Videofluoroscopic evaluation of HIV/AIDS patients with swallowing dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the association of abnormalities of the swallowing mechanism in the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing with symptoms of dysphagia and painful swallowing in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). METHODS: Seventeen patients, two with HIV and 15 with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), with symptoms of dysphagia or pain on swallowing for routine barium esophagograms were studied prospectively by videofluoroscopic examination of the oropharynx in addition to a routine biphasic esophagogram. The videofluoroscopic studies were performed in conjunction with a speech pathologist. RESULTS: All 17 patients demonstrated abnormalities in the oral, pharyngeal, or esophageal phase of swallowing. Eight patients aspirated, six of whom did not exhibit a cough reflex and were classified as silent aspirators. Seven of the eight patients who aspirated had chest radiographs consistent with aspiration pneumonia. CONCLUSION: A significant number of HIV-positive and AIDS patients with dysphagia or pain on swallowing have dysfunction of the swallowing mechanism and are at risk for aspiration.

The effects of recombinant human growth hormone on body composition and glucose metabolism in HIV-infected patients with fat accumulation.

GH has been proposed as a therapy for patients with HIV-associated fat accumulation, but the pharmacological doses (6 mg/d) used have been associated with impaired fasting glucose and hyperglycemia. In contrast, physiologic doses of GH ( approximately 1 mg/d) in HIV-negative men reduced visceral adiposity and eventually improved insulin sensitivity, despite initially causing insulin resistance. We conducted an open-label study to evaluate the effects of a lower pharmacologic dose of GH (3 mg/d) in eight men with HIV-associated fat accumulation. Oral glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and body composition were measured at baseline, and 1 and 6 months. Six patients completed 1 month and 5, 6 months of GH therapy. IGF-I levels increased 4-fold within 1 month of GH treatment. Over 6 months, GH reduced buffalo hump size and excess visceral adipose tissue. Total body fat decreased (17.9 +/- 10.9 to 13.5 +/- 8.4 kg, P = 0.05), primarily in the trunk region. Lean body mass increased (62.9 +/- 6.4 to 68.3 +/- 9.1 kg, P = 0.03). Insulin-mediated glucose disposal, measured by a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, declined at month 1 (49.7 +/- 27.5 to 25.6 +/- 6.6 nmol/kg(LBM).min/pmol(INSULIN)/liter, P = 0.04); values improved at month 6 (49.2 +/- 22.6, P = 0.03, compared with month 1) and did not differ significantly from baseline. Similarly, the integrated response to an oral glucose load worsened at month 1 (glucose area under the curve 20.1 +/- 2.3 to 24.6 +/- 3.7 mmol.h/liter, P < 0.01), whereas values improved at month 6 (22.1 +/- 1.5, P = 0.02, compared with month 1) and did not differ significantly from baseline. One patient developed symptomatic hyperglycemia within 2 wk of GH initiation; baseline oral glucose tolerance testing revealed preexisting diabetes despite normal fasting glucose. In conclusion, GH at 3 mg/d resulted in a decrease in total body fat and an increase in lean body mass in this open-label trial. While insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance initially worsened, they subsequently improved toward baseline. However, the dose of GH used in this trial was supraphysiologic and led to an increase in IGF-I levels up to three times the upper normal range. Because there are known adverse effects of long-term GH excess, the effectiveness of lower doses of GH should be studied. We also recommend a screening oral glucose tolerance test be performed to exclude subjects at risk for GH-induced hyperglycemia.

Metabolic effects of indinavir in healthy HIV-seronegative men.

BACKGROUND: Therapy with HIV protease inhibitors (PI) has been associated with hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and changes in body composition. It is unclear whether these adverse effects are drug related, involve an interaction with the host response to HIV or reflect changes in body composition. METHODS: Indinavir 800 mg twice daily was given to 10 HIV-seronegative healthy men to distinguish direct metabolic effects of a PI from those related to HIV infection. Fasting glucose and insulin, lipid and lipoprotein profiles, oral glucose tolerance (OGTT), insulin sensitivity by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp, and body composition were measured prior to and after 4 weeks of indinavir therapy. RESULTS: Fasting glucose (4.9 +/- 0.1 versus 5.2 +/- 0.2 mmol/l; P = 0.05) insulin concentrations (61.7 +/- 12.2 versus 83.9 +/- 12.2 pmol/l; P < 0.05), insulin : glucose ratio (12.6 +/- 1.7 versus 15.9 +/- 1.9 pmol/mmol; P < 0.05) and insulin resistance index by homeostasis model assessment (1.9 +/- 0.3 versus 2.8 +/- 0.5;P < 0.05) all increased significantly. During OGTT, 2 h glucose (5.1 +/- 0.4 versus 6.5 +/- 0.6 mmol/l; P < 0.05) and insulin levels (223.1 +/- 48.8 versus 390.3 +/- 108.8 pmol/l;P =0.05) also increased significantly. Insulin-mediated glucose disposal decreased significantly (10.4 +/- 1.4 versus 8.6 +/- 1.2 mg/kg x min per microU/ml insulin; 95% confidence interval 0.6--.0;P < 0.01). There was no significant change in lipoprotein, triglycerides or free fatty acid levels. There was a small loss of total body fat (15.8 +/- 1.4 versus 15.2 +/- 1.4 kg;P = 0.01) by X-ray absorptiometry without significant changes in weight, waist : hip ratio, and visceral or subcutaneous adipose tissue by computed tomography. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of HIV infection, treatment with indinavir for 4 weeks causes insulin resistance independent of increases in visceral adipose tissue or lipid and lipoprotein levels.

Prospective comparison of catheter-based endoscopic sonography versus standard endoscopic sonography: evaluation of gastrointestinal-wall abnormalities and staging of gastrointestinal malignancies.

PURPOSE: Endoscopic sonography (EUS) is an important imaging modality for evaluating benign and malignant luminal gastrointestinal-tract abnormalities. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of catheter-based EUS (C-EUS) during standard upper and lower endoscopy in patients with malignancies and other abnormalities of the gastrointestinal-tract lumen, to assess the image quality obtained with the 12.5-MHz catheter-based ultrasound transducer, and to prospectively compare the interpretations of C-EUS images with those of the standard EUS (S-EUS) images. METHODS: One hundred thirty-seven consecutive patients referred for EUS were evaluated with C-EUS followed by S-EUS. The patients were assigned to 1 of 2 groups: group A, patients with intramural masses or intestinal wall thickening, with biopsies negative for malignancy; and group B, patients with esophageal, gastric, duodenal, or rectal cancer referred for staging. The results of C-EUS and S-EUS were compared for each group. RESULTS: C-EUS was completed in 134 patients: 81 patients with 83 lesions in group A and 53 patients in group B. For group A, C-EUS image interpretation concurred with that of S-EUS in 74 (89%) of 83 lesions. For group B, C-EUS concurred with S-EUS for tumor depth (T) and nodal (N) classifications in 19 cases (36%) and 26 cases (49%), respectively. The depth of invasion was underestimated by C-EUS in all 34 cases in which the T classifications by C-EUS and S-EUS were discordant. In 1 of 6 patients with stenotic cancer that was nontraversable by S-EUS, C-EUS identified lymphadenopathy (incorrectly classified as N0 by S-EUS). CONCLUSIONS: C-EUS was easily performed, and the C-EUS images were comparable to the S-EUS images in assessing mucosal and intramural lesions. The limited depth of penetration of the catheter-based transducer resulted in understaging the extent of tumor invasion and underestimating the nodal spread.

Cinematic nuclear scintigraphy reliably directs surgical intervention for patients with gastrointestinal bleeding.

HYPOTHESIS: Cinematic technetium Tc 99m red blood cell ((99m)Tc-RBC) scans, in which real-time scanning is performed and analyzed, can accurately localize gastrointestinal bleeding and thus direct selective surgical intervention. DESIGN: Retrospective medical record review with historical controls. SETTING: Large, university-affiliated public hospital in urban setting. PATIENTS: Twenty-six patients presenting with upper and lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage who underwent cinematic (99m)Tc-RBC scan examinations between 1990 and 1997 and required surgical intervention to control the bleeding. INTERVENTIONS: All patients with gastrointestinal bleeding underwent open surgical procedures to provide cessation of bleeding and resection of appropriate abnormalities. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient outcome was based on correlation between preoperative RBC scans and intraoperative findings, surgical pathology, and postoperative clinical course. RESULTS: Twenty-five (96%) of 26 scans were interpreted as positive for gastrointestinal bleeding. In 22 of these 25 scans, the site of bleeding was correctly identified for a sensitivity of 88%. One or more additional diagnostic tests were performed on 19 (73%) of 26 patients, and included angiography and flexible endoscopy. The most common operation performed to control bleeding was a hemicolectomy (14/26). Diverticulosis was the most prevalent diagnosis (46%). Two patients (8%) experienced rebleeding after operation. The overall mortality rate was 19% (5/26). CONCLUSIONS: Cinematic (99m)Tc-RBC scintigraphy is a sensitive, noninvasive alternative to mesenteric angiography for accurately localizing the site of gastrointestinal hemorrhages. As such, this technique can be reliably used to direct selective surgical intervention.

Multiple pulmonary nodules in AIDS: usefulness of CT in distinguishing among potential causes.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the computed tomographic (CT) appearances of multiple pulmonary nodules in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can help differentiate the potential infectious and neoplastic causes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The thoracic CT scans obtained in 60 patients with AIDS and multiple pulmonary nodules were reviewed retrospectively by two thoracic radiologists who were blinded to clinical and pathologic data. The scans were evaluated for nodule size, distribution, and morphologic characteristics. CT findings were correlated with final diagnoses. RESULTS: Thirty-six (84%) of 43 patients with opportunistic infection had a predominance of nodules smaller than 1 cm in diameter, whereas 14 (82%) of 17 patients with a neoplasm had a predominance of nodules larger than 1 cm (P <.001). Of the 43 patients with opportunistic infection, 28 (65%) had a centrilobular distribution of nodules; only one (6%) of 17 patients with a neoplasm had this distribution (P <.001). Seven (88%) of eight patients with a peribronchovascular distribution had Kaposi sarcoma (P <.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with AIDS who have multiple pulmonary nodules at CT, nodule size and distribution are useful in the differentiation of potential causes. Nodules smaller than 1 cm, especially those with a centrilobular distribution, are typically infectious. Nodules larger than 1 cm are often neoplastic. A peribronchovascular distribution is suggestive of Kaposi sarcoma.

Leukocytosis and free fluid are important indicators of isolated intestinal injury after blunt trauma.

BACKGROUND: The detection of isolated intestinal injuries after blunt trauma can be difficult because of subtle signs and symptoms, often leading to delayed diagnosis. We hypothesized that specific clinical indicators could be identified to assist in the diagnosis of these injuries. METHODS: Medical records of all patients with such injuries from 1988 to 1996 were reviewed. The patients were stratified into those operated on within 6 hours of presentation (apparent injury) and those operated on after 6 hours (occult injury), and the data were compared. RESULTS: Forty-six patients with isolated intestinal injuries were identified. There were no differences in the rate of peritonitis or free fluid on abdominal computed tomography, blood loss, intraoperative findings, or morbidity and mortality between groups. Leukocytosis (sensitivity, 84.8%; specificity, 55.2%; p = 0.01) and free fluid on computed tomography were frequently present, however, and their significance was underappreciated in the occult injury group. CONCLUSION: After blunt abdominal trauma in patients without obvious indications for invasive evaluation of the abdomen (e.g., peritoneal lavage, laparoscopy, laparotomy), leukocytosis can indicate an intestinal injury. Additionally, unexplained free fluid on abdominal computed tomography must be aggressively evaluated.

Diagnosis and staging of gastric cancer.

The biphasic upper gastrointestinal examination using barium and gas distention of the stomach is approximately as accurate as endoscopy in the detection of gastric cancer. Endoscopy allows biopsy of suspicious lesions but is more invasive and costly. The barium examination can reliably differentiate gastric ulcers into three categories: benign, malignant, and equivocal. The radiographic findings in gastric carcinoma are described in detail. Staging of gastric cancer is limited by the inability of imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect tumor in normal size lymph nodes. Determination of the presence or absence of local invasion is also difficult in many cases. CT and MRI are effective but imperfect tools for the detection of liver metastasis. Technique and pitfalls in the use of CT and MR in staging gastric carcinoma are emphasized.

Acute rupture of the diaphragm due to blunt trauma: diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of CT.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of CT in detecting acute rupture of the diaphragm after blunt trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Abdominal CT scans taken before surgery of 11 patients with diaphragmatic rupture (eight left and three right) and 21 patients with intact diaphragms after major acute blunt abdominal trauma were independently reviewed by three observers who were unaware of surgical findings. Retrospective note was made of diaphragmatic discontinuity, intrathoracic herniation of abdominal contents, waistlike constriction of bowel ("collar sign"), and associated findings. Right and left hemidiaphragms were graded as intact or ruptured, and these findings were correlated with surgical findings. Individual and average observer sensitivity and specificity in detecting acute diaphragmatic rupture were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 11 cases of diaphragmatic rupture, diaphragmatic discontinuity was seen in eight, visceral herniation was seen in six, and the "collar sign" was seen in four cases. Hemoperitoneum of hemothorax completely obscured visualization of the ruptured diaphragm in three cases. Individual diagnostic sensitivity for detecting diaphragmatic rupture was 54-73% and specificity was 86-90%. Average sensitivity for the three observers was 61% (95% confidence interval, 41-81%), and average specificity was 87% (95% confidence interval, 76-99%). CONCLUSION: CT is highly specific in diagnosing acute diaphragmatic rupture and detects approximately two thirds of acute diaphragmatic ruptures after blunt trauma.

Cytomegalovirus colitis in AIDS: CT features.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the CT features of cytomegalovirus colitis in patients with AIDS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Abdominal CT scans of 24 patients with biopsy-proved cytomegalovirus colitis (colonoscopy, n = 14; sigmoidoscopy, n = 8; surgery, n = 2) were jointly reviewed by two observers. Patients were men 26-68 years old (mean age, 39 years; SD, 9 years) with CD4 counts of 3-129 mm3 (mean, 32 mm3; SD, 34 mm3). The mean interval between CT and biopsy was 6 days (range, 0-20 days; SD, 6 days). Scans were assessed for colonic wall thickening (> or = 4 mm), ulceration, mural edema, pericolonic stranding, ascites, lymphadenopathy, and thickening of the small-bowel wall. Mural involvement was recorded as asymmetric or circumferential. Disease location was recorded as ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, rectosigmoid colon, or pancolonic. RESULTS: Colonic wall thickening of 8 to 33 mm (mean, 15 mm; SD, 6 mm) was seen in 22 patients. One patient had pancolonic involvement. The ascending colon was involved in 13, the transverse colon in five, the descending colon in 10, and the rectosigmoid colon in 16. Circumferential colonic thickening was seen in 17 patients. Deep mural ulceration was seen in 15 patients, mural edema in 15, pericolonic stranding in 23, ascites in 10, lymphadenopathy in four, and small-bowel involvement in 10. Two patients had appendicitis. Three patients had perforations (two rectal, one cecal). One patient had a giant rectal ulcer. CONCLUSION: Although many of the CT features of cytomegalovirus colitis are nonspecific, the diagnosis should be suggested when CT shows colonic wall thickening, particularly if the thickening is associated with mural ulceration in patients with AIDS and CD4 counts of less than 200 mm3.

Arteriohepatic dysplasia (Alagille's syndrome): unusual hepatic architecture and function.

BACKGROUND: Alagille's syndrome, also called arteriohepatic dysplasia, is a congenital anomaly consisting of hepatic, ocular, skeletal, and cardiac anomalies. The abdominal imaging findings were reviewed in eight patients with biopsy-proven Alagille's syndrome. One patient also had coexistent hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Seven right upper quadrant sonograms, six hepatic CT studies, five hepatobiliary imaging studies, two hepatic MRI examinations, and two sulphur colloid liver spleen radionuclide studies were reviewed. RESULTS: The most striking abnormality was gross distortion of hepatic architecture. Five patients (63%) had marked external hepatic contour abnormalities, usually with either the entire liver or lobe having a predominately spherical shape. The portal vein was displaced by the spherical parenchymal component in four cases. Three other patients demonstrated marked hepatomegaly with no external contour abnormality. Hepatobiliary imaging studies demonstrated markedly prolonged excretion of the radiopharmaceutical in three of four patients examined. CONCLUSIONS: A diagnosis of Alagile's syndrome is suggested when a large, deformed and somewhat spherical liver is encountered, especially when hepatobiliary imaging studies demonstrate delayed excretion of radiopharmaceutical.

Prospective evaluation of patients with bowel wall thickening.

OBJECTIVE: Thickening of the gastrointestinal bowel wall is commonly identified by abdominal computed tomographic (CT) imaging. The objective of this study was to prospectively determine the prevalence of substantial pathological abnormalities in patients with bowel wall thickening by computed tomography. METHODS: Consecutive patients with bowel wall (gastric, duodenal, or colonic) thickening prospectively identified by CT underwent endoscopy of the portion of the bowel that was identified as abnormal. RESULTS: Over an 18-month period, 50 patients with bowel wall thickening underwent directed endoscopic examination. Fifteen patients of the cohort were HIV-positive. The likelihood of detecting an abnormality by endoscopy in the entire population was 67%. Furthermore, for patients with endoscopic abnormalities, 42% had a specific histological diagnosis made by biopsy taken during the endoscopy. Clinical parameters did not predict abnormal endoscopic findings for patients with an abnormal computed tomographic exam. Although the rate of endoscopic abnormalities did not significantly differ between HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients, specific histological findings were more common among the former patients. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with bowel wall thickening identified by CT, endoscopy demonstrates abnormalities in the majority of cases. Endoscopy is useful in this patient population because it yields accurate identification of abnormalities and also permits direct biopsy. Among patients with bowel wall thickening identified by CT, in whom a specific diagnosis is not evident, endoscopy of the relevant portion of the bowel should be strongly considered.

Neoplasms of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Neoplasms of the upper gastrointestinal tract are generally detected by barium studies or endoscopy. Computed tomography remains the primary imaging modality for staging. Magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic ultrasonography may also play an increasing role in evaluating these tumors.

Imaging of the pharynx and esophagus.

The year 1991 was a year of innovation, with interesting papers published in the imaging as well as the medical and surgical literature. Several reports described novel techniques using transcutaneous ultrasound to evaluate the swallowing mechanism; another used CT and ultrasound of the neck for staging esophageal carcinoma. The new field of endoscopic ultrasound was again a subject of much investigation and was compared with CT in the staging of esophageal cancer. One study suggested that endoscopic ultrasound was superior to CT in staging esophageal cancer whereas another found that endoscopic ultrasound had an accuracy rate of only 59% in detecting local invasion. MR imaging and CT were reevaluated for staging esophageal carcinoma using criteria that were modified slightly from previous techniques. These new criteria simplified the detection of aortic and pericardial invasion and staged esophageal carcinoma accurately. The definition of "normal" was refined this year. For instance, in a study of swallowing in asymptomatic and presumably normal elderly individuals, a number of findings were encountered that are considered abnormal in the younger patient. Another study documents normal swallowing patterns in the infant. Other papers provided refinements in radiographic examination techniques as well as excellent reviews of anomalies, esophagitis, and the management of esophageal foreign bodies. The review is divided into two sections that discuss the pharynx and the esophagus.

Safety considerations in the power injection of contrast media via central venous catheters during computed tomographic examinations.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: This study addresses the theoretical, experimental, and clinical application of using a central venous catheter system (CVS) for the rapid injection of contrast media during computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Application of Poiseuille's law and the Reynolds equation yielded theoretical data. In-line pressures were measured in experimental models and patients undergoing CT. Diatrizoate meglumine and iohexal contrast media were evaluated. RESULTS: The Reynolds number was consistent with laminar flow, allowing the application of Poiseuille's law. The calculated and experimental catheter tubing-chamber connection pressures were safe for both contrast media, at rates of 1 mL/second for long catheter tubing and 2 mL/second for short tubing. Thirteen patients had measured pressures within safety limits with no complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes that power injection of contrast media via a CVS during CT is a safe procedure. Benefits include no need for peripheral intravenous catheter placement, decreased paramedical staff radiation exposure, and improved CT image quality.