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Respiratory Medicine Dec 2013Mounier-Kuhn syndrome or congenital tracheobronchomegaly is a chronic airway condition which for currently unknown reasons mostly affects males. It is commonly... (Review)
Review
Mounier-Kuhn syndrome or congenital tracheobronchomegaly is a chronic airway condition which for currently unknown reasons mostly affects males. It is commonly overlooked on conventional chest X-rays, and is considered to be rare, but the prevalence might be higher as commonly assumed. The hallmark of it is a dilatation of the main airways which frequently, but not always, causes marked, mainly respiratory, symptoms, and patients usually present with varying degrees of recurrent infections, breathlessness, haemoptysis, dyspnoea. Although at least 200 case reports have been published, there have been only a few attempts to review them, and none in the last 20 years. Due to the lack of clinical trials and wide variability of case-report format, a systematic review was deemed not feasible, therefore PubMed and Medline databases were searched using terms "Mounier-Kuhn syndrome", "tracheobronchomegaly", "tracheomegaly", and "bronchomegaly", without any time restrictions, to summarize currently known facts about the syndrome. To the authors' best knowledge, the result is currently the most comprehensive review of previously published literature about the congenital tracheobronchomegaly, and summarizes what's known about symptoms, prevalence, disease associations, and treatment options for this syndrome.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anesthesia; Contraindications; Diagnosis, Differential; Dilatation, Pathologic; Dyspnea; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Recurrence; Respiratory Tract Infections; Tracheobronchomegaly
PubMed: 24070565
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2013.08.042 -
BMC Gastroenterology Feb 2023Gastrointestinal strictures impact clinical presentation in abdominal tuberculosis and are associated with significant morbidity. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Gastrointestinal strictures impact clinical presentation in abdominal tuberculosis and are associated with significant morbidity.
AIM
To conduct a systematic review of the prevalence of stricturing disease in abdominal and gastrointestinal tuberculosis and response to antitubercular therapy (ATT).
METHODS
We searched Pubmed and Embase on 13th January 2022, for papers reporting on the frequency and outcomes of stricturing gastrointestinal tuberculosis. The data were extracted, and pooled prevalence of stricturing disease was estimated in abdominal tuberculosis and gastrointestinal (intestinal) tuberculosis. The pooled clinical response and stricture resolution (endoscopic or radiologic) rates were also estimated. Publication bias was assessed using the Funnel plot and Egger test. The risk of bias assessment was done using a modified Newcastle Ottawa Scale.
RESULTS
Thirty-three studies reporting about 1969 patients were included. The pooled prevalence of intestinal strictures in abdominal tuberculosis and gastrointestinal TB was 0.12 (95%CI 0.07-0.20, I = 89%) and 0.27 (95% CI 0.21-0.33, I = 85%), respectively. The pooled clinical response of stricturing gastrointestinal tuberculosis to antitubercular therapy was 0.77 (95%CI 0.65-0.86, I = 74%). The pooled stricture response rate (endoscopic or radiological) was 0.66 (95%CI 0.40-0.85, I = 91%). The pooled rate of need for surgical intervention was 0.21 (95%CI 0.13-0.32, I = 70%), while endoscopic dilatation was 0.14 (95%CI 0.09-0.21, I = 0%).
CONCLUSION
Stricturing gastrointestinal tuberculosis occurs in around a quarter of patients with gastrointestinal tuberculosis, and around two-thirds of patients have a clinical response with antitubercular therapy. A subset of patients may need endoscopic or surgical intervention. The estimates for the pooled prevalence of stricturing disease and response to ATT had significant heterogeneity.
Topics: Humans; Constriction, Pathologic; Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal; Antitubercular Agents; Intestinal Obstruction; Abdomen
PubMed: 36814249
DOI: 10.1186/s12876-023-02682-x -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2014Vaginal dilation therapy is advocated after pelvic radiotherapy to prevent stenosis (abnormal narrowing of the vagina), but can be uncomfortable and psychologically... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Vaginal dilation therapy is advocated after pelvic radiotherapy to prevent stenosis (abnormal narrowing of the vagina), but can be uncomfortable and psychologically distressing.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the benefits and harms of different types of vaginal dilation methods offered to women treated by pelvic radiotherapy for cancer.
SEARCH METHODS
Searches included the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2013, Issue 5), MEDLINE (1950 to June week 2, 2013), EMBASE (1980 to 2013 week 24) and CINAHL (1982 to 2013).
SELECTION CRITERIA
Comparative data of any type, which evaluated dilation or penetration of the vagina after pelvic radiotherapy treatment for cancer.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed whether potentially relevant studies met the inclusion criteria. We found no trials and therefore analysed no data.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified no studies for inclusion in the original review or for this update. However, we felt that some studies that were excluded warranted discussion. These included one randomised trial (RCT), which showed no improvement in sexual scores associated with encouraging women to practise dilation therapy; a recent small RCT that did not show any advantage to dilation over vibration therapy during radiotherapy; two non-randomised comparative studies; and five correlation studies. One of these showed that objective measurements of vaginal elasticity and length were not linked to dilation during radiotherapy, but the study lacked power. One study showed that women who dilated tolerated a larger dilator, but the risk of objectivity and bias with historical controls was high. Another study showed that the vaginal measurements increased in length by a mean of 3 cm after dilation was introduced 6 to 10 weeks after radiotherapy, but there was no control group; another case series showed the opposite. Three recent studies showed less stenosis associated with prophylactic dilation after radiotherapy. One small case series suggested that dilation years after radiotherapy might restore the vagina to a functional length.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is no reliable evidence to show that routine, regular vaginal dilation during radiotherapy treatment prevents stenosis or improves quality of life. Several observational studies have examined the effect of dilation therapy after radiotherapy. They suggest that frequent dilation practice is associated with lower rates of self reported stenosis. This could be because dilation is effective or because women with a healthy vagina are more likely to comply with dilation therapy instructions compared to women with strictures. We would normally suggest that a RCT is needed to distinguish between a casual and causative link, but pilot studies highlight many reasons why RCT methodology is challenging in this area.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Benzydamine; Brachytherapy; Constriction, Pathologic; Dilatation; Estrogens; Female; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Pelvis; Radiation Injuries; Radiotherapy; Rupture; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Time Factors; Vagina
PubMed: 25198150
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007291.pub3 -
JACC. Cardiovascular Imaging Dec 2013This systematic review seeks to present the outcomes of the natural history of aortopathy associated with bicuspid aortic valve (ABAV) and after interventions. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
This systematic review seeks to present the outcomes of the natural history of aortopathy associated with bicuspid aortic valve (ABAV) and after interventions.
BACKGROUND
Aortopathy is common in patients with ABAV, and early intervention has been proposed to reduce the risk of dissection. In asymptomatic patients, the timing of surgical management is based upon imaging of aortic size, but the actual threshold is based upon observational data and expert opinion. As evidence of high risk would justify early intervention, we sought to define the natural history of this condition and after interventions.
METHODS
We undertook a systemic review of the evidence from observational studies of ABAV published up to June 2013. The primary outcome was annualized all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included acute aortic events, rates of aneurysm enlargement, and peri-operative complications. A random-effects model was used to combine outcomes. A meta-regression was undertaken to assess the impact of potential covariates.
RESULTS
The 32 eligible papers involved 11,045 patients (9,441 BAV and 1,604 control subjects, age 46 ± 14 years). There were 3 major groups, nonoperated bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients (ages from 30 to 40 years), patients after aortic surgery (generally 40 to 60 years of age) and after isolated valve replacement (>60 years of age). The respective annualized mortality of nonoperated BAV patients was 0.56% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.13 to 0.99), compared with 0.78% (95% CI: 0.20 to 1.36) in patients after aortic surgery and 2.39% (95% CI: 1.61 to 3.16) after isolated valve replacement. The annualized acute event rate in nonoperated BAV patients was 0.29% (95% CI: 0.23 to 0.35), this risk being no different from that of a tricuspid aortic valve (risk ratio: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.34 to 1.36). In the post-surgical series, 30-day mortality varied from 0% to 2.5%, and the risk of acute events was 0.16% (95% CI: 0.0 to 0.32) in patients after aortic surgery and 0.68% (95% CI: 0.42 to 0.94) after isolated valve replacement. Aortic dilation was at a rate of 0.16 mm/year over 6 decades in healthy BAV subjects and 1.1 ± 0.15 mm/year in older aortic valve replacement patients.
CONCLUSIONS
The risk associated with ABAV varies according to age and clinical setting. Nonetheless, despite aortic dilatation, the acute aortic event risk of ABAV appears low in current practice. Decision-making regarding the timing of intervention needs to be made on the basis of the balance between this low risk and both the morbidity and mortality of surgery.
Topics: Aorta; Aortic Aneurysm; Aortic Valve; Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease; Dilatation, Pathologic; Disease Progression; Heart Valve Diseases; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; Humans; Patient Selection; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Surgical Procedures
PubMed: 24332283
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2013.10.005 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2010Many vaginal dilator therapy guidelines advocate routine vaginal dilation during and after pelvic radiotherapy to prevent stenosis (abnormal narrowing of the vagina).... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Many vaginal dilator therapy guidelines advocate routine vaginal dilation during and after pelvic radiotherapy to prevent stenosis (abnormal narrowing of the vagina). The UK Gynaecological Oncology Nurse Forum recommend dilation "three times weekly for an indefinite time period". The UK patient charity Cancer Backup advises using vaginal dilators from two to eight weeks after the end of radiotherapy treatment. Australian guidelines recommend dilation after brachytherapy "as soon as is comfortably possible" and "certainly within four weeks and to continue for three years or indefinitely if possible". However, dilation is intrusive, uses health resources and can be psychologically distressing. It has also caused rare but very serious damage to the rectum.
OBJECTIVES
To review the benefits and harms of vaginal dilation therapy associated with pelvic radiotherapy for cancer.
SEARCH STRATEGY
Searches included the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2008, Issue 4), MEDLINE (1950 to 2008), EMBASE (1980 to 2008) and CINAHL (1982 to 2008).
SELECTION CRITERIA
Any comparative randomised controlled trials (RCT) or data of any type which compared dilation or penetration of the vagina after pelvic radiotherapy treatment for cancer.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
The review authors independently abstracted data and assessed risk of bias. We analysed the mean difference in sexual function scores and the risk ratio for non-compliance at six weeks and three months in single trial analyses. No trials met the inclusion criteria.
MAIN RESULTS
Dilation during or immediately after radiotherapy can, in rare cases, cause damage and there is no persuasive evidence from any study to demonstrate that it prevents stenosis. Data from one RCT showed no improvement in sexual scores in women who were encouraged to practice dilation. Two case series and one comparative study using historical controls suggest that dilation might be associated with a longer vaginal length but these data cannot reasonably be interpreted to show that dilation caused the change in the vagina.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Routine dilation during or soon after cancer treatment may be harmful. There is no reliable evidence to show that routine regular vaginal dilation during or after radiotherapy prevents the late effects of radiotherapy or improves quality of life. Gentle vaginal exploration might separate the vaginal walls before they can stick together and some women may benefit from dilation therapy once inflammation has settled but there are no good comparative supporting data.
Topics: Constriction, Pathologic; Dilatation; Female; Humans; Pelvis; Radiotherapy; Rupture; Time Factors; Vagina
PubMed: 20824858
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007291.pub2 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... 2001Intraventricular hemorrhage remains a serious complication of premature birth and post hemorrhagic hydrocephalus still has no satisfactory treatment. Acetazolamide and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Intraventricular hemorrhage remains a serious complication of premature birth and post hemorrhagic hydrocephalus still has no satisfactory treatment. Acetazolamide and furosemide, which both reduce the production of cerebrospinal fluid, have been suggested as non-invasive therapies to reduce hydrocephalus and the need for ventriculo-peritoneal (V-P) shunting.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this review was to determine whether the use of acetazolamide and furosemide improves outcome, especially shunt dependence, in infants developing post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation.
SEARCH STRATEGY
The standard search strategy of the Cochrane Collaboration was used.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised, or quasi-randomised trials, of acetazolamide and/or furosemide compared with standard therapy in infants with IVH or post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Data were extracted independently by each author and were analysed by the standard methods of the Cochrane Collaboration using relative risk (RR) and risk difference (RD), a fixed effect model and sensitivity analyses where appropriate.
MAIN RESULTS
There were two eligible trials: one randomized 16 infants and the other, 177. Neither showed a decreased risk for V-P shunt or for V-P shunt or death associated with acetazolamide and furosemide therapy. The larger trial showed that acetazolamide and furosemide treatment resulted in a borderline increase in the risk for motor impairment at one year (RR 1.27, CI 1.02 to 1.58; RD 0.16, CI 0.02 to 0.31), but did not significantly affect the risk for the combined outcome of delay, disability or motor impairment among survivors, or the risk of the combined outcome of death, delay, disability or impairment at one year. The larger trial showed that diuretic treatment increased the risk for nephrocalcinosis (RR 5.31, CI 1.90 to 14.84; RD 0.19, CI 0.09 to 0.29); meta-analysis confirmed this result.
REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS
Acetazolamide and furosemide therapy is neither effective nor safe in treating post hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation. Acetazolamide and furosemide cannot be recommended as therapy for post hemorrhagic hydrocephalus.
Topics: Acetazolamide; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Cerebral Ventricles; Dilatation, Pathologic; Diuretics; Furosemide; Humans; Hydrocephalus; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
PubMed: 11406041
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002270 -
Clinical Journal of the American... Jan 2009Renal pelvis dilatation (RPD) occurs in 1% of fetuses. Severe RPD (>15 mm) is frequently associated with urinary tract pathology. For the majority with mild (5 to 9 mm)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Renal pelvis dilatation (RPD) occurs in 1% of fetuses. Severe RPD (>15 mm) is frequently associated with urinary tract pathology. For the majority with mild (5 to 9 mm) to moderate (10 to 15 mm) RPD, however, there is uncertainty about the risk of abnormalities and how much postnatal investigation is required.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review of cohort studies of fetuses with RPD < or = 15 mm and metaregression to estimate risks of postnatal RPD, obstruction, and VUR.
RESULTS
Of 506 potentially relevant papers, 18 met the inclusion criteria. Risk of postnatal RPD increased with fetal RP size and earlier gestation. Odds ratios for postnatal RPD doubled per millimeter increase in fetal RP size: At 20 wk gestation, for example, 18% of fetuses with mean RP of 6 mm were estimated to have persistent postnatal RPD, compared with 95% of fetuses with 12 mm RPD, but risks were decreased by 16% to 18% per week of presentation gestation. Estimated risks of obstruction and VUR were substantially lower, particularly in the mild group such as the 6 mm example above: obstruction 2%, VUR 4%.
CONCLUSIONS
Our novel risk estimates are useful for antenatal counseling at presentation. The low frequency of obstruction/VUR in mild RPD raises questions over the most appropriate investigation of these cases but further data are required before establishing definitive postnatal management pathways. We suggest the need for a large prospective multicenter study to collect individual patient parameters/results and search for additional prognostic indicators.
Topics: Counseling; Dilatation, Pathologic; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Kidney Diseases; Kidney Pelvis; Odds Ratio; Pregnancy; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Ureteral Obstruction; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux
PubMed: 18987299
DOI: 10.2215/CJN.00810208 -
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Jun 2020Medical therapy and/or endoscopic balloon dilation with intralesional therapies are options for the treatment of small bowel fibrostenotic Crohn's disease (CD).
BACKGROUND
Medical therapy and/or endoscopic balloon dilation with intralesional therapies are options for the treatment of small bowel fibrostenotic Crohn's disease (CD).
AIM
To perform a systematic review summarising evidence for efficacy of systemic and endoscopic intralesional medical therapy in established small bowel strictures in adult CD patients.
METHODS
A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and Scopus was conducted. Primary outcomes were rates of surgical resection and repeat endoscopic dilation. Pooled event rates from random effects models across studies with 95% confidence intervals were reported.
RESULTS
Ten studies describing systemic medical therapy and eight studies of intralesional injection were included. One randomised controlled trial each for systemic therapy and intrastricture injection were identified. Only observational studies were found for systemic biologic therapies, which exclusively included tumour necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists, while intralesional therapies all involved corticosteroids except for one study that evaluated infliximab. Pooled event rates for surgical resection after systemic and intralesional therapy were 28.3% (95% CI: 18.2%-41.3%) and 18.5% (95% CI: 8.3%-36.2%), respectively over a median follow-up of 23 months (range 5.5-105.8), and 21.8 months (range 5-47). Risk of repeat endoscopic balloon dilation in those with intralesional therapy was 58.3% (95% CI: 36.6%-77.3%) over a median follow-up of 21.8 months (range 5-47).
CONCLUSIONS
There are no favoured therapies for patients with stricturing small bowel CD. Data are lacking for ustekinumab and vedolizumab. No endoscopic intralesional medications provided a clear benefit for prevention of repeat EBD or surgery.
Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Combined Modality Therapy; Constriction, Pathologic; Crohn Disease; Dilatation; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Fibrosis; Humans; Infusions, Intralesional; Intestinal Obstruction; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
PubMed: 32406116
DOI: 10.1111/apt.15750 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Feb 2008The goal of this study was to review the currently available literature and to compare the short and long-term results of primary stenting and angioplasty of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The goal of this study was to review the currently available literature and to compare the short and long-term results of primary stenting and angioplasty of femoropopliteal occlusive disease by performing a meta-analysis review.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature that was published between September 2000 and January 2007 was performed. All studies that reported data on the long-term results after balloon dilatation or stent implantation were included if at least one-year primary patency or restenosis rate was presented; the study follow-up was at least 1 year and the number of subjects at the start of study was at least 20 patients. Three investigators independently extracted the data. The Pooled survival curves were then constructed for graft patency according to a random-effects protocol for meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Twenty-four articles were initially identified but only seven were selected and included in this meta-analysis: seven were RCTs publications and one was a retrospective study comparing the outcome of angioplasty and stenting of the femoropopliteal segment. In our meta-analysis, there were a total of 934 patients with 452 patients who underwent balloon angioplasty (273 patients were male) and 482 patients who underwent stenting (297 patients were male). Primary patency at 1-year and postoperative ABI post intervention was used to evaluate the pooled odds ratio (OR) of all studies. The pooled OR of all studies estimate for the 12-month patency rates was 0.989 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.623 to 1.570, P = .962) showing no difference in outcome between the two groups (SE 0.269% to 1.025%). The pooled OR estimate for the postoperative ABI was 0.869 (95% CI, 0.557 to 1.357, P = .561) showing a slight advantage in favor of the angioplasty group but the P value was not statistically significant (SE 0.282% to 1.326%). The 1-year primary patency rates following balloon angioplasty ranged from 45% to 84.2% and at 2 years it varied from 25% to 77.2%. In the stent implantation group, the 1-year primary patency rates varied from 63% to 90%, and 2-year primary patency ranged from 46% to 87%. Heterogeneity was seen among studies, and publication bias could not be excluded.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of our meta-analysis suggest that stent placement in the femoropopliteal occlusive disease does not increase the patency rate when compared with angioplasty alone at 1 year. This conclusion should be viewed in the light of study-design considerations and all limitations in this meta-analysis that may have an impact of the outcome of stenting and angioplasty after a 1-year follow-up.
Topics: Angioplasty, Balloon; Ankle; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Blood Pressure; Brachial Artery; Constriction, Pathologic; Female; Femoral Artery; Humans; Male; Odds Ratio; Popliteal Artery; Prosthesis Failure; Recurrence; Risk Assessment; Stents; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Patency
PubMed: 17950563
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2007.07.059 -
The Journal of International Medical... Oct 2020A laryngocele is a space that develops as a result of pathological dilatation of the laryngeal saccule. However, the reported management of laryngoceles varies. We... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
A laryngocele is a space that develops as a result of pathological dilatation of the laryngeal saccule. However, the reported management of laryngoceles varies. We conducted a systematic review of the literature regarding the surgical management of laryngoceles and pyolaryngoceles, to understand the evolving nature of treatment for this rare condition.
METHODS
We searched for publications in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, JBI Library of Systematic Reviews, and Ovid databases using the terms "laryngocele", "pyolaryngocele", and "laryngopyocele", and reviewed the identified articles.
RESULTS
After removal of repeated studies and filtering for relevance and studies written in English, a total of 227 studies were included in this review. No meta-analyses or randomized controlled trials have been published. The identified studies have been summarized in 14 reviews conducted since 1946. The meta-analysis determined that endoscopy was the preferred approach for internal laryngoceles, while combined laryngoceles benefited from both internal and external surgical approaches.
CONCLUSIONS
Laryngocele management has progressed since its initial description, from open surgery to an endoscopic approach, and more recently to a robotic-assisted surgical approach. The uptake of robotic surgery as a possible treatment modality over the last decade shows much promise for the treatment of these conditions.
Topics: Humans; Dilatation, Pathologic; Laryngocele; Larynx; Robotic Surgical Procedures
PubMed: 33100073
DOI: 10.1177/0300060520940441