Biomedical subjects

R I Aviv

Publications and source records attributed to R I Aviv.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Embolisation of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae with Onyx.

Surgery is currently the standard treatment for spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVF). Endovascular embolisation of these lesions using N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) has a high success rate. Onyx is a new liquid embolic agent whose viscosity makes it suitable for treatment of spinal DAVF where penetration into the proximal radicular vein is required. It is delivered with greater control than NBCA without the necessity for rapid withdrawal of the catheter and may therefore overcome some of the drawbacks of NBCA. We report two patients who underwent Onyx embolisation of spinal DAVF; to our knowledge this is the first such report.

Angiography↗

PubMed2002

Craniosynostosis.

Craniosynostosis, caused by premature fusion of the sutures, may be syndromic or non-syndromic. Radiology has an important role to play in the assessment, management and follow-up of these patients. Initial investigations may often be undertaken within general radiology departments. An understanding of the terminology and recognition of the predictable patterns of presentation are essential to enable appropriate referral to a craniofacial unit where further investigation and management are undertaken. We present the radiological features of several craniosynostoses with an emphasis on the role of plain radiography. We demonstrate the complementary role of computed tomography in their evaluation within the setting of a specialist centre.

Craniosynostoses↗

PubMed2002

Radiological palliation of malignant colonic obstruction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of colorectal stenting in the palliation of irresectable malignant colonic obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients underwent colorectal stenting for irresectable colonic malignancy. Sixteen stents were placed successfully in 13 patients. Two stent insertions, one a proximal transverse colon lesion, were unsuccessful. Twelve patients (80%) had clinical or radiological features of imminent obstruction. Three patients were completely obstructed. Eighty-six percent of lesions were within the rectosigmoid colon. RESULTS: Technical and clinical success was 88%. Early, minor complications occurred in two patients (13%). Late complications included migration (13%) and ingrowth (19%). The median survival was 2 months (0.5-12 months). CONCLUSION: Stenting should be considered as definitive treatment in the context of an inoperable malignant stricture of the colon. It has low morbidity and a high technical and clinical success rate and avoids emergency defunctioning surgery in high-risk patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Use of stents in the palliative treatment of malignant gastric outlet and duodenal obstruction.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of stenting in the palliation of malignant duodenal and gastric outlet obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our series of patients who underwent stenting for malignant upper gastrointestinal obstruction between March 1998 and December 1999. From January 2000 data have been acquired prospectively. Our series comprises 21 stents successfully deployed in 15 patients. RESULTS: The technical and clinical success was 93% (14/15 patients). One patient required endoscopic negotiation of recurrent gastric carcinoma at the gastrojejunostomy site after failure to cross the lesion fluroscopically. Two patients required re-intervention 2 and 5 weeks after initial stent placement, for migration and ingrowth respectively. Eighteen stents were placed transorally, two stents transhepatically and one via a transgastric approach. Early complications (pain < 3 days) occurred in two patients (13%) and late complications (ingrowth, overgrowth and migration) occurred in three patients (20%). The median survival was 2.4 months (range 2-4 months). CONCLUSION: Stenting provides a less invasive palliative option than surgery with the advantage of lower morbidity and complication rates. It has the advantage of high technical and clinical success rates facilitated by alternative routes of access into the upper gastrointestinal tract via transgastric and transhepatic routes in addition to the traditional peroral route.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Angiomatosis of bone and soft tissue: a spectrum of disease from diffuse lymphangiomatosis to vanishing bone disease in young patients.

The application of cross-sectional imaging in the investigation of patients with angiomatosis reveals that lymphangiomatosis and vanishing bone disease should not be considered as separate entities, but rather as a spectrum of disease. We present a pictorial review of eight patients demonstrating the manifestations of soft tissue and bony involvement. We highlight a subgroup of patients with chyloid pleural effusions who have a poor prognosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

The prevalence of maternal medication ingestion in the antenatal period.

The prevalence of ingestion of medication by pregnant women was recorded in 236 patients attending the antenatal clinics at New Somerset and Peninsula Maternity Hospitals. Patients were interviewed over two periods, 23-26 July and 2-12 December 1991. Of these women, 168 (71.2%) took a total of 283 drugs from 18 different categories. One hundred and forty women (59%) took prescribed and 68 (28.8%) non-prescribed medications. The most commonly used medicines were analgesics, cough and cold medicines, antibiotics, laxatives and antacids. Analgesics that contain aspirin constituted 13.8% of self-administered medicines and 2% of prescribed medicines. The most common sources of non-prescribed medication were pharmacies (60%), followed by supermarkets (32.5%). One hundred and sixty-two women (68.6%) received no advice on medication during their pregnancy. Of those who received advice, formal sources (doctor/nurse/pharmacist/midwife) accounted for 56.8% and informal sources (family/friends/magazines) for 43.3% of advice; 59.7% of women did not know that certain medicines are unsafe during pregnancy. Our data indicate that pregnant women in Cape Town take a large number of medicines, often without being aware of the potential adverse effects. This study shows the need for education in this regard, especially at antenatal clinics, pharmacies and supermarkets.

Adult↗