Biomedical subjects

S D Athale

Publications and source records attributed to S D Athale.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Fatal rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis in an apparently normal host: case report and literature review.

Fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are fortunately rare but remain challenging problems occurring mostly in immunocompromised individuals, with protean manifestations, unpredictable course and unfavorable outcome in many cases despite aggressive neurosurgical intervention and recent antifungal drugs. Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis is a potentially lethal opportunistic fungal infection with rapid progression and high mortality. Its pathogenic nature becomes evident when the patient's general resistance is compromised. We present a case of an invasive rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis in an apparently normal adult who initially developed mild paranasal sinusitis and later developed status epilepticus and despite an aggressive management died. Interesting clinical, neuroimaging and histological findings are described, and the possibility of fatal mucormycosis in an apparently normal host is highlighted.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Spinal cord and cauda equina compression in 'DISH'.

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) has long been regarded as a benign asymptomatic clinical entity with an innocuous clinical course. Precise information is lacking in the world literature. Authors report the results of a retrospective analysis of 74 cases of DISH. Eleven patients presented with progressive spinal cord or cauda equina compression. In nine cases ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and in two cases ossified ligamentum flavum (OLF) were primarily responsible. Surgically treated patients (eight) had far better outcome as compared to the patients managed conservatively, as they had refused surgery. 'DISH' is neither a benign condition, nor it always runs a innocuous clinical course. In fact, in about 15% of the cases, serious neurological manifestations occur, which may require a major neurosurgical intervention.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Symptomatic calcified subdural hematomas.

Two unique cases of chronic calcified subdural hematomas are reported in children as a long-term complication of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Both the patients had undergone shunt procedures in infancy for congenital hydrocephalus. In one patient, the cause of the hydrocephalus was aqueduct stenosis, while in the second patient, a lumbar meningomyelocele was associated with hydrocephalus. In both these patients, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was done in infancy. In one of them, following the shunt surgery, a bilateral subdural collection was noticed which required burr hole evacuation. Both the patients remained asymptomatic for 9 years, when they presented to our center with acute raised intracranial pressure and contralateral hemiparesis. Both the patients had a relatively short history and had altered sensorium at admission. Surprisingly, in both the patients, the CT scan showed significant mass effect producing calcified subdural hematomas. The shunt systems were found to be working well at surgery. Craniotomy and excision of the calcified subdural hematomas was undertaken. Postoperatively, the patients showed satisfactory recovery, and at discharge the patients were doing well. At the follow-up at the outpatient clinic, the patients were asymptomatic.

Calcinosis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

MRI of persistent trigeminal artery.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the classic appearance of persistent trigeminal artery on MR imaging with the typical MR appearance of the hypoplastic precommunal basilar artery. This finding may be used as an ancillary sign of this anomaly in subtle cases of persistent fetal carotid-basilar artery anastomoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two women (46 and 19 years of age) with persistent trigeminal artery were examined. An MR imaging study using spin-echo sequences was performed. The findings were confirmed on conventional angiography. RESULTS: Two cases showed a hypoplastic basilar trunk flow void in the caudal posterior fossa that enlarged to a more normal caliber rostrally above the persistent trigeminal artery anastomosis. The actual anastomosis was also demonstrated in both cases, and in one of the cases the persistent trigeminal artery was shown to form a groove in the dorsum sellae. CONCLUSION: A proximal hypoplastic basilar trunk below the anastomosis that enlarges to a more normal caliber above the aberrant communication is an important ancillary sign of persistent trigeminal artery and should be searched for on routine MR studies in cases with suspected carotid-basilar anastomoses.

Adult↗