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Biomedical subjects

S Ell

Publications and source records attributed to S Ell.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Radiological classification of anterior skull base anatomy prior to performing medial orbital wall decompression.

PURPOSE: To study a radiological classification, originally described by Keros in 1965, which provides an objective assessment of anterior skull base anatomy relevant in patients undergoing external medial orbital decompression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The classification is based on anatomical landmarks measured via coronal CT-scan. The patients are divided into 3 Keros categories based on their olfactory fossa depth; Keros 1 (1-3 mm), Keros 2 (4-7 mm) and Keros 3 (8-16 mm). A cross-sectional group of 32 consecutive patients on the hospital radiology database with coronal CT scans were classified according to the Keros system. RESULTS: All the patients fell into one of the three Keros categories. Anatomical associations of the Keros classification suggest that Keros 1 patients have the least risk of intracranial entry whilst Keros 3 patients carry the greatest risk. CONCLUSION: Keros classification provides an objective assessment of anterior skull base anatomy and can therefore guide the surgeon on the superior extent of medial wall bone removal during orbital decompression. This may help improve the safety profile of the procedure.

Decompression, Surgical↗

Superior vena cava obstruction: a venographic classification.

Analysis of venacavograms in 27 patients with superior vena caval obstruction revealed the following four patterns of venous collateral return: type I, partial obstruction (up to 90% stenosis) of the superior vena cava with patency of the azygos vein; type II, near-complete to complete obstruction (90-100%) of the superior vena cava with patency and antegrade flow through the azygos vein and into the right atrium; type III, near-complete to complete obstruction (90-100%) of the superior vena cava with reversal of azygos blood flow; type IV, complete obstruction of the superior vena cava and one or more of the major caval tributaries, including the azygos system. These patterns correlate well with the patients' clinical courses and can be used to identify patients who are at risk of developing cerebral and airway compromise and therefore would benefit from superior vena cava bypass surgery.

Adult↗

Determination of left ventricular mass in dogs with rapid-acquisition cardiac computed tomographic scanning.

The development of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with heart disease often has far-reaching clinical implications with respect to overall morbidity and mortality. Approaches used to assess left ventricular mass include electrocardiography, echocardiography, contrast ventriculography, single photon-emission tomography, and conventional computed tomography. However, all of these modalities suffer from some major draw back that precludes widespread application to all patients. In this study we assessed the accuracy of determinations of left ventricular mass in 22 dogs by rapid-acquisition (50 msec) computed axial tomography (RACAT), an ultrafast computed tomographic (CT) instrument. Electrocardiographically triggered, end-diastolic, short-axis cardiac scans were obtained from apex to base during administration of intravenous iodinated contrast. Myocardial edges were determined for each tomographic scan by two methods: the regional half-contour method (the CT density half way between that of the left ventricular myocardium and adjacent ventricular cavities or lung) and "interactive plateau thresholding" of the cardiac borders. Left ventricular mass by RACAT was calculated as the sum of the mass of each individual scan from apex to base (modified Simpson's rule). Postmortem left ventricular mass ranged from 58 to 160 g. The correlation between true left ventricular mass and tomographically determined mass was excellent (r = .99), with the slope and y intercept not statistically different from 1 and 0, respectively. The standard error of the estimate was 4.1 g. Interobserver and intraobserver variability for determining left ventricular mass demonstrated excellent agreement (r = .99 and r = .99, respectively). We conclude that quantitative assessment of left ventricular mass can be accurately and reproducibly performed in dogs by rapid acquisition CT scanning. It is likely that this technique will be readily transferable to the clinical settings and prove to be an important method for quantifying left ventricular mass in patients.

Animals↗

The degree of conversion of alpha-keto acids to valine and phenylalanine in health and uraemia.

13C-labelled alpha-keto acid analogues of valine and phenylalanine were given by mouth and by intravenous route to three healthy and four uraemic individuals who were used as their own controls. The excretion of 13CO2 in expired air and of 13C-labelled keto acid in urine was measured together with plasma and, in some cases, intramuscular concentrations of total and 13C-labelled free valine and phenylalanine. A minimum and maximum limit of degree of conversion of these two alpha-keto acids to essential amino acids were calculated and was of the order of 25-50 per cent for both keto acids given by either route in health and uraemia.

Administration, Oral↗

Comparison of the effects of keto acid analogues and essential amino acids on nitrogen homeostasis in uremic patients on moderately protein-restricted diets.

Comparisons of isonitrogenous supplements (1.2 g N) of essential amino acids and five keto acid analogues with four essential amino acids were made in seven patients with stable chronic renal failure (creatinine clearance, 4.6 to 16 ml/min) on moderately protein-restricted diets (4.60 to 7.8 g N per day). Full nitrogen balance data on the four patients who have already completed studies lasting 24 weeks are presented. No benefits of keto acid over amino acid supplements were observed. Two transient episodes of hypercalcemia occurred during keto acid treatment. There was no improvement of renal function with keto acids. Also, no carry-over effects were seen after keto acid treatment. It is concluded that any beneficial effects of keto acids in patients with chronic renal failure are only likely to occur in those taking a diet of less than 30 g protein daily.

Adult↗

Metabolic studies with keto acid diets.

Five patients with chronic renal failure taking a diet containing approximately 5 g N throughout were studied during two periods of 1 month each. Nitrogen balance, urea metabolism, and incorporation of 15N from urea into albumin on diet alone or with a keto acid/essential amino acid supplement were measured. Keto acids produced a reduction of plasma urea, urea synthesis, and urea excretion and an improvement in nitrogen balance. In patients who demonstrated the greatest change on ketoacids, 15N incorporation also increased, but their total incorporation of urea nitrogen was not nearly sufficient to account for the improvement in nitrogen balance. The role of keto acids in protein anabolism is not solely or even mainly explained by promotion of nonprotein nitrogen reutilization.

Aged↗

Direct evidence for synthesis of valine in man.

Plasma valine and 13C-valine concentrations were measured in 2 healthy volunteers and 2 uraemic patients during and after a 3-hour intravenous infusion of the 13-c-labelled alpha-keto-acid analogue of valine. Plasma-valine increased by 23-43%. 13C-valine accounted for most of the early increase, but for less than 30% of the increase 1 hour after infusion. It was concluded that valine had increased by 2 mechanisms with different time courses. Initially, transamination of the infused ketoacid predominated, confirming directly for the first time that the essential aminoacid valine can be synthesised in-vivo both in health and uraemia. The previously unsuspected second mechanism was quantitatively more important but slower in ooperation; it may prove to be the key to understanding the metabolic effects of essential aminoacid precursors.

Adult↗