Biomedical subjects

Edwin J Cunningham

Publications and source records attributed to Edwin J Cunningham.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Image-guided endoscopy: description of technique and potential applications.

OBJECT: Neuroendoscopic approaches to lesions of the central nervous system and spine are limited by the loss of stereoscopic vision and high-fidelity image quality inherent in the operating microscope. Image-guided endoscopy (IGE) and image-guided surgery (IGS) have the potential to overcome these limitations. The goal of this study was to evaluate IGE for its potential applications in neurosurgery. METHODS: To determine the feasibility of IGE, a rigid endoscope was tracked using an IGS system that provided navigational data for the endoscope tip and trajectory as well as a computer-generated, three-dimensional, virtual representation of the image provided by the endoscope. The IGE procedure was successfully completed in 14 patients (nine with pituitary adenomas, one with a temporal cavernous malformation, and four with unruptured aneurysms). No complications could be attributed to the procedure. Compared with direct microscopy performed using anatomical landmarks, registration of the endoscope, and virtual image were highly accurate. CONCLUSIONS: This procedure offers many potential advantages for central nervous system and spinal endoscopy. Advances in IGE may enable its application to regions outside the central nervous system as well.

Bone Diseases↗

PubMed2005

Neurovascular rescue.

Neurovascular complications of carotid artery stenting (CAS) include intracranial embolism and hemorrhage, carotid dissection, in-stent thrombosis and vasospasm. Management of these crises requires knowledge of the intracranial vascular anatomy and collateral circulation, correct identification of the complication and its clinical implications, and a response plan that is appropriate to the complication and to the skill set of the operator. In this chapter the authors discuss techniques for the avoidance and management of CAS procedural complications.

Angioplasty↗

PubMed2004

Temporary balloon occlusion of the cavernous carotid artery for removal of an orbital and intracranial foreign body: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: We describe the first reported use of temporary balloon occlusion of the cavernous internal carotid artery for controlled removal of a foreign object from the cavernous sinus. This endovascular approach may be an alternative to craniotomy in highly selected cases. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 34-year-old incarcerated male attempted suicide by stabbing the earpiece of his glasses through his right orbit into the intracranial compartment. He presented with complete ophthalmoplegia. The earpiece traversed the cavernous sinus, penetrating its posterior wall to enter the perimesencephalic cistern and cerebellum. Angiography demonstrated a small direct carotid-cavernous fistula. INTERVENTION: Removal of the foreign body was performed under general anesthesia in the angiography suite with the operating room on standby. Nondetachable and detachable balloons were inflated in the cavernous carotid artery to provide vascular control while the foreign body was withdrawn from the cranium at the orbit. Follow-up angiographic runs with the balloons deflated revealed minimal arteriovenous shunting, which disappeared on subsequent studies. The balloons were removed. The patient remained neurologically stable with his baseline right ophthalmoplegia and V1-V2 hemianesthesia. At the 6-week follow-up, the patient remained clinically stable with no evidence of carotid-cavernous fistula or interval abscess formation. CONCLUSION: Endovascular temporary balloon occlusion of the cavernous carotid artery provides immediate control of the vessel (with an option of permanent carotid sacrifice), allowing removal of a foreign body without craniotomy in appropriate cases.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Risk of persistent cranial nerve injury after carotid endarterectomy.

OBJECT: Cranial nerve injuries, particularly motor nerve injuries, following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can be disabling and therefore patients should be given reliable information about the risks of sustaining such injuries. The reported frequency of cranial nerve injury in the published literature ranges from 3 to 23%, and there have been few series in which patients were routinely examined before and after surgery by a neurologist. METHODS: The authors investigated the risk of cranial nerve injuries in patients who underwent CEA in the European Carotid Surgery Trial (ECST), the largest series of patients undergoing CEA in which neurological assessment was performed before and after surgery. Cranial nerve injury was assessed and recorded in every patient and persisting deficits were identified on follow-up examination at 4 months and 1 year after randomization. Risk factors for cranial nerve injury were examined by performing univariate and multivariate analyses. There were 88 motor cranial nerve injuries among the 1739 patients undergoing CEA (5.1% of patients; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.1-6.2). In 23 patients, the deficit had resolved by hospital discharge, leaving 3.7% of patients (95% CI 2.9-4.7) with a residual cranial nerve injury: 27 hypoglossal, 17 marginal mandibular, 17 recurrent laryngeal, one accessory nerve, and three Homer syndrome. In only nine patients (0.5%; 95% CI 0.24-0.98) the deficit was still present at the 4-month follow-up examination; however, none of the persisting deficits resolved during the subsequent follow up. Only duration of operation longer than 2 hours was independently associated with an increased risk of cranial nerve injury (hazard ratio 1.56, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of motor cranial nerve injury persisting beyond hospital discharge after CEA is approximately 4%. The vast majority of neurological deficits resolve over the next few months, however, and permanent deficits are rare. Nevertheless, the risk of cranial nerve injury should be communicated to patients before they undergo surgery.

Aged↗