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Biomedical subjects

M Hadani

Publications and source records attributed to M Hadani.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Traumatic intratumoral hemorrhage as the presenting symptom of a spinal neurinoma. Case report.

Intratumoral hemorrhage as the presenting symptom of spinal tumors is rare. The authors describe a patient who presented with rapidly progressing paraplegia 24 hours after sustaining a minor traumatic injury of the thoracic spine. Radiological evaluation demonstrated a low-thoracic intradural tumor that was resected and found to be a neurinoma in which severe intra- and peritumoral hemorrhage was revealed. The radiological, surgical, and pathological findings are presented and discussed.

Accidental Falls↗

Application of transcranial doppler ultrasonography for the diagnosis of brain death.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical validity of transcranial Doppler ultrasonographic (TCD) signs of total cerebral circulatory arrest for confirmation of brain death and to define the test protocol. DESIGN: Study of a diagnostic test. SETTING: General and neurosurgery intensive care units. PATIENTS: 137 patients in a coma (Glasgow Coma Score 3-5), caused by various pathological conditions, observed from January 1992 to July 1998. 84 patients met the clinical criteria of brain death; 43 patients out of 137 received sedative drug therapy and 31 of these developed brain death. RESULTS: Total cerebral circulatory arrest was demonstrated by TCD in 81 patients. All of them proved to be brain dead according to subsequent clinical examination In 29 of 31 patients who had received sedative drug therapy TCD examination showed total cerebral circulatory arrest 12-48 h before the formal confirmation of the diagnosis. In 1 out of 84 clinically brain dead patients a false negative result was obtained. In 2 of 84 cases, no clear signals from intracranial vessels were obtainable. Fifty-three patients who did not meet the clinical criteria for brain death showed no TCD signs of total cerebral circulatory arrest. The specificity of the TCD test for confirmation of brain death was 100 % and the sensitivity 96.5 %. CONCLUSIONS: In agreement with previously published data, we conclude that TCD ultrasonography is a highly specific and sensitive confirmatory test and should be included as an additional test in the protocol for the assessment of brain death.

Adolescent↗

Ultrasound in pituitary tumor surgery.

Transsphenoidal microsurgery for pituitary tumors is practiced routinely by neurosurgeons with satisfactory results. However, in many cases the surgeon encounters difficulties in assessing the extent of resection achieved in large macroadenomas or in the intraoperative localization of microadenomas. Ultrasound has been routinely used for preoperative and intraoperative diagnostic purposes in a variety of surgical procedures, including in neurosurgery. However, until recently, its use as a diagnostic tool during pituitary surgery has not been evaluated. We review two new imaging modalities that use ultrasound during transsphenoidal surgery; transcranial doppler ultrasonography for resection of large pituitary macroadenomas, and transsphenoidal intraoperative ultrasound for the localization and targeted resection of pituitary microadenomas. These ultrasound-based techniques may assist the surgeon in determining the extent of tumor resection in large adenomas, in localizing small adenomas that may not be visualized on preoperative MRI scans, and perhaps, in enhancing the safety of transsphenoidal exploration of the pituitary.

Adenoma↗

Potential repair of rat spinal cord injuries using stimulated homologous macrophages.

The failure of the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) to regenerate after injury has long been viewed as a unique phenomenon resulting from the specific nature of this system. The finding that some CNS axons could be induced to regrow if provided with a permissive environment suggested that this failure is a result, at least in part, of the nature of the postinjury neuronal environment. It was further shown that the involvement of inflammatory cells, particularly macrophages, in postinjury processes in the CNS is limited. We have suggested that, to achieve recovery after injury, the adult mammalian CNS may require the assistance of the same postinjury factors as those involved in the recovery of spontaneously regenerating systems but that its accessibility to such assistance is restricted. Accordingly, we proposed that it might be possible to circumvent the restriction, allowing regeneration to occur. We showed that the implantation of autologous macrophages, which had been prestimulated by exposure to a regenerative (sciatic) nerve, into completely transected spinal cords of adult rats led to partial motor recovery. This treatment intervenes in the postinjury process by simulating in the axotomized CNS the events that occur naturally in spontaneously regenerating systems.

Animals↗

Implantation of stimulated homologous macrophages results in partial recovery of paraplegic rats.

Postinjury recovery in most tissues requires an effective dialog with macrophages; however, in the mammalian central nervous system, this dialog may be restricted (possibly due to its immune-privileged status), which probably contributes to its regeneration failure. We circumvented this by implanting macrophages, pre-exposed ex vivo to peripheral nerve segments, into transected rat spinal cord. This stimulated tissue repair and partial recovery of motor function, manifested behaviorally by movement of hind limbs, plantar placement of the paws and weight support, and electrophysiologically by cortically evoked hind-limb muscle response. We substantiated these findings immunohistochemically by demonstrating continuity of labeled nerve fibers across the transected site, and by tracing descending fibers distally to it by anterograde labeling. In recovered rats, retransection of the cord above the primary transection site led to loss of recovery, indicating the involvement of long descending spinal tracts. Injection of macrophages into the site of injury is relatively non-invasive and, as the cells are autologous, it may be developed into a clinical therapy.

Animals↗

Transcranial Doppler in vertebrobasilar vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to assess the incidence of vertebrobasilar vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) by means of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography and to evaluate the clinical significance of this phenomenon. The secondary objective was to analyze the different factors influencing the development, the severity, and the duration of vertebrobasilar vasospasm. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with traumatic SAH and 44 patients with spontaneous SAH were evaluated and monitored by means of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Vasospasm of the anterior and middle cerebral arteries was defined by mean flow velocities (FVs) exceeding 120 cm per second and at least three times the FV of the internal carotid artery. Vasospasm of the basilar and vertebral arteries was defined by a mean FV exceeding 60 cm per second. RESULTS: Vasospasm of the anterior or middle cerebral arteries was found in 27 patients and was associated with vertebrobasilar spasm in 20 patients. FVs in anterior circulation vessels were neither related to the cause of the SAH nor did they correlate with the outcome. Forty-six patients (45.5%) had FVs exceeding 60 cm per second and 25 (24.8%) had FVs exceeding 85 cm per second. In 10 of these patients, direct or computed tomographic angiography showed arterial narrowing involving the vertebrobasilar system, whereas in 21 more patients, computed tomography disclosed a cerebral infarction involving the vertebrobasilar vascular territory. Vertebral artery FVs in this group were twice that of the ipsilateral carotid artery. Vertebrobasilar vasospasm was significantly more frequent after head injury, although it was not related to the type of intracranial lesion or the Glasgow Coma Scale score at admission. It did correlate, however, with outcome (P < 0.0001) and with the intensity of SAH (P < 0.0001). Delayed neurological deterioration occurred in 14 patients and was significantly more frequent in patients with basilar artery FVs above 85 cm per second (P < 0.001). Prognosis, however, could not be reliably predicted by FVs in the basilar artery, even when an FV of 110 cm per second was chosen for prediction criterion. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that vertebrobasilar vasospasm is more common than previously thought, especially in association with head injury, with which it may significantly contribute to brain stem ischemic lesions and therefore justify specific therapeutic measures.

Adolescent↗

Fluctuating hyper-hypocortisolaemia: a variant of Cushing's syndrome.

We present a patient with severe Cushing's syndrome secondary to an invasive pituitary tumour. Cortisol secretion fluctuated between severe hypercortisolaemia associated with features of Cushing's syndrome to recurrent symptomatic hypocortisolaemia. Normal ACTH precursors to ACTH ratio during the various stages of cortisol secretion indicated that periodic decreased prohormone processing did not contribute to the unique presentation in the patient. Thus, the the extreme fluctuations of plasma cortisol levels are most probably due to unexplained erratic changes of ACTH secretion.

Adenoma↗

Transiently increased basilar artery flow velocity following severe head injury: a time course transcranial Doppler study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography has been used to study changes in cerebral hemodynamics following head injury. However, most studies evaluated the anterior circulation and little information exists on transcranial Doppler of the vertebrobasilar arteries after head injury. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score between 4-8 and 11 patients with a GCS score between 9-14 were studied using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography for the first 10 days after injury. Daily variations in the mean blood flow velocities of all major cerebral arteries were recorded. RESULTS: In patients with GCS score between 4-8, the mean blood flow velocities in the middle cerebral and basilar arteries gradually increased beginning on day 2 postinjury and peaked on the 4th-5th day after injury. Those changes were more prominent, and appeared earlier, in the basilar artery. The ratio between the mean flow velocities of the middle cerebral artery and the basilar artery during the first 4 days was significantly lower than in normal controls, indicating a particular increase of flow velocity in the basilar artery. Nineteen out of 32 patients (60%) with severe head injury showed mean blood flow velocity increased over 75 cm/sec in the basilar artery. Mean blood flow velocity >90 cm/sec in the basilar artery, compatible with vasospasm, was observed in 12 of 32 patients (37%). Spasm in the middle cerebral artery was observed in 12 (37%) of patients; 10 of them also had evidence of basilar artery spasm. On the whole, 14 of 32 (43%) patients had evidence of spasm either in the middle cerebral or basilar arteries or in both. In 5 of 11 patients (50%) with moderate head injury (GCS score 9-14), blood flow velocity in the basilar artery greater than 75 cm/sec was observed, but in only two of them it reached the values over 90 cm/sec. Vasospasm in the middle cerebral artery was noted in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of patients develop increased flow velocities compatible with vasospasm in the basilar artery after severe head injury. This phenomenon may represent an additional factor that contributes to the poor outcome of severely head-injured patients.

Adolescent↗

A pituitary mass and hypopituitarism: improvement after corticosteroid therapy.

Lymphocytic hypophysitis of the anterior pituitary is a rare autoimmune disease, invariably diagnosed either by surgical biopsy of the adenohypophysis or at autopsy. The current report describes the rapid development of hypopituitarism in a 42-year-old nulliparous woman with a large sellar mass, who did not undergo pituitary surgery. Transient regression of the sellar mass and partial improvement of the hypopituitarism was induced by treatment with corticoids. We suggest that the diagnosis of lymphocytic hypophysitis can be established clinically and that conservative treatment with corticoids should be considered prior to surgical intervention.

Adult↗

Pediatric craniocerebral wounds from plastic bullets: prognostic implications, course, and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience with craniocerebral injuries caused by plastic bullets, and to delineate prognostic factors for outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective case series of 29 patients presenting with plastic bullet-induced craniocerebral lesions. SETTING: Pediatric intensive care department of a tertiary care center. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Outcome was poor in 10 patients, good in 11, and two and six patients were moderately and severely disabled, respectively. Statistical analysis showed prognostic significance of the admission Glasgow Coma Scale score, computed tomographic findings of intraventricular hemorrhage and midline shift, and metabolic studies including hypokalemia and hyperglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: Plastic bullet-induced craniocerebral injuries carry a lower morbidity and mortality rate compared with other gunshot wounds. However, plastic bullets do incur a significant risk of injury. Their use should be carefully regulated.

Adolescent↗

Prolactinoma in 53 men: clinical characteristics and modes of treatment (male prolactinoma).

The data of 53 men treated for hyperprolactinemia were reviewed retrospectively to determine the efficacy of the medical and surgical treatment. The clinical assessment, radiological and neuro-ophthalmological investigations and hormonal measurements were performed before treatment as well as during the follow-up period. Imaging evaluation included computed tomography and/or nuclear magnetic resonance of the pituitary. The hormonal profile examined was PRL, FSH, LH and testosterone, as well as TSH, T4, T3 and cortisol. Thirty patients were treated solely by dopamine agonists (DA), twenty-two men had pituitary surgery in addition to DA treatment, and one patient was operated with no need for medical treatment. Decreased sexual function was the most frequent presenting symptom (85% of the men). Most of the patients had large invasive macroadenomas, with suprasellar extension. More than 40% had visual field defects. Baseline PRL (mean +/- SE) was 51,842 +/- 9,292 mU/L and decreased to a level below 575 mU/L in 70% of the patients after DA therapy. Mean testosterone, FSH, and LH levels increased slightly but significantly from the low baseline values. Complete clinical response to DA was achieved in 49% of the men and the tumor mass disappeared entirely in 21%, and incompletely in 42%. The surgical success rate (transsphenoidal or trans-cranial operation) was low--only one of the 23 patients operated recovered completely, and most of the patients were left with hormonal deficits and hyperprolactinemia. These findings indicate that continuous medical treatment with DA should be the preferred mode of treatment for male prolactinomas. Removal of these large tumors is recommended only when the tumors are life-threatening or if drug resistance or severe adverse reactions to DA develop.

Adolescent↗

Ependymoblastoma in an HIV-positive hemophilic girl.

A case of an HIV-positive hemophilic girl with an ependymoblastoma is presented. The unusual association between the HIV-related condition and her brain tumor is discussed, speculating a viral mechanism involved in the induction of neoplasia.

Adolescent↗

Silicon prevents post laminectomy epidural root adhesions. An experimental study in rats.

An experimental study was designed to test the efficacy of a silicon barrier around a nerve root in order to prevent post operative epidural root scar adhesions. In 32 Sprague-Dawley rats a lumbar nerve root was microsurgically exposed bilaterally. In 16 animals a silicon tube, prepared with a longitudinal cut along half of its wall, was placed around one nerve root, while the contralateral side served as control. In another group of 12 animals, an autologous subcutaneous fat graft was placed on the exposed root. A group of 4 animals served as the control group which had not been operated upon. No post operative neurological deficit was observed in any of the animals. All animals were sacrificed 60 days after the operation and a block of tissue including the nerve roots were resected bilaterally without removal of the silicon or fat graft. Longitudinal and transverse cuts of the roots were stained with Haematoxilin and Eosin and with Masson's trichrome collagen stain. The roots in the "unoperated" control group were clean of any scar tissue. In 13 out of 16 animals, silicon prevented scar formation around the root as opposed to scar adhesions around control root on the contralateral side and as compared to unoperated roots. In the silicon group, adhesions penetrated only through the longitudinal narrow cut edge of the tube. Fat did not prevent adhesions in 11 out of 12 animals. We conclude that a silicon barrier is an effective method preventing post operative epidural root scarring in rats.

Animals↗

Continuous irrigation-drainage of the subdural space for the treatment of chronic subdural haematoma. A prospective clinical trial.

Thirty seven adult patients which chronic subdural haematoma were randomized into two groups. Eighteen patients served as controls and underwent evacuation of the haematoma via burr holes and a gravity dependent closed-system drainage. Nineteen patients comprised the study group. These patients had a continuous irrigation-drainage system installed in an attempt to facilitate the removal of fibrinolytic substances present in the haematoma fluid and to try to reduce the rate of rebleeding from the haematoma membranes. No differences were found between the pre- and post-operative clinical status, haematoma volumes and the degree of CT changes between the two groups. The complication rate was similar in the two groups. One patient in the study group and three patients in the control group required an extended period of drainage (24-48 hours) prior to the removal of the drains. All patients improved following the procedures. Within 30 days post the initial evacuation of the chronic subdural haematoma, re-operation was required in only one patient in the study group as opposed to four of the controls. This difference was not however statistically significant. When the need for re-operation was combined with the need for extended drainage period, a significant difference was shown in favour of the study group. These results indicate that drainage combined with continuous irrigation of the subdural space does not affect the clinical outcome of the patients, but significantly reduces the frequency of inadequate drainage of the haematoma and prevents longer drainage periods and repeated operations.

Aged↗

Intracerebral hemorrhage in an infant with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: approach to the surgical management.

We describe a 21-month-old female infant with severe idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), who presented in coma with signs of cerebral herniation. CT scan revealed a right temporo-parietal intracerebral hemorrhage. The patient underwent immediate craniotomy and the hematoma was drained. Marked improvement in her neurological status, as well as postoperative resolution of the intracranial hemorrhage, were noted. Three months after the operation she recovered from the ITP. We emphasize the option of performing craniotomy without splenectomy in ITP infant patients.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗

The anterior cervical approach for traumatic injuries to the cervical spine in children.

In most cases of traumatic cervical spine injuries in children, nonoperative treatment, mainly external stabilization, is sufficient. When operative treatment is chosen, surgeons often recommend posterior stabilization. In a subset of pediatric patients, the anterior approach is indicated. The anterior operative approach was employed in six children three to 14 years of age who sustained trauma to the cervical spine. The injuries included severe hyperflexion injury with crush fracture and avulsion of the vertebral body, fracture-dislocation of the vertebral body with involvement of the posterior elements and the disk, and injuries that caused major anatomic deformity of the cervical spine with cord compression. Anterior decompression with bony fusion led to normal anatomic alignment with neurologic improvement in all patients. Follow-up evaluation as long as eight years showed solid fusion and remodeling of the bone grafts. The anterior approach should be used more frequently as the surgical procedure of choice in children with traumatic lesions of the cervical spine. The anterior approach provided direct visualization of the lesion, which enabled effective repair and stabilization, early ambulation with minimal morbidity, and significant long-term neurologic improvement.

Adolescent↗

Fetal cortical cells survive in focal cerebral infarct after permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in adult rats.

Fetal rat cortical cells have been shown previously to survive at the periphery of cerebral infarction. The present study was designed to examine the ability of fetal cells to survive at the edge of the central core of ischemia. In three groups of 8 adult Sprague-Dawley rats, fetal cortical cells from ED 16 were stereotactically transplanted at 3 h, 24 h, and 7 days after unilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion. In 6 rats, fetal cells were transplanted by using the same coordinates, without arterial occlusion, for control. In the ischemic groups, overall graft survival was 85%, and in the control group, all grafts survived. Graft survival was determined by light microscopy. No significant difference was found in the survival of grafts transplanted at different intervals after middle cerebral artery occlusion. It is concluded that fetal cortical cells can survive in cerebral tissue undergoing severe ischemic change.

Animals↗