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Biomedical subjects

G Lantos

Publications and source records attributed to G Lantos.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Cortical blindness due to osmotic disruption of the blood-brain barrier by angiographic contrast material: CT and MRI studies.

Numerous experimental studies have demonstrated disruption of the blood-brain barrier by the hyperosmolar, iodinated contrast agents in common use for intravascular injection during radiologic studies. We report 4 cases in which cortical blindness occurred after cerebral angiography. The patients underwent x-ray CT within 1 hour. CT showed abnormal contrast enhancement in the occipital regions in all 4 instances. Two patients underwent MRI; 1 of these manifested abnormal high-signal intensity in the occipital lobes on T2-weighted images. Only 2 previous cases documenting immediate contrast enhancement within the brain substance on CT following angiography are in the literature.

Aged↗

Immunohistochemical localization of an HIV epitope in cerebral aneurysmal arteriopathy in pediatric acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

A 6-year-old boy with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) developed aphasia and quadriplegia 3 months before his death. Cerebral vascular ectasia and multiple cerebral infarcts were noted on premortem radiological studies. Postmortem evaluation revealed diffuse aneurysmal dilatation of the circle of Willis associated with fresh and organizing thrombi, destruction of the elastic lamina, and marked intimal fibroplasia. Multiple cerebral infarcts and subacute AIDS encephalitis with basal ganglia calcification were also present. Immunohistochemistry with a monoclonal antibody (anti-gp41) to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) demonstrated positively stained cells in the arterial wall of the circle of Willis and in the cerebral parenchyma. Double immunostaining demonstrated that gp41-positive cells in the circle of Willis were also positive for a macrophage marker or leukocyte-common antigen, but not with an endothelial marker. Some macrophages or microglia in the cerebrum were also colabeled with anti-gp41. These results suggest that HIV may be directly involved in vascular pathology associated with pediatric AIDS.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Brain death determination by angiography in the setting of a skull defect.

The absence of cerebral blood flow is presently considered the most reliable ancillary test in diagnosing brain death. A patient with an open skull fracture who met all criteria for brain death, including confirmatory postmortem studies, had a cerebral angiogram that showed unilateral preservation of cerebral circulation with diffuse extravasation of contrast material. We conclude that a skull defect may result in pressure reduction within the cranial cavity and persistent ipsilateral cerebral circulation, even after brain death. In this setting, diffuse extravasation of contrast material on angiography may reflect diffuse autolysis and suggest the diagnosis of brain death.

Adult↗

Pediatric acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Neurologic syndromes.

Central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction was documented in 61 of 68 infants and children with symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection. The most frequent manifestations included acquired microcephaly, cognitive deficits, and bilateral pyramidal tract signs. Lymphoma of the CNS, cerebrovascular accidents, and CNS infection caused by conventional pathogens were documented in only ten children (15%). Neurologic deterioration in 11 children was subacute but steadily progressive; in 31 the course was more indolent and began with a plateau. Of these 31 children, 13 had further neurologic deterioration and the conditions of three improved. Seventeen children had a static course with cognitive deficits (seven children) or cognitive plus neurologic impairment (ten children). Neuroradiologic studies in the children with a subacute progressive or plateau course disclosed cerebral atrophy, white matter abnormalities, and calcification of the basal ganglia. Postmortem findings included variable degrees of inflammatory response, multinucleated cells, calcific vasculopathy, and pyramidal tract degeneration. Computed tomographic studies of the children with a static course were normal or showed mild atrophy, but poor brain growth was documented by serial head circumference measurements.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Atlantoaxial subluxation in psoriatic arthropathy.

Symptomatic atlantoaxial dislocation occurs rarely in psoriatic arthropathy and has previously been reported only as a late complication in this disorder. We report severe upward axial dislocation and acquired basilar impression as a presenting manifestation of psoriatic arthropathy. Magnetic resonance imaging is useful in evaluating this condition.

Adult↗

Tuberculous ulcer of the skin.

A case of tuberculous skin ulcer is reported. The biopsy specimen did not reveal acid-fast bacteria but cultures grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose mycobacterial ulcers correctly. The classification of the cutaneous tuberculoses is discussed.

Adult↗

Neuro-Behçet's disease: CT and clinical correlates.

We examined the serial CTs and clinical courses of five patients with neuro-Behçet's disease and reviewed ten previously reported cases, all with focal CT abnormalities. The CT lesions were in the brainstem (8 patients), basal ganglia (7), thalamus (4), or hemispheric white matter (7). Of the 13 patients who received contrast, nine had lesions that showed enhancement. In five, lesions were visualized with contrast that were not apparent without it. The CT lesions were usually accompanied by corresponding clinical deficits, although in some patients deficits were more extensive than the CT predicted. In nine patients, contrast enhancement decreased or disappeared over days to weeks, often with associated clinical improvement. In eight patients followed serially, CT abnormalities resolved completely or substantially. Based on these cases, we conclude that (1) CT abnormalities of gray and white matter occur commonly in neuro-Behçet's disease with focal deficits, and help support the diagnosis; (2) CT abnormalities, particularly contrast enhancement, correlate well with the activity of parenchymal disease; and (3) the concomitant improvement of clinical and CT abnormalities with resolution of contrast enhancement suggests that partially reversible inflammatory changes associated with breakdown of the blood-brain barrier may produce some of the neurologic and radiographic deficits in this illness.

Adult↗

Early seizures following intracerebral hemorrhage: implications for therapy.

Seizures occurred in 19 of 112 patients (17%) with nontraumatic, supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). All seizures occurred at ICH onset; patients without seizures at hemorrhage onset remained seizure-free until the last recorded follow-up. Seizures were significantly associated with extension of blood into the cerebral cortex. We found no association between seizures and hemorrhage size or the presence of subarachnoid or intraventricular blood. These data suggest that (1) seizures, in ICH, occur at hemorrhage onset, (2) patients without seizures at hemorrhage onset are at very low risk for subsequent seizures during their hospitalization, (3) hemorrhage involving the cerebral cortex, regardless of site of origin, predisposes to seizures, and (4) the prophylactic use of anticonvulsants in the acute management of these patients appears unwarranted, especially in patients without cortical extension.

Adolescent↗

Lobar vs thalamic and basal ganglion hemorrhage: clinical and radiographic features.

One hundred and twelve patients with spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhages were reviewed to identify features which distinguish lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (LH; n = 42) from thalamic or basal ganglionic hemorrhage (TGH; n = 70). Chronic hypertension occurred more commonly in TGH (TGH 67%; LH 48%) while bleeding diathesis was more common in LH (LH 19%; TGH 6%). Clinical presentations were extremely variable and not associated with the type of hemorrhage. Bleeding into the ventricles and hydrocephalus occurred more often with TGH. At last follow-up, there were minimal differences between LH and TGH in overall mortality and functional outcome of the survivors. Alertness on admission was associated with a good outcome regardless of the type of hemorrhage, while a low Glasgow Coma Scale score, coma, ataxic respiration, abnormal pupil reactions, acute hypertension, large hemorrhage size and intraventricular blood were associated with a poor outcome. These data confirm etiological distinctions between LH and TGH, but fail to confirm previously reported differences in clinical presentation and outcome.

Basal Ganglia Diseases↗

Intracerebral haemorrhage: a model for the prediction of outcome.

The hospital charts and CT scans of 112 patients with spontaneous supratentorial haemorrhage were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate factors important to prognosis. A low Glasgow Coma Scale score, coma, ataxic respiration, abnormal pupils, acute hypertension, large haemorrhage size and intraventricular extension of blood were associated with a poor outcome. Multivariate analysis using the technique of logistic regression identified three variables, the Glasgow Coma Scale score, haemorrhage size and intraventricular extension of blood, which were most predictive of outcome. A model was developed from this analysis which accurately estimates the probability of good outcome and the risk of poor outcome based on data available on presentation. With additional validation, this model may be useful in choosing patients for surgical evacuation of haematomas.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗

Computed tomography of the brain in the Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome.

Computed tomographic (CT) scans of the brain in a child with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome revealed enlargement of the ventricular system, hypoplasia of the cerebellum, and abnormal thickening of the gray matter, consistent with pachygyria. These findings have been previously noted in autopsies performed on patients with this disorder. We conclude that CT scanning is a valuable tool in the evaluation of children suspected of having the Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome.

Brain↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of intradural spinal lipoma.

Intradural lipomas are rare tumors of the spinal canal. We report the occurrence of this neoplasm in a 19-year-old girl. Magnetic resonance accurately depicted both the exact location within the spinal canal and the precise tumor histology and was more informative than myelography. This case illustrates the value of magnetic resonance imaging in patients presenting with myelopathy. In many instances, this modality may be all that is needed in preoperative planning.

Adult↗

The effect of restricting the indications for lumbosacral spine radiography in patients with acute back symptoms.

A prospective study was performed to evaluate the effect of using a special requisition form on the utilization of lumbosacral spine radiography for patients presenting in the emergency room with acute lower back complaints. Over a 1-year period, emergency room house officers were encouraged to complete a special form that listed only three acceptable indications for lumbosacral spine radiographs: history of trauma, evidence of focal neurologic abnormality, and "other." Neurologic abnormalities included hypesthesia, hyperesthesia or anesthesia of lumbar or sacral dermatomes, weakness or hyporeflexia of the lower extremities, and bladder or bowel incontinence. If the indication "other" was chosen, radiographs were done only if the form contained both a one- to two-sentence history and the signed approval of a supervising attending physician. The number and results of lumbosacral spine examinations were compared with those from the previous year, which served as a control. In the control year 1443 examinations were performed, and in the experimental year only 759 were done (a decrease of 47%). The percentage of patients with vertebral fractures increased from 5.1% to 5.8% in the experimental year if only the detection of new fractures was considered positive, and from 9.1% to 13.4% if the detection of fractures of all ages was regarded as significant. The use of the special requisition form appears to be a simple and effective means of reducing unnecessary lumbosacral radiography in the emergency room setting.

Acute Disease↗

AIDS: calcification of the basal ganglia in infants and children.

CT or postmortem examination demonstrated calcification of the basal ganglia in eight infants and children with acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Serial CT studies documented progression of both bilateral symmetric calcium densities and cerebral atrophy. Clinical features included progressive encephalopathy with dementia, and pyramidal tract signs. Postmortem examination of four children revealed variable degrees of calcific vasopathy of the basal ganglia, involving predominantly the putamen and globus pallidus.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Hemispheric white matter lesions in the elderly prone to falling.

Brain computed tomography studies of two groups of elderly (mean age 83.3 years, SE 1.7) with no neurologic diagnoses were compared. Sixteen of the subjects were non-fallers and the remaining 17 had frequent unexplained falls. The group of fallers had a significantly greater degree of white-matter hypodensity of the elderly (Student's t-test = 2.7, p less than 0.01).

Accidental Falls↗

Emergency skull radiography: the effect of restrictive criteria on skull radiography and CT use.

A prospective study was performed to determine the effect of restrictive criteria on the use of emergency skull radiography and computed tomography (CT) of the head. Emergency skull radiography required the completion of a special requisition form. Emergency CT of the head was done at the request of senior consultants and was available on a full-time basis. Over 1 year, 2,758 skull studies were performed, a decrease of 39.1% when compared with the year before restrictive criteria were instituted, during which 4,587 skull examinations were done. In the same period, the number of emergency CT scans of the head increased by 45.7%, from 471 in the control year to 686 in the experimental year. With the use of restrictive criteria, a net savings of +164,000 was achieved. Our results suggest that the use of restrictive criteria is a cost-effective means of limiting skull radiography when CT of the head is readily available.

Adolescent↗

Reflow into a thrombosed giant middle cerebral artery aneurysm after extracranial-intracranial bypass.

This report graphically illustrates the consequences of flow augmentation through extracranial-intracranial bypass grafts. Propagation of clot from a thrombosed middle cerebral artery aneurysm into the middle cerebral artery produced transient ischemic attacks. Superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass was performed to augment cerebral blood flow. Postoperative angiography demonstrated filling of the aneurysm through improved collateral channels. The role of bypass operation in the presence of an aneurysm and its contribution to collateral blood flow and clot lysis are discussed.

Adult↗