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Biomedical subjects

B Clyde

Publications and source records attributed to B Clyde.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Microvascular decompression of the left lateral medulla oblongata for severe refractory neurogenic hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that microvascular decompression of the left medulla oblongata is a safe and effective modality for treating elevated blood pressure in patients with severe medically refractory "essential" hypertension (HTN). METHODS: Twelve patients with medically intractable HTN with or without autonomic dysreflexia underwent microvascular decompression of the left rostral ventrolateral medulla oblongata. Causes such as pheochromocytoma, carcinoid syndrome, and renal disease were ruled out before surgery. Indications for surgery included systolic blood pressures greater than 180 mm Hg refractory to three or more medications, severe blood pressure lability, or medically resistant HTN at systolic pressures greater than 160 mm Hg associated with autonomic dysreflexia and/or magnetic resonance images demonstrating left medullary compression. The median age and follow-up duration were 51 years and 4.1 years, respectively. RESULTS: Ten of 12 patients experienced reductions in systolic blood pressure greater than 20 mm Hg. Of these 10 patients, pressure reductions were temporary (6 mo) in two. Seven of eight patients experienced improvement in blood pressure lability and/or autonomic dysreflexia, with five patients showing sustained improvements. CONCLUSION: Microvascular decompression of the left rostral ventrolateral medulla oblongata may be an effective treatment modality for patients suffering from severe HTN and/or autonomic dysreflexia refractory to medical management.

Adult↗

Cerebrovascular response in infants and young children following severe traumatic brain injury: a preliminary report.

To further describe the pathophysiologic processes that occur in infants and young children after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), we retrospectively reviewed the cerebral blood flow (CBF) values and 6-month Glasgow Outcome Scores (GOS) in 30 children < or = 8 years old (25 were < or = 4 years old) with a Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) on admission of < or = 8. Twelve females and 18 males (mean age 2.1 years, range 1 month to 8 years) underwent 61 CBF studies using stable xenon computed tomography at variable times from admission to 9 days after TBI. In 12 patients, PaCO2 was manipulated an average of 8.4 torr (range 5-11 torr) and a second CBF study performed to determine CO2 vasoreactivity (CO2VR), defined as the percent change in CBF per torr change in PaCO2. CBF on admission (n = 13)was 25.1+/-7.7 ml/100 g/min (mean +/- SEM) and was < or = 20 ml/100 g/min in 10 of 13 patients (77%). By 24 h and for up to 6 days after TBI, the mean CBF increased to 55.3+/-3.4 ml/100 g/min (range 2-95) which differed significantly from the admission CBF value (p < 0.05); a CBF of >70 ml/100 g/min tended to be associated with a good outcome. Poor outcome (GOS < or = 3) was seen uniformly in children under the age of 1 year and in patients with a CBF of < or = 20 ml/100 g/min any time after TBI. Poor outcome was seen in 85% of children under the age of 24 months, but in only 41% of children > or = 24 months old. Mean CO2VR was 2.1+/-0.6%/torr PaCO2 and ranged from 0.02 to 5.98%. Mean CO2VR tended to differ between good and poor outcome children (3.2+/-0.9 and 1.17+/-0.2%, respectively) and a CO2VR of < or = 2% was significantly associated with a poor outcome. Younger age, low CBF in the early period after TBI, and a CO2VR of <2% was associated with a poor outcome in this subgroup of children. Young children (<24 months) may represent a particular high-risk group with early hypoperfusion after severe TBI. This finding may be a key factor in the pathophysiology and outcome in this age group, and may need to be addressed in our future therapeutic protocols.

Age Factors↗

Upper cervical spine fusion in the pediatric population.

The outcomes of 25 pediatric patients who underwent upper cervical or occipitocervical fusion at the authors' institution since 1983 were reviewed. At a mean age of 9 years, the patients presented with spinal instability that was associated with os odontoideum in 11 cases, rotatory subluxation in five cases, odontoid fracture in two cases, atlantooccipital dislocation in two cases, and congenital atlantoaxial instability in five patients, four of whom had Down's syndrome (trisomy 21). Ten children had abnormal findings on neurological examination preoperatively; however, nine experienced improvement or resolution of deficits as of their latest follow-up evaluation (mean 17 months). Fusion was achieved with the first operation in 21 of 25 patients; eventually it was attained in all but one. Four patients exhibited persistent spinal instability after an initial procedure. This was caused by erosion of a multistranded cable through the intact arch of C-2 in two cases, by pin site infection necessitating early halo removal in one case, and by slippage in a halo following a Gallie procedure, which was revised with a Brooks fusion in one case. This series, the largest yet published, shows that with appropriate surgical management, posterior upper cervical fusion in the pediatric population is highly successful. Careful attention to halo pin site care and caution in using multistranded cable in young patients may improve results.

Adolescent↗

Systemic malignancy presenting as neck and shoulder pain.

Systemic malignancy can be manifested by musculoskeletal complaints. We review the history, physical examination, and diagnostic imaging studies of a patient whose chief complaints were neck and shoulder pain. This patient also had significant weight loss and a history of tobacco abuse. Aggressive physical therapy and appropriate medications failed to provide symptomatic relief of neck and shoulder pain. Further studies revealed lung cancer. Systemic malignancy can cause referred musculoskeletal pain without obvious metastatic involvement at the symptomatic area, and should be considered in patients with persistent symptoms.

Cervical Vertebrae↗