Biomedical subjects

A J Dale

Publications and source records attributed to A J Dale.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Penetrating injury to the brainstem after a nailgun accident: a case study.

Nonfatal penetrating injuries to the brainstem offer a unique opportunity to assess subcortical auditory pathway function. A case study of a patient suffering a severe nailgun accident is presented. Hearing sensitivity and acoustic reflexes were normal bilaterally, but word recognition was reduced for one ear. Auditory brainstem response results indicated waves I-IV were present bilaterally, but wave V was absent bilaterally. Results of vestibular findings indicated central pathology also. Results of audiologic, vestibular, radiologic, neurologic, and physical medicine examinations are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

An audit of 3D treatment planning facilities and practice in the UK.

The availability and use of 3D treatment planning facilities in the UK was investigated by questionnaire. Fifty-eight of the 62 UK radiotherapy centres responded (94%). There was considerable variation in the facilities available and in the manner in which they were used. Although 36 centres (62%) have the facilities to undertake complex, non-coplanar treatment planning, only 12 did so on a regular basis. More surprising was the inconsistent implementation of coplanar CT planning. It is suggested that we need to work towards reaching a consensus on best practice in radiotherapy planning. This will require the creation of systems for guidance and further training of the various staff involved.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗

PubMed1994

Transient ischemic attack and minor ischemic stroke: an algorithm for evaluation and treatment. Mayo Clinic Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To report a cost-effective and scientifically based algorithm for the clinical assessment and treatment of patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor ischemic stroke. DESIGN: We comprehensively reviewed the literature on the epidemiologic features, assessment approaches, and treatment recommendations for ischemic cerebrovascular disease and developed an algorithm by using the available clinical and research data to support all decision-making steps. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For patients with TIA or minor ischemic stroke, the appropriate setting for investigation (inpatient or outpatient), suggested diagnostic tests, use of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents, and indications for surgical treatment are reviewed. RESULTS: Although stroke is a common cause of death and lost productivity in the United States, the clinical assessment of patients with TIA or minor ischemic stroke has lacked consistency. The simplified algorithm clarifies patients who may be candidates for hospitalization and possible anticoagulation therapy. Initial diagnostic studies should include computed tomography of the head without use of a contrast agent, which quickly distinguishes nonhemorrhagic from hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease. Evolving noninvasive studies of the cerebral vasculature are providing increasingly sensitive means of detecting stenoses, yet cerebral angiography remains the "gold standard." Treatment options depend on the pathophysiologic findings on diagnostic evaluation. CONCLUSION: The assessment of patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease is complex. The simplified algorithmic approach reported herein necessitates entry of appropriate patients into the algorithm. Because of clinical heterogeneity, an algorithm may apply to a wide spectrum of patients but will not cover every situation; hence, evaluation must be guided by a patient's unique history and findings on examination and by the physician's clinical experience.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1989

Radiation-associated atheromatous disease of the cervical carotid artery: report of seven cases and review of the literature.

The natural history of postirradiation extracranial cerebrovascular disease is uncertain. Previous reported cases spanning 20 years of carotid surgery are difficult to evaluate, because patients may sometimes have unspecified symptoms, physical examinations, postoperative results, and follow-up. Also, the evolution of carotid surgery over the past two decades makes it impossible to compare earlier operative technique with the state-of-the-art technique of today. Our series of 7 patients underwent 9 carotid endarterectomies with an average follow-up period of 46 months. The number of patients is small, and although technically this is a more difficult operation, we feel the results are favorable and may be comparable with endarteerctomy procedures in nonirradiated patients. These patients should be approached as if radiation changes are not a major factor when they are considered for reconstructive arterial surgery.

Aged↗

PubMed1988

An electroencephalographic study of glossopharyngeal neuralgia with syncope.

In the case described, electroencephalography (EEG) proved valuable for determining the nature of spells of loss of consciousness with brief clonic jerks associated with ear and throat pain. A 70-year-old woman had a history of episodic brief attacks of pain below the right ear and deep in the neck that had started three years previously. The spells became more severe and progressed to loss of awareness associated with clonic jerks of the extremities. Because of a concern that the spells represented seizures, an EEG was performed, with electrocardiographic monitoring. Multiple spells were recorded; they began with profound bradycardia followed by generalized slow-wave activity and then by suppression of all EEG activity correlating with loss of consciousness and clonic jerking. The spells were thought to represent syncopal attacks associated with glossopharyngeal neuralgia.

Aged↗

PubMed1983

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials in 20 patients with palatal myoclonus.

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) were obtained in 20 patients with palatal myoclonus. The group included 14 men and six women whose ages ranged from 19 to 82 years. Six of the patients had abnormal BAEPs: two with severe head trauma and one each with a brainstem infarct, tumor, demyelination, and an indeterminate inflammatory process. The 14 patients with normal BAEPs had palatal myoclonus secondary to head trauma (five patients), brainstem infarcts (four patients), cerebellar tumors (two patients), degenerative processes (two patients), and an Arnold-Chiari malformation (one patient). Since the auditory pathways are separate from the structures associated with palatal myoclonus, it is possible to have discrete lesions producing palatal myoclonus with sparing of the auditory structures, whereas diffuse or multifocal lesions of the brainstem are more likely to be associated with abnormal BAEPs.

Adult↗

PubMed1976

Insulinoma--current diagnosis and surgical management.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1976

Insulinoma: clinical and diagnostic features of 60 consecutive cases.

Insulinoma is a rare tumor, occurring more often in women and in the older age range. Eighty percent of patients have a single benign tumor, usually less than or equal to 2 cm in diameter, located with about equal frequency in body, head, or tail of the pancreas and amenable to surgical cure. About 10% have multiple tumors; in this group there is a high incidence of multiple endocrine neoplasia type I syndrome. The remaining 10% of patients have metastatic malignant insulinoma. Symptoms are intermittent, recur at irregular intervals in the food-deprived state over a median of 1 1/2 years, and arise from varying degrees of neuroglycopenia. Symptoms often lead to misdiagnosis as a neurologic or psychiatric disorder. Transient neurologic deficits and EEG abnormalities can be observed during hypoglycemia. Diagnosis requires repeated demonstration of hypoglycemia (glucose less than or equal to 40 mg/dl) during spontaneous or provoked symptoms, relief with ingestion of carbohydrates, simultaneous hyperinsulinemia (serum insulin greater than 6 muU/ml), and absence of insulin antibodies. A useful diagnostic adjunct is the intravenous tolbutamide test, for which new diagnostic criteria are presented.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

PubMed1974