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Biomedical subjects

S Kocoshis

Publications and source records attributed to S Kocoshis.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Graft-versus-host disease after liver and small bowel transplantation in a child.

An 8-month-old child with an immunodeficiency disorder characterized by abnormal lymphocyte function and by low IgG and IgA levels had combined liver and small bowel transplantation under tacrolimus and steroid immunosuppression for the treatment of short gut syndrome and hepatic cirrhosis. The patient developed an early postoperative episode of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and a subsequent surgical complication, prompting discontinuance of tacrolimus. A skin rash eventually shown to be graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) developed in the flank on the 12th post-transplant day and gradually became generalized. Peritonitis, sepsis, multisystem organ failure including the liver allograft led to death on the 23rd post-operative day. The mechanisms leading to post-transplant GVHD under the specific circumstances in this case are discussed.

Exanthema↗

Intestinal failure and intestinal transplantation: new therapy for individuals sustaining large losses of bowel: a review.

Intestinal failure is a concept developed to define the situation wherein either severe primary gastrointestinal disease or a surgically induced short bowel syndrome exists and prevents an adequate oral intake of nutrients such that parenteral nutrition is required. Typically, because of disease associated problems, total parenteral nutrition is required in most cases of intestinal failure. The major cause of intestinal failure in both adults and children is surgical resection resulting in a short bowel syndrome. The clinical signs and symptoms of a short bowel syndrome include any combination of the following: intractable diarrhea, steatorrhea, failure to thrive, acidosis, dehydration, trace element deficiency syndromes, hypoproteinemia, hypovitaminosis, and anemia. It is often difficult to predict at the time of a bowel resection whether or not a short bowel syndrome will occur postoperatively. This is the case because any of a number of confounding problems such as (a) difficulty in precisely estimating the length of the remaining small bowel at the time of the operation, (b) the presence of disease in the residual small bowel that can produce further shortening or impair residual intestinal function, and (c) the presence or absence of the ileal cecal valve, which can be critical in determining the adaptability of the residual bowel.

Graft Survival↗

Maternal psychiatric disorders in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease and cystic fibrosis.

The mothers of 72 children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and 44 mothers of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) were given A-SADS interviews. Fifty-one percent of IBD mothers and 41% of cystic fibrosis mothers had a lifetime history of depression. More IBD than CF mothers had a history of suicide gestures or attempts, and were more likely to have a history of obsessive compulsive disorder. However, CF mothers were more likely to have experienced panic attacks.

Adolescent↗

Correlates of depression in new onset pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.

Of thirty six children with new-onset inflammatory bowel disease given a Kiddie-SADS interview, five children were depressed and ten had some depressive symptoms. Depressed children had less severe illness, and were more likely to have a maternal history of depression, more life events, and families characterized by less cohesion and more conflict.

Adolescent↗

Intestinal transplantation in children under FK 506 immunosuppression.

Intestinal transplantation, solitary (n = 3) or in combination with the liver (n = 7), was performed in 10 pediatric patients with intestinal failure. The liver was only replaced if there was liver failure and portal hypertension. Immunosuppression was based on FK 506. Two patients died, one of graft-versus-host disease and one of lymphoproliferative disease. One patient as still in the intensive care unit 1 month posttransplantation due to perioperative complications. The function of the intestinal grafts in the remaining patients is normal. All nutrition and medications including immunosuppression are being administered enterally. This series indicates that small bowel transplantation, alone or in combination with the liver, is feasible in pediatric patients.

Child↗

Neurogenic dysphagia resulting from Chiari malformations.

Between 1980 and 1989, 15 of 46 patients (11 children, 4 adults) who underwent suboccipital craniectomy and cervical laminectomy for symptomatic Chiari malformations presented with manifestations of neurogenic dysphagia. Each of these patients had normal swallowing function before the development of dysphagic symptoms. Dysphagia was progressive in all 15 and, in most cases, preceded the onset of other severe brain stem signs. The rate of symptom progression varied depending on the age of the patient. Whereas the six infants (all Chiari II) deteriorated rapidly after the onset of initial symptoms, the five older children (two Chiari I, three Chiari II) and four adults (all Chiari I) showed a more gradual deterioration. In 11 patients with severe dysphagia, barium video esophagograms, pharyngoesophageal motility studies, continuous esophageal pH monitoring, and appropriate scintigraphic studies were useful in defining the scope of the swallowing impairment and determining whether perioperative nasogastric or gastrostomy feedings, gastric fundoplication, and/or tracheostomy were needed to maintain adequate nutrition and avoid aspiration. These patients all had widespread dysfunction of the swallowing mechanism, with a combination of diffuse pharyngoesophageal dysmotility, cricopharyngeal achalasia, nasal regurgitation, tracheal aspiration, and gastroesophageal reflux. The pathophysiology of these swallowing impairments and their relation to the hindbrain malformation is discussed. Postoperative outcome with regard to swallowing function correlated with the severity of preoperative symptoms. The four patients with mild dysphagia showed rapid improvement in swallowing function after surgery. Seven patients with more severe impairment but without other signs of severe brain stem compromise, such as central apnea or complete bilateral vocal cord paralysis, also improved, albeit more slowly. In contrast, the outcome in the four patients who developed other signs of severe brain stem dysfunction before surgery was poor. Early recognition of neurogenic dysphagia and expeditious intervention are therefore crucial in ensuring a favorable neurological outcome.

Adult↗

Nutritional issues in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.

Malnutrition, characterized by weight loss, growth failure and micronutrient depletion, are prominent features of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the pediatric age group. Accurate evaluation of the patient's nutritional status and appropriate nutritional support, whether enteral or parenteral, constitute integral parts of the management of the growing child with IBD. Over the past two decades, a number of studies have supported the potential use of nutritional therapy to induce remission and to control disease activity in symptomatic Crohn's disease. More recently, preliminary studies on the use of dietary supplements of marine-oil-derived omega-3 fatty acids have also indicated a beneficial effect in IBD patients. In parallel with these clinical trials, scientific research has recently focused on the concept that specific dietary alterations can modulate the immune response. Components of the diet that may have particular relevance to mucosal immunity and the pathogenesis of IBD include polyunsaturated fatty acids, nucleotides, and amino acids such as glutamine and arginine. Future research in the interactions between specific nutrients and the immune system will likely increase our understanding of the causes of IBD, as well as enhance the development of novel nutritional therapies for IBD patients.

Child↗