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Biomedical subjects

A Jamjoom

Publications and source records attributed to A Jamjoom.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Results of day-case surgery for lumbar disc prolapse.

Microdiscectomy for lumbar disc prolapse on a day-patient basis was introduced by our department in 1985 and first reported in 1987, but has not been generally adopted in the United Kingdom. We now report our experience of the first 100 patients with lumbar disc prolapse treated by day-case microdiscectomy. Post-operative assessment was in the out-patient clinic and by subsequent postal questionnaire (average follow-up 37 months, range 3-64 months). Complications were few and are described. Only three patients developed a recurrent disc prolapse. Patient feedback was favourable and the majority (85%) said that, if necessary, they would be prepared to have the operation again on a day-case basis. For selected patients, lumbar microdiscectomy is a suitable procedure for day-case surgery.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Cervical lymph nodes metastases from a pituitary carcinoma.

The authors report a case of a pituitary carcinoma which was locally invasive and which metastasized to cervical lymph nodes more than 9 years after the initial presentation. Cells from the tumour and metastasis immunostained with antibodies to prolactin and growth hormone, even though there was no clinical or biochemical evidence that the tumour was secreting prolactin or growth hormone. In addition, ultrastructural studies showed a monomorphic tumour with secretory granules much smaller than those normally associated with prolactin and growth hormone secretion. The clinical and pathological features suggest that the tumour is probably an acidophil stem cell adenoma, which although known to be aggressive in its clinical behaviour has not been previously reported to metastasize.

Adenoma, Chromophobe↗

Growing skull fractures: classification and management.

Seven patients with growing skull fractures treated between 1983 and 1993 are described. These growing fractures constituted 1.6% of all the cases of skull fractures seen during the period (a total of 449 cases). Based on aetiopathogenesis, computed tomography (CT) appearances, operative findings and management strategies required, three main types of growing skull fractures were recognized. In type I (n = 3) a leptomeningeal cyst, in type II (n = 3) damaged and gliotic brain, and in type III (n = 2) a porencephalic cyst extended through the skull defect into the subgaleal space. A combination of type I and type III co-existed in one patient. Initial head injury and neurological deficit were judged to be mild to moderate in all the seven cases. Continued growth of skull fractures correlated closely to the increasing neurological deficit in five cases. In two patients natural arrest of fracture growth at 5 and 7 months after trauma was accompanied by arrest in progress of neurological deficit. Available surgical options are discussed and general guidelines for the management are given.

Brain↗

Spinal intradural extramedullary enterogenous cysts. Report of two cases and review of literature.

Two patients with intradural extramedullary cysts of the spinal canal are described. Both presented with slowly progressive myelo-radiculopathy caused by mucin-producing epithelial-lined cysts in cervical and upper thoracic region. Histologically, both lesions were considered to be neurenteric cysts with an endodermal origin. Radiographic diagnosis was made by a combination of myelography, computed tomographic scan with myelography (CTM), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Complete surgical resection was curative in both cases. Clinical presentation, histological characteristics, imaging findings and surgical management of this rare lesion are highlighted.

Adult↗

Experience with brain abscess in the central province of Saudi Arabia.

The characteristics of brain abscess in the Central Province of Saudi Arabia are outlined in this report which is a review of 22 consecutive cases that were treated at King Khalid University Hospital between 1985-1991. The incidence of brain abscess in Saudi Arabia is calculated to be 3.6 cases/500,000 population/year which is twice as high as the incidence reported from the West. There were 17 males and 5 females with an age range of 8 months-80 years (mean 29.9 years). The parietal lobe was involved in 27%, while the abscess was in the posterior fossa in 14% and multiple in another 14% of cases. The primary source of sepsis was unknown in 50%, post-traumatic in 18% and from a dental and mastoid origin in 14% of cases only. Duration of symptoms ranged between 4-30 days (mean 12 days). Fever was present in 55% of cases and epilepsy in 23%. Sixteen (73%) cases had burr hole aspiration, while 3 (14%) had craniotomy and excision, and 3 (14%) cases were managed with antimicrobial treatment only. Staphylococci were the pathogens in 27%, while streptococci were cultured in 23% cases and the culture was negative in 23%. Three (14%) cases all of which died had fungal abscesses caused by Fonsecaea pedrosoi. The mortality was 18%, good recovery in 68% and fair recovery in 14%. Follow-up was from 3 months to 5.5 years (mean 1.8 years).

Adolescent↗

Cerebellopontine angle epithelial cyst. A case report.

A case of epithelial cyst in the cerebellopontine angle is reported. The cyst wall showed glandular epithelium with areas of non-keratinized stratified epithelium and flattened cuboidal cells. The glandular areas stained positively with antibodies to cytokeratin. In addition, the cyst wall contained areas of arachnoid tissue. This, and the unusual position of the cyst, suggest that the epithelial elements in the cyst wall may be metaplastic in origin. Similar previously described cysts were considered to be endodermal in origin.

Adult↗

Neurosurgical management of intraventricular haemorrhage in preterm infants.

A review of intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) diagnosed in 103 preterm infants from 1983 to 1993 describes the presenting features and management of this condition. In this 10-year period, 37 infants with IVH developed post-haemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH), defined as ventriculomegaly, raised intracranial pressure and increasing head circumference. PHH was treated by external ventricular drainage and/or ventriculo-peritoneal shunting; but other drainage procedures like lumbar punctures and subcutaneous ventricular reservoir were used occasionally. Relative indications, merits and demerits of these various surgical options is discussed and results summarized. High incidence of neuro-developmental handicap and its correlation with the grade of haemorrhage and PHH is emphasized. External ventricular drainage (EVD) was found to be an effective and safe therapy for rapidly progressive PHH and increased intracranial pressure. Ultimate outcome depended mainly on the grade of haemorrhage, severity of PHH and promptness of its neurosurgical management.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗

The influence of concomitant intradural pathology on the presentation and outcome of patients with acute traumatic extradural haematoma.

The pre-operative and early postoperative CT scans of 120 patients who had surgery for acute extradural haematoma were reviewed, 88 cases (73%) had an extradural haematoma alone (Group 1) while 32 cases (27%) had an additional intradural abnormality (Group 2). The abnormalities were a subdural haematoma in eight, a haemorrhagic contusion in 16 and hemisphere swelling in eight. The two groups were compared with regard to the findings that an additional intradural abnormality is likely to be associated with an older age, an injury following a road traffic accident, a GCS less than 7 at operation, additional extracranial injuries and a poorer outcome. The increase in the percentage of patients who were unconscious from the onset and the decrease in those who were always conscious with a concomitant intradural damage was without statistical significance.

Adolescent↗

Justification for evacuating acute subdural haematomas in patients above the age of 75 years.

The author has reviewed the outcome of 27 patients aged 75 years and over who had an operation for acute traumatic subdural haematoma at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, over a 10-year period. There were 15 men and 12 women with a mean age of 79.2 years. The outcome at 6 months was determined using the Glasgow Outcome Score. Of the patients, 15 per cent made a good recovery, 15 per cent a poor recovery and 70 per cent died. The influence of age, sex, mechanism of injury, preoperative Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), pupillary reactivity to light, skull and limb fractures, clinical course, CT scan appearance and timing of operation were analysed in relation to the outcome. The results showed that a preoperative GCS of 4 or less and unilateral pupillary dilatation and non-reactivity to light were not compatible with good survival in the very elderly patient with acute subdural haematoma. Under these circumstances, operation is not justified. The prognosis was worse in patients who were unconscious immediately after injury and with a CT scan showing a subdural haematoma and a haemorrhagic contusion which required urgent early intervention. The prognostic indicators present may prove useful in the selection of patients for active surgical intervention.

Acute Disease↗

Unique complications of cerebrospinal fluid shunts in children--a report of two cases.

The authors report on two cases with unusual CSF shunt complications. The first case had a peritoneal catheter which migrated down a patent processus vaginalis into a hydrocoele. The second case had an atrial catheter which perforated the atrial wall and came to lie in the pericardium causing an effusion. Clinicians should be aware of the frequent and occasionally bizarre complications of CSF shunting.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts↗

MRI in the diagnosis of spinal extradural angiolipoma.

We report the case of a 68-year-old woman with a 1-year history of progressive spastic paraparesis, due to an extradural angiolipoma of the mid-thoracic spine. The MRI appearance of the angiolipoma is reported here for the first time. This appearance is characteristic, allows preoperative diagnosis and assists planning of the surgical approach.

Aged↗

Ventriculitis and hydrocephalus caused by Candida albicans successfully treated by antimycotic therapy and cerebrospinal fluid shunting.

A unique case of Candida albicans ventriculitis and hydrocephalus in the absence of any evidence of systemic candidiasis or immunosuppression is reported. Initial treatment with CSF shunting and intravenous antimycotic therapy appeared to have eradicated the infection. Recurrence occurred 5 months after discharge and this was treated by intravenous and intrathecal antimycotic therapy in addition to removal of the shunt system, external ventricular drainage and then replacement of the shunt. A concomitant pyogenic brain abscess responded to burrhole aspiration and antibiotics. The role of mannan antigen monitoring is discussed.

Adolescent↗

Outcome following surgical evacuation of traumatic intracranial haematomas in the elderly.

In order to determine the factors influencing outcome following craniotomy for trauma in patients over the age of 65 and to establish criteria for surgical intervention, the authors carried out a retrospective analysis of the hospital and general practice records of all head injury patients over the age of 65 who underwent a craniotomy for evacuation of a post-traumatic haematoma within 7 days of injury at Frenchay Hospital during a 10-year period (1980-89). Outcome was measured using the Glasgow Outcome Scale and patients were allotted to a good outcome group (good recovery or moderate disability but independent) or a poor outcome group (severe disability, vegetative state of death). There were 35 men and 31 women with a mean age of 72.5 years (range 65-85 years). The mortality rate was 61% and 9% of patients survived in a severely disabled or vegetative state. All 20 (30%) patients with a good outcome had a Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) of 5 or more immediately before surgery. All 18 (27%) patients with a GCS of 4 or less and all 22 (33%) patients with unilateral or bilateral pupillary dilatation had a poor outcome. Outcome was significantly worse in the older patients (75-85 years) compared with the younger patients (65-74 years) and in those patients requiring craniotomy within 24 hours of injury, but the mechanism of injury (fall or road traffic accident), the presence or absence of skull fractures and limb fractures and the pre-operative CT scan appearances did not influence outcome. This study confirms the high probability of poor outcome following surgical evacuation of traumatic intracranial haematomas for elderly head-injured patients with pupillary dilatation or extensor motor responses. Craniotomy under these circumstances is not justified.

Aged↗

The value of autopsies in neurosurgery.

Many previous studies have reported the value of autopsy in assessing clinical diagnostic accuracy. None of them however, assessed the value of autopsies in a specific clinical speciality. The authors reviewed the findings of 123 consecutive neurosurgical autopsies with reference to the premortem clinical diagnoses. The study showed that 7% of cases had a wrong clinical diagnosis and in 9% of cases the clinical diagnosis was incomplete. Only in 5% of all cases knowledge of the autopsy findings would have led to a change in management and outcome. The autopsies also confirmed that 11% of cases died following a surgical complication and in 3% of cases the primary cause of death was non-neurosurgical. The latter was a previously unrecognised finding in 8% of autopsies. The autopsy will remain a valuable means of clinical audit and the increasing financial pressures to reduce the number of autopsies should be resisted.

Adolescent↗

Recurrent subarachnoid haemorrhage from an angiographically occult large distal pica aneurysm.

The author reports an unusual case with recurrent episodes of subarachnoid haemorrhage. Complete angiographic examination was negative on three occasions. An unexpected distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm was found at autopsy. The case illustrates the occasional failure of angiography in the detection of aneurysms and the need to have a high index of suspicion of an aneurysm in cases with recurrent subarachnoid haemorrhage with negative angiography. The role of magnetic resonance imaging is discussed.

Adult↗