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Biomedical subjects

W E Rothfus

Publications and source records attributed to W E Rothfus.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Treatment of failed Adult Chiari Malformation decompression with CSF drainage: observations in six patients.

OBJECTIVE: We report the use of CSF drainage for the management of failed Adult Chiari Malformation (ACM) decompression. METHODS: All patients with more than one year follow-up after treatment of their failed ACM were included in this study. They underwent initial decompression between September 1998 and April 2000. Clinical and radiological data were collected initially and at recurrence. Lumbar punctures (LP) were done at recurrence for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Opening pressures and symptomatic relief were recorded. Therapeutic options included intermittent LP and ventriculo-peritoneal shunting (VPS). RESULTS: There were 6 patients (5 females and one male). Their age ranged from 19 to 43 years. Tonsillar descent ranged from 5 to 21 mm. The symptoms recurred 1.5 to 9 months postoperatively (average 5.6 months). Postoperative imaging revealed the presence of CSF flow behind the tonsils and the formation of a retrotonsillar neocistern in all patients. On LP, the opening pressure ranged from 17 to 31 cm of water (average 23 cm). All patients improved after CSF drainage, and four patients underwent VPS. The other patients were treated with repeat LP+/-Acetazolamide. There was significant improvement in all patients, with 18 months follow-up after CSF drainage (range 16-21 months). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a role for CSF drainage in the treatment of some patients with failed ACM surgery. Possible explanations for the failure of ACM surgery in this subgroup include: surgical complications leading to neural hydrodynamic alteration, inadequate initial surgery, and coexistence with another pathology, possibly a mild form of intracranial hypertension. More prospective and hydrodynamic studies are needed to further clarify these issues.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Management of neurocytomas: case report and review of the literature.

The purpose of this report is to review the available literature on the presentation, pathology, and treatment of central nervous system (CNS) neurocytomas. A case report of an extraventricular neurocytoma is presented along with a comprehensive literature search of patients with a diagnosis of CNS neurocytoma. CNS neurocytomas are rare neoplasms, with fewer than 240 cases reported in the literature. The majority of neurocytomas are found in the ventricular system of the brain. Immunohistochemistry is frequently used to help distinguish this tumor from other CNS neoplasms. MIB-1 proliferation index is commonly used in an attempt to predict biologic behavior. Little is known about the management of patients with this tumor, because most reports are from the pathologic literature and contain sparse information regarding clinical management. Neurocytomas are rare CNS tumors with varied biologic behavior. MIB-1 index may help direct adjuvant therapy. An excellent prognosis can be expected if a gross total resection is achieved. Postoperative radiation therapy (RT) may be considered after subtotal resection. Otherwise, RT is an option for medically inoperable or recurrent disease.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Robust midsagittal plane extraction from normal and pathological 3-D neuroradiology images.

This paper focuses on extracting the ideal midsagittal plane (iMSP) from three-dimensional (3-D) normal and pathological neuroimages. The main challenges in this work are the structural asymmetry that may exist in pathological brains, and the anisotropic, unevenly sampled image data that is common in clinical practice. We present an edge-based, cross-correlation approach that decomposes the plane fitting problem into discovery of two-dimensional symmetry axes on each slice, followed by a robust estimation of plane parameters. The algorithm's tolerance to brain asymmetries, input image offsets and image noise is quantitatively evaluated. We find that the algorithm can extract the iMSP from input 3-D images with 1) large asymmetrical lesions; 2) arbitrary initial rotation offsets; 3) low signal-to-noise ratio or high bias field. The iMSP algorithm is compared with an approach based on maximization of mutual information registration, and is found to exhibit superior performance under adverse conditions. Finally, no statistically significant difference is found between the midsagittal plane computed by the iMSP algorithm and that estimated by two trained neuroradiologists.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2000

Detection of clinically silent intracranial emboli ipsilateral to internal carotid occlusions during cerebral angiography.

OBJECTIVE: Embolic ischemic events have long been suspected to occur in the cerebral arteries distal to an ipsilateral occluded internal carotid artery (ICA). Documentation of microemboli by transcranial Doppler sonography during catheter angiography in patients with ICA occlusions provides objective evidence of such distal emboli. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seven patients undergoing carotid angiography were evaluated with transcranial Doppler sonography. Patients were also screened for ICA occlusions using carotid duplex sonography. In the seven patients, we saw five right ICA occlusions and two left ICA occlusions. Real-time visual and auditory confirmations of emboli were obtained by recognizing their specific spectral signatures and harmonic qualities. Routes of collateral flow were determined from angiography. Specific phases of the examination were correlated with embolic occurrences. RESULTS: Overall, emboli were seen during all phases of arteriography. In the individual patients, emboli were identified in one to four of the eight angiographic phases we defined. Most emboli occurred during catheter flushing and contrast injection rather than during wire and catheter manipulation. The emboli were detected in the middle cerebral artery distribution ipsilateral to the occluded ICA in all seven patients. Collateral flow patterns included, in four patients, external carotid artery-to-ICA collateral flow; in all seven patients, patent anterior communicating arteries; and in three patients, patent posterior communicating arteries. CONCLUSION: Emboli seen in middle cerebral arteries ipsilateral to occluded ICAs during cerebral angiography strongly indicate that emboli can occur distal to an occlusion. Our findings support the thought that emboli arising from sources proximal to an occluded ICA may reach the hemisphere distal to the occlusion, resulting in parenchymal ischemia or infarction.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Diagnosis of Os odontoideum using kinematic magnetic resonance imaging. A case report.

STUDY DESIGN: A case of os odontoideum diagnosed using kinematic magnetic resonance imaging is presented. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the kinematic magnetic resonance imaging findings of os odontoideum and the possible use these findings might have to guide treatment. BACKGROUND: Kinematic magnetic resonance imaging is a new imaging modality that is able to produce realtime images of a structure through a range of motion. This makes it well suited for investigating dynamic processes such as cervical instability. METHODS: A single subject with known os odontoideum was examined using a Sigma SPR Kinematic Magnetic Resonance Imager (General Electric, Florence, SC). RESULTS: Kinematic magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated cervical spinal cord impingement and cervical instability throughout flexion and extension, but not during lateral bending or rotation. CONCLUSIONS: Kinematic magnetic resonance imaging can evaluate the cervical spine in an axially loaded position throughout its range of motion. This modality may be a useful method for diagnosing and classifying abnormalities of the spine.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Solitary fibrous tumor of the orbit.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the orbit is a very rare lesion that may be misdiagnosed as fibrous histiocytoma, hemangiopericytoma, or other orbital tumors. We present a 62-year-old man who presented with painless proptosis, 20 years following left eye enucleation for a presumed neurofibroma. On T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a hypointense tumor almost filled his entire left orbit. There was no intracranial extension. The specimen obtained at orbital exenteration was consistent with the histologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic findings of SFT. The tumor was positive for vimentin and CD34 staining but negative for S-100 protein and epithelial membrane antigen. Only nine other cases of SFT of the orbit have been documented in the literature. Recognition of SFT of the orbit as a distinct pathologic entity and further follow-up of published cases are needed to determine the prognosis of this rare lesion.

Antigens, CD34↗
PubMed1993

Ankylosing spondylitis complicated by trauma: MR findings correlated with plain radiographs and CT.

Four patients with ankylosing spondylitis sustained a traumatic spinal injury. In three cases, pseudoarthrosis developed at the discovertebral junction, while involvement of the neural arch occurred in the fourth. Although the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis was readily established on plain radiographs, magnetic resonance more effectively identified the complicating injury and in two cases demonstrated the presence of cord compression. Computed tomography was also contributory in delineating bony and ligamentous abnormalities of the neural arch.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Case report 790. Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the sacrum.

We have presented a case of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the sacrum in a 20-year-old woman. We have emphasized that CT and MR are the best imaging modalities for the assessment of the neoplasm and the surgical decision-making process. Histologic study is mandatory for diagnosis of the tumor, with its characteristic dual pattern of chondroid tissue and undifferentiated mesenchymal cells. The rarity of the neoplasm, its deep pelvic location and nonspecific symptomatology led to a late diagnosis and an unfortunate but necessary sacral amputation resulting in bladder and bowel functional sequelae.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Silent cerebral microemboli occurring during carotid angiography: frequency as determined with Doppler sonography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of occult cerebral embolic events during carotid angiography and the relationship of these events to different phases of the procedure. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients undergoing carotid angiography were prospectively evaluated by using continuous transcranial Doppler monitoring. Realtime visual and auditory confirmations of emboli were accomplished by recognizing their specific spectral signature and harmonic quality. Specific phases of the examination, such as manipulation of the catheter and guidewire, flushing of the catheter, and injecting contrast material were documented and correlated with embolic occurrences. RESULTS: A total of 1100 embolic phenomena were detected in the middle cerebral artery during carotid angiography. Of these, 944 occurred during catheter flushing and injection of contrast material, and 156 occurred during catheter and wire manipulation. In each patient, more emboli occurred during catheter flushing and injection of contrast material than during manipulation of the catheter and guidewire. No gross neurologic sequelae occurred. CONCLUSION: Embolic phenomena occur frequently during all phases of uncomplicated cerebral angiography.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

The radiologic assessment of post-traumatic vertebral stability.

The stability of the vertebral column depends upon the integrity of the bones, ligaments, and joints. The vertebral column can be divided into three distinct anatomic zones: anterior, middle, and posterior. Disruption of any single zone does not produce instability. Disruption of two contiguous zones will, however, significantly decrease the load-carrying capability of the spine and result in instability. Five radiographic signs indicative of vertebral instability have been identified: (1) displacement implies injury to major ligamentous and articular structures; (2) a wide interlaminar space implies injury to the posterior ligamentous structures and the facet joints; (3) wide facet joints imply injury to the posterior ligamentous structures; (4) a disrupted posterior vertebral body line implies burst injury with disruption of anterior bony and posterior ligamentous structures; (5) a wide vertebral canal implies injury to the entire vertebra in the sagittal plane. Each of these signs indicates disruption of a major skeletal, ligamentous, or articular structure and the presence of only one is sufficient to establish a diagnosis of instability. These conclusions are based upon a study of 138 injuries observed in 125 patients.

Fractures, Bone↗
PubMed1990

Absent cord sign in acute spinal trauma.

Review of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in 100 patients suffering acute spinal trauma from 1985 to 1987 revealed four patients who had suffered thoracic spine fractures and acute subarachnoid hematomas. The spinal cord was not demonstrated on the T1-weighted sagittal MRI due to the similarities in signal intensity between the spinal cord and acute hemorrhage. Nonvisualization of the thoracic cord should not be presumed to be artifactual until subarachnoid hematoma is excluded.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1990

Acute tissue tear hemorrhages of the brain: computed tomography and clinicopathological correlations.

Tissue tear hemorrhages (TTHs) are often seen on high-resolution computed tomographic scans after closed head injury. Generally, TTHs have been thought to be visible manifestations of more severe forms of diffuse axonal injury and thus portend a poor prognosis. Computed tomographic scans from 600 patients with head injuries were reviewed; 48 (8%) were found to have TTHs. The clinical spectrum of TTHs was characterized. No direct relationship could be established between either the presence or the number of TTHs and the severity and/or outcome from the head injury in this group, except that patients with TTHs in both the brain stem and the corpus callosum uniformly had a poor outcome. Magnetic resonance imaging provided more sensitive information than computed tomography in evaluating TTHs.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Hyperextension injuries of the cervical spine. Magnetic resonance findings.

Eleven patients with acute cervical hyper-extension injury underwent magnetic resonance examination. Magnetic resonance was particularly helpful in diagnosing both intrinsic cord contusion and extradural compression. When spinal cord compromise was present, surgery was undertaken without resort to myelography.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Major cerebral vessels injury caused by a seatbelt shoulder strap: case report.

Major cerebral arterial injury may result from penetrating or blunt trauma. In blunt trauma, clinical suspicion of such injury may not be raised, especially if the cranial CT scan is negative. We report a case of a seatbelt shoulder strap to the neck resulting in injury to three major cerebral vessels as demonstrated by cerebral angiography. Although the initial cranial CT scans were negative, a cerebral infarction ultimately developed. The patient was managed conservatively and recovered most of her functions. The importance of clinical suspicion and cerebral angiography is stressed.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The impact of magnetic resonance on the diagnostic evaluation of acute cervicothoracic spinal trauma.

From 1984 to 1987 magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed on 100 patients suffering acute spinal trauma. MR demonstrated one or more injuries to the cervicothoracic region in 31 patients. It displayed a spectrum of spinal cord injury ranging from mild compression and swelling to complete transection. MR was also useful in evaluating alignment at the cervicothoracic junction, in depicting ligamentous injury, in establishing the presence of disc herniation, and in identifying unsuspected levels of injury. We present a diagnostic algorithm that incorporates the role of MR in evaluating acute cervicothoracic spinal trauma and emphasizes the replacement of myelography by MR in the initial assessment of neurologic deficit.

Acute Disease↗