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J L Zito

Publications and source records attributed to J L Zito.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Clinical-radiographic correlations within the first five hours of cerebral infarction.

Fifty patients, ages 54-79, with ischemic hemispheric strokes productive of hemiparesis, at a minimum, underwent standardized neurological evaluations, computed tomographic scanning and cerebral angiography (N = 38) or carotid ultrasound (N = 12) within 5 h of onset. A second scan was performed at 5-7 days. Clinical scores were not associated with a history of, or the presence of: hypertension, smoking or cardiac disease, including atrial fibrillation, nor with severe internal carotid artery stenosis or occlusion. Clinical scores were adversely affected by early scan abnormalities (especially mass effect), lesion size, intracranial arterial occlusions, elevated serum glucose levels and the subsequent development of hemorrhagic infarction. Glucose levels correlated with infarct size and the development of hemorrhagic infarction. Delayed intracranial arterial filling and collateral flow were associated with reduced infarct size but did not confer clinical protection. We believe that combining the initial glucose level and scan results has prognostic significance, and early angiography is valuable in characterizing infarct etiology and assessing clinical severity.

Aged

Computed tomographic-angiographic findings within the first five hours of cerebral infarction.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Modern management of acute stroke necessitates early diagnosis. To this end, we sought to delineate the radiographic features of focal hemispheric infarction within 5 hours of ictus. METHODS: Fifty patients, ages 54-79, with ischemic strokes productive of at least hemiparesis underwent computed tomographic scanning and cerebral angiography (n = 38) or carotid ultrasound (n = 12). Radiographic lesions were characterized for location, size, and pathophysiology. RESULTS: Acute abnormalities, hypodensity, and mass effect were seen in 56% of scans and confirmed on a second scan 5-7 days later. Intracranial angiographic abnormalities occurred in 61% of patients: arterial occlusions in 45% and delayed arterial filling in 16%. Hemorrhagic infarctions occurred in 26% of second scans and were associated with mass effect (100%) and arterial occlusions (89%). Infarcts with hemorrhagic transformation were larger on both scans than those without (p = 0.001). Of four patients with infarctions in watershed territories on the scans, two had middle cerebral artery occlusions on angiography, thereby questioning the specificity of such scan lesions to low-flow states. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that cerebral infarctions are often visible on early scans, but their locations may not be etiologically determinative. The infarcts associated with intracranial arterial occlusions (45%) were of thromboembolic origin, but, given current controversies as to the pathophysiology of lacunar and watershed infarctions, we cannot ascertain the etiology in the remainder. These findings are relevant to the new stroke therapies that require administration in the first hours after infarction.

Aged

Stroke in children.

Childhood stroke, although similar to adult stroke, is characterized by congenital and genetic causes. The evaluation and treatment of the child with stroke requires special considerations. Currently, drug therapy is untested and as a result, therapeutic interventions are problematic. Platelet antagonists are rational prophylactically; warfarin probably has a role in preventing cardiogenic embolus in the older child. However, chronic anticoagulation in the toddler is dangerous due to frequent trauma and is therefore relatively contraindicated. Vascular malformations are surgically repaired but alternative therapies, including radiation and embolization, may be used for inoperable lesions. Aneurysms are primarily surgical lesions. Newer imaging modalities will clarify the pathophysiologic picture and improve treatment.

Brain

Computerized volume measurement of brain structure.

Morphometric analysis of brain structures recently has become a main focus of interest in studies of some neuropsychiatric diseases. Limitations in imaging and mensuration methodology that is available currently for quantitative measurement of anatomic structures have prompted the development of a computerized system to study brain morphometry. A menudriven semi-automated computer system has been developed to assess in vivo brain morphometry using three-dimensional (3-D) magnetic resonance (MR), gradient echo, contiguous images of the whole brain. Accuracy of the system was tested with phantoms creating white on black contrast to simulate the brain tissue surrounded by subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and a second set of phantoms creating black on white contrast to simulate the ventricular system in the brain tissue. The first set of phantoms was composed of three water-filled balloons (spherical, elliptical, and multiform) and a fresh postmortem brain. The second set of phantoms consisted of three rods of different diameters from a simple geometric plexiglass rod phantom and a life size cast of a human ventricular phantom. System accuracy was generally within 2.0% of the true volumes. System reliability was evaluated in three patient populations; 12 patients with Alzheimer's disease, nine with schizophrenia and nine healthy controls age-matched to the patients with Alzheimer's disease. Two independent observers measured the ventricular systems of these patients. Reliability of the system was addressed by the correlation between the two sets of measurements. For the sample as a whole, and each of the subgroups, the correlation between the two observers was 0.99. This system compares favorably with other morphometric methods reported.

Cerebral Ventricles

CT sialography: utilising acinar filling.

The technique of computed tomographic sialography (CTS) has been demonstrated to be valuable in the diagnosis of masses of the major salivary glands. Forty-one CT sialograms were performed in 35 patients using acinar glandular filling with oily contrast material. Twenty-two mass lesions and seven cases of inflammatory disease were identified. There were two instances of mild parotitis following the procedure. CTS performed with this technique was found to be a safe, accurate method for evaluating salivary gland masses.

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