Biomedical subjects

R W Foley

Publications and source records attributed to R W Foley.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Preoperative irradiation of selected mediastinal masses.

During a 17-year period from 1982 to 1999, 117 patients underwent surgical treatment of mediastinal masses. Resection was accomplished in the majority (81 or 69%) of these masses; with the remaining patients (36 or 31%) having biopsy procedures only. Malignant tumors were found in 43 patients (37%). A small subset of the biopsy group (4 patients or 11%) with symptomatic anterior masses were assessed to be of high risk for significant complications of anesthesia during the biopsy procedure and were treated with a short course of preoperative radiation to the mass prior to operation. All patients were operated upon without complication and definitive pathologic diagnosis was made in all cases despite preoperative low dose irradiation to the area of biopsy. Our experience demonstrates a practical and effective way of dealing with a potentially disastrous situation without compromising the accuracy of diagnosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Pericardio peritoneal window: laparoscopic approach.

Transdiaphragmatic approach to the pericarium through the use of the laparoscope is a safe and rapid way to obtain biopsy of the pericardium and create a window. No drainage tubes are needed: pericardial fluid is absorbed by the peritoneum; there is no need for double lumen tubes for one lung ventilation; and the laparoscopy incisions are small and almost painless.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1990

Spontaneous cervical and mediastinal emphysema.

Subcutaneous cervical emphysema often appears as a result of surgery or trauma. However, when it occurs spontaneously, the patient may present with clinically impressive and dramatic features. The etiology is related to the rupture of terminal alveoli and dissection of air along the pulmonary vasculature. Exercise may contribute to the process by increases in intrathoracic pressure. Six cases of spontaneous cervical emphysema, all related to SCUBA diving training at a Naval facility, were recently seen at our institution. Proper management entails having a high index of suspicion for diagnosis, and then being able to identify potentially life-threatening complications.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Intraoperative coronary artery spasm successfully treated with nitroglycerin and nifedipine.

Coronary artery spasm is recognized as a major cause of angina and may coexist with fixed coronary artery disease. This report presents the case of a patient who developed recurrent coronary artery spasm in the operating room following effective coronary artery bypass grafting. The coronary artery spasm was manifested by sudden ST segment elevation, hypotension, and decreased cardiac output. Direct injection of nitroglycerin into each coronary artery graft was necessary to reverse the coronary artery spasm. Peripheral intravenous nitroglycerin plus nifedipine administered through a nasogastric tube prevented further recurrence of coronary artery spasm.

Angina Pectoris↗

PubMed1977

Abdominal injuries in automobile accidents: review of care of fatally injured patients.

Hypovolemia continues to be an important cause of death in patients who die as a result of vehicular trauma. Diagnosis and treatment of a series of 127 patients who died with blunt abdominal trauma from automobile accidents during 1969-1974 in Vermont are reported. The most frequent errors in the cases reviewed were failure to recognize and adequately treat hypovolemia, and to appreciate the urgent need for surgery. Death on the X-ray table while allowing persistence of hypovolemia was the common denominator in four of the five victims who died of ruptured spleens in the emergency departments, after having arrived alive following vehicular trauma. Forty-seven per cent of all reported deaths in automobile accidents had blunt abdominal trauma. Of those with blunt abdominal trauma who arrived alive, 26% might have survived with appropriate treatment which should have been available.

Abdominal Injuries↗