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Biomedical subjects

R J Butch

Publications and source records attributed to R J Butch.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Comparison of sonography and plain films in evaluation of the acute abdomen.

In 95 patients with acute abdominal pain seen in the emergency ward of a large urban teaching hospital, real-time sonography was performed in conjunction with a plain film of the abdomen in order to detect what, if any, added information was provided by the sonographic examination. In 20 patients (21%) the sonogram contributed important diagnostic information not provided by the plain film of the abdomen. Most of these patients had pathology referable to the biliary tract (14 of 20). In 28 patients (30%), the sonogram confirmed the diagnosis by abdominal film. In 39 (41%) the sonogram added no relevant information, and in three (3%) it was deleterious. In five (5%) the plain film provided more information than the sonogram.

Abdomen, Acute↗

Presacral masses after abdominoperineal resection for colorectal carcinoma: the need for needle biopsy.

Computed tomographic(CT)-guided biopsy of presacral masses after abdominoperineal resection for colorectal carcinoma was performed in 28 patients, using a transgluteal approach. The masses were divided into three groups according to their morphologic appearance: solid mass, mass with central low-density area, and gas-containing mass. Of 19 patients with a homogeneous solid mass, 15 had biopsy-proven recurrent adenocarcinoma. In the other nine patients, who had low-density masses with or without gas, it was not possible to offer a diagnosis on the basis of the CT appearance alone. In these cases, needle biopsy disclosed various entities, including recurrent tumor, abscess, and posttreatment necrosis. There was only one complication, transient hematuria. CT-guided needle biopsy of presacral masses after abdominoperineal resection is a simple, relatively safe, and valuable diagnostic technique.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Percutaneous drainage of pyogenic liver abscesses.

This report summarizes the results of percutaneous catheter drainage in 23 cases of primary or secondary pyogenic liver abscess. The overall success rate was 76%. Only three (60%) of five cases of secondary abscess (infected hematoma or infected tumor) were cured with catheter drainage, but 11 (91%) of the last 12 primary pyogenic abscesses were drained successfully. Six patients with abscesses of less than 4 cm in diameter required catheter drainage for less than 72 hr. Although six abscesses in the series appeared septated or multiloculated, only one required more than a single catheter for curative drainage. Diagnostic and technical considerations for successful drainage of hepatic abscesses are discussed. The differential diagnosis includes echinococcal disease and hepatic amebiasis. Therapeutically, specific measures should be taken to ensure proper catheter position to prevent contamination of the subphrenic, perihepatic, and pleural spaces. Percutaneous catheter drainage should be attempted as a first choice of treatment in all pyogenic hepatic abscesses.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of cavernous hemangioma of the liver: tissue-specific characterization.

Twenty-one patients with hepatic hemangioma, five with hepatic cysts, and 25 with primary or metastatic cancer involving the liver were studied by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Benign lesions (hemangiomas, cysts) were diagnosed noninvasively by CT, radionuclide studies, and/or sonography and confirmed by follow-up examinations more than 1 year later. Malignant lesions were confirmed by liver biopsy in every case. Identical multisection/multiecho techniques were used in all patients to obtain T1-and T2-weighted spin-echo (SE) and inversion-recovery (IR) images. MRI detected more hemangiomas than any other imaging technique. Of 30 hemangiomas, 25 were spherical or ovoid with a homogeneous appearance and smooth, well defined margins. Cancer tended to have a heterogeneous appearance and poorly defined margins. On T2-weighted SE images obtained with 2000 msec TR and 60, 120, or 180 msec TE, hemangiomas had significantly greater contrast-to-noise ratios (C/N) than liver cancer (p less than 0.001). The SE 2000/120 sequence provided the single most useful image for distinguishing hemangiomas from cancers. When morphologic criteria are used in conjunction with measured C/N, MRI correctly distinguished cavernous hemangiomas from liver cancer with 90% sensitivity, 92% specificity, and an overall accuracy of 90%. Cysts had a low signal intensity on SE 500/30 images and could often be distinguished from hemangiomas and cancers that were nearly isointense relative to liver. IR images were sensitive for lesion detection but provided no tissue-specific information. The data indicate that T2-weighted SE imaging may become the procedure of choice for distinguishing cavernous hemangioma from liver cancer.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

Inadvertent percutaneous catheter gastroenterostomy during abscess drainage: significance and management.

Eleven cases of inadvertent catheter insertion into the small bowel or stomach during percutaneous abdominal abscess drainage are reviewed. Recognition of the intraluminal catheter position was made by contrast-enhanced fluoroscopy in all patients 1-6 days after catheter insertion. No evidence of leakage of intestinal contents into the peritoneal cavity was noted either clinically or radiologically. All cases occurred after drainage of a centrally located midabdominal collection, but the ultimate outcome was not compromised. In nine of 11 cases, catheter drainage alone was sufficient; two cases required additional surgical drainage. Considerations for management include a prolonged period of catheter drainage to allow evolution of a fibrous tract and gradual catheter withdrawal. These data confirm the growing experience with purposeful percutaneous gastrostomy that percutaneous catheterization of the gastrointestinal tract can occur without major sequelae.

Abdomen↗

Percutaneous drainage of postoperative abdominal and pelvic lymphoceles.

Eleven patients with postoperative abdominal and pelvic lymphoceles underwent percutaneous diagnostic and therapeutic intervention with either needle aspiration or catheter drainage. Although initial sonographic or CT examinations accurately identified these collections, definitive diagnosis required fluid sampling and laboratory analysis for confirmation. Seven pelvic and two retroperitoneal lymphoceles demonstrated a gross appearance and composition different from two lymphatic collections in the upper peritoneum. Nine patients underwent catheter drainage; two were managed by needle aspiration alone. Duration of catheter drainage was 4-120 days, substantially longer than is customary for standard fluid collections. Nine of 11 patients were cured by percutaneous aspiration or drainage alone. Bacterial colonization developed in three persistently draining lymphoceles. However, no clinical sepsis or bacteremia occurred. In another patient with persistent high-volume lymphatic output, sclerotherapy with tetracycline instillation was successful in rapidly closing the lymphatic fistula. Percutaneous drainage is a safe, effective procedure for drainage of postoperative lymphoceles.

Adult↗

Portable ultrasound examinations in intensive care units.

The portability of modern real-time ultrasound units has led to a marked increase in the demand for examinations in medical, surgical, and pediatric intensive care units, the pediatric nursery, and the operating room. The results of all portable ultrasound examinations in the medical and surgical intensive care units at the Massachusetts General Hospital over a four-month period were analyzed to determine the efficacy of such studies. Of 48 examinations, portable sonograms were useful in 90 per cent, found new, clinically important information in 17 per cent, and led to misleading information in 4 per cent. Portable ultrasound examinations are valuable clinically and are probably cost effective.

Boston↗

Thyroid and parathyroid ultrasonography.

The introduction of high-resolution real-time small-parts sonography has made imaging the superficial structures of the neck a practical procedure. This article reviews the normal anatomy of the neck as well as the benign and malignant diseases affecting the thyroid and parathyroid glands.

Adenoma↗

Serious complications following transgression of the pleural space in drainage procedures.

Transgression of the parietal pleura may occur during placement of interventional drainage catheters into the liver and upper abdomen, and occasionally results in lethal complications. In a review of nearly 2,000 such procedures, four deaths were found to be related directly to pleural transgression from biliary drainage. Therefore, the anatomy of the pleura pertinent to abdominal needle or catheter insertion was analyzed. In 14 cadavers examined after intercostal needle insertion into the liver, needles inserted through the 9th intercostal space or higher punctured the pleura in all but one cadaver. Radiologic studies of 15 clinical cases revealed that elderly patients rarely depressed the diaphragm below the 9th intercostal space, which increases the risk of unsuspected puncture of the pleura. Review of clinical material revealed that diagnostic needle puncture through the parietal pleura carries far less risk than placement of a long-term drainage catheter. Methods to avoid puncture of the pleura, as well as the technical problems involved in such maneuvers, are given.

Catheterization↗

Monooctanoin perfusion treatment of intrahepatic calculi.

Seventeen patients who had intrahepatic calculi underwent perfusion with monooctanoin. While five patients responded with a decrease in size or number of calculi, only one had a complete response; 12 showed no response; and one died during the perfusion (however, the perfusion was not believed to have contributed to the death). Fifteen of the 17 patients required further treatment by a combination of basket extraction, oral administration of chenodeoxycholic acid, or surgery. The lack of response to monooctanoin perfusion was in part due to calculus composition. Because of the poor response to this treatment and the prolonged hospitalization generally required, monooctanoin is not recommended for dissolution of intrahepatic calculi.

Adult↗

Severe esophageal strictures: indications for balloon catheter dilatation.

Bougienage of esophageal strictures is a traditional method of therapy for patients who present with a stricture sufficiently large to permit passage of a mercury-weighted rubber bougie. However, when the residual lumen is smaller than 12 mm diameter, bougie dilatation acquires a prohibitively high risk of esophageal perforation. Twenty patients who had severe esophageal strictures have undergone surgical repair or Eder-Puestow dilatation assisted by guidewire. Fluoroscopic balloon catheter dilatation obviated surgery and allowed subsequent standard bougienage both in hospital and at home performed by the patient. We discuss indications, technique, results, and complications.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Iliopsoas abscess: treatment by CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage.

Eight cases of iliopsoas abscess were diagnosed and treated by computed tomographic (CT)-guided needle aspiration and percutaneous catheter drainage. The etiology varied but was definitely established in only four of eight cases. Seven of eight were successfully drained and surgery avoided. The eighth patient defervesced satisfactorily but ultimately required surgical debridement of a sacral osteomyelitis. Clinical, anatomic, and technical considerations for percutaneous drainage of iliopsoas abscesses are discussed. CT was essential both in early diagnosis and in guiding diagnostic needle aspiration and catheter placement. Image-guided percutaneous drainage appears to be the treatment of choice for iliopsoas abscess.

Abscess↗

Abscess-fistula association: radiologic recognition and percutaneous management.

Thirty-five patients with postoperative enteric and/or biliary fistulae were diagnosed and treated by percutaneous catheter drainage. All were initially considered to have postoperative abdominal abscesses, and the enteric or biliary communications were unrecognized before radiologic intervention. In addition, at the time of initial catheter insertion, only six of the 35 abscesses were recognized as being associated with an underlying fistula. In the other 29 patients the fistulae were found either by clinical follow-up or contrast sinogram after 24-72 hr of catheter drainage. Percutaneous catheter drainage was the definitive treatment in 28 (80%) of the 35 patients. The seven failures were either from inadequate catheter positioning or inability to treat the primary cause of the fistula (e.g., radiation enteritis, perforated cancer). These data suggest that even abscesses with underlying fistulae, traditionally an indication for surgical intervention, may be successfully managed by percutaneous methods.

Abscess↗

Percutaneous aspiration of hepatic cysts does not provide definitive therapy.

Follow-up of 13 patients who underwent radiologically guided percutaneous needle aspiration of simple liver cysts revealed cyst recurrence in all patients within 2 years. While still effective as a primary diagnostic maneuver, percutaneous aspiration seems to lack permanent therapeutic benefit. However, it may be used as a therapeutic trial to confirm the origin of the patient's symptoms. The possible role of intracystic instillation of sclerosing agents was not studied in this series.

Adult↗

Obstruction of the left hepatic duct: diagnosis and treatment by selective fine-needle cholangiography and percutaneous biliary drainage.

Obstruction of the left hepatic duct due to periportal pathologic conditions was identified by fine-needle transhepatic cholangiography in 28 patients. Selective cholangiography of the left duct was performed in 30 instances and subsequent selective left-sided catheter decompression was carried out in 23 cases. Techniques for selective puncture and drainage of the left duct required procedure modifications to accommodate the specific anatomic and pathologic features of the obstructed left duct system. Ultrasonography was indispensable as an aid to delineation of the left duct anatomy for directing needle puncture. Accurate documentation and successful catheter drainage of left duct obstruction are important contributions to the total management of patients with high biliary obstruction.

Adenoma, Bile Duct↗

MR imaging of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia.

The magnetic resonance features of a case of focal nodular hyperplasia are described. They include mass effect with tumor nearly isointense with adjacent liver and a central stellate region corresponding pathologically to the collagenous scar.

Adenoma↗