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Biomedical subjects

B Sonesson

Publications and source records attributed to B Sonesson.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm in the offspring of patients dying from aneurysm rupture.

The prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is high in the brothers of patients with aneurysm. A genetic component in the development of AAA has, therefore, been postulated. In this study the offspring of patients who had died from AAA rupture were invited to undergo ultrasonography of the abdominal aorta. The attendance rate was 69 per cent. Thirty-nine sons of median age 60 (range 45-75) years and 23 daughters of median age 62 (range 42-80) years were examined. Abdominal aortic dilatation was found in eight men and one woman. The presence of aortic dilatation in these nine cases was not related to age, hypertension, smoking or symptoms of occlusive arterial disease. It is concluded that the sons of those who have died from ruptured AAA constitute a high-risk group for the development of this condition and should be considered for further screening.

Aged

Clinical outcome and cognitive impairment in patients with severe head injuries treated with barbiturate coma.

This study reports on clinical outcome in 38 patients with severe head injuries (posttraumatic coma for 6 hours or more) treated with barbiturate coma because of intracranial hypertension. Eighteen patients died, 4 patients remained in a severely disabled or a chronic vegetative state, and 16 patients reached the levels good recovery/moderate disability. Six of these patients returned to work or school full time, 4 for half time and 3 were in a rehabilitation program. Fourteen patients were subjected to a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. All patients except one exhibited varying degrees of cognitive dysfunction and 6 patients had signs of personality change. The quality of life for the majority of surviving patients was relatively good but the positive effects of barbiturate coma therapy in the age groups over 40 years appeared to be limited.

Adult

Noninvasive measurement of diameter changes in the distal abdominal aorta in man.

An ultrasound phase-locked, echo-tracking system was used to determine the dynamic properties of the distal abdominal aorta in 10 Caucasian male subjects (mean age, 25 years). Recordings were made at rest and during the blood pressure increase resulting from isometric exercise. The pressure diameter curve was nonlinear with an inflection at about 90-110 mmHg. Above this pressure range, the vessel was stiffer (less compliant), but the pressure diameter relationship was roughly linear above as well as below the inflection. Individual pressure diameter curves showed hysteresis, i.e., the aorta had a smaller diameter during expansion than during retraction at corresponding pressures. The pressure strain elastic modulus (Ep) and stiffness (beta) were at rest [Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), 81 mmHg] 0.70 10(5) N/m2 and 6.0, respectively. During isometric exercise (MAP, 122 mmHg), Ep increased significantly by 91% and stiffness (beta) nonsignificantly by 27%. The variability of the compliance determinations was 5% when the ultrasonic system was combined with intra-arterial blood pressure measurements and less than 7% when combined with auscultatory blood pressure measurements. It is concluded that the phase-locked, echo-tracking system fulfills clinical requirements for routine measurements of vascular compliance.

Adult

Diameter and compliance in the male human abdominal aorta: influence of age and aortic aneurysm.

In this study changes in the diameter and compliance of the distal abdominal aorta (76 healthy Caucasian males, 5-71 years old) were determined non-invasively and related to age by means of an ultrasound phase-locked echo-tracking system. The diameter of the aorta increased not only in the period between 5 and 25 years of age, but also by about 30% between the ages of 25 and 71. The pressure diameter curves at 25, 51 and 70 years were non-linear with flattening between 90 and 110 mmHg, and the slope of the curves declined with age. Thus, the pressure strain elastic modulus (Ep) and stiffness (beta) increased (i.e. compliance decreased) in an exponential manner according to age. A group of 37 males with aneurysmal widening of the distal abdominal aorta had a significant increase in Ep when compared to an age-matched control group. Furthermore, the ranges for both Ep and beta were much larger in the aneurysm group than in the control group, indicating diversity in the pathogenesis of the disease. The non-invasive ultrasonic method of phase-locked echo-tracking is an appropriate method for studying compliance in major arteries under a variety of pathophysiological conditions.

Adolescent

Late magnetic resonance imaging related to neurobehavioral functioning after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Twenty patients who underwent early aneurysm surgery--that is, surgery within 72 hours after rupture--underwent further follow-up examination including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Significant statistical correlation between tissue loss as seen on a late MRI scan and neurobehavioral deficits could not be established. Among 9 patients with no tissue loss seen on MRI, 3 exhibited substantial cognitive dysfunction and 6 had mild impairment. Three patients showed minor but corresponding tissue loss and deficits. In 3 patients with pronounced pathological indications on MRI, evidence of cognitive dysfunction was absent in 2, and 1 patient showed substantial impairment. The remaining 5 individuals displayed moderate pathological indications on MRI, with no obvious correspondence to cognitive functioning. In 7 patients, small white matter lesions, probably silent infarcts not seen on computed tomographic scan, were discovered on MRI. There was a clear relationship between arterial hypertension prior to aneurysm rupture and the extent of tissue loss seen on MRI. Absence of pathological findings on MRI scan did not exclude cognitive malfunctioning, and vice-versa.

Adult

Cognitive functioning after subarachnoid haemorrhage of unknown origin.

Twenty patients, who had sustained a proven subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and in whom cerebral panangiography had failed to reveal any source of the bleeding (SAH-NUD), were subjected to a neuropsychological examination involving memory functions, spatial perceptual organization, visuoconstructive abilities, reasoning, perceptual speed and accuracy, and concept formation. Cognitive functioning in SAH-NUD patients was compared with normal reference values and also related to the cognitive performance of neurologically intact patients having sustained an aneurysmal bleeding (SAH-AN). SAH-NUD patients showed significant reduction of verbal learning and retention, and of abilities involving abstract attitude and concept formation, i.e., functions related to frontotemporal structures. In all other respects the performance of these patients approached normality. Unexpectedly, there were no significant differences in mean test scores separating SAH-NUD from aneurysmal SAH patients. Collapsing the patient groups produced an increased number of significant deviations from normality, which was interpreted as the effect of the contribution of a greater number of relatively more impaired SAH-AN patients. This was supported by the finding that the ratio of impaired individuals to total number of subjects differed in the groups; the proportion of individuals showing cognitive sequelae was larger among SAH-AN patients throughout all comparisons but one. Although SAH of unknown aetiology represents much less of a catastrophe as compared with haemorrhage of aneurysmal origin, it does not preclude cognitive disturbances. Thus, the presence of blood per se anywhere in the subarachnoid spaces appears to affect higher brain function(s).

Adolescent

Spatial impairment following right hemisphere transient ischaemic attacks in patients without carotid artery stenosis.

Neuropsychological testing was performed on: 10 right-handed patients who had had 1-4 right hemisphere transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs), 10 normal controls, 10 house painters with long-term exposure to organic solvents, and 10 patients with liver cirrhosis. The subjects in each group were matched for age and education. No TIA patient had significant internal carotid artery stenosis, and CT was normal except in one patient, although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed 3 years after the testing was abnormal in 4/8 cases. No patient reported additional distinct TIAs during the period between neuropsychological testing and MRI. The TIA patients showed lateralized signs of spatial impairment, whereas the cirrhotics and also (but to a lesser degree) the house painters showed signs of diffuse cerebral dysfunction. The study shows that hemispheric TIAs in patients without significant internal carotid artery stenosis may result in persistent focal cognitive impairment. This can be demonstrated with sensitive neuropsychological instruments even when MRI is normal.

Aged

Does intravenous nimodipine treatment influence cognition in patients subjected to early aneurysm operation?

Following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) many patients complain of and exhibit disturbances of a cognitive nature. The etiology behind this encephalopathy is less well understood. Disturbed CSF-hydrodynamics and/or spasm in the lentriculostriate and thalamoperforating vessels might be responsible for such disturbances. This study comprised 56 patients subjected to early aneurysm operation, of whom 21 received intravenous nimodipine during the critical phase for SAH-induced vasoconstriction. There was no difference in cognitive disturbances measured with a specifically conceived battery of psychometric test instruments 2 years or more after SAH and surgery.

Adult

Ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm with intracerebral hemorrhage in younger patients appearing moribund: emergency operation?

Four women, aged 39 to 46 years, were urgently admitted to our neurosurgical unit after strokes. On admission, all appeared moribund, presenting with deep coma, pupils bilaterally dilated and fixed, decerebrate posture, and markedly abnormal respiratory patterns. Computed tomography revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage with an associated large intracerebral hematoma and pronounced shift of midline structures in all four cases. Because of the clinical appearance, the patients were given urea and were operated without preceding angiography. The origin of the hemorrhage was identified as a middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation berry aneurysm in one patient and giant MCA aneurysms in the other three. The hematomas were evacuated, and the aneurysms were occluded. All four patients received intravenous nimodipine, none showed any sign of delayed ischemic deterioration, and all regained full consciousness within a few days. One patient died 3 weeks later from a pulmonary embolus. Three patients are presently at home with moderate focal neurological deficits and moderate to marked cognitive impairment. The psychosocial readjustment was very good in a patient with a left giant aneurysm, satisfactory in a patient with a right giant aneurysm, and unsatisfactory in a patient with a right berry aneurysm. The indications, ethical considerations, and technical aspects of operating on seemingly moribund patients who probably harbor a ruptured MCA aneurysm are discussed.

Adult

Management of ruptured intracranial aneurysm: a review.

The discouraging history associated with management of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is reviewed along with improvements in outlook attributable to progress made within the past decade. Among the new developments is the introduction of microsurgical techniques that allow elective surgery in the acute stage thereby preventing repeat haemorrhages. Early operation also offers the possibility of a more aggressive pharmacological anti-ischaemic treatment. Notwithstanding the improved results of acute elective surgery and the fact that delayed ischaemic deterioration (symptomatic cerebral vasospasm) now may be almost eliminated, the overall outcome remains gloomy. Despite recent advances not more than one out of three individuals, who are struck by the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm, may be expected to make a good neurological and functional recovery. Hope for further improvements may depend on the development of techniques that can identify intracranial aneurysms before they rupture and increased knowledge of the aetiology of such arterial wall lesions.

History, 18th Century

Cerebral dysfunction in alcoholism and presenile dementia. A comparison of two groups of patients with similar reduction of the cerebral blood flow.

Fifteen chronic alcoholics and 15 presenile patients were matched in pairs with regard to their mean hemisphere cerebral blood parameters-an index of brain metabolism. The distribution of the regional cerebral blood flow was similar in the two groups. The alcoholics performed significantly better in all psychometric tests than the presenile patients and more alcoholics than presenile patients were still employed and working. Nine presenile patients and one alcoholic showed symptoms indicating brain stem dysfunction. The measurements of the cerebral blood blow were made at rest while the psychometric testings and the evaluation of the social performance gave information about the brain at work. It is suggested that cerebral dysfunction in alcoholics to some extent can be partly overcome by brain activation procedures. In contrast, the defects of higher mental functions in presenile dementia cannot be compensated for.

Alcoholism

Functional anatomy of the musculature of the trachea.

The smooth musculature of the human trachea was studied and compared with earlier observations in the rabbit. The results may be summarized as follows: 1. The annular m. constrictor tracheae, previously observed in the rabbit, has also been identified in the human trachea. 2. Longitudinal muscle fibers outside the constrictor musculature were observed in man. These fibers are rudimentary and appear to be of no functional importance. 3. From a functional point of view, it appears justified to regard the outer tracheal musculature largely as a constrictor musculature. 4. The main function of the outer musculature of the trachea and the elastic cartilaginous arches is to maintain the stability of the tracheal wall. 5. The variation of the lumen of the trachea is mainly controlled by the m. trachealis in the pars membranacea.

Animals