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Biomedical subjects

J Fandino

Publications and source records attributed to J Fandino.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Decompressive craniectomy in severe cerebral venous and dural sinus thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of patients with most severe cerebral venous and dural sinus thrombosis (CVT) after decompressive craniectomy. Indications and techniques for decompressive craniectomy and intensive care regimen are discussed. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2004 15 patients with CVT and intracerebral hemorrhage were treated at the Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich. Among them, four patients with the most severe illness course were treated with decompressive craniectomy. Indications for decompressive craniectomy were deterioration of level of consciousness with CT signs of space occupying brain edema, venous infarction and congestional bleeding with mass effect, midline shift and obliteration of the basal cisterns. RESULTS: Among 15 patients with CVT and intraparenchymatous hemorrhage four patients were treated with decompressive craniectomy. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) immediately before the operation was in mean 10.2 (range 6 to 13). No patient showed signs of unilateral or bilateral third nerve palsy before surgery. No surgical complications were observed. All four patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy recovered with favourable functional outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale; GOS 4 and 5). Anticoagulation therapy with heparin was reconvened 12 hours postoperatively with half dosage and 12 hours later with full dosage. No enlargement of existing intraparenchymatous hematoma or other intracranial bleeding complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Favorable functional outcome in selected patients with most severe courses of CVT can be achieved after decompressive craniectomy. Postoperative anticoagulation therapy with full dose heparin 24 hours after craniotomy seems to be safe. Precise indications and techniques for combined surgical decompression and thrombectomy deserve to be evaluated in future studies.

Adult↗

Changes in cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism during moderate hypothermia in patients with severe middle cerebral artery infarction.

OBJECT: Moderate hypothermia has been reported to be effective in the treatment of postischemic brain edema. The effect of hypothermia on cerebral hemodynamics is a matter of controversial discussion in literature. Clinical studies have yet to be performed in patients with ischemic stroke after induction of hypothermia. METHODS: Measurements during mild hypothermia (33-34 degrees C) were made in six patients with severe ischemic stroke involving the middle cerebral artery territory. Hypothermia was induced as soon as possible and maintained for 48 to 72 hours. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) were estimated by a new double-indicator dilution method. Measurements of CBF were made during normothermia, immediately after induction of hypothermia, at the end of hypothermia, and after rewarming. A total of 19 measurements of CBF and jugular bulb O2 saturation were made. Immediately after induction of hypothermia, CBF decreased in all patients. During late hypothermia, CBF improved in patients who survived but remained diminished in the two patients who died. Reduced CMRO2 levels were observed during all phases of hypothermia in all but one case. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary oberservations indicate that moderate hypothermia seems to reduce CMRO2. Immediately after induction of hypothermia, CBF may decrease in all patients. During late hypothermia CBF seems to recover in patients with good outcome but remains diminished in patients who die. Serial bedside CBF measurements with the new double-indicator dilution technique may be useful to describe cerebral hemodynamic characteristics in patients with severe ischemic stroke during hypothermia.

Adult↗

Simplified quantitative determination of cerebral perfusion reserve with H2(15)O PET and acetazolamide.

The measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and perfusion reserve (PR) with H2(15)O positron emission tomography (PET) and acetazolamide challenge is of importance in evaluating patients with cerebrovascular disease and is thought to be useful in selecting patients for possible vascular surgery. Full quantitative assessment of rCBF with PET requires arterial blood sampling, which is inconvenient in a clinical setting. In this work, we present a simple non-invasive method with which to quantitatively evaluate PR in one PET session lasting no more than 30 min. In ten patients with cerebrovascular disease, rCBF was measured with H2(15)O PET under the baseline condition and after administration of 1 g acetazolamide using a standard technique involving arterial blood sampling. The activity accumulated over 60 s was normalized to injected activity per kilogram body weight (nAA) and compared with rCBF in eight different brain regions. A high linear correlation was found for PR based on nAA (PRnAA) and rCBF (PRrCBF) (PRnAA=0.843 PRrCBF + 0.092, r=-0.83, Pearson's correlation coefficient). Bland-Altman analyses further confirmed that PRnAA reflects PR in a quantitative manner. These results demonstrate that the method based on normalized counts allows the quantitative assessment of PR without blood sampling.

Acetazolamide↗

Cerebral oxygenation and systemic trauma related factors determining neurological outcome after brain injury.

We examined the relationship between clinical and radiological findings, cerebral oxygenation patterns during intensive care management, presence of systemic trauma related injuries and severity of illness in 50 patients (age: 32.3 +/- 12 years, GCS: 8 +/- 4) who were rescued from the accident scene within a 30 min period after trauma. Presence of systemic injuries was quantified using the Injury Severity Score (ISS) and severity of illness was scored using the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II). Cerebral oxygenation parameters included continuous monitoring of jugular bulb oxygen saturation (SjvO(2)) for 12 840 h, and 2323 periodical blood sampling for measurement of arteriovenous differences in oxygen content (AVDO(2)), arteriovenous difference of lactate (AVDL) and lactate oxygen index (LOI). Fifteen patients (30%) presented with anisocoria or non-reacting pupils. Diffuse lesions on computed tomography (CT) were found in 34% of the patients and in 66% a mass lesion was removed. The mean ISS was 28 +/- 15.3 and 34 patients (68%) had an APACHE II score between 20 and 29 (mean 24 +/- 15). No statistically significant association between age (P = 0.45), gender (P = 0.83), initial Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) (P = 0.43), episodes of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) < 70 mm Hg (P = 0.8), ISS (P = 0.28), pupillary abnormalities (P = 0.57), initial CT findings (P = 0.74), APACHE II scores (P = 0. 36) and outcome could be demonstrated. The number of SjvO(2)desaturations (< 60%) was the only statistically significant factor associated with outcome (P = 0.05). The percentage of patients with poor neurological outcomes (GOS 1-3) was 38% in patients with no or one desaturation episode, and 57.6% in those with multiple desaturations. In conclusion, in patients who are resuscitated early and quickly transferred to the hospital, the number of SjvO(2)desaturations during intensive care management might be associated with outcome more strongly than other clinical and radiological features.

APACHE↗

Endovascular treatment of cerebral vasospasm: assessment of treatment effect by cerebral angiography and transcranial colour Doppler sonography.

In a retrospective study of 30 consecutive patients with symptomatic vasospasm the mean degree of narrowing as compared to the initial angiogram was 35% (+/- 24%) in 12 intradural internal carotid arteries (ICA), 42% (+/- 17%) in 42 proximal middle cerebral (MCA) and 38% (+/- 19%) in 27 anterior cerebral arteries (ACA). The corresponding increase in mean flow velocities from baseline values obtained by transcranial colour Doppler sonography (TCD) within 12 h of the first angiogram to the time of clinical vasospasm was considerably higher, with 49% (+/- 34%) in the ICA 119% (+/- 92%) in the MCA and 147% (+/- 170%) in the ACA. Following superselective intra-arterial papaverine application in 66 arteries and balloon angioplasty of 15 arteries, 78 (96.3%) of 81 dilated. Sustained clinical improvement was achieved in 22 patients (73.3%). The mean reversal of angiographic vasospasm was 71% for the ICA (range 10-100%), 81% for the MCA (range 9-100%) and 82% (range 0-100%) for the A1 segment. The mean reduction of flow velocities after treatment was much less with 23% (+/- 21%) in the ICA, 32% (+/- 24%) in the MCA and 25% (+/- 22%) in the A1 segment.

Adult↗

Clinical, angiographic, and sonographic findings after structured treatment of cerebral vasospasm and their relation to final outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To report the early clinical results, quantitative angiographic and sonographic findings, and final outcome in patients with symptomatic vasospasm who had undergone surgical occlusion of the aneurysm and a structured protocol including aggressive intensive care management, endovascular procedures (EP), and barbiturate coma (BC). RESULTS: Thirty consecutive patients (19 women, 11 men, age: 51 +/- 8 years) underwent 38 EP for the treatment of 81 vascular territories (15 balloon dilatations and 66 papaverine infusions). Overall angiographic vasospasm in the intradural ICA improved significantly from 44.7 +/- 19.8% to 16.5 +/- 16%, in the MCA from 44.2 +/- 14.7% to 14.4 +/- 14%, and in the ACA from 38.7 +/- 18.6% to 13.3 +/- 12%. Mean flow velocities (Vm) in the MCA and ACA decreased significantly from 135 +/- 48 cm/sec to 87 +/- 32 cm/sec and from 110 +/- 36 cm/sec to 84 +/- 30 cm/sec, respectively. No significant Vm improvement in the ICA could be demonstrated. Six patients (20%) developed intractable vasospasm after repeated EP and five patients underwent BC. The correlation coefficient between percentage of angiographic vasospasm and Vm increase was -0.19 (p = NS) for the ICA, 0.2 (p < 0.001) for the MCA, and 0.3 (p < 0.05) for the ACA. Correlation coefficient between percentages of angiographic and sonographic improvement was -0.12 (p = NS) for the ICA, 0.42 (p < 0.001), and 0.1 (p < 0.05) for the ACA. Early clinical improvement after EP was observed in 73% of patients and was significantly associated with favourable outcome (GOS 4-5). Sixteen patients (53%) had a GOS 5, six patients (20%) a GOS 4, six patients (20%) a GOS 3, and two patients (6.6%) died as consequence of devastating vasospasm. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in vessel diameter and increases of Vm during vasospasm correlate weakly. In spite of the fact that significant differences in vessel diameter and Vm were demonstrated after treatment, a moderately good correlation between percentages of angiographic and Vm improvement was observed only in the M1 segments. In our experience, a reduction of mortality and disabilities can be achieved with a maximal structured treatment of vasospasm. Early clinical improvement after endovascular treatment is strongly associated with favourable outcome, nevertheless, cost-benefit and controlled trials are necessary to evaluate these techniques.

Adult↗

Correlation between jugular bulb oxygen saturation and partial pressure of brain tissue oxygen during CO2 and O2 reactivity tests in severely head-injured patients.

PURPOSE: To correlate the jugular bulb oxygen saturation (SjvO2) and brain tissue oxygen pressure (PbtO2) during carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) reactivity tests in severely head-injured patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: In nine patients (7 men, 2 women, age: 26 +/- 6.5 years, GCS of 6.5 +/- 2.9), a polarographic microcatheter (Clark-type) was inserted into nonlesioned white matter (frontal lobe). PbtO2 and SjvO2 were monitored simultaneously and cerebral vasoreactivity to CO2 and O2 was tested on days three, five and seven after injury. Simultaneous measurements of vasoreactivity by transcranial Doppler (TCD) were undertaken. A total of twenty-one CO2 and O2 reactivity tests were performed. Critical values of PbtO2 (< 15 mm Hg) during induced hyperventilation could be observed four times in two patients. High PbtO2 values up to 80 mm Hg were observed during hyperoxygenation (FiO2 100%). CO2 vasoreactivity by means of PbtO2 was absent in four tests in which measurements by TCD showed intact responses. A stronger correlation between SjvO2 and PbtO2 during the O2 reactivity tests was observed (r = 0.6, p < 0.001), in comparison to values obtained during the CO2 reactivity tests (r = 0.33, p < 0.001). In addition, there was no statistically significant correlation (r = 0.22, p = 0.26) between CO2 reactivity values measured by TCD (4.5 +/- 5.7%) and PbtO2 (3 +/- 2.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Correlation between SjvO2 and PbtO2 during CO2 reactivity test is low, even if significant differences between normo- and hyperventilation values are present. In comparison to SjvO2, monitoring of PbtO2 might more accurately detect possible focal ischaemic events during rapidly induced hyperventilation in severely head-injured patients. The CO2 vasoreactivity by means of changes in Vm MCA seems to be higher in comparison to changes of PbtO2. These observations lead to the hypothesis that vasoreactivity measured by TCD overestimates the cerebrovascular response to CO2.

Adolescent↗

Intraoperative validation of functional magnetic resonance imaging and cortical reorganization patterns in patients with brain tumors involving the primary motor cortex.

OBJECT: The purpose of the present study was to compare the results of functional magnetic resonance (fMR) imaging with those of intraoperative cortical stimulation in patients who harbored tumors close to or involving the primary motor area and to assess the usefulness of fMR imaging in the objective evaluation of motor function as part of the surgical strategy in the treatment of these patients. METHODS: A total of 11 consecutive patients, whose tumors were close to or involving the central region, underwent presurgical blood oxygen level-dependent fMR imaging while performing a motor paradigm that required them to clench and spread their hands contra- and ipsilateral to the tumor. Statistical cross-correlation functional maps covering the primary and secondary motor cortical areas were generated and overlaid onto high-resolution anatomical MR images. Intraoperative electrical cortical stimulation was performed to validate the presurgical fMR imaging findings. In nine (82%) of 11 patients, the anatomical fMR imaging localization of motor areas could be verified by intraoperative electrical cortical stimulation. In seven patients two or more activation sites were demonstrated on fMR imaging, which were considered a consequence of reorganization phenomena of the motor cortex: contralateral primary motor area (nine patients), contralateral premotor area (four patients), ipsilateral primary motor area (two patients), and ipsilateral premotor area (four patients). CONCLUSIONS: Functional MR imaging can be used to perform objective evaluation of motor function and surgical planning in patients who harbor lesions near or involving the primary motor cortex. Correlation between fMR imaging findings and the results of direct electrical brain stimulation is high, although not 100%. Based on their study, the authors believe that cortical reorganization patterns of motor areas might explain the differences in motor function and the diversity of postoperative motor function among patients with central tumors.

Adult↗

Aneurysm surgery in the acute stage: results of structured treatment.

To evaluate the results of a structured treatment approach to aneurysm surgery in the acute stage, 150 consecutive patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were studied, including 46 males and 104 females; World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grade I: 21 cases, II: 65, III: 41, IV: 23; day of operation < or = day 3: 103 cases, < or = day 7: 131. Patients underwent angiography on the day of admission or the next followed by surgery. The lamina terminalis and the membrane of Liliequest were routinely opened at surgery. The aneurysm neck was radically clipped after temporary clipping or trapping of the parent arteries. Intraoperative hemodynamic monitoring was used, and the craniotomies were closed without cisternal, epidural, or subgaleal drains. Nimodipine was given perioperatively (48 mg i.v./day for 10 to 14 days). Cases of symptomatic vasospasm were treated with selective intra-arterial administration of papaverine, sometimes combined with angioplasty. Outcome at discharge and 3 months later is good recovery in 61% and 75%, and death in 6% and 7%. The incidence of symptomatic vasospasm was 17%. Devastating vasospasms were observed in 5%. One-third of patients had mean flow velocities exceeding 120 cm/sec determined by transcranial Doppler sonography between days 4 and 14. Communicating hydrocephalus necessitating ventriculoperitoneal shunt occurred in 9%. Our results clearly show a favorable outcome compared with previous reports, especially with respect to the reduced occurrence of fatal vasospasm, hydrocephalus, and technical insufficiency.

Acute Disease↗

Improvement of cerebral oxygenation patterns and metabolic validation of superselective intraarterial infusion of papaverine for the treatment of cerebral vasospasm.

OBJECT: The purpose of the present study was to assess cerebral oxygenation patterns and brain lactate concentration changes before, during, and after intraarterial infusion of papaverine with or without balloon angioplasty in patients with symptomatic vasospasm. METHODS: A total of 23 vascular territories were successfully treated in 10 patients. In three patients balloon angioplasty was performed before the papaverine infusion. Continuous monitoring of jugular bulb vein oxygen saturation with a fiberoptic catheter and blood sampling allowed the assessment of the cerebral arteriovenous oxygen and lactate differences. A significant and rapid improvement in jugular bulb oxygen saturation was observed in all cases, with critical values reflecting an improvement in cerebral oxygenation after endovascular treatment of vasospasm (p = 0.005). Lactate concentration in the jugular bulb normalized within 4 hours in all patients who had evidence of brain lactic acidosis before superselective intraarterial infusion of papaverine. Recurrence of abnormal metabolic and oxygenation patterns were observed in one case in which an optimal hypertension and hypervolemic therapy could not be achieved after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in cerebral oxygenation as well as prevention of cerebral lactic acidosis can be successfully achieved after intraarterial infusion of papaverine. Normalization of the oxygen supply after endovascular treatment has to be supported by optimal and well-monitored hypertension and hypervolemic hemodilution.

Acidosis, Lactic↗

Radicular compression by gas in a spinal extra dural cyst. Report on two cases.

The authors describe two cases of secondary sciatica due to radicular compression by a gas containing cyst in the extra dural space. The diagnosis was realized with CT-Scan and magnetic resonance imaging. In both cases removal of the cyst provided relief. The pathogenesis of the presence of epidural gas is discussed and the literature reviewed.

Cysts↗

[Comparative study of efficacy of focal photocoagulation in diabetic macular edema according to the wave length used].

We have studied the efficacy of the different wavelengths in the treatment of focal macular edema of diabetic retinopathy. For this purpose, we evaluated the evolution of visual acuity and that of the eye fundus, six months after the treatment in 20 eyes of 20 patients treated with blue-green argon laser, in 20 eyes of 20 patients treated with monochromatic green argon laser and in 20 eyes of 20 patients treated with yellow dye laser. The best results were obtained in the group treated with yellow Dye laser after six months of follow-up (p less than or equal to 0.05). The efficacy on the reabsorption of exudates was similar for the three types of laser.

Argon↗

A dedicated animal model for mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have focused on mechanical thrombectomy as a means to reduce the time required for revascularization and increase the revascularization rate in acute stroke. To date no systematic evaluation has been made of the different mechanical devices in this novel and fast-developing field of endovascular interventions. To facilitate such evaluations, we developed a specific in vivo model for mechanical thrombectomy that allows visualization of dislocation or fragmentation of the thrombus during angiographic manipulation. METHODS: Angiography and embolization with a preformed thrombus was performed in 8 swine. The thrombus was generated by mixing 25 IU bovine thrombin and 10 mL autologous blood. For visualization during angiography, 1 g barium sulfate was added. RESULTS: The preformed thrombus exhibited mechanical stability, reproducibility, and high radiographic absorption, providing excellent visibility during angiography. The setting allowed selective embolization of targeted vessels without thrombus fragmentation. Despite the application of barium sulfate no local or systemic reaction occurred. Histologic evaluation revealed no intimal damage caused by the thrombus or contrast agent washout. CONCLUSION: The model presented here allows selective and reliable thromboembolization of vessels that reproduce the anatomic and hemodynamic situation in acute cerebrovascular stroke. It permits visualization of the thrombus during angiography and intervention, providing unique insight into the behavior of both thrombus and device, which is potentially useful in the development and evaluation of mechanical clot retrieval in acute cerebrovascular stroke.

Acute Disease↗