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Biomedical subjects

M S Huckman

Publications and source records attributed to M S Huckman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Clinical correlates of high signal lesions on magnetic resonance imaging in Alzheimer's disease.

The pathophysiology and clinical significance of high signal lesions, visualized on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), remain controversial. Since they are known to correlate with vascular disease and vascular risk factors, we reviewed the clinical correlates of periventricular high signal (PVH) and subcortical white matter lesions (WML) in a sample of 106 patients with probable AD, excluding persons with treated vascular risk factors or symptomatic cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease. Grade 2 PVH were seen in 26 (25%) and scattered WML were identified in 29 (18%). PHV were associated with advancing age and gait disturbance. WML were associated with gait disturbance and incontinence. Neither radiologic finding was related to dementia severity. The findings suggest that these lesions are common in patients with AD even when those with evidence of cerebrovascular disease are excluded; their presence, therefore, should not preclude a diagnosis of AD. Additionally, the data suggest that HSL on MRI may be one of many risk factors associated with functional disability in persons with probable AD.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

The role of facet joint tropism and facet angle in disc degeneration.

In this study, the relationship between facet geometry (joint angle and tropism) and disc degeneration was analyzed. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic scans of 46 subjects less than 50 years of age were evaluated. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine disc degeneration, and computed tomography was used to measure facet joint angles and determine tropism. Subjects with tropism had a significantly higher prevalence of disc degeneration at all three lumbar levels examined (L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1). The average facet angles increased from L3-4 to L4-5 and further to the L5-S1 level. There was no statistically significant relationship between the magnitude of the angle and the presence of disc degeneration at any of the three levels. It was concluded that the risk of disc degeneration is increased in the presence of facet joint tropism.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Discs degenerate before facets.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between facet joint osteoarthritis and disc degeneration in subjects in whom both MRI and CT scans had been obtained. The MRI scans were used to determine disc degeneration, the CT scans to determine facet joint osteoarthritis. It was hypothesized that disc degeneration would sometimes occur without the presence of facet joint osteoarthritis, but that facet joint osteoarthritis would only occur in the presence of disc degeneration. Sixty-eight sets of scans were included and 330 discs and 390 facet joints were evaluated. There were 144 degenerated discs and 41 levels with facet osteoarthritis. Disc degeneration without facet osteoarthritis was found at 108 levels, while all but one of 41 levels with facet degeneration also had disc degeneration. That one exception occurred in a patient with advanced Paget's disease. Disc degeneration and facet osteoarthritis both were found to increase with increasing age. There was no difference between women and men. Degeneration at the L4-5 and L5-S1 levels was significantly more prevalent than at the L3-4 levels, while degeneration at the L3-4 level was significantly more common than at the L1-2 and L2-3 levels. We conclude that disc degeneration occurs before facet joint osteoarthritis, which may be secondary to mechanical changes in the loading of the facet joints.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Transfemoral cerebral arteriography versus direct precutaneous carotid and brachial arteriography: a comparison of complication rates.

Cerebral arteriograms in 1,141 consecutive patients, which were done either as direct percutaneous carotid or brachial studies or as transfemoro-cerebral catheter studies, were reviewed. While the overall complication rate for the direct percutaneous studies was higher, the incidence of neurologic complications, both transient and permanent, was higher in the transfemoral group. This higher incidence of neurologic complications may be related to the frequent irrigation of the catheter, which increases the probability of embolism. The incidence of serious complications was lower than in previous studies, perhaps because gravely ill patients are more likely to undergo computed tomographic scanning.

Angiography↗
PubMed1978

Predictors of mortality in presenile and senile dementia.

Forty-seven hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of presenile or senile dementia and without focal neurological disease of major systemic illness were given complete neurological, neuroradiological, and neuropsychological examinations. Mortality at one year after hospitalization was determined, 12 patients being lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 35 patients, 19 were alive and 1l had died. These groups did not differ in age, education, length of dementia history, sex, race, or degree of cerebral atrophy (by computerized tomography). Significant differences were found in degree of electroencephalographic abnormality and in 8 of 14 cognitive measures, the the largest single difference being on a test of expressive language. Discriminant function analysis made with the cognitive measures as dependent variables yielded a correct prediction (classification analysis) of mortality in all but 1 case (97% accuracy). These results suggest that (1) degree of functional brain impairment rather than degree of cerebral atrophy may be the more important influence on mortality in dementia patients without focal lesions, (2) short-term survival may be accurately predicted in such patients by tests of cognitive functioning, and (3) expressive language deficit in such patients may indicate a particularly poor prognosis for survival.

Aged↗
PubMed1977

Use of automated measurements of mean density as an adjunct to computed tomography.

A system integrated with a first-generation computed tomography (CT) head scanner is described. With the assistance of an additional program and minimal hardware changes, it was possible to examine specific areas on the preinfusion studies and obtain instantaneous printouts of a number of parameters including mean densities. This measurement technique was then applied to the preinfusion scans of "lucent" lesions--abscesses, glioblastomas--as well as "dense" lesions--recent hemorrhages, some uncalcified meningiomas, and some metastatic melanomas. These five lesions had characteristic mean attenuation values that seem to allow classification of each of the five entities. Hardware and software changes are described and practical application of the system is discussed.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1977

Computed tomography of porencephaly and other cerebrospinal fluid-containing lesions.

The EMI head scanner was used to review a large number of cases of porencephaly; computed tomographic scanning was found to be the most satisfactory method of evaluating these lesions. The nuclide brain scan has not usually been of significant value for diagnosis, and although angiography and pneumoencephalography were used for correlation in some cases, the CT scan is often the only neuroradiological procedure necessary to achieve the correct diagnosis. Porencephalic areas usually have a well-defined border, have the density of cerebrospinal fluid, and do not change in density following the use of contrast medium enhancement.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

The rubber circle: a technique for analyzing computed tomography scans.

The authors describe a technique for automated analysis of lesions demonstrated by computed tomography. A seed circle may be superimposed on a lesion by an operator controlled program. By selecting density limits, the program will then automatically outline a particular area of abnormal density and calculate the statistics of the pixels within that area. The information may be viewed on the computer terminal or recorded on the printer. The system may be superimposed on first generation EMI scanners without additional hardware. The time for obtaining the information roughly approximates that of systems employing manually operated cursors.

Computers↗
PubMed1976

Cerebral ventricular enlargement. Chronic alcoholics examined by computerized tomography.

Computerized tomography was used to measure cerebral ventricular size in hospitalized alcoholic patients, all of whom had evidence of liver disease. Twelve alcoholic patients with neurologic symptoms such as withdrawal seizures, neuropathy, and drug overdose were included. All these patients had normal results from the mental status examinations by the time of discharge. Alcoholic patients had a much higher mean ventricular size compared to 60 control patients. One third of the alcoholics had markedly enlarged ventricles as opposed to only one of the 60 controls.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Computed tomography in the diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri.

The authors reviewed 17 patients with the clinical diagnosis of benign intracranial hypertension (pseudomotor cerebri). All of these patients underwent CT scans of the head which were interpreted as normal. Comparison of mean ventricular size with that of a group of control subjects showed no significant difference. On the basis of this study and others cited, there would appear to be almost no instances in which invasive neuroradiological procedures would be required to confirm the diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Contiguous internal carotid arteries in empty sella syndrome.

The cavernous portions of the right and left internal carotid arteries were seen to be nearly contiguous in a patient with empty sella syndrome. On the basis of previous reports, in which specific measurements of the cavernous portions of the internal carotid arteries are given, the authors believe that this case is unique. Carotid angiography may be used to diagnose this syndrome in the presence of a large sella turcica.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Radiology of suprasellar ectopic pinealoma.

The radiographic and clinical findings in twenty-three recently reported cases of suprasellar ectopic pinealoma are reviewed and three previously unreported cases are described. It is concluded that suprasellar calcification is extremely rare; enlargement of the sella turcica was present in approximately 20 to 30 per cent, none demonstrated elevation of the anterior cerebral artery. Pneumography may show a smooth or irregular filling defect in the anterior part of the third ventricle. In one of the new cases there was an isotope uptake in the suprasellar region. The differential diagnosis and other clinical data are also discussed.

Adolescent↗