Biomedical subjects

R M Black-Schaffer

Publications and source records attributed to R M Black-Schaffer.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Cerebral venous thrombosis in young adults: 2 Case reports.

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a disease with multiple known etiologies that present with a remarkably wide spectrum of clinical signs and symptoms. We present a case of a 34-year-old man with a history of meningeal symptoms for 1 week after receiving a lumbar injection for lower back pain. He subsequently developed dense right hemiplegia and global aphasia. Head magnetic resonance imaging revealed superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. The patient was started on intravenous heparin but deteriorated neurologically. Urokinase infusion directly into the superior sagittal sinus was performed, with striking functional and neurologic improvement. Lupus anticoagulant was positive. We also present the case of a 24-year-old pregnant woman who developed an acute onset of meningeal symptoms and resultant left hemiparesis. Head magnetic resonance angiography revealed thrombosis of right transverse and sigmoid sinuses. Protein S deficiency was found. She was started on intravenous heparin, then enoxaparin, with improvement in symptoms. These cases demonstrate that CVT can be a cause of stroke in young patients with hypercoagability disorders, and a heightened awareness of CVT will promote optimal medical care and functional outcomes. Excellent functional recovery is likely with early recognition and treatment of the underlying etiology, as well as successful lysis of the clot.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Stroke rehabilitation. 2. Co-morbidities and complications.

This self-directed learning module highlights new advances in the understanding of co-morbid conditions and medical complications of stroke. It is part of the chapter on stroke rehabilitation in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article covers co-morbid conditions of stroke patients, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea. It reviews recent information on complications of stroke, including deep venous thrombosis, dysphagia and aspiration, hospital-acquired infections, depression, falls, spasticity, shoulder pain, and seizures. Treatment advances in diabetes, depression, and spasticity are highlighted. Recent information is presented regarding exercise guidelines for the stroke patient with cardiovascular disease, the relationship between stroke and sleep apnea, prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis, the changing spectrum of hospital-acquired infections, malnutrition in stroke patients, the problem of falls during rehabilitation, the evaluation and management of poststroke shoulder pain, and the risk of seizures after stroke.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

PubMed1999

Stroke rehabilitation. 3. Rehabilitation management.

This self-directed learning module highlights new advances in the treatment of patients after stroke by means of a case study format. It is part of the chapter on stroke rehabilitation in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article discusses both medical and rehabilitation issues that arise in the care of persons with strokes involving the right and left middle cerebral arteries and the vertebral artery. Cases were chosen to cover problems seen in both older and younger persons. Management of common sequelae that are typical of these stroke syndromes and identification of common co-morbidities are included.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗

PubMed1990

Return to work after stroke: development of a predictive model.

Seventy-nine stroke patients who underwent a vocationally oriented, comprehensive, inpatient stroke rehabilitation program were followed up to evaluate their return to work. At follow-up, 49% had returned to work a mean of 3.1 months after rehabilitation discharge. Factors associated with success and with failure of vocational rehabilitation were then identified, and a predictive model was developed. There were positive associations between return to work and Barthel Index on admission (p = 0.0002) and discharge (p = 0.0015). Negative associations were found between return to work and aphasia (p = 0.0009), rehabilitation length of stay (p less than 0.0001), and prior alcohol consumption (p = 0.03). A step-wise multiple regression model explained 42% of the variance in return to work. Those most likely to return to work were not aphasic; they had shorter rehabilitation lengths of stay and higher Barthel Index scores on discharge; and they were lighter consumers of alcoholic beverages before their strokes. In conclusion, a set of factors predictive of return to work in younger stroke patients was identified, including, most notably, a strong negative association with aphasia and an intriguing negative association with prior alcohol consumption.

Adult↗