AIM. To assess the causes of ileocecal mass in patients with amebic liver abscess. METHODS： Patients with amebic liver abscess and ileocecal mass were carefully examined and investigated by contrast-enhanced CT scan ...AIM. To assess the causes of ileocecal mass in patients with amebic liver abscess. METHODS： Patients with amebic liver abscess and ileocecal mass were carefully examined and investigated by contrast-enhanced CT scan followed by colonoscopy and histological examination of biopsy materials from lesions during colonoscopy. RESULTS： Ileocecal masses were found in seventeen patients with amebic liver abscess. The cause of the mass was ameboma in 14 patients, cecal tuberculosis in 2 patients and adenocarcinoma of the cecum in 1 patient. Colonic ulcers were noted in five of the six （83%） patients with active diarrhea at presentation. The ileocecal mass in all these patients was ameboma. Ulcers were seen in only one of the 11 （9%） patients without diarrhea. The difference was statistically significant from the group with diarrhea （P〈 0.005）. CONCLUSION： Ileocecal mass is not an uncommon finding in patients with amebic liver abscess. Although, the ileocecal mass is due to ameboma formation in most cases, it should not be assumed that this is the case in all patients. Colonoscopy and histological examination of the target biopsies are mandatory to avoid missing a more sinister lesion.展开更多
In order to assess the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in neonatal sepsis, plasma TNF levels were determined by a method using L929 cells at the time of septic work-up in 67 neonates. Thirty-three patients, with s...In order to assess the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in neonatal sepsis, plasma TNF levels were determined by a method using L929 cells at the time of septic work-up in 67 neonates. Thirty-three patients, with sepsis were found to have significantly higher TNF levels (533. 33 ±468. 74 U/ml ; 1 U corresponding to 1. 67 pg recombinant TNF) as compared with 34 non-sepsis patients (100. 0±188, 97 U/ml) and 30 healthy newborns (27. 33±1 6. 1 7 U/ml, P<0. 05. respectively) . The upper limit of normal plasma TNF levels was 60 U/ml and the best cutoff value for predicting neonatal sepsis was 160 U/ml. This had remarkable sensitivity (88%), specificity (82%). positive predictive value (83%). and negative predictive value (88%). Plasma TNF levels were significantly associated with the occurrence of shock,organ failure. sclerema and outcome. Thus, anti-TNF antibodies might be used in protecting newborns from septic death.展开更多
文摘AIM. To assess the causes of ileocecal mass in patients with amebic liver abscess. METHODS： Patients with amebic liver abscess and ileocecal mass were carefully examined and investigated by contrast-enhanced CT scan followed by colonoscopy and histological examination of biopsy materials from lesions during colonoscopy. RESULTS： Ileocecal masses were found in seventeen patients with amebic liver abscess. The cause of the mass was ameboma in 14 patients, cecal tuberculosis in 2 patients and adenocarcinoma of the cecum in 1 patient. Colonic ulcers were noted in five of the six （83%） patients with active diarrhea at presentation. The ileocecal mass in all these patients was ameboma. Ulcers were seen in only one of the 11 （9%） patients without diarrhea. The difference was statistically significant from the group with diarrhea （P〈 0.005）. CONCLUSION： Ileocecal mass is not an uncommon finding in patients with amebic liver abscess. Although, the ileocecal mass is due to ameboma formation in most cases, it should not be assumed that this is the case in all patients. Colonoscopy and histological examination of the target biopsies are mandatory to avoid missing a more sinister lesion.
文摘In order to assess the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in neonatal sepsis, plasma TNF levels were determined by a method using L929 cells at the time of septic work-up in 67 neonates. Thirty-three patients, with sepsis were found to have significantly higher TNF levels (533. 33 ±468. 74 U/ml ; 1 U corresponding to 1. 67 pg recombinant TNF) as compared with 34 non-sepsis patients (100. 0±188, 97 U/ml) and 30 healthy newborns (27. 33±1 6. 1 7 U/ml, P<0. 05. respectively) . The upper limit of normal plasma TNF levels was 60 U/ml and the best cutoff value for predicting neonatal sepsis was 160 U/ml. This had remarkable sensitivity (88%), specificity (82%). positive predictive value (83%). and negative predictive value (88%). Plasma TNF levels were significantly associated with the occurrence of shock,organ failure. sclerema and outcome. Thus, anti-TNF antibodies might be used in protecting newborns from septic death.
