Comparison of cuffed tunneled hemodialysis catheter survival.

Despite efforts to have hemodialysis patients begin renal replacement therapy with a mature arteriovenous shunt, many patients begin dialysis with a cuffed tunneled catheter as their access. An increasing number of differently designed tunneled hemodialysis catheters have become available in the last decade. The primary aim of this study is to compare catheter survival for Hickman (Bard, Salt Lake City, UT) and Opti-flow (Bard) catheters. The 16-month experience with 182 catheters, totaling 13,861 catheter-days, is reported. The probability of Hickman catheter failure at 30, 60, and 90 days was 29%, 49%, and 67%. The probability of Opti-flow catheter failure was significantly less at 10%, 24%, and 38% for the same times, respectively (P: < 0.05 for all time points). The difference in catheter failure rates was caused by a greater malfunction rate of Hickman catheters; the two catheters had similar infection rates. We conclude that survival of Opti-flow catheters was significantly better than that of Hickman catheters from 30 to 90 days, which is a clinically relevant period when patients are waiting for maturation of a permanent access or replacement of a failed access. Since the conclusion of our study, we documented 10 episodes of Opti-flow catheter malfunction within 4 months secondary to hairline fracture of the arterial hub. The Opti-flow catheter was recalled and is now available with retooled hubs.

Noninfectious causes of cloudy peritoneal dialysate.

The appearance of cloudy dialysate fluid in combination with the clinical manifestations of peritonitis usually heralds infectious peritonitis. Diagnosis is readily established in most cases by routine culture of the turbid dialysate. However, an occasional patient presents with culture-negative, cloudy dialysate. After ruling out atypical infectious etiologies, a diverse set of aseptic causes remains in the differential diagnosis. Herein we review these causes and suggest an organizational scheme, based on identifying the cellular or noncellular constituent producing the dialysate turbidity, to facilitate appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Familial thoracic aortic dilatations and dissections: a case control study.

PURPOSE: Evidence suggesting that genetic factors contribute to the development of common disorders can be obtained by demonstrating familial aggregation of the disease. This study investigated whether thoracic aortic dilations and dissections aggregate in families by comparing the prevalence of thoracic aortic aneurysms, thoracic aortic dissections, and sudden death in first-degree relatives of patients referred for thoracic aortic surgery. METHODS: Families were ascertained through 158 nonsyndromic patients referred for surgical correction of either thoracic aortic aneurysms or dissections (probands) and their 843 first-degree relatives. A control group of 547 first-degree relatives was derived from 114 proband spouses. Groups were examined for statistical differences in the prevalence of thoracic aneurysms, thoracic aortic dissections, abdominal aortic aneurysms, sudden death, and myocardial infarctions. RESULTS: First-degree relatives of probands demonstrated a higher prevalence of thoracic aortic aneurysms and sudden death when compared with the control group. Relative risks of thoracic aortic aneurysm development in proband fathers, brothers, and sisters were 1.8, 10.9, and 1.8, respectively. A pattern of inheritance of the thoracic aortic aneurysms could not be determined. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates proband first-degree relatives are at higher risk of thoracic aortic aneurysms and sudden death compared with a control group. This study supports the role of genetic factors in the cause of thoracic aortic aneurysms and provides important information for identifying individuals at risk.

Prenatal diagnosis of Freeman-Sheldon syndrome (whistling face).

The diagnosis of Freeman-Sheldon syndrome was made by ultrasonographic evaluation of a 20-week fetus with a positive family history. The ultrasonographic features were abnormalities of the extremities and mouth.

Role of carcinoembryonic antigen and liver function tests in the detection of recurrent colorectal carcinoma.

The optimal laboratory evaluation for the early detection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer is controversial. This investigation was undertaken to compare the efficacy of liver function tests (LFTs) with that of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels for the early detection of liver metastases. Patients who developed liver metastases after potentially curative resections of adenocarcinoma of the colorectum between 1974 and 1988 were reviewed. The following laboratory tests were serially evaluated during the follow-up period: CEA, alkaline phosphatase (AP), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). These values were retrospectively assessed from the time of documented liver metastases to identify which lab value(s) were elevated initially. Ninety-two patients were available for study. Average time for the occurrence of liver metastases was 20 months (range, 3-72 months). The incidence of elevation of individual tests at the time of suspicion of liver metastasis was: CEA, 94.6 percent (P less than 0.25, chi-squared); AP, 18.5 percent; SGOT, 12.0 percent; SGPT, 5.4 percent; and LDH, 29.3 percent. When comparing CEA with a battery of LFTs at the time of suspicion of liver metastasis, CEA was elevated with normal LFTs in 64.1 percent (P less than 0.05, chi-squared), the most frequent occurrence. At least one LFT was elevated with a normal CEA in only 2.2 percent; CEA and at least one LFT were increased in 30.4 percent; and both tests were normal in only 3.3 percent. These results indicate that, of the individual laboratory tests performed, CEA elevation heralds liver metastases significantly more frequently. LDH is the liver function test most frequently elevated when liver metastases are first suspected. When CEA is directly compared with a battery of LFTs, CEA is statistically significantly more frequently elevated. In fact, suspicion of liver metastases would have been delayed by the omission of LFTs in only 2.2 percent of patients. Therefore, we conclude that LFTs should be deleted from the follow-up of colorectal cancer patients, decreasing costs without significantly decreasing accuracy.

Postoperative surveillance of patients with carcinoma of the colon and rectum.

The early detection and management of recurrence following curative resection for colorectal carcinoma can prolong survival. However, at the present time there is no consensus on the appropriate follow-up protocol for such patients. This investigation was undertaken to determine which tests and procedures are most useful in detecting recurrence and the frequency with which they should be employed. Another purpose of this study was to identify those patients at high risk for recurrence. Sixty-five patients who underwent curative resection of adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum were followed for at least two years or until recurrence. Thirty were classified as Duke's A carcinoma of the colon, 18 were Duke's B, and 17 were Duke's C. Mean follow-up was 44.9 months. The follow-up regimen consisted of clinical exam, liver function tests, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, and chest x-ray every three months for the first two years postoperatively and every six months thereafter, and colonoscopy or barium enema and proctoscopy every six months for the first two years postoperatively and every year thereafter. Seventeen patients (26%) had a recurrence; 24% per cent of these developed within one year, 65 per cent developed within two years, 82 per cent developed within three years, and 94 per cent developed within four years of resection. Recurrence was detected by CEA in eight patients, chest x-ray in five, endoscopy in three, and laparotomy for small-bowel obstruction in one patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Scrotal incarceration of the ureter with crossed renal ectopia: case report and literature review.

To our knowledge only 18 cases of ureteral herniation into the groin have been reported in the literature. We encountered a patient with crossed renal ectopia and ureteral incarceration into a right indirect inguinal hernia. Based on analysis of the presentation and management of our patient combined with a review of the literature we conclude that patients with urinary symptoms and a groin hernia should undergo preoperative urological evaluation, all hernias containing a ureter should be repaired and ureteral resection rarely is necessary during the hernia repair.

Colonoscopic extraction of foreign bodies from above the rectum.

There has been a considerable amount of experience with removal of rectal foreign bodies inserted transanally. Until recently removal of objects above the rectosigmoid junction has required laparotomy. A literature review reveals that since 1975 there have been 29 cases of colonoscopic removal of a variety of objects reported in fourteen publications. The authors have had experience with three cases of retained colonic foreign bodies (greater than 7 days) extracted using the colonoscope. All patients received preprocedure antibiotics and bowel preparation from below. All objects were removed using either the Olympus CF LB3R colonoscope or the Fujinon EVC-M videocolonoscope. The authors conclude that colonoscopic retrieval of foreign bodies is technically feasible, safe, less morbid, and less costly than laparotomy. This technique should be considered as the first step in management of these patients by endoscopic surgeons.