An evaluation of liver biopsy with the use of the menghini needle

Liver biopsy with the use of the Menghini needle had been performed on 357 patients in a period of 3-1/2 years. We found it to be a very simple, useful and safe diagnostic procedure in patients with suspected liver disease. It had confirmed, established and corrected the primary diagnosis revealed an unsuspected diagnosis or corrected an incorrect clinical diagnosis in most of the patients. There were no cases that misled the diagnosis and the mortality was zero. It was very valuable in the diagnosis of malignant tumors of the liver either primary or metastatic. It had shown the presence of schistosoma infection that had not been demonstrated in both stool and romanoscopic examinations including rectal biopsy. (Summary)

Adrenal neuroblastoma in the aged

A case of adrenal neuroblastoma in the aged is presented because of its rarity in this age group, particularly after 60 years of age. The diagnostic problem is presented for this type of tumor can easily be confused with any of the more common abdominal tumors in the elderly group of patients. The clinical features and diagnostic procedures are discussed. (Summary)

Electrocardiographic monitoring during sigmoidoscopy

The study was conducted to document any changes in the electrocardiographic tracing in patients undergoing sigmoidoscopy and to evaluate the clinical significance of these changes. It also studied the relation of these changes to the age of the patient, the position assumed during examination, the level of instrumentation, and the inflation of the colon with airTwenty-four patients (13 females and 11 males) with gastrointestinal symptoms divided into two groups of 12 were monitored electrocardiographically during proctosigmoidoscopy at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital Clinical Division. History and physical examinations were performed. The Welch-Allyn proctosigmoidoscope set was used in all these examinationsFindings showed that all 24 patients had no heart disorder by history, physical examination, and the pre-procedure electrocardiography. In the first group who were placed on their left lateral decubitus position, five showed sinus tachycardia which ranged from 120/min - 130/min. In the second group who were placed on their knee-chest posture, only two showed sinus tachycardia, which ranged from 110/min - 130/min. Sinus tachycardia did not appear to be related to the age of the patient, the level of the insertion of the scope and air inflation in both groups. No other electrocardiographic changes were notedProctosigmoid, therefore, is a safe procedure to use in any age group especially in the absence of any cardiac disease

Liver biopsy with the Menghini needle

A series of 155 consecutive liver biopsies on 141 patients performed by our group in 12 different hospitals in the country is reported. Liver biopsy with the Menghini needle is a simple procedure well tolerated by the patient. Biopsy proved of real value in most of the cases; however, we have not evaluated the details in this present study. There were no fatalities in our series directly attributable to the procedure. (Summary)