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Biomedical subjects

E H Simmons

Publications and source records attributed to E H Simmons.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1979

Pneumothorax complicating a fracture of the clavicle.

Fractures of the clavicle, while common, are associated with few serious complications. The authors report the case of a 29-year-old man with a simple fracture of the middle third of the clavicle that was associated with a 30% pneumothorax. The force and mechanism of the injury, severe pleuritic pain and reduced breath sounds suggested the diagnosis which was confirmed roentgenographically. The possibility of pneumothorax must be considered in any patient with a fracture of the clavicle, especially in the unconscious patient who has sustained multiple injuries.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Kyphotic deformity of the spine in ankylosing spondylitis.

Patients who present with apparent kyphotic deformity of the spine associated with ankylosing spondylitis may have their main deformity in the hip joints, in the lumbar spine, the thoracic spine, or it may be primarily cervical in situation. If any major correction is to be carried out, then the correction should be done in the area of the main deformity. Deformity in each of these areas is amenable to surgical correction, but this requires a very careful assessment, meticulous preoperative planning, and very precise attention to operative technique to allow reasonably consistent success without major risk to the patient.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

An evaluation of discography in the localization of symptomatic levels in discogenic disease of the spine.

On the basis of a review of 507 patients, discography was a reliable diagnostic procedure in determining the symptomatic level in discogenic disease of the cervical and lumbar spine. The value of discography of the spine is as both a functional and anatomical assessment. Its value in the cervical spine is largely as a functional assessment, with reproduction of the patient's specific pain pattern on a consistent basis at a particular level. It is a reasonably simple procedure, provided that adequate radiographic facilities are available, and strict adherence to aseptic technique is carriet out. The performance and interpretation requires a considerable amount of skill and experience. However, it is a useful adjunct to solving the perplexing problem of the surgical management of pain in discogenic disease of the spine.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intervertebral disc herniation in the adolescent.

Twenty-nine patients between 14 and 20 years of age underwent surgical treatment for intervertebral disc herniation over a 10-year period. Trauma was a significant factor in 59%. Back pain was a major complaint in all cases, and all but one had significant sciatic distress. Typical painful, restricted forward flexion was found in 22 cases. All patients had definite signs of nerve root tension. Nerve compression signs were present in 41%. Myelography was done in all cases, and discography was performed on 22 patients to aid in diagnosis and planning of definitive treatment. Twenty-three patients were followed over an average of 5.3 years. Excellent or good results were found in 89%. One patient required a further surgical procedure. Analyzing 12 procedures performed at the L5-S1 level demonstrated excellent results in all patients undergoing lumbosacral fusion combined with discotomy at this level in the presence of a normal L4-5 discogram.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The management of nerve root entrapment syndromes associated with the collapsing scoliosis of idiopathic lumbar and thoracolumbar curves.

From 1969 through 1978, 30 adults presented with painful idiopathic scoliosis and associated radicular symptoms. Fifteen had major thoracolumbar curves and 15 had major lumbar curves. Ten (33%) had physical findings of the nerve root entrapment, 4 having two roots entrapped. Root entrapments in the sciatic distribution were most common and arose on the side opposite the major curve, coming from the concavity of compensatory lumbosacral curves (7 of 9 patients). Root entrapment in a femoral nerve distribution came from the concavity of the major curve (1 patient). Whether in a major or compensatory curve, entrapments usually arise in the concavity (8 of 10 patients). Mechanisms of root entrapment vary, but foraminal compression and pedicular kinking were most common. When major deforming curves are corrected fairly completely, most nerve root entrapments are relieved; sciatic entrapments are decompressed by spontaneous straightening of the lumbosacral curve. Dwyer instrumentation and fusion has been the most effective method of surgical management in carefully selected cases.

Adult↗