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Biomedical subjects

H J Cloft

Publications and source records attributed to H J Cloft.

66 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Posterior fossa hemorrhage after supratentorial surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the imaging findings, possible pathogenesis, and frequency of hemorrhage near the tentorial surface of the cerebellum after supratentorial surgery. METHODS: Over a 5-year period, 13 patients with posterior fossa hemorrhage after supratentorial surgery were identified with postoperative CT studies, which were obtained in all patients after craniotomy. Four of the 13 patients also had postoperative MR examinations. Preoperative and postoperative radiologic studies and medical records were reviewed. RESULTS: All hemorrhages were located along the superior aspect of the cerebellum transversely oriented along the cerebellar fossa and fissures. None of the patients had coagulopathy or radiologic evidence of posterior fossa tumor or vascular malformation. None of the hemorrhages had an appearance typical of hypertensive hemorrhage. Ten patients (77%) had lumbar drains placed before surgery and all had epidural drains placed at the conclusion of surgery. One patient had surgery for a meningioma, and 12 had surgery for aneurysms. The frequency of hemorrhage after aneurysmal surgery was 3.5%. No neurologic deficits developed referable to the cerebellum. CONCLUSIONS: Hemorrhage should be viewed as a potentially benign sequela of surgery rather than as an indication of hypertension, aneurysm, or previously unrecognized vascular malformation or neoplasm.

Adult↗

3D gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography of the carotid arteries.

PURPOSE: To compare gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the carotid bifurcation with 2D time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography with regard to image quality and duration of examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gadolinium contrast was administered intravenously during 3D MR imaging at 1.5 Tesla in 46 patients presenting with suspected carotid occlusive disease. 2D time-of-flight MR angiography of the carotid bifurcation had been performed in each patient prior to gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography. RESULTS: Gadolinium MRA eliminated slice misregistration and in-plane saturation artifacts that occasionally degrades 2D TOF MR angiography. Gadolinium MRA required less than 4 min to image from the aortic arch to the skull base compared to 11 min for 2D TOF with comparable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Postprocessing was required to eliminate overlapping venous enhancement. Both techniques had susceptibility related artifactual loss of signal at the skull base and both demonstrated a linear artifact paralleling the long axis of arteries. CONCLUSION: Gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography is a promising technique for the evaluation of patients with carotid occlusive disease because it rapidly images the carotid arteries from the aortic arch to the skull base and eliminates some of the artifacts that degrade 2D TOF MR angiography.

Adult↗

Ruptured vertebrobasilar aneurysms: frequency of the nonaneurysmal perimesencephalic pattern of hemorrhage on CT scans.

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of the computed tomographic (CT) pattern of nonaneurysmal perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage in the setting of ruptured posterior fossa aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four neuroradiologists independently and retrospectively reviewed cranial CT scans of 169 patients with ruptured vertebrobasilar aneurysms (44 cases of posteroinferior cerebellar artery aneurysm, 20 cases of superior cerebellar artery aneurysm, and 105 cases of basilar-tip aneurysm). RESULTS: The mean frequency of nonaneurysmal perimesencephalic pattern of subarachnoid hemorrhage in ruptured vertebrobasilar aneurysms was 7.1% (48 of 676 readings) among the four readers. The mean frequency of aneurysms with the pattern of hemorrhage for each location was as follows: basilar tip, 9.8% (41 of 420 readings); superior cerebellar artery, 5.0% (four of 80 readings); and posteroinferior cerebellar artery, 0%. In 75% (six of eight) of the cases in which the CT pattern of hemorrhage was deemed compatible by all readers with nonaneurysmal hemorrhage, the clinical presentation was mild. CONCLUSION: Because ruptured posterior fossa aneurysms manifest with the nonaneurysmal pattern of hemorrhage in approximately 10% of cases, a high degree of suspicion should be maintained even if the pattern of subarachnoid hemorrhage suggests a nonaneurysmal origin and clinical symptoms are mild.

Aneurysm, Ruptured↗

Primary osseous amyloidoma causing spinal cord compression.

The myelographic, CT, and MR findings of a rare localized primary bone amyloidoma causing upper thoracic spinal cord compression are presented. Imaging showed a large, calcified mass centered in the posteromedial portion of the left second rib that invaded the second thoracic vertebra and the spinal canal.

Amyloidosis↗

Immunocytochemical detection of oxytocin in the supraependymal neuronal complex of the golden hamster.

A system of intraventricular neuronal perikarya and processes known as the supraependymal neuronal complex (SENC) is located on the floor of the third ventricle and innervates the neurohypophysis of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Immunocytochemical techniques were used to determine if oxytocin and/or vasopressin are present in the neuronal elements of the SENC. Oxytocinergic fibers were observed to breach the ependyma of the median eminence and enter the neuropil of the SENC. Some of these fibers traverse the SENC to reach the adjacent ependymal surface and terminate on the floor of the third ventricle while others terminate within the neuropil of the SENC. These oxytocinergic fibers may be involved in the secretion of oxytocin into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Vasopressinergic fibers were detected in the neuropil of the SENC in only one of four specimens examined and are assumed to be aberrant processes from the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial tract. Neither oxytocin nor vasopressin were detected in the neurons intrinsic to the SENC. The function of the SENC is unknown, but it may be involved in regulatory processes in which CSF oxytocin has been implicated, such as osmotic homeostasis and/or cardiovascular reflexes.

Animals↗

Elevated adenosine deaminase activity and hereditary hemolytic anemia. Evidence for abnormal translational control of protein synthesis.

We have investigated the molecular basis of the marked elevation in erythrocyte adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in a kindred with hereditary hemolytic anemia. Red cell ADA-specific activity was verified to be 70- to 100-fold normal levels. Western blots demonstrated a corresponding increase in erythrocyte ADA-specific immunoreactive protein. Analysis of genomic DNA revealed no evidence for amplification or major structural changes in the ADA gene. ADA-specific messenger RNA (mRNA) from proband reticulocytes was comparable in size and amount to mRNA from control reticulocytes. Translation of proband poly A+ reticulocyte mRNA in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system and immunoprecipitation of 35S-labeled protein products with anti-ADA antibody yielded a band of approximately 42,000 apparent mol wt that was absent in translation products from control reticulocyte mRNAs. These data suggest that the increased ADA activity in red cells in this disorder results from the increased translation of an aberrant ADA mRNA.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

In vivo evaluation of a new type I collagen hemostatic plug for high-risk, large-core biopsies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate in a swine model the hemostatic properties of a new, expansile type I collagen plug for use in high-risk renal biopsies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Highly purified bovine type I collagen was formed into porous cylindrical plugs and compressed radially to fit into a 5-F delivery system. On hydration these collagen plugs demonstrated radial expansion with approximately 1,600% volumetric expansion ratio. Direct exposure of both kidneys was performed in a 25-kg swine, and a bolus of 3,000 U of heparin was administered to create a coagulopathic state. A 14-gauge Temno coaxial biopsy gun was utilized in performing nine pairs of renal biopsies. The first biopsy of each biopsy pair represented the control biopsy (without collagen plug placement), whereas the second biopsy of each pair represented the plugged biopsy. The presence and duration of hemorrhage from each biopsy site was monitored visually. RESULTS: The biopsy sites without collagen plug showed immediate hemorrhage in nine of nine cases (100%), and in two of nine cases (22%) pulsatile bleeding was noted. With the use of the collagen plug, seven of nine (78%) sites showed immediate hemorrhage, but in no case was pulsatile bleeding noted. Mean bleeding duration was 156 seconds for the control biopsies versus 73 seconds for the biopsy sites plugged with collagen (P = .03, Mann-Whitney rank sum test). Bleeding duration was less than 1 minute in only one of nine (11%) control biopsies compared to six of nine (67%) collagen plug biopsies. CONCLUSIONS: A recently developed, expansile collagen hemostatic plug significantly decreases the duration of hemorrhage at renal biopsy sites in an anticoagulated swine model.

Animals↗

CT-guided percutaneous drainage of syringomyelia.

PURPOSE: Our purpose is to describe CT-guided percutaneous drainage of syringomyelia as a possible contribution in patient management. METHOD: CT-guided percutaneous drainage was performed on three patients with symptomatic syringomyelia. We determined the success of percutaneous decompression by subsequent CT and MRI. The effect of syringomyelia decompression in relation to the patient's symptoms was determined. This information was then used to help guide clinical management. RESULTS: In Case 1, percutaneous drainage of a large syrinx in a C5 quadriplegic patient with increasing lower extremity spasticity demonstrated significant decompression by imaging but did not result in clinical improvement. A surgical procedure to decompress the syrinx was not performed on the basis of this information. In Case 2, percutaneous drainage of a large syrinx in a quadriplegic patient with increasing upper extremity numbness and weakness demonstrated significant decompression by imaging and resulted in sustained clinical improvement, temporarily obviating the need for surgery. In Case 3, percutaneous drainage of the rostral aspect of a septated syrinx cavity in a patient with a Chiari I malformation and a syringoperitoneal shunt in place resulted in decompression by imaging but failed to relieve the patient's newly developed symptoms. An additional shunt was therefore not placed. In no case did the patient experience periprocedural complications or worsening of symptoms. CONCLUSION: CT-guided percutaneous drainage of syringomyelia is a safe and successful technique. It can be used diagnostically to identify patients that may or may not benefit from surgical syrinx decompression and in some cases may provide a temporary therapeutic alternative to surgery.

Adolescent↗

The fate of neuroradiologic abstracts presented at national meetings in 1993: rate of subsequent publication in peer-reviewed, indexed journals.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Abstract presentations are a valuable means of rapidly conveying new information; however, abstracts that fail to eventually become published are of little use to the general medical community. Our goals were to determine the publication rate of neuroradiologic papers originally presented at national meetings in 1993 and to assess publication rate as a function of neuroradiologic subspecialty and study design. METHODS: Proceedings from the 1993 ASNR and RSNA meetings were reviewed. A MEDLINE search encompassing 1993-1997 was performed cross-referencing lead author and at least one text word based on the abstract title. All ASNR and RSNA neuroradiologic abstracts were included. Study type, subspecialty classification, and sample size were tabulated. Publication rate, based on study design and neuroradiologic subspecialty, was compared with overall publication rate. Median duration from meeting presentation to publication was calculated, and the journals of publication were noted. RESULTS: Thirty-seven percent of ASNR abstracts and 33% of RSNA neuroradiologic abstracts were published as articles in indexed medical journals. Publication rates among neuroradiologic subspecialty types were not significantly different. Prospective studies presented at the ASNR were published at a higher rate than were retrospective studies. There was no difference between the publication rate of experimental versus clinical studies. Neuroradiologic abstracts were published less frequently than were abstracts within other medical specialties. Median time between abstract presentation and publication was 15 months. CONCLUSION: Approximately one third of neuroradiologic abstracts presented at national meetings in 1993 were published in indexed journals. This rate is lower than that of abstracts from medical specialties other than radiology.

Abstracting and Indexing↗

Elastase-induced saccular aneurysms in rabbits: comparison of geometric features with those of human aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The development of more effective intracranial aneurysm therapy depends on the ability to test various intravascular occlusion devices and techniques in preclinical animal models. This requires the creation of experimental aneurysms, which, ideally, should mimic the size and geometric features of human intracranial aneurysms. The purpose of this study was to characterize the morphologic features of elastase-induced saccular aneurysms in rabbits to determine whether the morphology of such aneurysms mimics that of human intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: Elastase-induced saccular aneurysms were created in 40 New Zealand white rabbits. Intravenous digital subtraction angiography was performed 14 days after surgery. Relative to an external sizing device, the following dimensions were determined: aneurysm dome (height and width), aneurysm neck diameter, and parent artery diameter. Based on maximal diameter, aneurysms were categorized as small (2.0-4.9 mm), medium-sized (5.0-9.9 mm), or large (10-16 mm), and as narrow-necked (<4.0 mm neck width) or wide-necked (>4.0 mm neck width). Mean dome-neck ratio was calculated and compared with that of human aneurysms. RESULTS: All aneurysm cavities were angiographically patent. Widths of the cavities ranged from 2.5 to 7.1 mm (mean, 4.1 +/- 1.2 mm); heights ranged from 3.0 to 15.6 mm (mean, 8.8 +/- 2.6 mm). Three (7.5%) of 40 aneurysms were small, 20 (50%) were medium-sized, and 17 (42.5%) were large. Twenty-two (55%) of 40 aneurysms were small-necked, and 18 (45%) were wide-necked. Mean dome-neck ratio was 1.13 +/- 0.54. Mean parent artery diameter was 4.3 +/- 1.4 mm. CONCLUSION: Saccular aneurysms of sizes similar to that of human intracranial aneurysms were reliably created using a simple method of vessel ligation and elastase injury. Neck sizes varied with both large and small-necked aneurysms created.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗

Percutaneous polymethylmethacrylate vertebroplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures: technical aspects.

PURPOSE: To describe a technique for percutaneous vertebroplasty of osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures and to report early results of its use. METHODS: The technique was used over a 3-year period in 29 patients with 47 painful vertebral fractures. The technique involves percutaneous puncture of the involved vertebra(e) via a transpedicular approach followed by injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) into the vertebral body. RESULTS: The procedure was technically successful in all patients, with an average injection amount of 7.1 mL PMMA per vertebral body. Two patients sustained single, nondisplaced rib fractures during the procedure; otherwise, no clinically significant complications were noted. Twenty-six patients (90%) reported significant pain relief immediately after treatment. CONCLUSION: Vertebroplasty is a valuable tool in the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral fractures, providing acute pain relief and early mobilization in appropriate patients.

Adult↗