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Biomedical subjects

R R Babb

Publications and source records attributed to R R Babb.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Chronic liver disease. The scope of causes and treatments.

Evaluation of chronic liver disease begins with a carefully taken history, thorough physical examination, and standard laboratory tests. Often, however, other studies are required, such as a viral hepatitis panel, serologic tests for autoimmune markers, tests for antimitochondrial antibodies, measurement of serum iron and ceruloplasmin levels, liver biopsy, and imaging studies of the extra-hepatic bile ducts. Medical treatment of chronic active hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis remains unsatisfactory. Early treatment of hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease can prevent cirrhosis and liver failure. Liver transplantation is now a viable procedure for patients with end-stage chronic liver disease.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1992

Acute acalculous cholecystitis. A review.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis is an uncommon but very serious illness, that, if undiagnosed, may lead to gallbladder perforation and death. The condition has numerous causes that result in bile stasis and ischemia leading to inflammation and infection in the gallbladder wall. The bedside diagnosis may be difficult, especially in critically ill patients. Current imaging techniques including ultrasonography, computer tomography, and radionuclide cholescintigraphy are very helpful. Depending on the clinical situation, the gallbladder should either be drained by a surgical or percutaneous cholecystostomy under local anesthesia or removed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

Gastrointestinal complications of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have become increasingly popular, with more than 90 million prescriptions being written annually. These drugs inhibit the intracellular cyclooxygenase enzyme system, thus blocking the production of various prostaglandin compounds. This, in turn, interferes with normal mucosal protective mechanisms, leading to local injury. Gastrointestinal complications of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use include ulcerations, hemorrhage, perforation, stricture formation, and the exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment involves stopping the drug if at all possible and then instituting more specific therapy depending on the anatomic area that has been injured.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1979

Sexually transmitted infections in homosexual men.

Because of the form of sexual contact and the number of such contacts among homosexual men, physicians should be watchful for sexually transmitted infections in the homosexual community. Hepatitis B, anorectal gonorrhea, shigellosis, amebiasis, and giardiasis are now known to be among these infections. For treatment to be effective and epidemics avoided, physicians should question affected male patients about their sexual habits and advise abstinence from sexual contact until treatment is finished and cultures or smears are negative.

Anus Diseases↗
PubMed1978

Diagnosing ascites: the value of abdominal paracentesis.

Abdominal paracentesis is a useful and safe technique in the evaluation of ascites. The withdrawn ascitic fluid should be routinely analyzed for appearance, blood cell count, and amylase and total protein concentrations; examined cytologically; and cultured. Results should either substantiate the clinical diagnosis or alert the clinician to the presence of previously unsuspected disease.

Ascites↗
PubMed1978

The role of total parenteral nutrition in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Indications for the use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease include improvement of nutrition in the pre- and postoperative periods, management of gastrointestinal fistulas and as an adjunct to medical therapy. In general, patients with Crohn's disease respond better than those with ulcerative colitis. TPN is supportive and does not lead to a long-lasting cure in most cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Intestinal gas.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Colon↗
PubMed1976

Hepatitis B antigen: a review of its importance in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology.

Surgeons engaged in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology should have a clear understanding of the hepatitis B antigen (Australia antigen) serologic test. When positive, it serves as a marker either for the carrier state or for subclinical to overt hepatitis B (serum hepatitis). Patients or health personnel with a positive test are potentially infectious and appropriate precautions should be taken. Surgeons are at increased risk for hepatitis B and, when acutely exposed, should receive standard serum globulin, or perhaps high-titer hepatitis B immune globulin in the future. Infants born to mothers with a positive test may become hepatitis B antigen positive and develop chronic hepatitis.

Blood Transfusion↗
PubMed1976

Aneurysm of the splenic artery.

Aneurysm of the splenic artery is found in up to 10% of the elderly. Usually, the lesion is discovered by change and does not produce symptoms unless rupture occurs. Although there is general agreement that surgery is required in symptomatic patients and in women of childbearing age, controversy persists as to management for the asymptomatic patient. Since rupture is uncommon, and surgical mortality low, those patients over the age of 60 can be followed up, and not operated on because of the diagnosis alone.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

The role of surgery in acute pancreatitis.

Due to the lack of randomized controlled studies comparing medical with surgical therapy, the role of surgery in acute pancreatitis is not clear. This is especially true in critically ill patients who are rapidly deteriorating with hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis. Surgical intervention may be of benefit in those patients who do not have a clearcut diagnosis of pancreatitis and may have a surgically correctable disorder, who have biliary or pancreatic duct disease, or who have developed a complication such as abscesses or a pseudocyst. The mortality rate of performing a laparotomy on patients with acute pancreatitis is not prohibitive.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1975

Cholagiocarcinoma in a patient previously given thorotrast.

The long-term effects of thorotrast administration include local granulomas, blood cell abnormalities, and cancer. To date, more than 100 cases of liver cancer have been reported in patients previously given this radioactive contrast material, with a latency period of approximately 22 years. We report such a case; the patient not only had a thorotrast-induced cholangiocarcinoma, but also showed striking morphologic changes in the red blood cells secondary to splenic dysfunction.

Adenoma, Bile Duct↗
PubMed1975

The use of antibiotics in biliary tract disease.

Antibotics are often used in the treatment of patients with biliary tract disease. Certain drugs are relatively contraindicated if there is preexisting liver dysfunction. Not all antibiotis achieve a high level in bile, and knowledge of their individual excretion rate is important for intelligent use.

Ampicillin↗