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Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery Jul 2021Obstruction from stricturing Crohn's disease remains one of the most common reasons for intervention. Acute inflammation is often responsive to medications, but chronic... (Review)
Review
Obstruction from stricturing Crohn's disease remains one of the most common reasons for intervention. Acute inflammation is often responsive to medications, but chronic fibrosis is unlikely to respond and will generally go on to require additional treatment. Newer methods, such as endoscopic balloon dilation, are gaining grounds in strictures that are amenable, but with high recurrence and strictures that may not be endoscopically accessible, surgery still plays a key role in the treatment of obstructing Crohn's disease.
PubMed: 34305471
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1729926 -
Acta Ophthalmologica Nov 2021The aims of the review are to summarize the aethiopathogenesis, management and outcomes of different treatments of proximal lacrimal obstructions. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The aims of the review are to summarize the aethiopathogenesis, management and outcomes of different treatments of proximal lacrimal obstructions.
METHODS
An electronic database (PubMed, MEDLINE and Google Scholar) search of all articles written in English and non-English language with abstract translated to English on proximal lacrimal obstructions was performed. The articles were reviewed along with their relevant cross references. Data reviewed included demographics, presentations, investigations, management, complications and outcomes.
RESULTS
Punctoplasty is as effective as punctal dilatation with monocanalicular or bicanalicular stent in case of punctal stenosis. Dacryocystorhinostomy with retrograde intubation is more effective in case of proximal canalicular obstructions than in case of mid-canalicular obstructions. Trephination and intubation is effective in both mid and distal canalicular obstructions in patients with no associated nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Canaliculodacryocystorhinostomy has a specific indication in case of proximal common canalicular obstruction. Bypass surgery is the preferred treatment if there is no residual patency, however surgical success may not match patient satisfaction.
CONCLUSION
Optimal choice of surgical method depends on identification of the site of obstruction. Mini-invasive techniques should be avoided in cases that would only benefit from standard surgical treatment.
Topics: Dacryocystorhinostomy; Disease Progression; Humans; Lacrimal Duct Obstruction; Nasolacrimal Duct; Stents
PubMed: 33455087
DOI: 10.1111/aos.14762 -
World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology -... Oct 2021Septoplasty is widely used in the treatment of structural nasal obstructions, and it also has a good effect and a high degree of postoperative satisfaction. However,... (Review)
Review
Septoplasty is widely used in the treatment of structural nasal obstructions, and it also has a good effect and a high degree of postoperative satisfaction. However, there a large number of structures demonstrate abnormalities related to structural nasal obstruction, including the external nose, maxilla, nasal cavity and paranasal sinus. Nasal septum deviation is only one signs of structural nasal obstruction and does not represent all possible structural abnormalities of the nasal cavity and its surrounding structure. Septoplasty is only performed to correct deviations of the nasal septum, which in many cases is obviously insufficient in restoring the symmetry of the nasal structure. Therefore, septoplasty alone is not suitable for the treatment of most structural nasal obstructions. Nasal ventilation expansion surgery, which typically covers more abnormal structural correction procedures than septoplasty, should be used when describing the treatment of structural nasal obstruction.
PubMed: 34632347
DOI: 10.1016/j.wjorl.2020.05.007 -
International Journal of Chronic... 2017It is increasingly acknowledged that delays in the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory lung conditions have hampered our understanding of pathogenesis and thus our ability... (Review)
Review
It is increasingly acknowledged that delays in the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory lung conditions have hampered our understanding of pathogenesis and thus our ability to design efficacious therapies. This is particularly true for COPD, where most patients are diagnosed with moderate-to-severe airflow obstruction and little is known about the inflammatory processes present in early disease. There is great interest in developing screening tests that can identify those most at risk of developing COPD before airflow obstruction has developed for the purpose of research and clinical care. Landmark pathology studies have suggested that damage to the small airways precedes the development of airflow obstruction and emphysema and, thus, presents an opportunity to identify those at risk of COPD. However, despite a number of physiological tests being available to assess small airways function, none have been adopted into routine care in COPD. The reasons that tests of small airways have not been utilized widely include variability in test results and a lack of validated reference ranges from which to compare results for some methodologies. Furthermore, population studies have not consistently demonstrated their ability to diagnose disease. However, the landscape may be changing. As the equipment that delivers tests of small airways become more widely available, reference ranges are emerging and newer methodologies specifically seek to address variability and difficulty in test performance. Moreover, there is evidence that while tests of small airways may not be helpful across the full range of established disease severity, there may be specific groups (particularly those with early disease) where they might be informative. In this review, commonly utilized tests of small airways are critically appraised to highlight why these tests may be important, how they can be used and what knowledge gaps remain for their use in COPD.
Topics: Airway Obstruction; Disease Progression; Humans; Lung; Predictive Value of Tests; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Pulmonary Emphysema; Respiratory Function Tests; Risk Factors
PubMed: 28848335
DOI: 10.2147/COPD.S138540 -
Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery May 2022Despite an increase in screening colonoscopy, with the objective to decrease the incidence of colorectal cancer, a third of patients will present with an obstructing... (Review)
Review
Despite an increase in screening colonoscopy, with the objective to decrease the incidence of colorectal cancer, a third of patients will present with an obstructing cancer. Malignant large bowel obstructions (MLBO) pose a challenging workup and treatment paradigm where an oncologic primary tumor resection must be balanced with relieving the obstruction, functional outcomes, palliation, and consideration for adjuvant therapy. A thorough work up with cross-sectional imaging and medical optimization should be attempted; however, patients may present and require emergent intervention. The onset of MLBO can be insidious, but result in electrolyte derangements, perforation, small bowel obstruction, hemorrhage, and ischemia. Self-expandable metallic stents have been used as palliation or as a bridge to surgery and have allowed for minimally invasive surgical options as well as a decrease in stoma rates. Patients with signs of colon ischemia or perforation require emergent surgery, which is associated with an increase in stoma formation, morbidity, mortality, and a decrease in overall survival.
PubMed: 35966387
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1742589 -
Circulation Research Apr 2021Aortic stenosis (AS) remains one of the most common forms of valve disease, with significant impact on patient survival. The disease is characterized by left ventricular... (Review)
Review
Aortic stenosis (AS) remains one of the most common forms of valve disease, with significant impact on patient survival. The disease is characterized by left ventricular outflow obstruction and encompasses a series of stenotic lesions starting from the left ventricular outflow tract to the descending aorta. Obstructions may be subvalvar, valvar, or supravalvar and can be present at birth (congenital) or acquired later in life. Bicuspid aortic valve, whereby the aortic valve forms with two instead of three cusps, is the most common cause of AS in younger patients due to primary anatomic narrowing of the valve. In addition, the secondary onset of premature calcification, likely induced by altered hemodynamics, further obstructs left ventricular outflow in bicuspid aortic valve patients. In adults, degenerative AS involves progressive calcification of an anatomically normal, tricuspid aortic valve and is attributed to lifelong exposure to multifactoral risk factors and physiological wear-and-tear that negatively impacts valve structure-function relationships. AS continues to be the most frequent valvular disease that requires intervention, and aortic valve replacement is the standard treatment for patients with severe or symptomatic AS. While the positive impacts of surgical interventions are well documented, the financial burden, the potential need for repeated procedures, and operative risks are substantial. In addition, the clinical management of asymptomatic patients remains controversial. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop alternative approaches to prevent the progression of left ventricular outflow obstruction, especially in valvar lesions. This review summarizes our current understandings of AS cause; beginning with developmental origins of congenital valve disease, and leading into the multifactorial nature of AS in the adult population.
Topics: Age Factors; Animals; Aortic Valve; Aortic Valve Stenosis; Calcinosis; Disease Progression; Humans; Medical Illustration; Mice; Risk Factors; Ventricular Outflow Obstruction
PubMed: 33914609
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.120.317978 -
International Journal of Chronic... 2016Despite the availability of guideline recommendations, diagnostic confusion between COPD and asthma appears common, and often it is very difficult to decide whether the... (Review)
Review
Despite the availability of guideline recommendations, diagnostic confusion between COPD and asthma appears common, and often it is very difficult to decide whether the obstruction is caused by asthma or COPD in a patient with airway obstruction. However, there are well-defined features that help in differentiating asthma from COPD in the presence of fixed airflow obstruction. Nonetheless, the presentations of asthma and COPD can converge and mimic each other, making it difficult to give these patients a diagnosis of either condition. The association of asthma and COPD in the same patient has been designated mixed asthma-COPD phenotype or overlap syndrome. However, since the absence of a clear definition and the inclusion of patients with different characteristics under this umbrella term, it may not facilitate treatment decisions, especially in the absence of clinical trials addressing this heterogeneous population. We are realizing that neither asthma nor COPD are single diseases, but rather syndromes consisting of several endotypes and phenotypes, consequently comprising a spectrum of diseases that must be recognized and adequately treated with targeted therapy. Therefore, we must treat patients by personalizing therapy on the basis of those treatable traits present in each subject.
Topics: Airway Obstruction; Asthma; Comorbidity; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Lung; Phenotype; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Risk Factors; Syndrome
PubMed: 27942210
DOI: 10.2147/COPD.S54927 -
Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery Jul 2021It is essential for the colon and rectal surgeon to understand the evaluation and management of patients with both small and large bowel obstructions. Computed... (Review)
Review
It is essential for the colon and rectal surgeon to understand the evaluation and management of patients with both small and large bowel obstructions. Computed tomography is usually the most appropriate and accurate diagnostic imaging modality for most suspected bowel obstructions. Additional commonly used imaging modalities include plain radiographs and contrast imaging/fluoroscopy, while less commonly utilized imaging modalities include ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Regardless of the imaging modality used, interpretation of imaging should involve a systematic, methodological approach to ensure diagnostic accuracy.
PubMed: 34305469
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1729737