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Biomedical subjects

Z Rubinstein

Publications and source records attributed to Z Rubinstein.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Preoperative angiography and embolization of large pelvic tumors.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pelvic tumors are often large and difficult to excise with appropriate surgical margins due to their size, proximity to neurovascular structures, and major intraoperative bleeding. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the yield of preoperative angiography and embolization so as to facilitate achievement of good surgical results. METHODS: Eighteen patients who suffered from large pelvic tumors (average size, 10.7 cm x 8.3 cm x 3.7 cm), 15 primary and 3 metastatic, underwent surgery at our institution between 1990 and 1995, after preoperative angiography and embolization of the tumors. RESULTS: The efficacy of the procedure was high. In all but one patient, the grade of vascularity of the tumor was reduced by at least two levels (based on our new tumor vascularity scale. In most patients, appropriate surgical margins were achieved. The average perioperative blood loss was only 750 cc. Procedure-associated complications were negligible. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study call for the use of angiography and embolization in the management of patients with large pelvic tumors.

Angiography↗

[Insertion of Hickman catheters in an interventional radiology suite].

In the past 20 years Hickman catheters have gained increasing acceptance for many uses, including bone marrow transplantation, long-term chemotherapy, total parenteral nutrition, dialysis, and administration of antibiotics and fluids. Until the past decade these catheters were inserted in the operating room. We present our experience in the percutaneous placement of 203 Hickman catheters in an interventional radiology suite in 190 consecutive patients within a period of 30 months. Catheter placement was successful in 202 (99.5%). The main complications were infections, necessitating removal of the catheter in 11 cases (5.4%) and unintentional dislodgement of the catheter in 8 (3.9%)-all in women and most on the right side. Pneumothorax and thrombosis in the catheter each occurred once. In another patient the guide wire broke during insertion and had to be percutaneously removed from the pulmonary artery. Late fracture of the catheter occurred in 2 others in whom the intravascular fragment was removed percutaneously. We believe that percutaneous Hickman catheter placement in the radiology suite offers advantages over traditional surgical placement.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗

[Angioplasty and stenting of the carotid artery].

Percutaneous endovascular techniques are well established procedures in the management of peripheral vascular disease and visceral arterial stenosis. They are now being adapted for use in the carotid artery as well. 8 patients with 9 extracranial carotid artery stenoses were successfully treated by percutaneous angioplasty, following which in 4 of them 5 stents were inserted. The stenotic lesions were situated in the proximal internal carotid artery and in its bifurcation and also in the common carotid artery. The indications for angioplasty in these patients were the same as for surgery. There were no major complications. 1 patient had transient hemiparesis lasting a few hours, and another had bradycardia following balloon dilation in the region of the carotid body. Percutaneous endovascular treatment of carotid artery stenosis is becoming a safe, feasible alternative to surgery.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Takayasu arteritis in Israel--update.

Takayasu disease in our Israeli series consists of 56 patients, and has been detected only in Sephardic and oriental Jews as well as in Arabs and Bedouin. Suspicion of Takayasu disease should be raised whenever renal artery stenosis and involvement of the aorta and its branches occur in patients from oriental origin.

Adolescent↗

Intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy: a combined approach with angioplasty and/or minor surgery.

Low-dose intra-arterial treatment was performed in 124 patients who underwent a total of 142 procedures. The series included 87 occluded arteries and 55 occluded grafts. In only 29 instances (21%) was thrombolysis alone sufficient. In another 77 procedures (54%) the thrombolysis was followed by either angioplasty or minor surgery. In the remaining 36 treatments (25%) lysis of the occlusion failed. A successful end result of combined treatment was achieved in 67 of 77 (87%) procedures. Including the 29 patients in whom thrombolysis alone sufficed, a total of 96 of the 142 procedures (67%) were successful, with the overall success rate being better in grafts (78%) than in arteries (61%). The suprainguinal lesions had a significantly better response compared to the infra-inguinal ones. The evaluation of all procedures was done at the time of discharge from hospital. Complications were related either to local or systemic hemorrhage or distal embolization. Death related to treatment occurred in three patients.

Adult↗

Case report: broken intracholedochal stent.

Decompression of biliary obstruction by an internal stent is well accepted in patients with malignant strictures. Less frequent is the use of this technique for the management of benign disorders. In the latter situation the biliary stent may be left in place for a very long period. We report a rare complication of a broken intracholedochal stent which had been inserted for a benign post-operative stricture.

Catheterization↗

Choledocholithiasis in infants: diagnostic and therapeutic problems.

During the 3-year period, January 1986 through December 1988, 7 of 24 infants evaluated for cholestatic liver disease were found to have choledocholithiasis with or without associated gallbladder disease. Five were born prematurely with associated predisposing factors, especially systemic infection and total parenteral nutrition. The clinical course varied from spontaneous recovery in two patients to ongoing liver disease requiring surgical or endoscopic intervention in five infants. Asymptomatic patients with normal liver function and persistently dilated extrahepatic biliary trees posed the most difficult therapeutic problems. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography appeared to be an effective and rewarding therapeutic approach.

Biliary Tract↗

Total femoral replacement.

Between 1973 and 1983, 19 patients with sarcoma of the femur were treated by adjuvant chemotherapy, excision of the entire femur, and replacement by a total femoral prosthesis. Five patients had excellent and nine had good functional results. Twelve patients died an average of 23 months after the procedure and seven are at present disease free. This limb-saving procedure permits rapid rehabilitation, prevents severe psychological problems, and improves the quality of life.

Adult↗

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the distal abdominal aorta and its bifurcation.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of stenotic lesions in the distal abdominal aorta and its bifurcation was performed in 14 patients, 6 of whom were women. The stenotic segment in the aorta or aortic bifurcation was usually the only significant lesion. The double-balloon technique was used in 12 patients via bilateral femoral artery catheterizations. In 2 other patients with aortic lesions, a single large balloon sufficed. Good results were achieved in all but 1 patient, with minor complications occurring in 3 instances. The follow-up period varied from 6 months to 5 years. We believe that PTA is the procedure of choice in treating localized lesions of the distal abdominal aorta and its bifurcation, especially when distal vessels are relatively uninvolved.

Adult↗

Transient renovascular hypertension in childhood.

Two children aged 18 and 30 months presented with severe renovascular hypertension. Initially, surgical intervention was postponed because of the patients' young age. Adequate control of the hypertension and reversal of its sequelae were achieved with aggressive medical management. At present, both patients, aged 9 and 12 years respectively, have discontinued all medication, have achieved normal growth, are normotensive and have normal renal function.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

Importance of the falciform ligament, ligamentum teres and splenic hilus in the spread of malignancy as demonstrated by computed tomography.

Computed tomographic detection of significantly large (greater than 1.5 cm) transcoelomic secondary malignant serosal deposits is discussed. Attention is drawn to the importance of the falciform ligament, ligamentum teres, and splenic hilus as sites of secondary deposits. An anatomical explanation is presented for the detection of these findings on computed tomography.

Abdomen↗

Failure of balloon membranotomy of the inferior vena cava.

A young woman with membranous obstruction and coarctation of the inferior vena cava is described. A balloon membranotomy was performed with a transient improvement. Three months later massive thrombosis of the inferior vena cava developed. It appears that balloon membranotomy alone is contraindicated in the presence of both stenosis and membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava.

Adult↗