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Biomedical subjects

S K Teplick

Publications and source records attributed to S K Teplick.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The acceleration of gallstone destruction with synchronous biliary lithotripsy and contact dissolution in vitro using three cholesterol-solubilizing solvent.

In the first-known application of its kind, shockwave lithotripsy and contact-solvent dissolution of large, calcified gallstone burdens were performed simultaneously with three chemical solvents, each tested separately in an in vitro model, with the combined effects on gallstone eradication examined. Two solvents, ethyl propionate and isopropyl acetate, were chosen for their solubilizing ability and potentially high level of patient safety. The third solvent, a 70%:30% mixture of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), was chosen for its known ability to accelerate the dissolution of calcium-containing gallstones. All stones were matched for size, weight, and number. Gallstone lithotripsy performed in ethyl propionate was significantly more effective (P less than .02) in the production of fragments less than 2 mm when compared with bile; lithotripsy with isopropyl acetate and the MTBE/DMSO mixture showed no statistically significant effect. Biliary lithotripsy performed in an ethyl propionate medium may enhance gallstone dissolution and the production of small fragments (diameter less than 2 mm).

Acetates

Development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the colon after radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease.

Developments in the therapeutic approach to Hodgkin's disease have resulted in excellent long-term survival statistics. However, these patients are at risk for second malignancies, most commonly acute myelogenous leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We present a patient who developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the colon simulating adenocarcinoma 14 years after successful radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease.

Colonic Neoplasms

Percutaneous cholecystostomy in critically ill patients.

Sixteen critically ill patients underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy because of suspected acute cholecystitis. The procedure was technically successful, although 11 of 16 patients died subsequently because of various complications of their underlying primary disorders. We reviewed this series to reassess the value of percutaneous cholecystostomy. Four of 11 patients with definite acute cholecystitis (group 1) were cured by this technique, but three required surgery because of gallbladder wall necrosis. Two of these were among four cases which had demonstrated pericholecystic fluid collections on computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound of the abdomen. There were also five patients (group 2) in whom acute cholecystitis or its relationship to patients' symptoms were not fully determined, and four of them did not improve after percutaneous cholecystostomy. We conclude that this technique has a lower success rate in critically ill patients than reported previously.

Acute Disease

Transhepatic cholangiography in patients with suspected biliary disease and nondilated intrahepatic bile ducts.

Transhepatic cholangiography (THC) was performed in 107 patients who had nondilated intrahepatic bile ducts on computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound. The cholangiogram was diagnostic in 72 patients (67%). Thirty-one (43%) of the 72 diagnostic studies were abnormal and showed poor emptying, stones, or strictures. Twenty-three (21%) complications occurred, including two deaths. Sixteen patients experienced acute pain, requiring additional narcotics. There was one case of peritonitis and pancreatitis, and two of bacteremia. We compared our success and complication rates to those of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) reported in the literature. We conclude that when a bile duct abnormality is clinically suspected, the incidence of pathology is sufficiently high to warrant direct visualization of the ducts in order to make an anatomic diagnosis, even if the intrahepatic ducts are not dilated. However, ERC has a better success rate and fewer complications than THC and it should be the initial invasive procedure.

Adult

In vitro cholesterol gallstone dissolution: comparison of methyl tert-butyl ether with three new ester solvents.

The in vitro effectiveness of three new cholesterol gallstone solvents that have a potential for clinical use--ethyl propionate, isopropyl acetate, and n-propyl acetate--was compared with that of the well-known cholesterol solvent methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). Ten sets of matched gallstones were initially weighed, imaged with radiography and computed tomography (CT), and analyzed for content. One stone from each set was incubated in one of the four solvents at 37 degrees C. Solvents were changed at 30-minute intervals. The study was stopped either when the stones were completely dissolved or at the end of 7 hours. Any residual fragments were weighed, reimaged, and reanalyzed for content. There were no statistical differences between dissolution times of the stones in MTBE compared with those in the three new solvents. Ethyl propionate and n-propyl acetate appear to be as efficacious as MTBE in dissolving cholesterol stones and could be attractive alternatives for gallstone chemolysis.

Acetates

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: evolution, early results, and impact on nonsurgical gallstone therapies.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a surgical technique first performed in France, has gained widespread acceptance among surgeons in the United States. The abdominal cavity is inflated by carbon dioxide, a video monitor is inserted via a laparoscope placed periumbilically, and the gallbladder is freed and removed from the liver bed by using small subcostal ports for access and dissection. Intraoperative cholangiography is routinely performed, but uncertainty exists about how best to manage choledocholithiasis. Compared with traditional cholecystectomy, initial reports describing laparoscopic cholecystectomy cite shorter recovery times because no large incisions are made, thus potentially reducing the cost and morbidity of cholecystectomy. A survey of 614 early cases supports these claims, with a reported complication rate of 1.5% and quick resumption of normal activities by patients. Because of its promise for reduced morbidity, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is challenging open cholecystectomy as the therapeutic gold standard for symptomatic cholelithiasis. Thus, the standard to which the nonsurgical gallstone therapies, such as lithotripsy and contact dissolution, will be compared may shift to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. As the laparoscopic complications are similar to those of traditional cholecystectomy, such as abscesses and bile leaks, their percutaneous treatment should not change.

Cholecystectomy

The radiologic diagnosis of Barrett esophagus: importance of mucosal surface abnormalities on air-contrast barium studies.

Patients with Barrett esophagus are predisposed to the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Identification of these patients before this complication develops is essential. We prospectively made the diagnosis of Barrett esophagus on routine biphasic upper gastrointestinal series in nine patients in whom a mucosal surface pattern alteration was the only radiologic abnormality on the esophagogram. The diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy in eight patients and during surgery in one patient. Only a third of the patients had symptoms related to the esophagus. Two types of surface changes were noted. A reticular pattern was present in six cases and a villous pattern in five cases. Both patterns were noted in two patients. This series was obtained in a 5-year interval during which there were 15 additional patients with Barrett esophagus and corresponding esophagograms. None of these patients had normal results on esophagograms. Recognition of these subtle surface patterns, particularly in the absence of other reflux-induced abnormalities, may improve detection of Barrett esophagus and aid in the selection of patients for subsequent surveillance.

Barium Sulfate

Percutaneous interventional gallbladder procedures: personal experience and literature review.

Our experience with 58 percutaneous gallbladder procedures in 48 patients are discussed. Diagnostic procedures consisted of needle aspiration of bile (n = 5) to evaluate the gallbladder as a source of infections and transcholecystic cholangiography (TCC) (n = 32) for bile duct visualization. Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) (n = 21) was performed for gallbladder or bile duct decompression or stone dissolution. Ultrasound and/or fluoroscopic guidance were used, and the procedures were successful in all but one patient. The overall complication rate was 13.8% (8/58 procedures) but only 5.2% were considered serious (three instances of bile peritonitis). No vasovagal reactions or hemorrhage occurred. We also reviewed the complications in 231 cases of PC that have been reported in the English literature. The overall complication rate was 7.8%, and the most significant problems were death (n = 1), peritonitis (n = 3), and severe vasovagal reactions (n = 4).

Adult

Giant hyperplastic polyps of the gastric remnant simulating carcinoma.

Large hyperplastic polyps of the gastric remnant were detected in 2 male patients who had undergone Billroth II gastrojejunostomy for peptic ulcer disease 13 and 18 years earlier. Both patients presented with iron deficiency anemia due to chronic occult gastrointestinal bleeding. The clinical and radiographic findings were initially suggestive of gastric stump malignancy, and one of the resected hyperplastic polyps contained foci of carcinoma in situ. We illustrate the radiographic and pathologic features of these lesions together with a review of the pertinent literature.

Aged

Large colonic neoplasms missed by endoscopy.

Endoscopy is commonly accepted as the gold standard in the evaluation of neoplastic colonic disease. The procedure is used to confirm or exclude lesions detected on barium enemas, with the assumption that the endoscopist was successful in reaching the appropriate segment of the colon. We collected 18 cases, all with proved colonic neoplasm 2-8 cm in diameter that were detected by barium enema but overlooked on initial endoscopy. All of the lesions were relatively flat with little intraluminal protuberance. Histologic examination showed malignant foci in six of 11 tumors that were resected. In two of the other seven patients, unresected lesions progressed to advanced carcinomas. This experience suggests that a repeat barium enema is indicated when endoscopy fails to detect a colonic tumor suspected on barium enema examination.

Barium Sulfate

Emphysematous cholecystitis: pitfalls in its plain film diagnosis.

The clinical and radiographic findings of emphysematous cholecystitis are usually characteristic. However, on occasion the radiographic findings may be simulated by other processes. In such circumstances accurate diagnosis can usually be rapidly established by a variety of simple radiographic maneuvers and procedures. Five illustrative cases are presented herein and the pertinent literature is reviewed.

Cholecystitis

Percutaneous pancreaticobiliary biopsies in 173 patients using primarily ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance.

Two hundred and one biopsies of the pancreas and/or extrahepatic bile ducts were performed in 173 patients using primarily ultrasound (US) or fluoroscopic guidance. Computed tomographic (CT) guidance was used twice. The success rate for detecting malignancy was 82.4%. Patients with primary ductal carcinoma had the lowest success rate. Seven complications occurred: five vasovagal reactions, one fever, and one acute pancreatitis in a patient with a normal variation, which resembled a mass. In this large series, aspiration biopsy of the pancreas and extrahepatic bile ducts proved to be a safe and reliable procedure that often can be performed on an outpatient basis. Fluoroscopic and US guidance are satisfactory for the majority of biopsies. CT guidance probably should be reserved for patients who undergo a repeat biopsy, or when US fails to adequately demonstrate the pancreas.

Aged

Common bile duct calculi: updated experience with dissolution with methyl tertiary butyl ether.

The authors describe their experience with methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in a larger series of patients than previously reported in order to acquaint physicians with both its effectiveness for dissolution of common bile duct calculi and the limitations of its use. Ten patients with 13 biliary calculi underwent percutaneous stone dissolution treatment with the experimental cholesterol solvent, MTBE. Three stones completely dissolved within 30 minutes, seven were reduced in size, and three were visibly unaffected. All stones not completely dissolved were easily extracted by means of a stone basket except for one in a patient taken to surgery. Although MTBE perfusion is an effective technique for management of biliary calculi, practitioners should be aware that its use is quite time consuming and its odor difficult to control.

Aged

Colonic lymphoid follicles associated with colonic neoplasms.

In 3,399 patients more than 40 years of age undergoing air-contrast enema examinations a prospective evaluation was done for the presence of colonic lymphoid follicles. In 3,315 patients there was no evidence of lymphoid follicles. Colonic neoplasms were diagnosed in 8.47% of these individuals. Eighty-four patients were found to have radiographically identifiable follicles. Fifty-eight of these 84 patients (69%) with lymphoid follicles had a synchronous (n = 19) or previous (n = 14) colonic neoplasm or a synchronous (n = 24) or previous (n = 1) colonic polyp. There were no consistent clinical or radiographic features that distinguished the patients with and without a neoplastic association. However, 90% of men with lymphoid follicles had associated neoplasms, whereas only 58% of women did. Because of the frequent association, detection of colonic lymphoid follicles in patients in this age group should lead to a vigorous search for subtle colonic neoplasms that may not be apparent because of technical limitations of the study.

Adult

Percutaneous cholecystostomy in patient at high risk. Treatment of acute acalculous cholecystitis.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy can be a useful technique for the ill, elderly, or high-risk patient, since he or she is spared open surgery. We used it successfully in a medically unstable woman with acute acalculous cholecystitis. Her drainage catheter, often the source of complications with the procedure, may have been removed too early: A small asymptomatic subdiaphragmatic fluid collection and ileus developed. However, both resolved in 48 hours.

Acute Disease