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Biomedical subjects

I Wanke

Publications and source records attributed to I Wanke.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Wegener's granulomatosis and orbital complications of sino-nasal origin].

Wegener's granulomatosis is an idiopathic, granulomatous disease with the potential for multiple head and neck manifestations (80 % of the patients). Sinonasal symptoms are observed in more than 60 % of the patients. Due to these facts the otorhinolaryngologist plays an essential role in the multidisciplinary team involved in establishing the diagnosis early, initiating immunosuppressive therapy and providing ongoing care. The treatment is based on medical therapy consisting of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents, whereas surgery is reserved for selected head and neck manifestations. By means of 3 patients presenting with distinct visual loss in consequence of orbital complications with sinonasal origin the course of disease and theoretical background are reviewed. In our patients Wegener's granulomatosis was diagnosed by histopathological examination and serological detection of ANCA, cANCA. The progression of the granulomatous process and an additional purulent inflammation in 2 cases led to a temporary amaurosis and in another case to a visual loss of 50 %. Immediate orbital decompression in combination with sufficient systemic immunosuppressive treatment relieved the compression of the optical nerve and preserved vision. We conclude that early orbital decompression either by external or endonasal approach and concomitant immunosuppression is necessary to determine or improve rapidly decreasing vision subsequent to high intraorbital pressure produced by a granulomatous process and inflammation.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Endovascular therapy for intracranial aneurysms].

During the past 5 to 10 years, therapy for aneurysms has seen dramatic changes. In some centers they happened before the ISAT study, in others afterward. Endovascular treatment is now the method of choice for intracranial aneurysms whenever possible. Large centers are using it for 70-80% of aneurysms. Due to constant development of new interventional materials, even wide-necked aneurysms in practically all localizations can be treated today with very dependable results. The remaining aneurysms are quite difficult to treat and represent a great neurosurgical challenge. Despite all the technical improvements, closure is still not the most difficult element of the therapeutic procedure. This role is played by the subarachnoidal hemorrhage, which still is decisive for patient outcome. All related disciplines are urgently called upon to solve the unresolved problems as quickly and efficiently as possible through determined research.

Anticoagulants↗

[Reducing radiation exposure for patient and staff during interventional radiology demonstrated for coil embolisation].

PURPOSE: Coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms is a radiographic interventional procedure associated with relatively high radiation exposure for the patient and staff. Modern angiographic fluoroscopy systems have a high potential for reducing radiation exposure of a wide bandwidth (e. g. automatic beam filtering, pulsed fluoroscopy, characteristic curve selection). The purpose of this study was to determine how those features could be implemented in the daily routine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The radiation exposure for the patient and staff was measured during 60 coiling procedures and compared to the mean values before changing the parameters. RESULTS: Implementation of those dose-reducing features during complex radiographic procedures is limited for various reasons. A 35 % dose reduction during coil embolization was able to be achieved in our trial. CONCLUSIONS: From an economic point of view, some resources implemented by the manufacturer and included in the prime cost of the system are not being fully utilized. With some effort, instruction and further education of the staff could lead to a further reduction in radiation exposure without losing too much image quality.

Embolization, Therapeutic↗

Endovascular treatment of middle cerebral artery aneurysms with electrolytically detachable coils.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms often have an unfavorable aneurysm geometry that might limit endovascular therapy. Our purpose was to analyze the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of coil embolization in a consecutive series of MCA aneurysms chosen for endovascular treatment. PATIENTS AND TECHNIQUES: Of 235 MCA aneurysms seen at our institution during the past 5 years, 36 patients harboring 38 MCA aneurysms were primarily selected for coil embolization: 18 patients had an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), 16 of which were due to a ruptured MCA aneurysm. SAH was classified according to Hunt and Hess grade: I (5), II (7), III (5), IV (0), and V (1). RESULTS: Complete occlusion could be achieved in 33 of 38 aneurysms. In 5 aneurysms, coil embolization was not performed because of an unfavorable aneurysm geometry with a wide neck or incorporation of adjacent branches (3) or failed because of insecure coil placement (1) or severe vasospasm (1). Procedural complications included coil protrusion into the parent artery (1), and thromboembolic M2 occlusion (5), with recanalization in 4 of 5 cases. Of 8 aneurysms with initial subtotal occlusion, 3 progressed to total occlusion during follow-up. Three aneurysms had to be retreated, and no patient rebled. Glasgow Outcome Scale at 6 months for the patients with SAH (17/18) was good recovery (12), moderate disability (4), severe disability (0), persistent vegetative state (0), and death (1); outcomes for patients with an incidental aneurysm (17/18) were good recovery (16) and moderate disability (1). CONCLUSION: Endovascular coil embolization can be performed safely and effectively in selected MCA aneurysms. Initial subtotal aneurysm occlusion might progress to total occlusion.

Adult↗

Basal ganglia infarction mimicking glioblastoma.

Modern brain imaging techniques usually allow a very good differential diagnosis of intracerebral lesions, but in some cases the differential diagnosis is difficult. We report the case of a 52 year old male with acute brachiofacial paresis and a hyperintense lesion with mass effect and ring-enhancement in basal ganglia suspiciously to a tumor. The neurosurgeons recommend stereotactical brain biopsy for diagnosis, but the patient recovered in following time gradually and in repeated computer tomographic images contrast enhancement disappeared and a hypodense zone in the basal ganglia remains. Our case demonstrates that brain infarctions can mimick glioblastoma in taking cystic appearance and contrast enhancement. Stereotactic biopsy would have been a precipitated invasive procedure in this case.

Basal Ganglia↗

Endovascularly or surgically treated vertebral artery and posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms: clinical analysis and results.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical results in patients with aneurysms of the vertebral artery and posterior inferior cerebellar artery complex (VA-PICA) treated by endovascular embolization or surgically in cases considered untreatable by endovascular methods. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a 5-year-period a total of 28 patients with a VA-PICA complex aneurysm out of 600 patients received definitive treatment, 19 patients by endovascular embolization and 9 patients surgically. Mean age was 54 years (range 9-75 years). Clinical data, intraoperative observations and procedural complications were evaluated. The mean follow-up was 9 months. RESULTS: Hunt-Hess (HH) grades were HH 0-II in 10 patients (35.7 %), HH III in 6 patients (21.4 %) and HH IV + V in 12 patients (42.9 %). Aneurysm size ranged from 2 to 40 mm (mean size 5.5 mm). Aneurysm configuration was saccular 18, fusiform 7 and multilobed 3. Complete occlusion was achieved in all cases. Overall 67.9 % (n = 19) showed a favorable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Score IV + V). Overall procedure-related rate for permanent morbidity and mortality was 3.6 % (n = 1) and 3.6 % (n = 1), respectively. Predictive factors of clinical outcome were the initial clinical HH grade and the Fisher grade. CONCLUSION: Endovascular embolization is an effective method for the treatment of VA-PICA aneurysms. Surgical clipping is still an alternative and should be considered for "uncoilable" lesions. Outcomes showed a close correlation to the initial clinical state and were not dependent on the treatment modality.

Adolescent↗

Endovascular treatment of trigeminal neuralgia caused by arteriovenous malformation: is surgery really necessary?

A case is presented with secondary trigeminal neuralgia (TN) caused by an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the cerebellopontine cistern, which was detected by radiological work-up for planned microvascular decompression. An AVM surrounding the trigeminal nerve was demonstrated on thin-slice heavily T (2)-weighted 3D-sequence on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and confirmed by angiography. The first therapeutic step was endovascular embolization with complete obliteration of the AVM and cessation of pain. Nevertheless surgical excision was performed in order to remove compressive vessels and to prevent a recurrence of pain.

Cerebral Angiography↗

Treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms with a self-expanding stent: mid-term results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate mid-term clinical and angiographic results after using a self-expanding neurovascular stent and coils for the management of broad-based intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: During the period from August 2001 to October 2004 we treated a total of 42 patients with 44 aneurysms using a self-expandable stent. To date we have data on more than 6 months of follow-up in 25 patients with 26 aneurysms. Aneurysm occlusion was divided into the following categories: 100 % (complete), 95-99 % (subtotal), and < 95 % (incomplete). RESULTS: In 15 aneurysms complete occlusion, in 11 aneurysms subtotal occlusion was initially achieved. Control DSA showed progressive thrombosis in seven aneurysms leading to total occlusion in another 4 aneurysms. Three recanalizations were observed in one large and two giant ICA aneurysms. No vessel occlusion occurred. One vessel stenosis of the stented segment was noted, but it was not clinically relevant. One patient experienced a small embolic infarction after stopping antiplatelet medication. No persistent deterioration of the clinical status occurred. CONCLUSION: Combining a stent with coils seems to be an acceptable treatment option for broad-based intracranial aneurysms. As this special subgroup of treated aneurysms includes only those with an unfavourable geometry, the results are extremely promising.

Aneurysm, Ruptured↗

[Stenting plus coiling: dangerous or helpful?].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the procedural risk of treating acute ruptured aneurysms with a stent-coil combination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between August 2001 and January 2004 we treated nine acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients with a combination of stents and platinum coils. RESULTS: Six aneurysms were 100% eliminated; the residual three aneurysms had a 95% to 99% occlusion. A transient thrombosis in the stent in one patient could be recanalized by intravenous application of ReoPro. In another patient an occlusive vasospasm at the distal end of the stent was successfully treated with intraarterial Nimotop. Neurological complications occurred in none of the patients. CONCLUSION: In broad-based aneurysms which cannot be clipped or in which any neurosurgical treatment presents an unacceptably high risk (posterior circulation and paraophthalmic aneurysms), treatment using a combination of stent and platinum coils might be an option even in the acute phase of an SAH. Platelet aggregation can be treated with Aspirin and Plavix after placement of the first coil, vasospasms with intraarterial Nimotop, and acute stent thrombosis with GP IIa/IIIb-antagonists.

Acute Disease↗

Evolution of purely infratentorial PML under HAART--negative outcome under rapid immune reconstitution.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) caused by the polyomavirus JC is a well-recognised complication of AIDS. Purely infratentorial manifestations are rare. Introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been associated with a reduction in morbidity and an improvement in overall survival among HIV-infected individuals. Recently, several reports have described adverse events in patients with PML who begin HAART and show evidence for immune reconstitution. We describe the clinical course of two patients with PML with purely infratentorial manifestation, whose clinical course deteriorated despite the successful introduction of HAART. Possible underlying immunological mechanisms are discussed.

Adult↗

Does intraoperative aneurysm rupture influence outcome? Analysis of 169 patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of intraoperative aneurysm rupture (IAR) in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) undergoing surgery for cerebral aneurysms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 1997 and April 2000, 292 consecutive patients were admitted to our institution with SAH due to ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Of these, 169 patients were treated surgically according to standard microsurgical procedures and were included in this study. Mean age was 47 years. Initial clinical state was graded according to the classification of Hunt and Hess (HH). Outcome was classified according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale as favorable (grades IV and V) and unfavorable (grades I-III). Outcome of patients with intraoperative ruptured and non-ruptured aneurysms was analyzed in correlation to the preoperative clinical state and with respect to the time of surgery and to aneurysm localization. RESULTS: Different rupture rates were observed with respect to the localization of the aneurysm: anterior circulation (n=69) 39.1%, middle cerebral artery (n=46) 34.8%, internal carotid artery (n=48) 31.2%, and posterior circulation (n=6) 16.7%. Patients with HH-grades I-III showed a favorable outcome in 72.2% (61 of 84 patients) without intraoperative rupture and in 71.7% (33 of 46 patients) with intraoperative aneurysm rupture. The corresponding values for patients with HH-grades IV/V were: favorable outcome in 34.6% (9 of 26 patients) and 23.1% (3 of 13 patients), respectively. Poor initial clinical condition (HH IV and V) as well as the initial Fisher grades III and IV were strongly associated with poor clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative aneurysm rupture has no impact on the outcome, neither in patients with good initial condition nor for poor grades patients.

Adolescent↗

Adult post-infectious thalamic encephalitis: acute onset and benign course.

We report on two young patients with an encephalitic syndrome and bilateral thalamic lesions following a presumably viral or mycoplasma respiratory tract infection with the main clinical symptoms of organic psychosis in the first and a prolonged amnestic syndrome and ataxia in the second case. Four months later the patients had recovered clinically and the thalamic lesions had resolved on magnetic resonance imaging in one case and almost completely in the other. We interpret the patients' illness as rare cases of a post-infectious acute thalamic encephalitis in adults. The cases and their relationship to possible post-infectious autoimmune inflammatory or toxic pathophysiological mechanisms are discussed and a review of the literature is provided.

Acute Disease↗

Multimodal imaging in the elastase-induced aneurysm model in rabbits: a comparative study using serial DSA, MRA and CTA.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The elastase-induced aneurysm model in rabbits has proved to be suitable for testing new endovascular occlusion devices. The purpose of this study was to evaluate different imaging modalities for the depiction of anatomy and size of elastase-induced aneurysms and for serial follow-up imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Elastase-induced aneurysms were created in eight Chinchilla bastard rabbits by endoluminal incubation of porcine elastase. Serial imaging was performed using intravenous DSA (IVDSA), contrast-enhanced MRA (CEMRA), and time-of-flight MRA (TOF) 14 days, 4 weeks and 3 months after aneurysm creation. Intraarterial DSA (IADSA) and CT angiography (CTA) were performed after 3 months. Aneurysm size and geometry (height H, width W, neck width N) were compared. RESULTS: On IVDSA after two weeks mean aneurysm height was 6.2 mm (range 2.8 - 11.0 mm), mean aneurysm width was 2.8 mm (range 2.0 - 4.2 mm) and mean aneurysm neck width was 2.7 mm (range 2.0 - 4.2 mm). We did not observed any statistically significant change in aneurysm dimensions during follow-up at 4 weeks (CEMRA: H: 5.4, W: 2.4, N: 2.4; TOF: H: 5.7, W: 2.4, N: 2.7) and 3 months (CEMRA: H: 5.8, W: 2.6, N: 2.6; TOF: H: 6.9, W: 2.8, N: 3.0). Aneurysm dimensions could be best seen on IADSA (H: 6.2, W: 3.0, N: 2.7) with good correlation to CTA (r = 0.94; H: 6.1, W: 2.8, N: 2.6), CE-MRA (r = 0.92), and TOF (r = 0.97). TOF was superior to CEMRA in delineating the aneurysm wall. CONCLUSIONS: Serial imaging using MRA, CTA or intravenous and intraarterial angiography is feasible in the elastase-induced aneurysm model. Contrast-enhanced MRA, TOF-MRA and CTA showed good correlation to IADSA and are all suitable for non-invasive pretherapeutic measurement of aneurysm size.

Angiography↗

[Dural arteriovenous fistulas with intracranial hemorrhage: diagnostic and therapeutic aspects].

Seven patients presented with intracranial hemorrhage due to arteriovenous dural fistula. Six patients showed intracerebral hemorrhage combined with subdural hematoma and intraventricular hemorrhage in one case respectively, and one patient had infratentorial subarachnoid hemorrhage. Location of the fistulae was frontobasal (n=2), tentorium (n=2), transverse sinus (n=2), and superior sagittal sinus (n=1). Angiography revealed reflux into cortical veins in all cases. Therapy was surgery in both cases with fistula of the anterior cranial fossa with good results. An endovascular intraarterial therapy was performed in a case with circumscribed fistula of the superior sagittal sinus, this patient developed a second dural fistula during follow-up. Two patients with tentorial fistulae had primary endovascular treatment complicated by infarction of both thalami in one case and a recurrence of the fistula in the other. In the last case the fistula was closed by surgery. Out of two patients with widespread fistulae of the transverse sinus one made a good clinical recovery and the other remained unchanged. In the first case definite closure of a remnant of the fistula was refused, in the second no further therapy was recommended.

Aged↗

[Intracranial aneurysms: pathogenesis, rupture risk, treatment options].

Non-invasive or minimal invasive imaging techniques, such as CTA and MRA, are widely used and lead to an increasing number of incidentally diagnosed intracranial aneurysms. This review answers questions regarding pathogenesis, risk of rupture and treatment options. In conclusion, treatment guidelines based on the individual's risk profile are presented.

Aneurysm, Ruptured↗

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy limited to the brain stem.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a subacute demyelinating slow-virus encephalitis caused by the JC polyomavirus in 2-5% of patients with AIDS. MRI typically shows multiple lesions in the cerebral hemispheres. We present a rare case of rapidly evolving and lethal PML with a severe bulbar syndrome and spastic tetraparesis in a patient with AIDS. MRI showed high-signal lesions on T2-weighted images confined to the brain stem, extending from the medulla oblongata to the midbrain. JC virus polymerase chain reaction in cerebrospinal fluid was positive, and neuropathology showed the findings of PML. This case was also notable because of the rapid progression despite improved immune status with antiretroviral therapy.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome due to severe hypercalcemia.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a leukoencephalopathy clinically characterized by headache, altered mental status, visual loss and seizures. Neuroimaging demonstrates symmetrical posterior cortical and subcortical lesions. The exact pathophysiology is unknown but there is a strong association with immunosuppressants and hypertension. We report two cases of PRES in normotensive patients with severe hypercalcemia as the only identifiable cause. Possible pathophysiological mechanisms are discussed.

Aged↗