PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Vassilouthis

Publications and source records attributed to J Vassilouthis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Magnetic resonance angiography demonstration of an angiographically occult anterior communicating artery aneurysm.

In almost one in six patients with spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) no lesion responsible for the bleed will be found by cerebral angiography. Current management strategies include repeat cerebral angiography after a period of 1-8 weeks during which a number of these patients will rebleed with considerable morbidity and even mortality. We report the case of a young female patient with spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage. Brain computed tomography (CT) demonstrated blood mainly in the basal frontal interhemispheric fissure suggesting the presence of an anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysm. Cerebral angiography was negative. Magnetic resonance (MR) angiography performed the same day showed a small aneurysm arising from the posterior wall of the ACoA. This was confirmed at surgery. It is suggested that MR angiography, guided by the CT findings, probably has a place in the management of patients with SAH of "unknown aetiology" before repeat catheter angiography is undertaken.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Acute subarachnoid haemorrhage: detection with magnetic resonance imaging.

The purpose of this study was the evaluation of fluid attenuated turbo inversion recovery (FLAT TIRE) MR pulse sequence for detecting acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Seven patients with SAH were studied within 6 days of ictus. Six of them underwent both CT and MRI and one MRI only. Pulse sequences included T1 spin echo (SE), PD and T2 turbo spin echo (TSE) and FLAT TIRE (TR/TI/TE = 6500/1800/140-180). All studies were performed on a 0.5 T system (Gyroscan T5, Philips Medical Systems). Simulated acute SAH was also studied with MRI. The FLAT TIRE sequence was better than the SE and TSE in all seven cases and better than CT in two cases. In two cases MRI was equivalent to CT, and in another two MRI underestimated the extent of SAH. The simulated acute SAH could be detected easily with the FLAT TIRE sequence, with difficulty on the T1 weighted images and not at all on the PD/T2 weighted images. The specific FLAT TIRE sequence used seems promising for the detection of acute SAH.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

Case report: sclerotic skeletal haemangiomatosis presenting with spinal cord compression--CT and MRI findings.

We report the case of a 59-year-old man with skeletal haemangiomatosis who presented with progressive bilateral lower extremity weakness. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) located the causative lesion in the neural arch of the T4 vertebra. CT demonstrated osseous expansion with a mixed lytic and sclerotic pattern. MRI of the lesion showed hypointensity on T1 weighted images, mixed signal intensity on T2 weighted images and moderate contrast enhancement. Similar but less extensive lesions were present in other vertebrae as well as ribs.

Hemangioma↗
PubMed1994

Thecoperitoneal shunt for post-traumatic syringomyelia.

A case of post-traumatic syringomyelia developing two years after spinal cord injury is presented. The patient was treated with the placement of a thecoperitoneal shunt incorporating a low pressure valve. Response was excellent with restoration of neurological function and almost complete collapse of the cavity at one year follow up. The rationale of this form of treatment is discussed in the light of recent evidence concerning the pathogenesis of the condition.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Thecoperitoneal shunt for syringomyelia: report of three cases.

During 8 months, three consecutive cases of syringomyelia were treated by the placement of thecoperitoneal shunts. In the first two patients, the cord cavitation was idiopathic in one and thought to be related to spinal trauma in the other. In the third case, there was associated anomaly of the craniocervical junction of the Chiari I type. Surgery was followed by clinical improvement in all patients. Postoperative magnetic resonance images showed definite diminution of the syringomyelic cavity. The results of treatment seem to support the use of the technique as a primary treatment of syringomyelia associated with progressive myelopathy.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The symptomatic incompetent cervical intervertebral disc.

A series of 16 patients with symptoms such as pain in the neck, occiput, shoulder and arm; numbness in the hands; and/or difficulty in walking, is described. Neurological examination of the upper extremities disclosed signs of nerve roots dysfunction in 5 patients and long tract signs in 12, whereas examination of the lower extremities disclosed long tract signs in every patient. Positive contrast cervical myelograms suggested mild posterior bulging of one or two intervertebral discs in every patient, but computed tomographic myelograms invariably demonstrated a coincident narrow cervical spinal canal, thus revealing the true compressive potential of the aforementioned mild disc protrusion on the spinal cord. All patients underwent anterior cervical microdiscectomy of the offending disc or discs, which were found to be degenerated. No case of frank rupture of the anulus was identified. Response to treatment was graded as excellent in 12 patients, who had complete relief of symptoms, and good in 4 patients, who had mild residual complaints. This study suggests that incompetence (bulging) of a cervical intervertebral disc may acquire important clinical significance in the presence of a narrow spinal canal by compressing the spinal cord and the corresponding nerve roots. Surgical removal of the diseased disc may result in restoration of neurological function.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

The syndrome of normal-pressure hydrocephalus.

A series of 40 patients with the syndrome of normal-pressure hydrocephalus is presented. Diagnosis was based on clinical and computerized tomography (CT) scan criteria and was followed by the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in every instance. All patients responded favorably to treatment (four of them had a fair outcome), and this response was maintained. There was one postoperative death, but no other serious complications. This study demonstrates that it is possible to diagnose the syndrome of normal-pressure hydrocephalus on the basis of clinical and CT scan criteria without any other invasive investigations. Such patients should respond favorably to an adequately functioning shunting system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Subfrontal schwannoma. Report of a case.

A case of subfrontal Schwannoma in a 17-year-old patient is reported. The tumour presented with symptoms and signs of increased intracranial pressure. The pre-operative diagnosis, based on the CT scan appearances, was that of a meningioma. The pertinent literature is reviewed.

Adolescent↗