Derrick F. Martin

Complications and Outcome After Acute Stroke Does Dysphagia Matter

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The published data on the relationship between dysphagia and both outcome and complications after acute stroke have been inconclusive. We examined the relationship between these, using bedside assessment and videofluoroscopic examination. METHODS We prospectively studied 121 consecutive patients admitted with acute stroke. A standardized bedside assessment was performed by a physician. We performed videofluoroscopy blinded to this assessment within 3 days of stroke onset and within a median time of 24 hours of the bedside evaluations. The presence of aspiration was recorded. Mortality, functional outcome, lengthy of stay, place of discharge, occurrence of chest infection, nutritional status, and hydration were the main outcome measures. RESULTS Patients with an abnormal swallow (dysphagia) on bedside assessment had a higher risk of chest infection (P=.05) and a poor nutritional state (P=.001). The presence of dysphagia was associated with an increased risk of death (P=.001), disability (P=.02), length of hospital stay (P<.001), and institutional care (P<.05). When other factors were taken into account, dysphagia remained as an independent predictor of outcome only with regard to mortality. The use of videofluoroscopy in detecting aspiration did not add to the value of bedside assessment. CONCLUSIONS Bedside assessment of swallowing is of use in identifying patients at risk of developing complications. The value of routine screening with videofluoroscopy to detect aspiration is questioned.

The Natural History of Dysphagia following a Stroke

Abstract. To assess the frequency and natural history of swallowing problems following an acute stroke, 121 consecutive patients admitted within 24 hours of the onset of their stroke were studied prospectively. The ability to swallow was assessed repeatedly by a physician, a speech and language therapist, and by videofluoroscopy. Clinically 51% (61/121) of patients were assessed as being at risk of aspiration on admission. Many swallowing problems resolved over the first 7 days, through 28/110 (27%) were still considered at risk by the physician. Over a 6-month period, most problems had resolved, but some patients had persistent difficulties (6, 8%), and a few (2, 3% at 6 months) had developed swallowing problems. Ninety-five patients underwent videofluoroscopic examination within a median time of 2 days; 21 (22%) were aspirating. At 1 month a repeat examination showed that 12 (15%) were aspirating. Only 4 of these were persistent; the remaining 8 had not been previously identified. This study has confirmed that swallowing problems following acute stroke are common, and it has been documented that the dysphagia may persist, recur in some patients, or develop in others later in the history of their stroke.

A pilot exploratory study of oral electrical stimulation on swallow function following stroke: an innovative technique.

Abstract. This pilot study investigated the effect of oral electrical stimulation on swallow function in stroke patients with chronic dysphagia. The purpose was to determine whether an innovative technique could make an improvement in swallow function that might be developed as a potential treatment for patients with persistent dysphagia. Four stroke patients with chronic dysphagia were recruited on the basis of videofluoroscopic findings of a delayed swallow reflex. A single case design was used. Oral electrical stimulation of swallowing was carried out using a palatal prosthesis starting at an output pulse of 0.5 mA, with a fixed duration of 200 μsec, repeated at 1-sec intervals. Barium paste (1 × 5 ml) was introduced at the level of the patients maximum tolerance of stimulation and any effect on swallow function was recorded by videofluoroscopy. The findings from the pilot study indicated that oral electrical stimulation resulted in an improvement in swallow function in 2 of the 4 patients. The stimulation was well tolerated in all cases with no serious adverse effects. These early results are promising, but further research is needed.

Management of Benign Biliary Strictures

Benign biliary strictures are most commonly a consequence of injury at laparoscopic cholecystectomy or fibrosis after biliary-enteric anastomosis. These strictures are notoriously difficult to treat and traditionally are managed by resection and fashioning of a choledocho- or hepato-jejunostomy. Promising results are being achieved with newer minimally invasive techniques using endoscopic or percutaneous dilatation and/or stenting and these are likely to play an increasing role in the management. Even low-grade biliary obstruction carries the risks of stone formation, ascending cholangitis and hepatic cirrhosis and it is important to identify and treat this group of patients. There is currently no consensus on which patient should have what type of procedure, and the full range of techniques may not be available in all hospitals. Careful assessment of the risks and likely benefits have to be made on an individual basis. This article reviews the current literature and discusses the options available. The techniques of endoscopic and percutaneous dilatation and stenting are described with evaluation of the likely success and complication rates and compared to the gold standard of biliary-enteric anastomosis.

Expandable Metal Stents for the Palliation of Malignant Gastroduodenal Obstruction

AbstractPurpose: Gastric outlet obstruction is a debilitating complication of upper gastrointestinal malignancy. We present our experience with insertion of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS). Methods: Twenty-eight patients were referred, stenting being attempted in 23. Two patients had esophageal Wallstents inserted through a gastrostomy; 21 had an endoscopic approach with enteral Wallstents. Results: One stent insertion failed, ten patients (45%) returned to a normal diet, ten patients (45%) managed semi-solid food and two patients (9%) had no significant improvement. No immediate complications were seen. One patient subsequently developed pancreatitis. Reintervention (4 stents, 1 jejunostomy, 1 gastrojejunostomy) was required in six of 22 patients (27%) for inadequate stent expansion (1), second stricture (2), stent migration (1), and tumor ingrowth (2). The mean survival was 95.4 days (SD 78.8 days, range 3–230 days). The mean follow-up time was 98.9 days (SD 86.7 days, range 3–309 days). Conclusions: SEMS are effective in palliating malignant gastric outlet obstruction. A combined endoscopic/fluoroscopic approach allows the most complete assessment of the stricture and removes the need for gastrostomy insertion. Careful assessment of the gastrointestinal tract distal to the lesion is important.

Aspiration following stroke: is it related to the side of the stroke?

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the side of stroke and the presence of aspiration on videofluoroscopy. Design: Observational prospective study. Subjects: Eighty-seven patients (50% female) admitted with an acute stroke to the University Hospital of South Manchester. Methods: Patients admitted to the study underwent brain CT scanning and repeated videofluoroscopy. Results: CT scanning was performed within a median three days (interquartile range 2-4 days) following stroke and videofluoroscopic (VF) examination (median 2, interquartile range 1-4 days following stroke) of their swallow. Seventeen (19.5%) patients were noted to be aspirating. There were no significant relationships at this time between side or site of lesion and the presence of aspiration. A second assessment was carried out at a median time of 29 days (interquartile range 26-45) following acute stroke. Nine of 69 (13.5%) patients were noted to be aspirating, seven of whom had right hemisphere lesions (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Continuing aspiration may be related to the side of the cerebral lesion.

Endoscopic and Percutaneous Intervention in Malignant Obstructive Jaundice

Most patients with malignant obstructive jaundice have inoperable disease at presentation. There is debate regarding the best approach to palliate these patients, i.e., surgical versus endoscopic versus percutaneous drainage. The purpose of this article is to review the current literature in an unbiased fashion, and to present a rationale for management.A multi-disciplinary approach is needed if we are to provide the best care for patients with standardization of definitions, complications, and outcomes between specialities such that meaningful comparisons can be made between studies. The need for prospective randomized trials is clear from the currently deficient literature.

Long-term success of colonic stent insertion is influenced by indication but not by length of stent or site of obstruction

IntroductionStent insertion plays an important part in the management of acute colonic obstruction. There are limited data on factors influencing short- and long-term success.Aims and methodsWe investigated indications, technical and clinical success rates, complication rates and the factors influencing them. Patients were identified from our prospective colonic stent database (2000–2008).ResultsOne hundred and four stents were attempted in 96 patients (technical success rate, 83.3%). Clinical short-term success was observed in 74 (77.1%) patients. Follow-up data available for 57 patients showed clinical long-term success in 77% (44/57). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant decline in technical success over the study period (p = 0.041). Patients with colonic malignancy had significantly higher long-term success rates (81%), compared to those with extra-colonic malignancies (43%) (p = 0.049). Length of stent and site of obstruction were not significant factors. Early complications occurred in 10%, and late complications, in 26.3% of cases.ConclusionColonic stent insertion provides symptom relief in over 70% when used as a long-term solution. Complication rates are high, and a significant minority of patients requires re-intervention. Obstruction caused by extra-colonic malignancy is far less likely to be permanently palliated by a stent, in comparison to colonic malignancy.

CT-Guided Embolization of an Isolated Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysm 8 Years after AAA Repair

Purpose: To report the use of computed tomographic (CT) guidance for percutaneous treatment of an isolated internal iliac artery (IIA) aneurysm after open aortic aneurysm repair. Case Report: A 74-year-old man presented with an isolated IIA aneurysm 8 years after an open repair of his abdominal aortic aneurysm. In view of his diabetes, hypertension, and chronic renal impairment, an endovascular technique was selected. However, because of previous ligation of the internal iliac origin, a transarterial approach could not be used. The proximity of the aneurysm to the anterior abdominal wall allowed us to gain access to it percutaneously using CT guidance to perform embolization. Conclusion: CT-guided direct puncture of isolated IIA aneurysms adds to the current armamentarium of minimally invasive modalities. It is a technique that can be applied to isolated IIA aneurysms that develop subsequent to AAA repair or appear in cases where intra-arterial access is not possible.

Computed tomography of the normal process pancreatic uncinate

The uncinate process of the pancreas has been assessed in 106 consecutive patients without pancreatic disease in order to establish normal features. The process measures approximately 1 × 1.3 cm in size, is frequently inseparable from the superior mesenteric vein without contrast enhancement and can adopt a number of cross-sectional configurations.