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Biomedical subjects

V Donoghue

Publications and source records attributed to V Donoghue.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

RetCam image analysis of optic disc morphology in premature infants and its relation to ischaemic brain injury.

AIMS: To assess optic disc characteristics in premature infants with and without ischaemic brain injury and to evaluate the role of optic disc morphology in dating the injury. METHODS: RetCam fundal images, cranial ultrasounds and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 109 premature infants were analysed. The study cohort was divided into subgroups depending on the presence or absence of periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) and intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH). The control group consisted of infants with normal neuroimaging at term and 2 years of age. Using the image analysis software of the RetCam, optic disc diameter (ODD), optic disc area (ODA), and optic cup area (OCA) were measured at 33-34 weeks gestational age. As serial cranial ultrasonography had been performed, it was possible to date the brain injury in those infants with periventricular white matter (PVWM) damage. RESULTS: Although there was a trend towards reducing ODD, ODA, and OCA with increasing severity of IVH, only the IVH 4 group differed significantly from the controls for these parameters (p = 0.002, p = 0.02, and p = 0.04, respectively). 44.4% of infants with grade 4 IVH had small discs. Only one patient had a large cup in a normal sized disc; this patient had IVH 4. In patients with PVWM damage, the median time of insult was 27 weeks in those with small discs and 28 weeks in those with normal discs. This difference was not significant (p = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS: Premature infants with IVH 4 have an increased incidence of optic nerve hypoplasia. We found no association between disc morphology and timing of brain injury.

Brain Ischemia↗
PubMed1999

Ischio-vertebral dysplasia: a distinct entity.

BACKGROUND: Kyphoscoliosis is a complication of some bone dysplasias, including cleidocranial dysplasia. OBJECTIVES: We report a distinct disorder with defective ossification of the ischial rami, severe kyphoscoliosis and normal clavicles. Early recognition of this syndrome allows prevention of complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patient cases (aged 1 day to 33 years) were selected according to the above criteria, with special attention to radiological findings, family history and follow-up (5-30 years). RESULTS: In all eight patients, we observed the following: (a) Severe thoracic scoliosis of early onset and rapid progression, leading to rotatory dislocation. Spinal cord compression occurred in four cases with respiratory problems related to chest deformity. (b) Bilateral and symmetrical incomplete ossification of the ischial rami. (c) Peculiar facies with retrognathia. (d) Normal clavicles. Three patients were from the same family (grandmother, mother and daughter). CONCLUSION: Ischio-vertebral dysplasia seems to represent a true entity, with radiological and genetic findings that make it distinct from cleidocranial dysostosis. The association of kyphoscoliosis and these pelvic abnormalities is specific for this condition. Neurological and respiratory complications can be avoided if the condition is recognised early and early treatment is instituted.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1994

The echogenic thalamus in hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy.

This paper reports 16 term infants in whom an echogenic thalamus was identified on cranial ultrasonography. Fourteen of the patients suffered severe birth asphyxia. The prognostic significance of this finding and the underlying pathogenesis is assessed.

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗
PubMed1990

Regional cerebral blood flow velocity patterns in newborn infants.

Using range-gated pulsed Doppler sonography, cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) waveforms from the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), middle cerebral artery (MCA) and circle of Willis artery (CW) were examined in a total of 34 newborn infants. We compared the pulsatility index (PI) from the three cerebral arteries sampled in 10 term and 10 preterm (29 +/- 2 weeks) newborn infants without a history of perinatal asphyxia or intracranial pathology. The Pl in the ACA ranged from 0.60 to 1.03. There were no significant differences in Pl between the three vessels by paired comparisons. The Pl of the MCA differed from that of the ACA by 0.00 +/- 0.05. The variation coefficient (CV) was 7%. For CW with ACA, the difference was 0.00 +/- 0.04 and CV was 6%. Both intra- and interexaminer variation in Pl measurements were studied in another 14 infants. The variation coefficients were 5-8% for all three cerebral arteries. We showed that CBFV waveform patterns were similar in regional cerebral arteries, with Pl being a consistent CBFV index. In normal cerebral circulation, the intervessel Pl differences were within observer variations. Deviation from this may suggest abnormal regional cerebral haemodynamics.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1990

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a radiographic and clinical review of 20 patients.

This paper reviews the radiological features of 20 infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, with particular emphasis on the early radiological findings in these infants, the clinical findings and radiological progression. Of 20 infants, eight had idiopathic respiratory distress in the first week of life, two infants had early radiological abnormalities other than idiopathic respiratory distress and 10 infants had normal initial chest radiographs. The complicating features included lower respiratory infections (88%), patent ductus arteriosus (40%) and areas of atelectasis (40%). Areas of atelectasis were more common in infants with an initially normal chest radiograph than in those with idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome (p = 0.015). Mortality from severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia was 70% in this series.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia↗
PubMed1983

Rectal fold thickness as an indicator of disease.

Rectal folds are seen best in the lateral view. Normal values for the thickness of the folds have been established by measuring these in patients with a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome who had no evidence of rectal disease. In severe ulcerative colitis the valves disappear, but they are present earlier in the disease. The first barium enema examination in patients with ulcerative colitis was assessed. When the valve thickness could be measured in these patients it showed values significantly greater than normal. It is uncommon for this finding to be the sole indicator of disease. Patients with Crohn's disease of the rectum showed no increase in the fold thickness. This observation may be helpful in distinguishing between these two forms of colitis.

Barium Sulfate↗
PubMedDate not supplied

High attenuation gyri CT in postasphyxial encephalopathy.

Two term infants suffering severe asphyxial events were found to have diffusely high attenuation of the cortical gyri on CT scanning within 12 days. The findings are consistent with haemorrhagic necrosis or microcalcification. This feature has rarely been described in the literature. The evolution of the CT appearance, the possible neuropathological findings and the relationship with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy are discussed.

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗
PubMedDate not supplied

CT appearance of sacroiliac joint trauma in children.

Subchondral fractures in association with an intact joint space and narrowing of the joint space have not previously been reported with sacroiliac joint trauma in children. The subchondral fractures are thought to occur through the zones of cartilage proliferation and provisional calcification in the growing cartilage of the opposing sacroiliac joint surfaces and the zone of cambium layer of the periosteum in the areas of ligamental insertion, as these may represent structurally weak areas. This type of injury may explain the good long-term results in children with trauma to this region. Widening of the sacroiliac joint space in association with trauma as suggested on plain radiographs may thus not be as common as was previously thought.

Adolescent↗