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Biomedical subjects

D B Shurtleff

Publications and source records attributed to D B Shurtleff.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Combined pressure-radionuclide evaluation of suspected cerebrospinal fluid shunt malfunction: a seven-year clinical experience.

A simple, safe radionuclide technique for evaluating the functional status of a cerebrospinal fluid shunt has been used in the clinical management of hydrocephalus in 306 patients over a seven-year period. Results of 526 studies showed greater than 99% sensitivity and accuracy in diagnosing distal shunt obstruction and 96% correct correlation with clinical outcome overall. Intrareservoir pressure measurements are especially valuable to diagnose proximal catheter shunt malfunction and to assess shunt dependency.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Bladder function in children with meningomyelocele: comparison of cine-fluoroscopy and urodynamics.

We have assessed 60 children on an outpatient basis with cine-fluoroscopy combined with urodynamics. Bladder and rectal pressure together with sphincter electromyography were measured during bladder filling under fluoroscopy, which was followed by measurement of rectal pressure and sphincter electromyography during voiding under fluoroscopy. Comparison of the x-ray studies and urodynamics showed that the cystogram alone was not a reliable indicator of ray studies and urodynamics showed that the cystogram along was not a reliable indicator of detrusor function. The sphincter electromyogram during voiding must be interpreted in the face of intra-abdominal pressure changes owing to straining or Credé's maneuver. Residual urine estimations and the appearance of the bladder outflow on fluoroscopy were better parameters of outflow obstruction than sphincter electromyography.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

An autosomal dominantly inherited syndrome of facial asymmetry, esotropia, amblyopia, and submucous cleft palate (Bencze syndrome).

This is the second report of a dominantly inherited syndrome of facial asymmetry, esotropia, and amblyopia (Bencze syndrome). The phenotypic spectrum is expanded to include submucous cleft palate. The observation for the first time of male-to-male transmission seems to confirm an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. The facial asymmetry in this family was mild and did not require surgical intervention. With the exception of one patient who had other abnormalities, intelligence was normal.

Amblyopia↗
PubMed1978

The management of patients with cerebrospinal fluid shunts.

This article outlines the principles of management of the patient with a cerebrospinal fluid shunt, emphasizing the clinical and laboratory methods of determining shunt malfunction or infection. Appropriate therapies for each complication are described.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1977

Gram-negative cerebrospinal fluid shunt-associated infections.

Twenty hydrocephalic children with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts over an 11-year period were seen with Gram-negative central nervous system (CNS) infections. Seventeen infections were with single organisms and three were mixed. Sixteen of 20 (80%) of the infections occurred within five months of shunt surgery. Complete shunt removal or replacement in a new site plus systemic and intraventricular antibiotics resulted in a 100% (9/9) cure rate. Systemic and intraventricular antibiotics alone or in combination with incomplete shunt removal generally were unsuccessful. Significant morbidity and mortality were associated with these infections. Of the 18 patients with follow-up data, seven (39%) died with the infection, four (22%) sustained definite CNS damage, three (17%) were retarded after infection but their preinfection status was unknown, and only four (22%) patients escaped without definite sequela. Early recognition and appropriate therapy, hopefully, will improve the current bleak prognosis

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Cerebrospinal fluid shunts.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt technology has undergone rapid advances in the past two decades. As a result, pediatricians and other primary care physicians are being asked with increasing frequency to provide care for persons with CSF shunts. Familiarity with the more common shunts is a prerequisite to intelligent management of shunt related problems. Physicians providing daily care must have carefully documented hospital records and operative notes available to them as well as information detailing the safe evaluation of shunt patency and function if they are to manage patients with CSF shunts properly. In addition, parents and guardians must be alerted to signs and symptoms related to shunt malfunction.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts↗
PubMed1976

Myelodysplasia: the natural history of kyphosis and scoliosis. A preliminary report.

The results of this study support the concept that the levels of the bifid vertebral arch and of functional motor activity are significant influences on the development of scoliosis and kyphosis in patients born with myelodysplasia. 'Significant' degrees of scoliosis and kyphosis may appear at any time during life, but most frequently occur during late childhood or adolescence. Not all 'significant' curvatures require treatment, nor do all children with myelodysplasia and factors predisposing to kyphosis and scoliosis develop these complications. It is believed that the preliminary cumulative percentage curves presented in this study will be of value in counselling parents of afflicted newborn infants, and in planning the management of patients born with myelodysplasia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Assessing the development of daily living skills in patients with spina bifida.

The development of independence in daily living skills of 256 patients with spina bifida was assessed by means of a new Functional Activities scoring system. The score was derived from nine categories of activity; five are to do with self-care, three with locomotion and one with social interaction. The reasons for the variation in achievement between individuals with the same degree of paralysis are discussed, as are the differences in learning curves for single activities. The scoring system enables a quantitative assessment to be made of the current status of an individual patient, and enables more realistic therapeutic goals to be set.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1975

Follow-up comparison of hydrocephalus with and without myelomeningocele.

A series of 454 hydrocephalic patients with and without myelomeningocele and with and without treatment is reviewed. The survival rates for hydrocephalus alone and for hydrocephalus with myelodysplasia are comparable. The authors reach the conclusion that treatment of the hycrocephalic process and its complications is the most critical therapeutic consideration. Mental retardation is the major unalterable cause for failure to develop independence; some lesser emotional causes can be modified by encouragement. Repeated reassessment of the patient's condition and adjustment are important. Before treatment is started parents or guardians should be fully informed of the child's future potential for independent life and mental development.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1975

Myelodysplasia. Problems of long-term survival and social function.

Problems of ninety-eight patients with myelodysplasia, ages 13 to 72, were reviewed. They were grouped as follows: Those having thoracic and high lumbar level (L(2) upward arrow) lesions and confined to wheel chairs, those with intermediate paralysis (L(3-5) nerve roots) as walking with aids and those with less paralysis (S(1) downward arrow) as fully ambulatory. Fifty-two percent of the L(2) upward arrow and only 15 percent of of the less severely paralyzed patients were retarded below an IQ level 70 (P<0.01). Thirty-six patients (62 percent) were fully and 26 partially, but appropriately, self-sufficient. Thirty-six patients were found in some form of dependent care. Two of the 71 more paralyzed patients (L(3-5) and L(2) upward arrow) and five of the 28 S(1) downward arrow patients were "naturally continent" but reported stress incontinence of urine. Thirteen of 23 female and five of 28 male patients between ages 16 and 72 years reported sexual activity and accounted for 17 normal offspring. All 23 retarded patients were in some form of custodial care. Dependency among the normal intellect patients could be attributed to neglect of physically deforming complications and emotional disorders, primarily low self-esteem centering around social and sexual identity problems associated with excrement soiling.

Adolescent↗