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Biomedical subjects

W O Bank

Publications and source records attributed to W O Bank.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

The efficacy and safety of angioplasty for cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral angioplasty is being increasingly used for symptomatic vasospasm secondary to subarachnoid hemorrhage. We attempted to determine the safety and efficacy of angioplasty for refractory vasospasm. We also looked at the influence of timing of angioplasty on outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage who underwent angioplasty in our institution to determine the safety and the success rate achieved with this procedure. The study period extended from August 1993 until February 1997. Clinical and radiological data were collected, with emphasis on clinical improvement after angioplasty and its relationship with timing of intervention. Thirty-one patients with 43 aneurysms and one case of arteriovenous malformations were included. Their ages varied between 28 and 68 years, with an average age of 44 years. Five patients were assigned Hunt and Hess Grade IV, 15 were assigned Grade III, 7 were assigned Grade II, and 4 were assigned Grade I. All patients except two underwent angioplasty after aneurysm clipping or coiling. RESULTS: Angioplasty was performed an average of 6.9 days after the occurrence of subarachnoid hemorrhage, with a range from 1 to 14 days. It was performed early (within 24 h) after refractory clinical deterioration in 21 patients. A total of 81 vessels were dilated. Three angioplasty-related complications occurred: two femoral hematomas and one retroperitoneal hematoma. Clinical improvement was dramatic after 12 procedures, moderate after 11 procedures, and minimal or nonexistent after 9 procedures. There was a clear tendency toward more significant improvement in patients with earlier angioplasty (<24 h from onset of neurological deficit) (P=0.0038). At discharge, 8 patients had achieved good recoveries (Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 1), 11 had moderate disabilities (Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 2), and 10 had severe disabilities (Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 3). Two deaths were encountered, and they were unrelated to angioplasty. Follow-up was obtained for 27 patients: 25 had good outcomes, 1 was moderately disabled, and 1 died. There was no significant correlation between interval and outcome. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that angioplasty is a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic vasospasm that is refractory to hyperdynamic hypervolemic therapy. When used early (<24 h), it leads to significant clinical improvement. However, the long-term outcome is good, even in cases of delayed angioplasty. The prevention of worsening of the cerebral ischemia and its extension to other territories may be the reason.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Extradural origin of the posteroinferior cerebellar artery: an anatomic study with histological and radiographic correlation.

OBJECTIVE: The posteroinferior cerebellar artery (PICA) usually arises from the intradural segment of the vertebral artery (VA). The extradural origin of the PICA is infrequent. Its preoperatory identification is important in surgical strategy during the exposure of the VA. METHODS: During an anatomic prosection, the VA was exposed at the craniocervical junction in cadaveric adult specimens. The extradural origin of the PICA was encountered bilaterally in one specimen and on one side in a second specimen. An anatomic study with histological and radiographic correlation was performed. RESULTS: Perforating branches originate from the PICA. They supply the middle and inferior third of the olive and the lateral aspect of the medulla. The PICA has cortical branches that lead to the cerebellum. Injury to the PICA can produce an infarction of these neural structures that can be asymptomatic or cause major neurological deficits. Radiographic results obtained using a lateral projection provided the most reliable delineation of the extradural origin of the PICA. When this artery originates at, or posterior to, the posterior aspect of the occipital condyle, an extradural origin is likely. CONCLUSION: Bilateral selective vertebral angiography should be performed with special attention to the relationships of PICA origins before any surgical exposure of the VA at the craniocervical junction, unless magnetic resonance angiography provides this information without question. A thorough understanding of the relative dominance of the VAs and PICAs, the location of the PICA origin, and the collateral circulation of the posterior fossa are prerequisites to surgery in this region. The preoperative identification of an extradural PICA is important in planning surgical strategy and in avoiding complications during operations near the foramen magnum.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Surgical treatment of meningiomas involving the cavernous sinus: evolving ideas based on a ten year experience.

The outcomes of 114 patients with meningiomas operated at the University of Pittsburgh were analyzed. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage was the most frequent complication, observed in 25 patients (21%). Complications were more frequent in patients who had recurrent (previously operated) tumors and patients with extensive tumors. Our current analysis also indicates that patients with prior radio-therapy (usually external beam) have unacceptably high complication rates after microsurgery. Early results indicate that regrowth rates are much higher in patients with incomplete resection (20%) than those with gross total excision (5%). Of the 114 patients, 108 returned to independent living and/or their previous occupation.

Cavernous Sinus↗
PubMed1996

Nonhemorrhagic pituitary macroadenoma producing reversible internal carotid artery occlusion: case report.

Obstruction of the internal carotid artery by a pituitary tumor is a rare occurrence, particularly in the absence of pituitary apoplexy. A cas of occlusion of the right internal carotid artery caused by a nonhemorrhagic pituitary adenoma is reported. The patient presented with a 3-month history of headaches and a progressive loss of vision in his right eye, leading to sudden complete right-sided blindness on the day of admission. Except for the visual system, the patient's clinical examination revealed nothing remarkable. There was complete restoration of blood flow in the internal carotid artery after emergency transsphenoidal resection of the tumor was performed. The patient's vision also substantially improved shortly after the surgery. Neurodiagnostic correlation, using various imaging studies, is presented. This cas also demonstrates the importance of using magnetic resonance imaging with and without contrast to demonstrate complete occlusion or thrombosis in the affected vessel.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1994

Case report: colour Doppler demonstration of pseudoaneurysms complicating pancreatic pseudocysts.

The great morbidity and mortality associated with pseudoaneurysms complicating pancreatic pseudocysts stress the need for their early detection. The authors report the use of colour Doppler sonography in the detection of pseudoaneurysms within pancreatic pseudocysts, emphasizing not only the value of this modality in the initial diagnosis, but also its value in monitoring the success of transcatheter embolization. Colour Doppler should be used systematically in the evaluation of pancreatic pseudocysts.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Lipomyeloschisis associated with thoracic syringomyelia and Chiari I malformation.

Co-existence of Chiari I malformation and myelomeningocele is uncommon. Syringomyelia, when associated with a Chiari I malformation, classically involves the cervical spinal cord. Intramedullary extension of lipoma is unusual in lipomyeloschisis. A patient with lumbar lipomyelomeningocele with tethered cord, lower thoracic syringomyelia and Chiari I malformation, shown by MRI is reported.

Arnold-Chiari Malformation↗
PubMed1993

Gadolinium enhancement of vertebral endplates following lumbar disc surgery.

Gadolinium enhancement may be normal in the vertebral endplates adjacent to previously operated intervertebral discs. To determine the frequency of this finding and to differentiate this normal healing process from early lesions due to focal infection, we studied 135 patients who had undergone surgery for herniated lumbar disc, and compared them with 249 unoperated patients with radicular symptoms and 15 with known spondylodiscitis. Hypointense foci which enhanced with gadolinium were identified in the endplates of 25 (18.5%) of the operated patients, 9 of whom required a second operation for recurrent disc herniation, at which time the absence of infection was confirmed. Gadolinium enhancement within the endplates adjacent to the operated disc occurs during normal healing after surgery. Care should be taken before invoking a diagnosis of focal infection or secondary spondylodiscitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Pineal cyst: normal or pathological?

Review of 500 consecutive MRI studies was undertaken to assess the frequency and the appearances of cystic pineal glands. Cysts were encountered in 2.4% of cases. Follow-up examination demonstrated no change in these cysts and they were considered to be a normal variant. Size, MRI appearances and signs associated with this condition are reported in order to establish criteria of normality.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Stereotactic indications for neuroradiological differential diagnosis.

The modern neurodiagnostic techniques of MR imaging, CT scanning and angiography provide valuable morphological information that, although highly sensitive to tumour localisation, still lacks comparable specificity as to the exact histological nature of those lesions demonstrated. Biopsy remains necessary. To patients with potentially inoperable lesions or lesions best treated by chemotherapy or irradiation, modern techniques of neurosurgery now offer the option of precise stereotactic biopsy through small twist-drill burr holes as opposed to open biopsy. The interrelationships between MR, CT, angiography and stereotactic biopsy and their respective roles in the establishment of a definitive diagnosis are discussed.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1993

Hydrosyringomyelia-Chiari I complex. Prospective evaluation of a modified foramen magnum decompression procedure: preliminary results.

A modified foramen magnum decompression procedure, designed to respect the subarachnoid spaces as much as possible, was prospectively evaluated in eight consecutive patients with a progressive clinical syndrome related to hydrosyringomyelia-Chiari I complex. This evaluation included quantitative clinical and magnetic resonance follow-up of at least 1 year in the first six patients and 6 months for the last two. Magnetic resonance scans at 6 months or more confirmed a persistent reduction of the hydrosyringomyelic cavity in all cases, which was associated with obvious subjective improvement. All patients have maintained this improvement. The operative technique and methods of clinical and radiological follow-up are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

MRI of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis after coxsackie B infection.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rare demyelinating condition of the central nervous system, usually developing after a viral infection or vaccination. We report a case of ADEM predominantly affecting the spinal cord in an 8-year old boy evaluated by MRI. The radiographic picture consisted of multiple focal lesions of the spinal cord, a left posterior thalamic lesion and a subcortical right posterior parietal lesion. These lesions regressed several weeks after corticosteroid treatment. The clinical presentation, the laboratory results and the radiological findings suggest the diagnosis of ADEM secondary to viral infection by Coxsackie B.

Brain↗
PubMed1992

The ureterovesical junction in children: sonographic findings after surgical or endoscopic treatment.

We retrospectively analyzed pre- and postoperative sonographic and medical records of 335 children who had surgical or endoscopic treatment at the ureterovesical junction, in order to determine normal and atypical sonographic appearances. Normal sonographic findings after ureteral reimplantation include thickening of the posterior bladder wall, pseudodiverticular sacculations, bladder asymmetry, and transitory hydroureteronephrosis. Short-term or persistent (lasting more than 1 month) hydroureteronephrosis, urinoma, hematoma, bladder lithiasis, and diverticula were abnormal findings, occurring in 17% of the patients. After partial ureteronephrectomies, visualization of the residual ureter on sonograms was not possible in cases without complications; in one patient, reflux of fluid dilated the residual ureter and made the ureter visible on sonograms. After endoscopic incisions, the masslike appearance of a collapsed ureterocele was observed. Submucosally injected Teflon always appeared as a curvilinear hyperechoic area with an acoustic shadow. Marked acute or persistent hydroureteronephrosis or ectopic intracavitary Teflon particles were observed in 2% of patients. Granuloma formation was considered likely in 5% of the patients when the area of injected Teflon material was longer than 12 mm on sonograms. Submucosally injected collagen appeared less echogenic than Teflon and showed no acoustic shadowing. The various normal sonographic appearances after treatment must be known in order to distinguish them from significant abnormalities. In patients with anatomic anomalies, such as short-term or persistent hydroureteronephrosis, urinoma, hematoma, and lithiasis, complementary uroradiologic examinations may be necessary to clarify the diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Occlusion of a hepatic artery to portal vein fistula with bucrylate.

A 49-year-old woman with cirrhosis and portal hypertension was evaluated for a portal-systemic shunt procedure following recurrent variceal hemorrhage. The preoperative visceral angiogram demonstrated a hepatic arterial to portal venous fistula, presumably a complication of a previous liver biopsy. The fistula was successfully closed using isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate (Bucrylate) delivered through a flow-directed, calibrated-leak balloon microcatheter.

Angiography↗
PubMed1983

Algorithms in the management of cerebrovascular disease.

We present a diagnostic approach to the various clinical presentations of patients with cerebrovascular disease. It involves grouping the patients into five categories: (1) asymptomatic, (2) transient neurologic episodes, (3) unstable neurologic deficits, (4) prolonged neurologic deficits and (5) completed stroke. An algorithm is given for each category and an approach to management is outlined. The algorithms are clinically validated by reviewing the results of 185 reconstructive operations performed on patients with manifestations of cerebrovascular disease who were managed following the algorithms.

Angiography↗
PubMed1982

Ultrasound visualization of the 5-F catheter.

A simple in vitro experiment showed that the 5-F angiographic catheter can be visualized on sonograms. Subsequent in vivo imaging showed that small catheters can be seen sonographically in many locations. Ultrasound is proposed as an effective presurgical procedure in order to determine whether a catheter fragment remains near an arterial puncture or has embolized distally.

Angiography↗