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Biomedical subjects

R S Knight

Publications and source records attributed to R S Knight.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

99Tcm-HMPAO single photon emission computed tomography in partial epilepsy: a preliminary report.

In the pre-operative assessment of patients being considered for temporal lobe surgery, accurate lateralization and localization of the epileptic focus is mandatory. Surface electroencephalography (EEG) can be misleading and confirmatory evidence, preferably non-invasive, of the site of the epileptic focus is valuable. Sixteen patients with partial epilepsy, six of whom were considered to be good surgical candidates, had technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (99Tcm-HMPAO) scanning. In those patients with poor epileptic control and a well localized EEG focus, there was a correlation between EEG and HMPAO scan abnormalities, whilst in all patients where no correlation existed, the HMPAO scan was normal. We conclude that 99Tcm-HMPAO single photon emission computed tomography may be a useful non-invasive, adjunctive investigation in the preoperative assessment of patients with partial epilepsy.

Adolescent

Progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy and viral antibody titres.

Progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (PML) is caused by a papovavirus but serum antibody titres are generally considered unhelpful in clinical diagnosis because antibodies to the commonest causal agent (JC virus) are frequently found in normal adults. There is little published information about CSF titres but usually they have not been useful. Two cases of PML, confirmed by autopsy, are described where CSF antibody to JC virus was measured. In one case the JC antibody titre was significantly higher in the CSF than the serum and we suggest that this finding is diagnostically useful. In this case there was a transient stabilization of the disease following treatment with cytarabine with a change in antibody titres suggestive of reduced viral replication in the central nervous system and a host response to the infection. In the other case, which was untreated, rising serum antibody levels indicated active infection with a host response.

Adult

Neoplastic angioendotheliosis: a case of subacute dementia with unusual cerebral CT appearances and a review of the literature.

A 62 year old woman presented with subacute dementia and hemiparesis which progressed to death with terminal seizures over 5 months. A cerebral biopsy specimen and necropsy showed the features of neoplastic angioendotheliosis which proved to be lymphomatous. Cerebral CT showed multiple low density areas in the white matter with striking enhancement after high-dose intravenous contrast administration. There was temporary clinical improvement with prednisolone therapy. The clinical features, cerebral CT appearances and partial response to treatment are discussed, with a review of the relevant literature.

Brain Neoplasms

Benign intracranial hypertension: visual loss and optic nerve sheath fenestration.

Five patients with serious ocular complications of benign intracranial hypertension are described. Optic nerve sheath fenestration resulted in resolution of papilloedema with, in three instances, improvement in vision. Benign intracranial hypertension may not always be benign for vision and fenestration operations may prevent or reverse visual deterioration by an effect on the optic nerve rather than by reducing intra-cranial pressure.

Adult

Exploratory endodontic surgery.

Re-treatment of complicated endodontically treated teeth requires special consideration, particularly if the patient is unable to furnish the proper past history, such as where, when, and how the tooth in question was treated. In such cases most often more than just opening the pulp chamber and root canal(s) is required for a correct diagnosis. Under such circumstances exploratory endodontic surgery may become necessary to help determine prognosis and plan treatment. Thus, the amount of damage can be estimated and the possibility of successful treatment can be better evaluated through surgical exposure and direct visual examination of the area.

Adolescent

Long-range effects of Ivalon sponge containing isobutyl cyanoacrylates on rat tissue. A quantitative planimetric study.

This study on seventy rats was undertaken to determine the long-range effects of Ivalon sponge containing isobutyl cyanoacrylates (IBC). Histologic examination revealed that IBC sponge was well tolerated by the connective tissue. IBC sponge was most effective during the first 2 weeks of healing. At observation periods of 1 and 2 weeks, the percentage values for connective tissue formed in IBC-treated animals were 2.02 and 1.58 times higher than those in the untreated animals.

Animals