Biomedical subjects

W Williard

Publications and source records attributed to W Williard.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Does telomerase activity add to the value of fine needle aspirations in evaluating thyroid nodules?

BACKGROUND: Telomerase replaces DNA sequences that are lost with cell division. Increased activity has been documented in malignant cells. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) has a 90% sensitivity for diagnosis of papillary carcinomas, but a specificity of 52%. This often leads to unnecessary surgery. METHODS: Telomeric repeat amplification protocol assays were performed on FNA specimens of thyroid nodules in 19 patients. These results were compared with the surgical pathology using chi-square analysis. RESULTS: There were 5 malignant and 14 benign nodules. Telomerase activity was found in 3 of 5 malignant (60%) and 9 of 14 benign (64%): sensitivity was 60%, specificity was 36%. CONCLUSION: Telomerase assays did not add any additional information to FNA alone. Inflammatory changes associated with benign and malignant lesions can possess telomerase activity independent of the malignant state.

Biopsy, Needle↗

PubMed2000

The incidence of intraductal papillary mucinous tumors of the pancreas(1).

To review a population-controlled single institution experience with intraductal papillary mucinous tumors (IPMTs) of the pancreas treated in the United States and generate an incidence of this recently described disease process.First decribed in 1982, mucin-secreting pancreatic cancer constituted a newly recognized category of pancreatic exocrine tumors distinct from mucinous cystic neoplasms. Since that time, several small series of IPMTs of the pancreas have been reported. Most studies come from Asia and Europe, with limited data from American institutions and no description of the incidence.The authors retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent pancreatic resections at Madigan Army Medical Center from October 1992 through November 1999. Cases suggestive of IPMTs underwent re-examination by a staff pathologist. Clinical presentation, imaging studies, treatment, histopathology, and outcomes were reviewed for those with IPMTs. The data base of all patients eligible for care was evaluated to obtain a population denominator and determine an incidence for this neoplasm.Over 7 years, 78 patients underwent pancreatic resections. Forty-two had pancreatic neoplasms and, of those, 8 (19%) had IPMTs. The mean age was 67 years, with equal numbers of males and females. All patients were symptomatic (abdominal pain, 75%; jaundice, 25%; weight loss, 25%). Abnormal computed tomography scans were noted in 7/8 (88%) cases. Mucin was visualized during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in 5/7 (71%) patients. Preoperative diagnosis of IPMT was made in 5 (62%) cases. The locations of the tumors were head (63%), tail (12%), head and body (12%), and body and tail (12%). All lesions were resectable, and procedures included 5 pancreatoduodenectomies, 2 distal pancreatectomies, and 1 total pancreatectomy. Main duct tumors were noted in 63%, whereas the remainder had both main and branch duct lesions. Tumor invasion was discovered in 2 (25%) cases. Mean follow-up was 29 months. Those without invasion were all alive (follow-up, 6 to 86 months). One patient with tumor invasion died 4 months after surgery and the other was living 20 months later. The incidence of IPMTs was 1 case/281,000 patients/year.The incidence of IPMTs of the pancreas may be higher than previously recognized. Aggressive resection is warranted based on the favorable prognosis of patients without tumor invasion.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of cisapride after colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: The predominant factor prolonging hospitalization and delaying oral intake after colorectal surgery continues to be return of large bowel function. We investigated the effect of the cisapride on postoperative bowel motility. METHODS: Patients were started on cisapride versus a placebo on postoperative day 1 after colorectal surgery. Endpoints included the time to patients' first bowel movement, time of advancement to regular diet, time of hospitalization, and cost analysis. Results were analyzed using a Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were entered in the study, consisting of 17 in the cisapride group and 18 in the placebo group. The median time to first bowel movement, advancement of diet, and hospital discharge was 1 day less in the cisapride group compared with the placebo group (P <0.05). There was a substantial cost savings in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: Cisapride use results in statistically significant improvement in postoperative bowel motility. Cisapride should be added as adjunct treatment in postoperative care after colorectal surgery.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Using sector endoluminal ultrasound to identify the normal pancreas when axial computed tomography is falsely positive.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Little has been reported on the ability of endoluminal ultrasound (EUS) to identify a normal pancreas after an abnormal axial computed tomogram (CT). Many clinicians still use axial technology, as opposed to helical or spiral CT, which differ in scanning speed. Spiral CT and EUS are considered equal in their ability to diagnose pancreatic tumors. Although this is not the case with axial CT, the complementary role by EUS has not been defined. This study reports on the ability of EUS to identify the "true-negative" pancreas deemed abnormal by axial CT. METHODS: Sixty-five consecutive patients suspected of having a small pancreatic lesion were studied by comparing axial CT and EUS examinations, using each patient as his or her own control. Identification of a normal pancreas was reviewed using surgery, biopsy, and long-term clinical follow-up as the standard of truth. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were documented as having small pancreatic lesions; the remaining 32 were normal. The sensitivity and specificity, respectively, were 91% and 41% for axial CT and 88% and 88% for EUS. The positive and negative predictive values, respectively, were 61% and 82% for CT and 88% and 88% for EUS. The statistical differences between axial CT and EUS were significant. CONCLUSION: An axial CT positive for a small pancreatic mass requires confirmation with additional imaging before invasive management. The specificity of EUS--twice that of CT--is strong evidence that EUS can fulfill this role. Review of the literature supports the conclusion that EUS should be required in the workup of small pancreatic lesions identified at axial CT.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMed1998

The association between telomerase, p53, and clinical staging in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: A proposed etiology of tumor activation involves p53 mutations while telomerase may serve as a key enzyme for maintenance of tumor cell proliferation. METHODS: Telomerase activity levels were measured in colorectal adenocarcinomas and corresponding normal tissue using a modified telomeric repeat amplification protocol, and p53 mutations were identified using immunohistochemical staining. Results were compared with staging data using regression analysis. RESULTS: Telomerase activity was present in 23 of 23 (100%) of the tumors and only 2 (9%) of normal specimens (P <0.0001). The p53 mutations were present in 18 of 23 (78%) of the tumors. No significant correlation between p53 mutations, telomerase activity levels, and staging was found. CONCLUSIONS: Telomerase activity in 100% of the tumors suggests telomerase activation is a universal event in colorectal tumor progression; however, telomerase activity appears to be independent of p53 mutations and clinical staging.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1996

Stereotactic breast biopsy is accurate, minimally invasive, and cost effective.

BACKGROUND: We reviewed our experience with stereotactic core needle breast biopsy (SCNBB) for accuracy, complication rate, and staging profile of malignancies diagnosed. METHODS: Since March 1993, 530 stereotactic biopsies were performed. Of these, 25 cases underwent stereotactic core needle biopsy with subsequent wire-guided biopsy. RESULTS: In 25 patients with stereotactic and open biopsy, there was an accuracy for SCNBB of 96%. The number of biopsies rose from 100 to 250 biopsies annually, with an equivalent pre-test positive predictive value for mammography (17% to 19% historical versus 20% with SCNBB). The total number of de novo cancer diagnoses have increased from a mean of 57 to a mean of 71 annually. The percentage of tumors in situ, stage I or stage II, has increased from 60% to 69%. CONCLUSIONS: Stereotactic core needle biopsy combines a high accuracy with a low complication rate. Its aggressive application for tissue diagnosis in suspicious nonpalpable mammographic lesions has increased the proportion of early (in situ and T1 or T2) tumors discovered, and increased the total number of breast cancers diagnosed.

Biopsy, Needle↗

PubMed1992

Cowden's disease. A case report with analyses at the molecular level.

Cowden's disease (multiple hamartoma syndrome) is characterized by multiple hamartomas of ectodermal, endodermal, and mesodermal origin, a high incidence of malignant tumors of the breast and/or thyroid gland, and an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Similar to sporadic breast cancer, chromosomal studies have not elucidated the cause of this syndrome. The authors report the case of a patient with this syndrome and analyze the pattern of amplification or rearrangement of three genes: the HER-2/neu oncogene, the ras oncogene, and the estrogen-inducible gene, pS-2. All three of these genes were present in single copies without translocations. It was noteworthy that three of the most important genes currently studied in relation to breast cancer existed in a unamplified unrearranged state in this patient. Those with clinical manifestations of Cowden's disease may be candidates for prophylactic bilateral total mastectomy, and the authors recommend that these patients undergo this procedure by their third decade of life. An alternative to this approach would entail monthly self examinations, breast examinations by the patient's physician every 3 months, bilateral mammograms every 6 to 12 months, and biopsy of any suspicious lesions. It is crucial, however, that these patients be identified by their mucocutaneous lesions and family history before an underlying malignant lesion develops.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Long-term vascular access via the inferior vena cava.

A prospective evaluation of long-term venous access catheters placed via the inferior vena cava was performed to determine their efficacy as well as short- and long-term morbidity. From June 1987 to May 1989, 31 catheters were placed in 26 patients, for a total of 3,503 catheter use days. All catheters were placed via an infraumbilical approach when the more conventional supraumbilical route was technically difficult, dangerous, or impossible to be used. There were a total of 14 complications in 12 episodes (one in every 701 catheter use days), six episodes of catheter occlusion or vessel thrombosis (one in every 583 catheter use days), one catheter malfunction, one episode of cuff erosion through the skin, and one catheter that migrated through the inferior vena cava into the retroperitoneum. These results compared favorably with our experience with long-term catheters of a similar type placed via a supraumbilical approach into the superior vena cava. We conclude that the infraumbilical route for long-term central venous access is safe and technically easy and should be strongly considered in patients in whom venous access via the supraumbilical approach will be technically difficult or have a high likelihood of failure.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Inguinal hernia complicating flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy has become part of routine preoperative workup for patients over the age of fifty who present with an inguinal hernia. A recent experience with two patients with a left inguinal hernia allowing sigmoid colon to herniate into the scrotum bring awareness of the possibility for an increased risk of perforation of the sigmoid colon during flexible sigmoidoscopy, or possible iatrogenic incarceration of the hernia. These cases are presented so this clinical entity can be recognized and the complications prevented.

Barium Sulfate↗