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Results for “Dilatation, Pathologic”

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PubMed1999

Surgical treatment of the dilated ascending aorta: when and how?

BACKGROUND: The aorta is considered pathologically dilated if the diameters of the ascending aorta and the aortic root exceed the norms for a given age and body size. A 50% increase over the normal diameter is considered aneurysmal dilatation. Such dilatation of the ascending aorta frequently leads to significant aortic valvular insufficiency, even in the presence of an otherwise normal valve. The dilated or aneurysmal ascending aorta is at risk for spontaneous rupture or dissection. The magnitude of this risk is closely related to the size of the aorta and the underlying pathology of the aortic wall. The occurrence of rupture or dissection adversely alters natural history and survival even after successful emergency surgical treatment. METHODS: In recommending elective surgery for the dilated ascending aorta, the patient's age, the relative size of the aorta, the structure and function of the aortic valve, and the pathology of the aortic wall have to be considered. The indications for replacement of the ascending aorta in patients with Marfan's syndrome, acute dissection, intramural hematoma, and endocarditis with annular destruction are supported by solid clinical information. Surgical guidelines for intervening in degenerative dilatation of the ascending aorta, however, especially when its discovery is incidental to other cardiac operations, remain mostly empiric because of lack of natural history studies. The association of a bicuspid aortic valve with ascending aortic dilatation requires special attention. RESULTS: There are a number of current techniques for surgical restoration of the functional and anatomical integrity of the aortic root. The choice of procedure is influenced by careful consideration of multiple factors, such as the patient's age and anticipated survival time; underlying aortic pathology; anatomical considerations related to the aortic valve leaflets, annulus, sinuses, and the sino-tubular ridge; the condition of the distal aorta; the likelihood of future distal operation; the risk of anticoagulation; and, of course, the surgeon's experience with the technique. Currently, elective root replacement with an appropriately chosen technique should not carry an operative risk much higher than that of routine aortic valve replacement. Composite replacement of the aortic valve and the ascending aorta, as originally described by Bentall, DeBono and Edwards (classic Bentall), or modified by Kouchoukos (button Bentall), remains the most versatile and widely applied method. Since 1989, the button modification of the Bentall procedure has been used in 250 patients at Mount Sinai Medical Center, with a hospital mortality of 4% and excellent long-term survival. In this group, age was the only predictor of operative risk (age > 60 years, mortality 7.3% [9/124] compared with age < 60, mortality 0.8% [1/126], p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This modification of the Bentall procedure has set a standard for evaluating the more recently introduced methods of aortic root repair.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Iatrogenic dilatation of the upper urinary tract during radiographic evaluation of patients with spinal cord injury.

Patients with upper and lower motor neuron spinal cord injuries were observed to determine whether cystography immediately before excretory urography induced iatrogenic dilatation of the upper urinary tract that was indistinguishable from true pathological dilatation. Evidence is given that such dilatation occurs. This iatrogenic dilatation is not seen in patients with normally innervated urinary tracts and appears to be caused by exaggerated bladder reflexes in patients with upper motor neuron lesions. Bladder spasms precipitated by cystographic contrast material also may create vesicoureteral obstruction and lead to dilatation of the upper urinary tract. Consequently, it is suggested that cystography should not immediately precede excretory urography. When such a sequence is necessary, room or body temperature contrast medium should be used for the cystogram, the bladder should be emptied before the excretory urogram is started and a 1-hour interval should be allowed between the 2 procedures. The findings also suggest that any factors that induce repeated or continuing bladder spasms may contribute to progressive dilatation of the upper urinary tract.

Contrast Media↗

PubMed1995

[Intra-bile duct growth of hepatocellular carcinoma: value of biliary dilatation on CT].

In order to evaluate the usefulness of CT in demonstrating biliary invasion by hepatocellular carcinoma, 191 surgically proved cases were studied. Among 191 CT scans performed before surgery, six (3%) showed biliary dilatation. Pathological biliary invasion was found in eight cases (4%). Of these eight cases, four cases (50%) showed biliary dilatation on CT. In six cases with biliary dilatation on CT, pathological biliary invasion was revealed in four cases (67%). In two cases, the large (> or = 6cm) encapsulated tumors located in the hepatic hilum dilated the intrahepatic bile duct without intraductal tumor growth. We concluded that biliary dilatation on CT cannot be a sign of biliary invasion by hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Dilatation of the urinary tract during pregnancy: proposal of a curve of maximal caliceal diameter by gestational age.

OBJECTIVE: Dilatation of the urinary tract is common during pregnancy, but the limits between physiologic and pathologic dilatation are unknown. Our purpose was to establish the pattern of physiologic urinary tract dilatation during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. The maximal caliceal diameter was measured by ultrasonography at different weeks' gestational age in 1506 pregnant and 181 postpartum women. A curve with the 90th, 75th, and 50th percentiles was drawn for each kidney. RESULTS: Fifty-three (6%) pregnant and postpartum women had some degree of dilatation. The right kidney was more frequently and severely affected, as were nulliparous women. The 90th percentile of maximal caliceal diameter of the right kidney increased about 0.5 mm/wk up to 24 to 26 weeks, about 0.3 mm/wk up to 31 to 32 weeks, and remained stable until term. The left maximal caliceal diameter attained 8 mm around week 20 to 24 and remained stable until term. Only 6% had dilatation in the postpartum period. CONCLUSION: A normal curve of dilatation of the urinary tract is proposed.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Valve-preserving replacement of the ascending aorta: remodeling versus reimplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic valve regurgitation in combination with dilatation of the ascending aorta and root requires a combined procedure to restore valve function and eliminate pathologic dilatation of the proximal aorta. Two techniques have been proposed for this purpose; the aortic root may be either remodeled with an especially configured vascular graft or replaced with reimplantation of the aortic valve within the graft. We have used both techniques depending on the individual pathologic condition of the aortic root. METHODS: Of 107 patients undergoing operation for proximal aortic disease between October 1995 and November 1997, 40 patients had morphologically intact aortic valve leaflets in conjunction with dilatation of the aortic root. Of these, 15 patients underwent an operation as a surgical emergency for acute aortic dissection type A. In 29 instances, root remodeling in conjunction with ascending aortic replacement was performed; 11 patients underwent radical replacement of the proximal aorta with reimplantation of the aortic valve. Partial or total arch replacement was performed additionally in 27 of these patients. Other concomitant procedures were coronary artery bypass grafts (n = 11) and mitral reconstruction (n = 1). RESULTS: Two patients died after repair of acute aortic dissection, for a total operative mortality rate of 5%. No patient died after elective surgery. Aortic valve function could be effectively restored with both techniques. No patient underwent reoperation on the proximal aorta; freedom from aortic regurgitation of grade II or more at 1 year is 88% with both techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Depending on individual root pathologic condition, both the remodeling and the reimplantation techniques appeared to have their individual merits. Both result in adequate restoration of aortic valve function and elimination of pathologic aortic dilatation.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

Computed tomographic evaluation of the dilated pancreatic duct: the value of thin-section collimation.

Three patients with surgically proved pancreatic carcinoma and one with chronic and acute pancreatitis were evaluated by computed tomography. Scans through the pancreatic region were initially performed with standard 10-mm collimation and then repeated using thin-section (5-mm) collimation. In all cases a pathologically dilated pancreatic duct was either not seen or faint with 10-mm collimation, whereas it was clearly identified using the thin-section collimator.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1996

Magnetic resonance imaging in patients with gestational trophoblastic disease.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors describe the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics in patients with gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) before and after therapy and to correlate these findings with human gonadotropin levels and the specific histology of GTD. METHODS: Thirteen women (mean age, 30.1 years) with elevated human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels and histologically proven GTD underwent MR examinations of the pelvis. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed on a 1.5-tesla unit. Axial and sagittal proton density-weighted and T2-weighted and sagittal T1-weighted sequences were obtained. Four patients underwent follow-up studies after 4 and 8 weeks to monitor the response to therapy. Gestational trophoblastic disease was histologically proven with curettage in 11 patients and with hysterectomy in two cases. RESULTS: Nine patients had a diffusely enlarged uterus with pathologic signal intensities. In four patients, a focal tumor mass was observed. All patients showed loss of the zonal anatomy of the uterus in at least one local area. In 11 patients, no uterus zones could be identified throughout the entire uterus. Pathologic dilated tumor vessels were evident in all patients. In all four cases in which follow-up imaging studies were obtained, uterus size, signal intensities, identification of uterus zones, and uterus vessels returned to normal. CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance imaging shows trophoblastic tumor infiltration as diffuse uterus enlargement, focal tumor masses, loss of zonal anatomy of the uterus, and pathologic uterine vasculature; this seems to be the most reliable MR imaging finding in patients with GTD. No correlation was found between MR imaging changes and HCG levels or specific histologic types of GTD.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Ultrasonographic measurement of subarachnoid space in normal infants and children.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the sonographic measurement of subarachnoid spaces in normal children and its relationship with age and to define a normal range in a Chinese population and to differentiate normal variant findings from pathologic dilatation. The subarachnoid spaces in 278 normal term neonates, infants, and children were studied with real-time ultrasound using a 7.5-MHz vector transducer. The craniocortical width, sinocortical width, and interhemispheric width were measured in the coronal plane at the level of the foramen of Monro, on either side of the hemispheres. Correlation of sonographic measurements with age was made. The mean widths were plotted against age. A correlation with age was found in all three spaces, with an increasing trend with age until 28 weeks of gestation. Thereafter, a decreasing trend was noted. The normal upper limit of subarachnoid spaces for children is proposed to be the values on the ninety-fifth percentile of the regression curve. Correlation of measurement with age must be considered to decide whether an increase in subarachnoid space is pathologic or not.

Cephalometry↗

PubMed1999

Postcholecystectomy syndrome: evaluation by biliary cholescintigraphy and MR cholangiopancreatography

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the anatomic data obtained by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) with the functional data obtained by Tc-99m iminodiacetic acid (IDA) hepatobiliary imaging in patients with postcholecystectomy syndrome. MRCP provides good quality imaging of the biliary tract, highlighting walls and dilatation or stenosis of the biliary tract, stones in the cystic duct remnant, the pancreas, and the pancreatic ducts. Hepatobiliary imaging permits evaluation of hepatocellular function and the dysfunctional components of biliary obstruction. METHODS: MRCP showed biliary tract dilatation in four of five patients; this was associated with pathologic dilatation of the cystic duct and stenosis of the distal end of the common bile duct in three patients. Tc-99m IDA imaging showed hepatocellular functional changes (prolonged maximum concentration time and lower hepatic extraction fraction) in five of five patients, and delayed visualization of the hepatic duct and common bile duct in four patients. Intestinal passage of the radiopharmaceutical occurred in all patients only after a high-fat meal. Two patients had slow biliary emptying of Tc-99m IDA with normal results of MRCP. RESULTS: These data, together with the absence of structural changes in the biliary tract walls, suggest that sphincter of Oddi spasm during fasting causes slower passage, whereas the physiologic stimulation of a high-fat meal aids intestinal bile flow. CONCLUSION: The combined study of the biliary tract by MRCP and Tc-99m IDA imaging yields an efficient and complete evaluation of the postcholecystectomy syndrome.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1982

Arterial disruption and remodeling following balloon dilatation.

We studied immediate and long-term alterations in human atherosclerotic arteries subjected to balloon dilatation. Pathologic material included vessels obtained at amputation or autopsy that had been previously dilated in vivo and cadaver vessels dilated under physiologic pressure and temperature. All vessels were pressure-perfusion fixed, and morphologic observations were correlated with sequential angiograms obtained in 36 patients. Balloon dilatation resulted in disruption of both the plaque and the artery wall, with separation of the plaque from the tunica media, rupture of the tunica media, and stretching of the tunica adventitia to increase lumen cross-sectional area. The intimal plaque protruded into the lumen, accounting for the angiographic appearance of local flaps and dissection channels. Remodeling occurred by readherence of the intimal flaps with little change in plaque volume. Achievement of a sufficient radius of curvature may be necessary to achieve long-term patency. Restenosis may occur because of insufficient dilatation but may also result from extention of dissection channels into nondilated segments of the artery.

Angiography↗

PubMed1986

[Are thoracic radiographs in the recumbent position useful in the diagnosis of chronic left heart insufficiency? Comparison of x-ray findings with left ventricular hemodynamics].

108 patients (88 male, mean age 50 years, 20 female, mean age 49) having coronary heart disease (40), cardiomyopathy (39), hypertension (9), valvular disease (9), pulmonary diseases (5) and without cardiac diseases (6) underwent chest plain radiographs in standing and recumbent position immediately before being investigated invasively by left and right heart catheterisation, angiocardiography and coronary angiography. Two experienced radiologists evaluated the plain films with special reference to the findings of the heart and lung vessels, particularly the pulmonary veins. Dilatated veins of the upper lobes were observed more often if the radiograph was obtained from the recumbent patient. A significant close correlation with increased LVEDP was, however, revealed in both positions. A possible simulation of pathological dilatation of the venous trunci of the upper lobes merely due to the redistribution of the blood flow in the horizontal position was excluded. The results show that reliable conclusions can be drawn concerning chronic left ventricular failure if the characteristic pulmonary vein findings are visualised in patients both in the standing and in the recumbent position.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Ureteral obstruction by the pregnant uterus].

Dilatation of the upper urinary tract occurs in more than 80% of pregnant women during the last half of pregnancy. It is caused by compression of the ureter between the growing uterus and linea terminalis. A few patients develop pathological dilatation, flank pain and impaired renal function, a so-called symptomatic hydronephrosis. We have treated ten patients by means of internal drainage by using double pigtail catheters. Nine patients were completely relieved of their symptoms, and one reported marked reduction of pain. Five women complained of irritation of the bladder. In three of the women the intravesical portion of the catheter was shortened with success. Eight women kept the stent up to the time of birth. Two were removed two and eight weeks before delivery because of infection. There were no serious complications. Use of double pigtail catheters is a safe and simple way of treating symptomatic hydronephrosis of pregnancy.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Is ileal orthotopic bladder substitution with an afferent tubular segment detrimental to the upper urinary tract in the long term?

PURPOSE: We determine long-term morphological changes of the upper urinary tract following ileal orthotopic bladder substitution with an afferent tubular segment without a flap-valve type antireflux procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of long-term survivors (5 years or greater) following ileal orthotopic bladder substitution underwent regular radiological followup with excretory urography. Preoperative and postoperative renal size, parenchymal thickness, pelvicaliceal dilatation and upper urinary tract obstruction were assessed by 2 radiologists. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients with a median followup of 84 months (range 60 to 155) were evaluable. Four patients (2.6%) underwent unilateral nephroureterectomy during followup. Of the remaining 148 renoureteral units 141 (95%) revealed no significant changes in size or parenchymal thickness during followup. Renal size decreased in 6 (4%) and parenchymal thickness in 7 (5%) renoureteral units, 5 of which already had renal pathologies (dilatation, obstruction or hypoplastic kidney) preoperatively. De novo shrinkage of the parenchyma of a preoperatively normal kidney was observed in 2 (1%) renoureteral units associated with stenosis of the ureteroileal anastomosis. Of the 148 renoureteral units 14 (9%) presented with nonobstructive dilatation and 4 (3%) with complete obstruction. Preoperatively average serum creatinine level +/- SD was 98 +/- 19 micromol./l. and 10 years thereafter it was 83 +/- 27 micromol./l. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that unidirectional peristalsis of ureters and the afferent tubular ileal segment sufficiently protect the upper urinary tract following ileal bladder substitution up to a decade provided there are no preoperative renal pathology and no anastomotic stricture postoperatively. Additional antireflux flap-valve type implantation techniques are not required.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

[Management of isolated fetal dilatations of the kidney pelvis].

The most common sonographic abnormality found in the fetal urinary tract is collecting system dilatation, accounting for 4.5% of examinations. Numerous renal pelvis measurements and various gestational age cut-off points have been recommended in the assessment of obstructive fetal uropathy. As a result, renal pelvic measurements are not well standardized. The first measurements of the renal pelvis diameter in the 80's suggested that a threshold value of 10 mm was significant in order to distinguish between physiologic and pathologic dilatations. The routine use of prenatal ultrasound and the improving resolution of ultrasound equipment allow the detection of smaller dilatations. The third-trimester threshold value for the antero-posterior renal pelvis diameter of 7 mm is the best ultrasound criterion to predict postnatal renal abnormalities with a positive predictive value of 69%. A renal pelvis dilatation during the second trimester of pregnancy can be used as a warning sign for urinary tract malformation, and should not be ignored even if there is no further progression in the third trimester, because this finding may reveal a significant urologic abnormality in 12% of cases. Isolated pyelectasis can signal the presence of vesico-ureteral reflux. Normal appearing urinary tract on 2 successive neonatal ultrasound rarely coexist with significant abnormal findings on voiding cysto-urethrography. Therefore, in such cases, invasive investigations are not justified.

Decision Trees↗

PubMed1988

Left-ventricular cavity dimensions in children with normal and dilated hearts.

Studies were carried out to find how left-ventricular length and length/diameter ratio relate to body size and degree of dilation. By use of M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography, diastolic cavity long axis (Led), diastolic cavity diameter (Ded), systolic cavity long axis (Les), systolic cavity diameter (Des), fractional L shortening (SFL), and fractional D shortening (SFD) were measured in children, adolescents, and young adults between two and 23 years of age, with body-surface area (BSA) between 0.5 and 2.1 m2 and with a variety of volume loads and SFD values. In normal subjects, Led/Ded was about 1.9. Regardless of age and pathology (in this age range), Led correlated consistently with BSA (Led = 3.9 + 3.2 BSA), indicating that the long axis changes rather little with pathological dilation. A plot of Led/Ded vs BSA/D2ed (in m2/cm2) formed a straight-line relation: Led/Ded = 0.77 + 16.4 BSA/D2ed. Similar relations were found for end-systolic dimensions. End-systolic L/D ratio exceeded end-diastolic L/D ratio to a degree that depended on both end-diastolic L/D ratio and SFD:Les/Des = Led/Ded + (0.22 + 2.67 Led/Ded)(SFD)2. Relations like these may be useful in the interpretation of echocardiographic images. The results suggest that left-ventricular L/D ratio may be influenced by myocardial anisotropy (dominance of hoop over meridional fiber orientation tending to promote prolate shape especially during systole) and external factors that antagonize extension of the long axis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

A role of fatty acid oxidation in cardiac hypertrophy.

Following a myocardial infarction the patient with a dilated heart is at greater risk for arrhythmias, congestive failure and sudden death. Studies of myocardial infarction in experimental animals have shown that, with infarcts involving up to 20% of the left ventricle, hypertrophy of surviving myocytes occurs and there are minimal hemodynamic changes. Infarctions greater than 20% induce little additional hypertrophy, and develop increased left ventricular filling pressures and cardiac dilatation. It has been suggested that inadequate hypertrophy of residual myocardium may be a reason for the progressive left ventricular dilatation which occurs after large myocardial infarcts. There are data in humans and animals suggesting that the mass of the left ventricle following a myocardial infarction correlates with improvement in systolic function. Studies from our laboratories have previously shown that 2-tetradecylglycidic acid, an inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyl transferase I, inhibits mitochondrial long-chain fatty acid oxidation and causes myocardial hypertrophy when given to rats by mouth for 7-28 days. We carried out studies to see whether induction of additional myocardial hypertrophy by means of feeding tetradecylglycidic acid might prevent pathologic dilation following a large (50%) infarct in rats. Treatment of control and infarcted rats with tetradecylglycidic acid for 10 days resulted in myocardial hypertrophy in both groups. The rats with myocardial infarction treated with tetradecylglycidic acid had an increase in peak developed left ventricular pressure during abrupt aortic occlusion and lower left ventricular end-diastolic volumes, when compared to untreated rats with myocardial infarction, while the stroke volume was maintained. Thus induction of myocardial hypertrophy with an inhibitor of long-chain fatty acid oxidation retarded the process of left ventricular dilatation and had beneficial effects on systolic function following a large myocardial infarction.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Ejaculatory duct obstruction in subfertile males: analysis of 87 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study the causes, presentation, and treatment of ejaculatory duct obstruction in subfertile males. DESIGN: Collaborative retrospective study of clinical experience collected by two urologists over a 15-year period. SETTING: National Health Service and Private Care Hospitals. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Subfertile males with azoospermia (n = 67), very severe oligozoospermia (n = 17), oligozoospermia (n = 1), or normal sperm concentration (n = 2) in small volume ejaculates with acid pH and little or no fructose. INTERVENTIONS: Exploration of scrotum with vasogram and testicular biopsy, plus reconstruction if possible. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Follow-up seminal analysis and occurrence of pregnancy in female partners. RESULTS: The causes were: müllerian duct cyst (n = 17); wolffian duct malformation (n = 19); previous surgical trauma (e.g., imperforate anus) (n = 15); previous genital infection (n = 19); tuberculosis (n = 8); megavesicles (pathological dilatation of vesicles and ampullae of unknown cause) (n = 8); and carcinoma of prostate (n = 1). After incision of Mullerian duct cysts, five pregnancies were produced. Five pregnancies occurred in the other groups using a variety of surgical techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Routine vasography has shown that ejaculatory duct obstruction is not as rare as previously thought. The diagnosis should not be missed because the condition is simple to correct surgically in certain cases.

Constriction, Pathologic↗

PubMed1994

Left ventricular dysfunction in ischemic heart disease: fundamental importance of the fibrous matrix.

The contractile function of the myocardium is coordinated by a fibrous matrix of exquisite organization and complexity. In the normal heart, and apparently in physiological hypertrophy, this matrix is submicroscopic. In pathological states changes are frequent, and usually progressive. Thickening of the many elements of the fine structure is due to an increased synthesis of Type I collagen, This change, which affects the myocardium in a global manner, can be observed by light microscopy using special techniques. Perivascular fibrosis, with an increase in vascular smooth muscle, is accompanied by development of fibrous septa, with a decrease in diastolic compliance. These structural changes are believed to be due to increased activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and to be independent of the processes of myocyte hypertrophy. Reparative or replacement fibrosis is a separate process by means of which small and large areas of necrosis heal, with the development of coarse collagen structures, which lack a specific organizational pattern. Regarding ischemic heart disease, an increase in tissue collagenase is found in experimental myocardial "stunning" and in the very early phase of acute infarction. Absence of elements of the fibrous matrix allow for myocyte slippage, and--if the affected area is large--cardiac dilatation. If, subsequently, the necrosis becomes transmural, there is further disturbance of collagen due to both mechanical strain and continued autolysis, During healing collagen synthesis increases greatly to allow for reparative scarring in the available tissue matrix. In cases of infarction with moderate or severe initial dilatation, pathological hypertrophy of the spared myocardium is progressive, accounting for late heart failure and poor survival.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗