte deficiencies and hypovitaminosis occurred in up to one-fourth of the patients. While none of these abnormalities was harmful to the patients, and all were easily corrected, their occurrence demonstrates the importance of long-term follow-up after the operation. We conclude that gastric bypass, with a 50-60 cc pouch and a small (1-1.2 cm) gastrojejunostomy, remains the operation of choice for morbid obesity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Resolution of radiographic-endoscopic discrepancies in colon neoplasms.

Fifty-one colon neoplasms larger than 1 cm were diagnosed by double-contrast barium enema (DC), but were not confirmed by initial endoscopy. Seventeen lesions were shown to be radiographic false-positive diagnoses by careful review of the original radiographs (10 cases) or repeat DC (7 cases). The presence of a neoplasm was confirmed in 21 cases (41%) by repeat endoscopy or surgery (15 cases) or by repeat DC alone (6 cases). Seven (47%) of 15 resected lesions were malignant. The results emphasize the complementary nature of the DC and endoscopy in detection of colon neoplasms. When discrepancies between the radiographic and endoscopic diagnoses cannot be explained by careful review of the DC, repeat radiographic or endoscopic examination should be performed.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1981

Computed tomography of gastric neoplasms.

The authors analyzed the clinical and CT findings in 100 normal subjects and 31 patients with gastric disease to determine the significance of thickening of the gastric wall. Ninety per cent of the normal individuals had a wall thickness less than 1 cm with adequate distension of the lumen. Twenty-nine of the 31 patients with gastric disease (94%) had a wall thickness greater than 1 cm. Adenocarcinoma and lymphoma could not be reliably distinguished based solely on the pattern of gastric wall involvement, although most lymphomas had a lobular luminal contour while advanced adenocarcinomas had flattened inner margins. All 4 leiomyosarcomas were seen as large extragastric masses, and some had calcification or central necrosis. CT was helpful in assessing metastatic spread in 25 patients. While it could not distinguish between neoplastic and inflammatory disease or among histological types of tumor, it was a sensitive detector of gastric disease.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1981

Clinical and radiographic manifestations of aortoesophageal fistulas.

Aneurysms of the thoracic aorta simulated primary esophageal disease both clinically and radiographically in 5 patients. Four had an aortoesophageal fistula at the time of presentation; endoscopic biopsy of a presumed esophageal tumor precipitated hematemesis in the fifth patient. In retrospect, the fistulas were demonstrated by barium esophagography in 3 patients. In 3, arteriography showed the aortic aneurysm but failed to reveal the fistula. The literature confirms a similar presentation for most other aortoesophageal fistulas, with premonitory esophageal bleeding followed hours to days later by massive hemorrhage. Of the reported cases of rupture of aneurysms of the thoracic aorta, 12% bled into the esophagus. While clinical and radiographic distinction between primary esophageal disease and esophageal manifestations of an aortic aneurysm is occasionally difficult, it is crucial for proper management.

Aged↗