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Biomedical subjects

J A Jane

Publications and source records attributed to J A Jane.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The management of non-functioning pituitary adenomas.

Non-functioning pituitary adenomas most commonly present secondary to mass effect and are classified according to their size and immunohistochemical staining. Local intrasellar mass effect may cause varying degrees of hypopituitarism. With extrasellar growth, neurological signs and symptoms develop. Appropriate therapy for these tumors requires close interaction across multiple disciplines. Trans-sphenoidal surgery offers safe and effective treatment in the overwhelming majority of patients with relatively low risk of new neurological and endocrinologic deficits. The multidisciplinary management of non-functioning adenomas, their diagnosis and therapeutic outcomes, is discussed.

Adenoma↗

Surgical management of pituitary adenomas.

Pituitary adenomas are a diverse group of benign neoplasms. The hormonally active tumours present with well-recognised syndromes and include acromegaly (growth hormone adenoma), Cushing's disease (corticotropin adenoma), and amenorrhea-galactorrhea (prolactin adenoma or prolactinomas). The hormonally inactive, or clinically non-secreting, adenomas generally come to clinical attention secondary to local mass effect or pituitary deficiency. With the exception of the prolactinomas, transsphenoidal surgery remains the first-line therapy for most pituitary adenomas. The current diagnosis and surgical management of pituitary adenomas is discussed.

Adenoma↗

Meningiomas of the orbit: contemporary considerations.

Meningiomas are the most frequently occurring benign intracranial neoplasms. Compared with other intracranial neoplasms they grow slowly, and they are potentially amenable to a complete surgical cure. They cause neurological compromise by direct compression of adjacent neural structures. Orbital meningiomas are interesting because of their location. They can compress the optic nerve, the intraorbital contents, the contents of the superior orbital fissure, the cavernous sinus, and frontal and temporal lobes. Because of its proximity to eloquent neurological structures, this lesion often poses a formidable operative challenge. Recent advances in techniques such as preoperative embolization and new modifications to surgical approaches allow surgeons to achieve their surgery-related goals and ultimately optimum patient outcome. Preoperative embolization may be effective in reducing intraoperative blood loss and in improving intraoperative visualization of the tumor by reducing the amount of blood obscuring the field and allowing unhurried microdissection. Advances in surgical techniques allow the surgeon to gain unfettered exposure of the tumor while minimizing the manipulation of neural structures. Recent advances in technology--namely, frameless computer-assisted image guidance--assist the surgeon in the safe resection of these tumors. Image guidance is particularly useful when resecting the osseous portion of the tumor because the tissue does not shift with respect to the calibration frame. The authors discuss their experience and review the contemporary literature concerning meningiomas of the orbit and the care of patients harboring such lesions.

Adult↗

Cranioorbital fibrous dysplasia: with emphasis on visual impairment and current surgical management.

Fibrous dysplasia is a benign but slowly progressive disorder of bone in which normal cancellous bone is replaced by immature woven bone and fibrous tissue. Significant deformity and both acute and chronic visual impairment can result. A contemporary understanding of fibrous dysplasia, emphasizing the origins of visual impairment, indications for decompressive surgery, and the techniques for correction of the cosmetic deformity are presented. In their experience and review of the literature, the authors found the most frequent clinical presentations to be exophthalmos, displacement of the globe, abnormalities of extraocular motility, cosmetic deformity, and visual impairment. Although traditionally the cause of visual impairment has been ascribed to impingement of the optic canal on the optic nerve, the authors' experience is that the most common cause of visual loss is cystic degeneration of the tumor, particularly with those involving the anterior clinoid process. Exophthalmos and optic canal stenosis are less common causes of visual impairment. Indications for surgical intervention include acute and/or serially radiographically documented and relentless visual impairment and significant cosmetic deformity. Individualized management strategies are also discussed.

Adolescent↗

Bone graft substitutes for the promotion of spinal arthrodesis.

In the prototypical method for inducing spinal fusion, autologous bone graft is harvested from the iliac crest or local bone removed during the spinal decompression. Although autologous bone remains the "gold standard" for stimulating bone repair and regeneration, modern molecular biology and bioengineering techniques have produced unique materials that have potent osteogenic activities. Recombinant human osteogenic growth factors, such as bone morphogenetic proteins, transforming growth factor-beta, and platelet-derived growth factor are now produced in highly concentrated and pure forms and have been shown to be extremely potent bone-inducing agents when delivered in vivo in rats, dogs, primates, and humans. The delivery of pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to regions requiring bone formation is also compelling, and it has been shown to be successful in inducing osteogenesis in numerous preclinical studies in rats and dogs. Finally, the identification of biological and non-biological scaffolding materials is a crucial component of future bone graft substitutes, not only as a delivery vehicle for bone growth factors and MSCs but also as an osteoconductive matrix to stimulate bone deposition directly. In this paper, the currently available bone graft substitutes will be reviewed and the authors will discuss the novel therapeutic approaches that are currently being developed for use in the clinical setting.

Animals↗

Gene-based therapies for the induction of spinal fusion.

Numerous mesenchymal growth factors with osteogenic properties have now been identified. Although many of these proteins can induce bone formation when delivered on a carrier matrix, these approaches have not been fully developed in the laboratory or clinic. The expression of osteogenic proteins via direct or ex vivo gene therapy techniques is also compelling because high-level, long-term gene expression can now be achieved using novel viral and nonviral vectors. In this brief review the authors will highlight recent advances in genetic therapies for the induction of osteogenesis, as well as their potential use for the promotion of spinal arthrodesis.

Animals↗

Acromegaly: historical perspectives and current therapy.

Soon after the initial description of acromegaly in the late 19th century, neurosurgeons performed the first operative procedures for the disease. Transcranial procedures eventually yielded to the transsphenoidal approach. Reasonably effective medical therapy was introduced in the 1970s and pharmacological progress continues to be realized. It is now recognized that excess growth hormone is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and that biochemical remission improves outcome. Although medical and radiation treatments offer useful adjuncts, surgery provides optimal results.

Acromegaly↗

Pilot study of electrical stimulation on median nerve in comatose severe brain injured patients: 3-month outcome.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To determine if electrical stimulation (ES) benefits (waking time, 3-month outcomes) treated coma patients. RESEARCH DESIGN: Double blind randomized-controlled study. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Ten coma patients; six treatment and four controls, using the 'Respond Select' by EMPI. EXPERIMENTAL INTERVENTIONS: Treatment group received radial nerve ES applied in 300 ms intermittent pulses at 40 Hz, 15-20m A 8 hours a day up to 14 days of coma; control group received sham stimulation. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: ES group emerged from coma mean 2 days earlier than controls, although this result was not statistically significant. At 3 months post-injury, there was no group difference in Glasgow Outcome Scale, although the ES group had improved function over controls as measured by the FIM/FAM (mean of 114 and 64.5, respectively, n.s.). CONCLUSIONS: These data show an interesting trend, although statistical power was limited in this small pilot study, suggesting the need for a larger trial.

Adult↗

Fluoroscopic frameless stereotaxy for transsphenoidal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of frameless fluoroscopy-guided stereotactic transsphenoidal surgery using the FluoroNav Virtual Fluoroscopy System (Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Inc., Memphis, TN). METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery for sellar lesions were assigned to transsphenoidal surgery with or without computer-assisted fluoroscopic image guidance using the FluoroNav system. Prospective data regarding patient age, sex, lesion characteristics, operative time, and treatment cost were obtained. RESULTS: Although patients in the FluoroNav group were, on average, 17 years younger than the patients in the control group, more patients with recurrent adenomas were treated in the image guidance group. No other significant differences between the groups were found. FluoroNav provided accurate, continuous information regarding the anatomic midline trajectory to the sella turcica as well as anatomic structures (e.g., sella, sphenoid sinus) in the lateral view. No patient required reversion to intraoperative videofluoroscopy. No statistically significant differences were found with regard to preincision setup time, operative time, or cost. FluoroNav allowed procedures to be performed with significantly fewer x-rays being taken. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopic computer-assisted frameless stereotaxy furnishes accurate real-time information with regard to midline structures and operative trajectory. Although it is useful in first-time transseptal transsphenoidal surgery, its primary benefit is realized in recurrent surgery.

Adenoma↗

Trilateral retinoblastoma variant indicative of the relevance of the retinoblastoma tumor-suppressor pathway to medulloblastomas in humans.

Results of recent studies have led investigators to suggest that the retinoblastoma tumor-suppressor (rb) gene plays an underappreciated role in the genesis of brain tumors. Such tumors cause significant rates of mortality in children suffering from hereditary retinoblastoma. It has been assumed that the pineal gland, which is ontogenetically related to the retina, accounts for the intracranial origin of these trilateral neoplasms. To address this issue, the authors describe an unusual trilateral retinoblastoma variant. The authors provide a detailed clinicopathological correlation by describing the case of a child with bilateral retinoblastoma who died of a medulloblastoma. The intraocular and intracranial neoplasms were characterized by performing detailed imaging, histopathological, and postmortem studies. Karyotype analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization were used to define the chromosomal defect carried by the patient and members of her family. An insertion of the q12.3q21.3 segment of chromosome 13 into chromosome 18 at band q23 was identified in members of the patient's family. This translocation was unbalanced in the proband. The intraocular and cerebellar neoplasms were found to be separate primary neoplasms. Furthermore, the pineal gland was normal and the cerebellar neoplasm arose within the vermis as a medulloblastoma. Finally, the two neoplasms had different and characteristically identifiable cytolological and immunohistochemical profiles. The findings of the present study, taken together with those of recent molecular and transgenic studies, support the emerging concept that rb inactivation is not restricted to central nervous system regions of photoreceptor lineage and that inactivation of this tumor suppressor pathway may be relevant to the determination of etiological factors leading to medulloblastoma in humans.

Cerebellar Neoplasms↗

Degenerative lumbar stenosis: the neurosurgical perspective.

Degenerative lumbar stenosis is a complex entity caused by predictable patterns of degenerative pathoanatomy. Patients with spinal stenosis are treated by orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons, who often have slightly different ideas regarding treatment strategies. However, data exist to support several recommendations, regarding fusion with or without instrumentation, surgical versus conservative treatment, and limitation of procedures to symptomatic levels. In the current study, the typical patterns of degenerative disease and surgical treatment and a view of the neurosurgical perspective of the treatment of patients with lumbar stenosis are presented.

Decompression, Surgical↗

A novel technique for ventriculovesical shunting of congenital hydrocephalus.

PURPOSE: Hydrocephalus is typically treated with a ventriculoperitoneal or ventriculoatrial shunt. However, shunt malfunction, recurrent infection or other co-morbidities occasionally make these shunts inappropriate. As early as 1925 a ureterodural anastomosis was used to divert cerebrospinal fluid into the urinary system. Since then techniques for cerebrospinal fluid urinary diversion have improved. We designed a new technique to drain cerebrospinal fluid into the urinary system surgically while averting some of the problems encountered with previous methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We describe a new technique to perform a ventriculovesicular shunt, which we performed on a 17-year-old woman with congenital hydrocephalus. To put this unique operation into perspective we briefly review the history of cerebrospinal fluid urinary shunting. RESULTS: Our results were promising, with no evidence of distal shunt malfunction or infection postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Our novel technique of a ventriculovesical shunt with a polyester cuff that provides stabilization and infection control holds promise for patients with hydrocephalus who are not candidates for a ventriculoperitoneal or ventriculoatrial shunt.

Adolescent↗

Sagittal synostosis.

Sagittal synostosis causes predictable malformations depending on the specific suture location that fuses. Anterior fusion causes frontal bossing, whereas posterior fusion causes an occipital knob. Complete sagittal synostosis results in deformity both anteriorly and posteriorly. Variants of each type exist and therefore surgical correction must be tailored to the individual patient. Examples of the different forms of sagittal synostosis are discussed, and the various surgical techniques available are detailed.

Craniosynostoses↗

Surgical approach to posterior skull deformity.

The incidence of occipital skull flattening in infants has recently increased, partly as a result of widespread supine positioning to prevent sudden infant death syndrome. The authors discuss the causes and differential diagnosis of posterior skull deformity in this subpopulation of patients and describe their technique for surgical correction of the condition.

Craniofacial Abnormalities↗