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Biomedical subjects

K Ringel

Publications and source records attributed to K Ringel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Ex vivo study of the physical effect of coils on pressure and flow dynamics in experimental aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recent experimental studies and a few case reports reveal that coiling may not lead to permanent occlusion of aneurysms by an organized thrombus. Therefore, biologic long-term prognosis seems to be doubtful, and the physical effect of coils may be important. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical effect of coils on pressure and flow dynamics in aneurysms. METHODS: Bifurcation aneurysms were created in eight rabbits, explanted after 3 weeks, and tested in a model with pulsatile perfusion with 0.9% saline and heparinized blood. Before and after densely packing with coils, systemic and intraaneurysmal pressure, aneurysmal pulsation, and impact measurements were recorded. RESULTS: The peak and shape of the pressure waves in the aneurysm and in the delivery system were not significantly different before and after coiling. Under physiological intraaneurysmal pressure (while being perfused with saline), significant reduction (P = .022) of aneurysmal wall pulsation after coil embolization was noted. Overall, the aneurysmal impact on surrounding structures was statistically unchanged after coiling. However, in a few cases, after coil embolization, the observed increase of impact was more than doubled compared with the original values before coiling. CONCLUSION: Coils do not physically affect intraaneurysmal pressure. After coiling, there is no significant reduction of flow rates through the aneurysm and no reduction of aneurysmal impact, but aneurysmal wall pulsation may be decreased.

Animals↗

Isolated superior oblique palsies with brainstem lesions.

Isolated unilateral superior oblique palsies resulting from brainstem lesions occurred in three patients. MRI documented contralateral tegmental lesions of the trochlear nucleus and adjacent intraaxial trochlear nerve. Lacunar infarct was the cause in two patients and a small hemorrhage in a third.

Aged↗

The role of endoscopy in the treatment of acute traumatic anterior epidural hematoma of the cervical spine: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Epidural hematoma (EDH) of the spine represents an uncommon neurosurgical disorder that sometimes requires emergent surgical decompressive therapy. Traumatic EDH of the cervical spine is exceedingly rare. The hematoma is usually located dorsally in the epidural space. We present one case of acute EDH located ventrally in the cervical spine. Special emphasis is placed on the role of spinal endoscopy in surgical treatment. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: After a fall from a tree, a 69-year-old man with rapidly increasing tetraparesis was referred to our institution. Plain films of the cervical spine revealed nothing abnormal. The results of computed tomography were highly suspicious for EDH. A myelogram and a post-myelographic computed tomographic scan demonstrated the lesion and its extent craniocaudally. INTERVENTION: Emergency decompressive surgery and removal of the hematoma were performed via an anterior approach. Control for total removal of the EDH was achieved using a flexible neuroendoscope providing visualization of the anterior epidural space from the foramen magnum to the T1 level. Surgery was accomplished by vertebral body replacement and anterior plating. CONCLUSION: Spinal endoscopy seems to be a useful tool in the surgical treatment of spinal EDH, providing control of the adjacent levels and allowing the limitation of the extent of bony resection.

Aged↗

Isolated cranial nerve palsies in multiple sclerosis.

During a 10 year period 24 patients with definite multiple sclerosis with isolated cranial nerve palsies were studied (third and fourth nerve: one patient each, sixth nerve: 12 patients, seventh nerve: three patients, eighth nerve: seven patients), in whom cranial nerve palsies were the presenting sign in 14 and the only clinical sign of an exacerbation in 10 patients. MRI was carried out in 20 patients and substantiated corresponding brainstem lesions in seven patients (third nerve: one patient, sixth nerve: four patients, eighth nerve: two patients). Additional abnormal findings of electro-oculography, or masseter reflex, or blink reflex, or combinations of these were found in 20 patients and interpreted in favour of a brainstem lesion at the level of the respective cranial nerve. In 11 of 14 patients with isolated cranial nerve palsies as the presenting sign of multiple sclerosis, dissemination in space was documented by MRI, and in the remaining three by evoked potentials. In patients with multiple sclerosis with isolated cranial nerve palsies, MRI is the most sensitive method of documenting dissemination in space and electrophysiological testing the most sensitive at disclosing brainstem lesions.

Adult↗

[The role of color duplex ultrasound in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of carotid body tumors].

BACKGROUND: Currently the diagnosis of tumorous lesions of the carotid bifurcation is the domain of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). So far, colour Doppler imaging (CDI) has not been playing an important part in this field. The aim of this study was to define the diagnostic value of CDI in the evaluation of these tumours related to the big arteries and to compare the different imaging techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 6 female patients with suspected tumours of the carotid bifurcation were examined with CDI. Additionally 5 MRI examinations and 3 preoperative diagnostic DSA examinations were performed in the same patients. Pathologically, there were 4 typical carotid body tumours, 1 neuroma of the sympathetic trunk and 1 multifocal paraganglioma of the neck. RESULTS: In carotid body tumours we found a characteristic broadening of the bifurcation with shifting of the internal carotid artery posteriorly and laterally and of the external carotid artery anteriorly and medially. The highly vascularized tumour is surrounded by the arteries. This combination of ultrasound findings was absent in cases of sympathetic neuroma and multifocal paraganglioma. No additional information was achieved with MRI and DSA. CONCLUSION: CDI and MRI evaluation revealed the same diagnostic value in cases of vascularised tumours of the carotid bifurcation. CDI proved to be as accurate as DSA in the imaging of the big arteries and their relationship to the tumour, as well as of the small tumour feeding vessels. Therefore DSA may be omitted as an invasive diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of carotid body tumours.

Adult↗

Marital functioning after cardiac surgery.

Using Barnhill's components of family health functioning, we examined the relationships of spouse anxiety, coping methods, couple responsibility for compliance, and reported compliance with marital couple functioning. Five psychosocial scales were returned by mail by 136 Mended Heart members and spouses from five geographic regions. By multiple regression analysis, confrontive coping strategies and spouse trait anxiety were the two factors predictive of couple marital functioning. When marital functioning scores were examined separately, spouses' confrontive behaviors and patient reported compliance for diet, stress, and smoking prescriptions were predictive of both spouse and patient marital functioning. In addition, spouse marital functioning was predicted by state anxiety and patient compliance, and patient marital functioning by compliance and shared responsibility for compliance. Further studies should evaluate spouse inclusion in rehabilitation programs during hospitalization and convalescence and examine interactional strategies that facilitate confrontive behaviors and patient compliance to promote couple marital functioning after the cardiac event.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

[Cauda equina syndrome in ankylosing spondylitis].

A 55-year-old man who has had ankylosing spondylitis for over 20 years developed gradually increasing pain and sensory disorders in the legs, as well as mild foot and toe elevator weakness. There was no evidence of inflammatory activity. Clinical, neurophysiological and neuroradiological examination revealed a cauda equina syndrome as a late complication of ankylosing spondylitis. There is no known causal treatment.

Cauda Equina↗

A double-blind study comparing the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of ioversol 320 and iopamidol-300 in cerebral angiography.

Ioversol is a new nonionic, triiodinated, water-soluble contrast medium. In a controlled double-blind study, ioversol 320 versus iopamidol-300 was tested on 60 patients in cerebral angiography. The safety of the contrast medium, the general and local tolerance, as well as the contrast quality were tested. In this study, ioversol 320 displayed no differences from iopamidol-300 in terms of contrast quality, neurologic status, and liver and kidney tolerance. In the local tolerance test, patients receiving ioversol 320 perceived significantly less heat than patients receiving iopamidol-300 when all injections were considered.

Adult↗

Iotrolan versus iopamidol: a controlled, multicenter, double-blind study of lumbar and direct cervical myelography.

Iotrolan is a new nonionic, dimeric contrast medium that is distinguished by its special physicochemical and low chemotoxic properties. It displays near isotonicity with blood and cerebrospinal fluid in all clinically used concentrations (190, 240, and 300 mg I/ml). The controlled, double-blind study of iotrolan versus iopamidol presented here shows that iotrolan is significantly superior to the monomeric contrast medium in lumbar and direct cervical myelography. Use of the dimeric contrast medium reduced not only the incidence of side effects, but also their severity and duration. The chemotoxicity of contrast media commonly used was significantly less with iotrolan in all neuroradiologic diagnostic studies of the spine. The diagnostic quality of lumbar and direct cervical myelography with iotrolan was high. In this randomized, double-blind study versus iopamidol, iotrolan proved to be the safer and better myelographic agent for contrast studies of the spinal canal.

Adolescent↗

Personal adjustments and regimen compliance 1 year after myocardial infarction.

The relationship of attitudes and perceived beliefs of others to regimen compliance and personal psychologic and social adjustments of patients with myocardial infarction was investigated 1 year after the infarction. Eighty-one patients (39 in the experimental group, 42 in the control group) who participated in a prior study on the effect of a nursing intervention on regimen compliance, completed scales that assessed attitudes toward regimen prescriptions (diet, medications, activity, smoking, and stress response), perceived beliefs of others concerning compliance, personal adjustments, and regimen compliance. At 1 year, no differences were found between experimental and control groups for regimen compliance or personal adjustments. There was a significant decrease in mean scores for all variables from the time the patient was in the hospital to 30 days afterward, but no change at 1 year from the 30- or 60-day visit. At 1 year, attitudes were predictive of compliance for all regimen prescriptions. Perceived beliefs of others were predictive of diet, activity, and medication prescriptions.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Life situations, health beliefs, and medical regimen adherence of patients with myocardial infarction.

One hundred twelve patients with MI were followed over a 6- to 9-month period to investigate their intentions and adherence behavior to a prescribed medical regimen in four life situations. The subjects with MI had strong intentions in the hospital to follow their prescription in all four situations, with the strongest for the home situation and the weakest for work. However, the actual adherence behaviors were less than the original intentions. The findings indicate the need for a review of the content of rehabilitation programs and consideration of the stage of recovery at which instructions are presented to patients rehabilitating from a MI. The intentions and adherence behaviors of subjects with MI were closely related to their perceptions of significant others' expectations. For the health team, this emphasizes the need to include significant others in patient rehabilitation.

Adult↗

Sinusoidal and postsinusoidal vascular systems in liver cirrhosis.

The morphology of the sinusoidal and postsinusoidal hepatic vein system in liver cirrhosis is shown by postmortem venography, microangiography and micropreparation. The normal angioarchitecture of the sinusoidal and hepatic vein system in lost in cirrhotic alteration of the liver. The hepatic veins are partly stenosed and displaced. Regenerate nodules, pseudolobules and extremely vascularized connective tissue septa, characterize the venous parenchymogram and microangiogram. The size of the regenerate nodules corresponds well to a granulomatous contrast of the parenchyma. The disordered intrahepatic angioarchitecture has clinical significance for hemodynamics and hepatic venous pressure measurement.

Fatty Liver↗

[A comparative study between postmortem venography and the pathological anatomy of the liver (author's transl)].

A barium sulphate-gelatine mixture was injected into the veins in the left lobe of 50 human livers which were then x-rayed. The radiographs were compared with the pathological and anatomical findings and enlargements were studied and compared with the histology. A correlation was found between the venogram and the macroscopic and microscopic changes, particularly in various forms of cirrhosis of the liver. The scope and limitations of hepatic venography were studied with respect to solitary and diffuse liver metastase.

Hepatic Veins↗