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Query: UMLS:C0729233 (Thoracic)
 6,478 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A review of 109 case histories of patients who had undergone a spine fusion and/or posterior instrumentation procedure for thoracic and/or lumbar spine trauma was performed with respect to efficacy of several postoperative external splinting techniques. These data formed the basis for a review of external spinal splinting techniques. The type of orthosis that appears to offer the most efficacious immobilization and maximum patient comfort for fractures in the upper thoracic region in a body shell jacket extending from the submental and suboccipital regions to the lumbar region (modified Minerva jacket). To gain a lower point of fixation in patients with mid-to-low lumbar fractures, it was found that an extended body shell or an extension of a body jacket to one leg (hip spica) was necessary. Thoracic and thoracolumbar injuries may be stabilized with either a Jewett brace or a body jacket. The lack of maintenance of the cylindrical body shell, as well as excessive discomfort, make the Jewett brace and similar orthotic devices a second choice to body shell jackets for fractures in this region. The application of plastic polymer (Thermoplast) to spine splinting techniques offers the patient increased comfort and stability, as well as facilitating easy application and a more snug fit.
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PMID:Postoperative stabilization of the posttraumatic thoracic and lumbar spine: a review of concepts and orthotic techniques. 252 56

The classification and etiopathogenesis of oesophageal diverticula is discussed, based on the experience with the treatment of 91 (68 Zenker's, 7 parabronchial, and 16 epiphrenic) diverticulectomies performed at the First and Second Departments of Surgery in Olomouc from 1948 to 1987. The tactics and technique of surgical management and its results in the single groups of diseases are analyzed in detail. Parapharyngeal diverticula represent typical true diverticula associated with hypertonia of the upper oesophageal sphincter. No causal relationship could be proved to exist between the origin of this diverticulum and the gastrooesophageal reflux. Thoracic diverticula are probably rather of congenital than traction origin. Epiphrenic diverticula arise most often from hypertonia of the lower oesophageal sphincter. They can also be of congenital origin. Traction etiology could be observed in the presence of a leiomyoma in the diverticulum. The surgical management of Zenker's diverticulum consists in the excision of the diverticulum and cricopharyngeal myotomy. Excision of parabronchial diverticulum is seldom indicated for causing little discomfort, as a rule only when it is very large. Epiphrenic diverticula are usually associated with hypertonia of the lower oesophageal sphincter. In such cases, myotomy after Heller is performed and, as a rule, the diverticulum is excised.
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PMID:Oesophageal diverticula. 253 26

Spirometry was performed on 136 male industrial workers experienced in undergoing pulmonary function testing for the purpose of studying the effects of the use of noseclips on forced vital capacity (FVC) maneuvers. A cross-over design was employed with each subject serving as his own reference. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and FVC measurements were recorded adhering closely to the guidelines set down by the American Thoracic Society. Assuming that a 30-ml difference in FVC and FEV1 is not important, we conclude that these measurements are not significantly affected by the use of noseclips. However, trial order was found to affect the outcome. The FVC and FEV1 values on the first trial were consistently lower than those on the second regardless of noseclip use. Many subjects experienced discomfort from noseclips and their use is not recommended for routine purposes.
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PMID:Use of noseclips in pulmonary function tests. 273 47

An edited summary of an Interdepartmental Conference arranged by the Department of Medicine of the UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles. The Director of Conferences is William M. Pardridge, MD, Professor of Medicine. Several specialists have recently recognized that gastrointestinal reflux causes complications resulting in significant disease. It causes discomfort, indigestion, esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, and carcinoma of the esophagus. Pediatricians attribute many early pulmonary problems, and even some sudden deaths in infants, to the reflux of gastric contents. Otolaryngologists now recognize that many cases of nonbacterial, nonspecific pharyngitis and laryngitis are due to the reflux of gastrc acid secretions. Contact granuloma and cancer of the larynx may, in some instances, be secondary to nocturnal reflux. Thoracic surgeons and pulmonologists believe chronic tracheobronchitis and some cases of pulmonary disease are attributable to recurrent bathing of the respiratory epithelium by aspirated gastric contents. An awareness of the many complications of gastrointestinal reflux should lead to a multidisciplined attack on the factors responsible for these diseases.
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PMID:Complications of gastroesophageal reflux. 304 98

Thoracic esophagus was usually removed through the transhiatal approach or via an open thoracotomy. The long incision and spreading of the ribs usually resulted in much pain and interference with chest wall mechanics. Today, with the development of a video-assisted endoscopic procedure, many intrathoracic lesions can be removed through small incision. Since March 1992 we have attempted 20 esophagectomies and reconstruction using a right thoracoscopic approach in 16 males and 4 females whose average age was 56 years. Indications for its use were esophageal cancer in 17 patients (squamous cell carcinoma in 12 patients, adenocarcinoma in 5) and caustic stenosis in 3. It is our impression that video-assisted endoscopic esophagectomy and reconstruction potentially causes less trauma, less postoperative discomfort, and a rapid functional recuperation. Our initial experiences showed that it is a feasible, effective procedure.
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PMID:Video-assisted endoscopic esophagectomy with stapled intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis. 757 74

The word "dyspnea" encompasses many different features. It can be considered to be a sensation, a symptom, or an illness. From a practical perspective many physicians and nurses use dyspnea to refer to difficult or labored breathing or an uncomfortable awareness of breathing. The American Thoracic Society recently defined dyspnea as a subjective experience of breathing discomfort that consists of qualitatively distinct sensations that vary in intensity.
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PMID:Evaluation of dyspnea in the elderly. 1273 13

Histologically, lymphangiomatosis is a rare type of benign neoplasm caused by abnormal development and proliferation of the lymphatic system. Thoracic lymphangiomatosis can present in a localized (lymphangioma) or diffuse form (lymphangiomatosis). In most cases the disease progresses to serious morbidity or even death. The treatment of choice for localized disease is usually surgery or, less frequently, local injection of sclerosing agents (streptococcus antigen OK-432). However, in diffuse forms there is a gelatinous infiltrate without defined limits. In these cases the main treatment option is radiotherapy. We report 2 cases of diffuse thoracic lymphangiomatosis with pulmonary infiltrate. In both cases radiotherapy in appropriate doses successfully eliminated pulmonary infiltrates, pleural effusion, dyspnea, and general discomfort. Surgery was needed to resolve complications of the disease and for diagnosis.
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PMID:[Diffuse thoracic lymphangiomatosis: diagnosis and treatment]. 1557 75

Patients usually fear fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FBS) and they report a low level of satisfaction after this examination. We evaluated the efficacy of acupuncture in decreasing patient anxiety before diagnostic FBS and in improving tolerance to the examination. In a prospective double-blind study, we enrolled 48 patients scheduled to undergo diagnostic FBS. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Group A (16 patients): standard FBS, with airway topic anesthesia; Group B (16 patients): standard FBS, with airway topic anesthesia and acupuncture treatment; Group C (16 patients): standard FBS, with airway topic anesthesia and sham acupuncture. EKG, non-invasive arterial pressure, and pulse oximetry were monitored on a routine basis. We evaluated patient anxiety before and after acupuncture and, at the end of FBS, the discomfort suffered during the examination by a 100-mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Patient satisfaction in Group A was 50% worse than in Group B (p = 0.04). We observed a strong, even if not statistically significant, tendency toward a lower pre-FBS anxiety in Group B. Patients in group C had values very close to those recorded in group A. We observed no adverse event and no differences in cardio-respiratory parameters in these three groups; in particular, we did not observe a respiratory depression in Group B. Acupuncture seems an effective resource for a Thoracic Endoscopic Room to improve patient tolerance to FBS.
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PMID:Acupuncture for diagnostic fiberoptic bronchoscopy: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study. 1671 Aug 90

Thoracic duct computed tomography (CT) lymphangiograms were performed on seven clinically normal dogs. The appearance of the thoracic duct system was compared following administration of contrast medium through a mesenteric lymphatic vessel vs. ultrasound guided percutaneous injection into a popliteal lymph node using helical and sequential CT acquisition modes. The number of visible thoracic duct branches and the largest thoracic duct branch cross-sectional area and mean Hounsfield units (HU) were determined from thoracic vertebra 9 to lumbar vertebra 1. Procedural time and patient discomfort were also assessed. Popliteal administration produced a successful thoracic duct lymphangiogram in eight of 11 dogs (73%) after two attempts, while mesenteric administration was successful in eight of 10 dogs (80%) after a single attempt. Popliteal lymphography required 46% of the time and was associated with less patient discomfort than mesenteric lymphangiography. The number of thoracic duct branches seen was not significantly different for either administration technique (P=0.256) or CT acquisition mode (P=0.417). However, the cross-sectional area and mean HU of the largest thoracic duct branch were greater with mesenteric administration (P<0.001), and helical image acquisition (P<0.001). The thoracic duct branch number, size, and location were highly variable between dogs. Percutaneous popliteal lymphography appears to be an acceptable alternative to mesenteric lymphangiography for the detection of thoracic duct branches in the dog when using either helical or sequential CT acquisition modes.
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PMID:Comparative popliteal and mesenteric computed tomography lymphangiography of the canine thoracic duct. 2134 4

Nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) species are mycobacterial species other than those belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and M. leprae. NTM are generally free-living organisms that are ubiquitous in the environment. Pulmonary disease, especially in older persons with and without underlying lung disease, is caused primarily by M. avium complex (MAC) and M. kansasii. The symptoms and signs of MAC lung disease are variable and not specific, but include cough, malaise, weakness, dyspnoea, chest discomfort and occasionally hemoptoe. Two major clinical presentations include disease in those with underlying lung disease, primarily white, middle-aged or elderly men - often alcoholics and/or smokers with underlying chronic obstructive lung disease, patients in whom MAC develops in areas of prior bronchiectasis, and patients with cystic fibrosis; and those without known underlying lung disease, including non-smoking women over age 50 who have interstitial patterns on chest radiography. M. kansasii infections are endemic in cities with infected tap water. Symptoms of the M. kansasii lung disease resemble to tuberculosis. M. abszessus is the most pathogenic rapid growing Mycobacterium which causes pulmonary infection. The American Thoracic Society and Infectious Disease Society of America's diagnostic criteria for nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary infections include both imaging studies consistent with pulmonary disease and recurrent isolation of mycobacteria from sputum or isolated from at least one bronchial wash in a symptomatic patient. For treatment of MAC lung disease we recommend depending on severity and susceptibility testing a three to four drug treatment with a macrolide, rifampicin and ethambutol and for M. kansasii a treatment with Isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol. Surgical management only plays a role in rare and special cases. Treatment should be continued until sputum cultures are consecutively negative for at least one year.
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PMID:[Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections of the lung]. 2172 59


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