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P J Kirkpatrick

Publications and source records attributed to P J Kirkpatrick.

96 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Acoustic tumour volume and the prediction of facial nerve functional outcome from intraoperative monitoring.

The long-term facial function in 26 patients undergoing surgery to remove an acoustic neuroma has been related to the tumour volume (ml) estimated by computerized tomogram (CT) reconstruction techniques. Analysis of data allowed accurate categorization into 'small' (= < 5 ml) and 'large' (> 5 ml) tumours, which gave the maximum prognostic distinction between two groups for facial recovery. Thus, of the 14 patients with small volume tumours, 11 achieved a good (House grade I or II) facial outcome compared with 1 out of 12 patients with large tumours. Combined with the information derived from the assessment of intraoperative facial nerve electrical integrity using a combined nerve stimulator and EMG monitor, long-term facial function was predictable for all small tumours defined by volume. This represented a 15% improvement in prediction of facial recovery when defining tumour size by maximum linear dimension (small = < 2.5 cm, large > 2.5 cm). The calculations of volume obtained using a simplified ellipsoidal model compared well with CT reconstructed values (r2 = 0.85), and gave identical prediction and outcome comparisons.

Adolescent↗

Control of temporal lobe epilepsy following en bloc resection of low-grade tumors.

Thirty-one patients with a mean age of 18.9 years (range 3 to 53 years) who underwent temporal lobe surgery for tumor-related epilepsy over a 14-year period are presented. All had suffered chronic drug-resistant temporal lobe seizures (mean age at onset 6.9 years, range 0 to 30 years; mean duration of condition 11.9 years, range 3 to 39 years). Preoperative interictal scalp electroencephalography tracings indicated unilateral localized epileptic foci in 90% of patients, and computerized tomography scans showed abnormalities within the temporal lobe in 87%. All patients underwent en bloc temporal lobectomy. No patient received adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Review of the histological material showed dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor in 27 (87%) of the specimens and microscopic evidence of incomplete removal of tumor in 22 (71%). At long-term follow-up evaluation (mean duration 5.8 years, range 1 to 14 years), 81% of patients were completely free of seizures (Engel grade I) and 10% were almost seizure free (Engel grade II) with no deaths reported in either early or late follow-up review. Only one patient in the series failed to benefit from the surgery. Four patients suffered permanent neurological deficit causing a mild disability. Psychological assessment showed no significant fall in verbal or performance intelligent quotient for the group, but a mild memory impairment was evident in 32%. Behavioral and social aspects improved in nearly all (94%) cases. Relief of seizures could not be predicted by intraoperative electrocorticography, and outcome was independent of the completeness of tumor resection. Postoperative electroencephalographic findings identified epileptiform potentials in 65% of patients, which were associated with a worse seizure-control outcome grade.

Adolescent↗

Prediction of facial nerve function after surgery for cerebellopontine angle tumors: use of a facial nerve stimulator and monitor.

A series of 18 patients undergoing surgery for cerebellopontine angle tumors is reported. Patients were grouped according to size of tumor (0 to 2.5 cm, 11 cases; more than 2.5 cm, 7 cases). In all, the facial nerve was identified and conductance assessed by monitoring the facial electromyographic response to facial nerve stimulation. Postoperative facial nerve function was graded clinically after 3 months according to the House scale. Tumor removal was complete in all cases. In patients with tumors up to 2.5 cm the facial nerve was intact to visual inspection at the end of the procedure in all but one, where partial division was evident. In this group intraoperative facial nerve stimulation indicated electrical integrity in 8 of the 11 cases, all of which regained good facial nerve function postoperatively (House grades I and II). Nerve conduction was lost during the operation in the remaining three patients with small tumors; two subsequently developed a moderately severe (grade IV) dysfunction and the third, a total paralysis (grade VI). In the large (more than 2.5 cm) tumor group the facial nerve was anatomically intact in five of the seven cases, partially divided in one, and completely sectioned in the remaining case. Facial nerve stimulation indicated functional integrity in three patients, two of whom developed moderate (grade III) and the third a severe (grade V) dysfunction. In the other four cases nerve function could not be detected at operation; three of these developed a moderate facial nerve dysfunction (grade III/IV) and the final case a complete paralysis (grade VI). Intraoperative facial nerve monitoring appeared to predict eventual facial function accurately in the small tumor group, but did not predict facial nerve recovery reliably following surgery for larger tumors.

Journal Article↗

Bone flap replacement vs acrylic cranioplasty: a clinical audit.

A 5-year retrospective study comparing bone flap replacement with acrylic cranioplasty was carried out. There was no significant difference in the high infection rates associated with the two procedures. We suggest that antibiotic-impregnated acrylic cranioplasty may be the safest and best surgical procedure based on the orthopaedic experience with gentamicin-impregnated cement in joint replacement surgery.

Acrylic Resins↗

Intraventricular tension pneumocephalus as a complication of transfrontal craniectomy: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: To report the diagnosis and surgical treatment of a case of intraventricular tension pneumocephalus in a dog after a transfrontal craniectomy for removal of a falx cerebri meningioma. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMAL: A 12-year-old spayed English springer spaniel. RESULTS: Intraventricular air and a fistula between the craniectomy site and ventricular system were identified by magnetic resonance imaging. Prompt repair of the dural defect using prosthetic dura mater resulted in immediate regression of the neurological signs and cerebral spinal fluid rhinorrhea. Magnetic resonance imaging repeated 8 weeks after surgery showed complete resolution of pneumocephalus. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Tension pneumocephalus is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of craniectomy that requires urgent diagnosis and treatment.

Animals↗