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Biomedical subjects

B M Tress

Publications and source records attributed to B M Tress.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Computerized tomography of cranial sutures. Part 2: Abnormalities of sutures and skull deformity in craniosynostosis.

Preoperative computerized tomographic (CT) scans of 24 children who had surgery for either single or multiple craniosynostoses were compared with skull radiographs and operative and pathological findings. In addition to providing accurate imaging of calvarial and skull base deformities secondary to premature suture closure, high-resolution CT with bone definition algorithms supplied valuable detail of anatomical changes at the abnormally developed suture. The CT findings varied with the location of the suture. Thickened bony ridges predominated at the sagittal suture, focal bone thickening and erosions were more likely to be found at the metopic suture, and parasutural sclerosis was the prevalent finding on one side of the lambdoid suture. No evidence of the suture could be detected in the majority of patients with complete coronal craniosynostosis. Radiographs of the skull were shown to be a relatively insensitive means of imaging the zone of limited fusion, especially the lambdoid suture. An excellent correlation was found between the CT scan and the operative and pathological findings. There was histological evidence of progressive suture fusion in virtually all patients. An asymmetrically narrowed lucent zone with parasutural sclerosis or bony ridges seen on CT scans correlated well with fibrous union of the suture found on histological examination. The authors conclude that high-definition CT used in conjunction with bone windows and thin and coronal slices for the evaluation of sagittal sutures is a useful imaging method for the evaluation of craniosynostosis.

Cranial Sutures↗

Treatment of caroticocavernous fistulae with detachable balloons introduced by percutaneous catheterization.

Five patients with caroticocavernous fistula were treated by new, interventional angiographic techniques. In four patients, latex balloons filled with a silicone polymer were introduced into the cavernous sinus via the transfemoral route and detached; this resulted in complete obliteration of the caroticocavernous fistula and preservation of the internal carotid artery flow in two of the four patients. In the fifth patient, stainless steel coils were introduced into the cavernous sinus via the superior ophthalmic vein which had previously been surgically exposed. These percutaneous, angiographic techniques of intervention should be considered the initial treatment of choice for caroticocavernous fistulae.

Adolescent↗

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis.

Two cases of rhinocerebral mucormycosis are reported to draw attention to this fulminating fungal disease. Both patients had diabetes, and presented with a rapidly progressive orbital apex syndrome.

Adolescent↗

The need for skull radiography in patients presenting for CT.

One thousand patients had both CT of the head and a conventional skull series of radiographs. Radiographic findings were abnormal in 250 patients (25%), but only 64 patients (6.4%) had diagnostically significant abnormalities at radiography that were not detected by CT. If the 163 patients who presented after acute trauma were excluded from the series, only 39 (4.7%) of the remaining patients had radiographically significant abnormal findings that were not seen at CT, and only two (0.2%) of these abnormalities could not be diagnosed by a lateral skull radiograph alone. In only five patients (0.5%) was the management actively changed because an abnormality that was detected at skull radiography was not detected at CT. Thus, in nontrauma patients who have stroke, epilepsy, dementia, or nonspecific symptoms without focal signs, or have recently undergone craniotomy, and who have been referred for CT, skull radiographs are not justified. In the patient with a history and findings that are strongly suggestive of a pathological disorder anywhere other than in the sella turcica, cerebello-pontine angle, and paranasal sinuses, only the lateral skull radiograph should be obtained after CT, and only if CT is equivocal.

Brain Diseases↗

Management of carotid-cavernous fistulas by surgery combined with interventional radiology. Report of two cases.

Two cases of carotid-cavernous fistulas were successfully treated by standard interventional radiology techniques after otherwise inaccessible vessels were surgically exposed. In the first case, an internal carotid artery (ICA), which had previously been ligated as part of an attempted surgical "entrapment" procedure, was recanalized to permit passage of a detachable balloon catheter to the fistula, resulting in its obliteration. In the second case, an enlarged superior ophthalmic vein was exposed and isolated to facilitate retrograde catheterization of the cavernous sinus and obliteration of a dural fistula between the ICA and the cavernous sinus by steel Gianturco coils. The methods and complications of both procedures are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Intracranial pressure in patients with the empty sella syndrome without benign intracranial hypertension.

The intracranial pressure was monitored continuously for at least 48 hours in five patients with empty sella syndrome, who did not have clinical benign intracranial hypertension (BIH). It has been suggested that the empty sella syndrome is a result of chronically elevated intracranial pressure in the presence of a congenitally deficient diaphragma sellae. However, whilst the intracranial pressure in two of the five patients was abnormally high, in three patients in whom it was monitored, the CSF pressure was normal. Although these cases may represent "burnt out" forms of intracranial pressure problems, it might be that the normal pulsations of CSF are sufficient to produce the empty sella in the presence of a deficient diaphragma sella.

Adult↗

A prospective study of lacunar infarction using computerized tomography.

Sequential computed tomography (CT) scans were performed for up to 7 months on patients who presented with clinical evidence of lacunar infarction or ischemia. Sixty-nine percent of the patients showed lacunar infarction, and a negative scan did not suggest a better prognosis in stroke patients. Of patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIA) (lacunar), those with repeated bursts of hemiplegia (capsular warning syndrome) were more likely to be CT-positive (p less than 0.01). The clinical features of patients with lacunar infarction were examined and correlated with the features of infarction. Partial syndromes were found in 32% of the cases and included examples of monoparesis and dysarthria alone.

Brain↗

Embolization of traumatic aneurysm of the maxillary artery.

An expanding false aneurysm in the infratemporal fossa followed this patient's complicated jaw fracture. Successful Gelfoam embolization of the maxillary artery has controlled haemorrhage, treated the aneurysm, and avoided the hazards of local operative intervention. The technique of embolization has a place in the management of various difficult vascular problems.

Adolescent↗

Arteriovenous malformation involving the galenic system. A chance finding in an elderly female.

An elderly female being treated for an unrelated medical condition was found to have an arteriovenous malformation involving the vein of Galen. The florid radiological features are described, including the computed tomogram (CT) appearances. The pathology and usual modes of clinical presentation are reviewed. This patient is the oldest yet described with an arteriovenous malformation involving the Galenic system. It is suggested that the condition is more common in adults than previously thought.

Brain↗

The radiological diagnosis of meningiomas, the impact of EMI scanning.

A review of the impact of computerized axial tomography on the radiological diagnosis of meningiomas is presented. Seventy-one intracranial and eight orbital cases have been examined by this new method using the 160 X 160 matrix. The diagnostic accuracy of the method is compared with established neuroradiological methods of examination (plain X rays, angiography, pneumography and isotope scanning). The new non-invasive method is undoubtedly the most accurate diagnostic tool yet available. It provided a specific diagnosis of meningioma in 77% of the intracranial cases without contrast enhancement and diagnosed the presence of tumour in a further 19% giving an overall tumour diagnosis of 96%. There were three false negatives (4%). After intravenous injection of contrast medium specific diagnosis of meningioma was made in a further six cases raising the specific diagnostic rate to 86%. Specific identification of intra-orbital meningiomas is more difficult though the presence of retro-orbital tumour was correctly diagnosed in all eight cases examined (100%). In none of our cases was a false positive diagnosis of tumour made. However, there are areas where a specific diagnosis of meningioma can only be made as part of a wider differential diagnosis. Apart from the orbit these include the suprasellar area, the cerebello-pontine angle, and the intraventricular regions. Occasionally also supratentorial gliomas or secondaries can simulate meningiomas.

Angiography↗

Standard dose Gd-DTPA dynamic MR of renal arteries.

Renal MR contrast enhancement depends on the timing of image acquisition. Limited human trials have demonstrated efficacy of renal artery stents on salvage of renal function. This study assessed the ability of dynamic gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) administration to demonstrate renal artery stenosis and renal stent patency compared to conventional angiography as the gold standard. Twenty subjects referred for renal angiography underwent 22 dynamic MR studies, including 7 with renal artery stenting (Palmaz P204 or P201, Johnson & Johnson, Sydney, Australia). All were examined with conventional angiography and after dynamic Gd-DTPA infusion. Coronal MR images of the kidneys were acquired using a GE Signa 1.5-T magnet (General Electric Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI) (fast spoiled gradient echo [FSPGR]; TE=4.2 msec, TR=68-150 msec, flip angle=75 degrees) 0 to 600 seconds after iv bolus injection of 15 ml of Gd-DTPA during sequential breath-hold acquisitions, 13 to 32 seconds each. All 51 renal arteries (13 stenosed, 38 normal) were detected with dynamic MRI. Severity of renal artery stenosis was classified correctly with an accuracy of 98% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 85-100), yielding 98% specificity and 100% sensitivity. All nine renal stents were visualized with 100% accurate patency documentation. FSPGR MRI with bolus Gd-DTPA administration can provide adequate time and spatial resolution to demonstrate renal artery stenosis.

Adult↗

Selecting the right technique to reform a reverse curve catheter (Simmons style): critical review.

Reformation of the curve of the Simmons sidewinder catheter may be difficult in some patients, and the originally described technique using the left subclavian artery may be unsuccessful. We review the techniques available for curve reformation, identifying the limitations and problems associated with each technique. We believe that reformation in the descending aorta without a guidewire is the method of choice in most patients. Knowledge of a number of different techniques is advisable.

Angiography↗