PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J N Higgins

Publications and source records attributed to J N Higgins.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Treatment of a direct carotid-cavernous fistula in a patient with type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: a novel approach.

We report a case of a 34-year-old female with type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome diagnosed with a carotid cavernous fistula presenting with progressive proptosis. Endovascular embolization using balloons or coils carries a high risk of complications in this group of patients, owing to the extreme fragility of the blood vessels. Initial treatment was conservative until an intracerebral haemorrhage occurred. To avoid transfemoral angiography, the ipsilateral carotid arteries and the internal jugular vein were surgically exposed for insertion of two endovascular sheaths. The patient was transferred from theatre to the angiography suite and the sheaths were used for embolization access. The fistula was closed, with preservation of the carotid artery, using Guglielmi detachable coils deployed in the cavernous sinus from the arterial and venous sides. Rapid resolution of symptoms and signs followed, which was sustained at 6-month follow-up. This technique offers alternative access for endovascular treatment, which may reduce the high incidence of mortality associated with catheter angiography in this condition.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Cranial venous outflow obstruction and pseudotumor Cerebri syndrome.

The pathophysiology of PTS including idiopathic intracranial hypertension or 'BIH', remains controversial. The older literature frequently referred to pathology in the cerebral venous drainage but more modern imaging techniques (CT and early MR) failed to reveal gross venous pathology. The role of impaired cranial venous outflow has recently been re-examined in the light of new methods of investigation (advanced MR venography and direct microcatheter venography with manometry) and of treatment (venous sinus stenting). Venous sinus obstruction in PTS is a more common factor in the pathogenesis of the condition than previously recognised. Venous obstruction may be primary, that is, it is the underlying aetiological factor in PTS. Venous sinus obstruction may also be secondary to raised CSF pressure which may exacerbate problems with intracranial compliance and raised CSF pressure. Early experience with venous stenting suggests that it may be a helpful treatment for patients with PTS but more experience and longer follow-up is required to define the subgroups of patients for whom it is most appropriate.

Cerebral Veins↗
PubMed1996

Intraosseous vertebral haemangioblastoma: MRI.

A 30-year-old man with low back pain and gradual onset of cord compression was found to have a highly vascular extradural tumour in the lower thoracic region. Involvement of the right pedicle and a large part of the body of T9 suggested a vertebral haemangioma, but histology revealed haemangioblastoma. One case of an intraosseous haemangioblastoma has been described previously; we present the features of another case shown by MRI and discuss the differentiation between haemangioma and haemangioblastoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Organising haematoma mimicking tumour on MRI following resection of acoustic neuroma.

We describe a 26-year-old woman in whom an enhancing, intradural extramedullary mass was found at the craniocervical junction on MRI 3 years after resection of a large acoustic neuroma. The radiological appearances suggested a new tumour, raising the possibility of neurofibromatosis 2, provoking a review of family members in an attempt to confirm the diagnosis, as well as further surgery. Histology of the lesion revealed an organising haematoma, with no evidence of malignancy. The imaging features can be explained by the process by which blood clot in the subarachnoid space is resorbed. Caution is advised in interpreting CT OR MRI after neurosurgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Technical report: the use of ultrasound in positioning a catheter for thrombolysis of an occluded prosthetic femoropopliteal graft.

A case is presented where ultrasound was used in guiding catheter placement prior to thrombolysis of an occluded femoropopliteal graft. Ultrasound guidance allowed safe but unorthodox manipulation of catheter and guide wire which meant that effective thrombolytic therapy could start immediately leading to a considerable reduction in the length of treatment.

Catheterization, Peripheral↗
PubMed1994

Rim calcification in primary liver cell carcinoma mimicking hydatid disease.

The case described is of a primary liver cell carcinoma (PLCC), which was initially misdiagnosed as hepatic hydatid disease. The computed tomographic appearances of hepatic hydatid disease are often characteristic although not specific. When supported by the clinical findings, however, they will probably not be confused with other liver masses. In this case the presence of peripheral rim calcification, commonly seen in hydatid disease but which has not been previously noted in PLCC, lead to an erroneous diagnosis.

Calcinosis↗
PubMed1993

Case report: soft tissue and perivisceral calcification occurring in an infant: a case of brown fat necrosis.

Fat necrosis is a well described cause of widespread subcutaneous calcification occurring in a young infant. In this condition the radiographic demonstration of soft tissue calcification is often dramatic but is clinically irrelevant since the diagnosis is usually evident without recourse to radiology. Visceral fat necrosis and calcification, in the absence of hypercalcaemia, have been reported occasionally in association with subcutaneous fat necrosis. We report a case with calcification largely confined to deep perivisceral sites without clinical signs of subcutaneous fat necrosis.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗
PubMed1993

Case report: computed tomography of generalized lymphangiomatosis and chylothorax.

The diagnosis of lymphangiomatosis can often be made on clinical grounds with the aid of plain radiography. In children with intractable chylothorax computed tomography (CT) of the thorax may reveal the presence of a mediastinal mass but frequently in lymphangiomatosis will not demonstrate any specific features. Abdominal CT, on the other hand, may suggest the diagnosis by the association with intraabdominal lymphangioma.

Child↗
PubMed1992

Generalized lymphangiomatosis and chylothorax in the pediatric age group.

Four patients with generalized lymphangiomatosis presenting with chylothoraces are described. All four had bone involvement, two had involvement of the spleen, and one of the pericardium. The diagnosis was confirmed by typical radiology, histology, and in three patients by immunohistochemistry. Treatment was mainly palliative. Three patients died within 1/2 to three years of presentation.

Bone Diseases↗
PubMed1983

Context utilization in young and old adults.

Two experiments examined adult age differences in the spontaneous use of context to study and retrieve information. Young and old adults were presented with a series of homographs (targets) that were paired with two context words which biased a specific meaning of the target. Recognition memory for targets was then tested by presenting them in the same context or removing or varying the context. In general, recognition decreased in both groups as the retrieval context became more dissimilar to the study context, suggesting that both young and old adults utilize context and that congruent study and retrieval information facilitates retrieval. However, it appeared that older primarily encoded general semantic information relating to the association between target and context, whereas younger adults encoded distinctive information about individual targets. Such encoding differences could account for observed age differences in false recognitions for lures in old contexts and correct recognitions for targets in new contexts.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cavernous sinus syndrome as the only manifestation of sarcoidosis.

We describe a 63-year-old Afro-Caribbean female who presented with complete ophthalmoplegia of the right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass in the cavernous sinus, which was pathologically confirmed as due to sarcoidosis. No clinical or laboratory evidence of sarcoidosis was found in any other organs. We believe this is the first reported case of an isolated cavernous sinus syndrome due to sarcoidosis and suggest that sarcoidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cavernous sinus syndromes even in the absence of systemic involvement of sarcoidosis.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗