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Biomedical subjects

C A Helms

Publications and source records attributed to C A Helms.

140 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Arthrotomography of the temporomandibular joint: new technique and preliminary observations.

A technique for arthrography of the temporomandibular joint using multidirectional tomography is described that greatly simplifies interpretation. In 21 attempts, 20 successful arthrograms were obtained in patients complaining of pain, tenderness, and clicking and locking of the joint who had not responded to conservative therapy. Abnormalities demonstrated were perforation of the meniscus, anterior dislocation and subluxation of the meniscus; and redundancy of the bilaminar zone. In all 11 patients who underwent surgical meniscoplasty, disc abnormalities included thinning, perforation, flaccidity, and bilaminar redundancy. No permanent complications of the arthrographic procedure occurred, but temporary postprocedure discomfort was frequent. This preliminary experience with temporomandibular joint arthrotomography suggests this easily performed procedure offers reliable information about disc function and integrity that may assist in a selection of patients for meniscoplasty and other surgical treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Arthrotomographic evaluation of the temporomandibular joint.

Thirty-five arthrotomograms of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) were done on 33 patients who had chronic pain and dysfunction of the TMJ. All patients were refractory to conservative treatment. Five arthrotomograms were normal; abnormalities were observed in 30. Abnormalities of the meniscus were anterior dislocation, anterior subluxation, perforation, tenting, and degenerative changes and adhesions. The significance of these abnormalities is discussed. Arthrotomography was found to be an integral part of the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Pseudocysts of the humerus.

Two patients are described who had areas of rarefaction in the humeral heads that were biopsied and found to be normal bone. Almost all humeral heads have an area of localized rarefaction laterally, and when very pronounced this can be confused with a lytic lesion. These pseudocysts are so radiographically characteristic that they should not be biopsied.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Is parathormone a cardiac toxin in uremia?

In uremia, parathormone (PTH) has been associated with inadequate left ventricular hypertrophy, cardiomyopathy, and mitral anular calcification (MAC). We related levels of serum PTH, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, calcium-phosphate product, and systolic blood pressure to average left ventricular wall thickness, left ventricular mass index, ejection fraction, and presence and extent of MAC by echocardiography in 44 patients before and after renal transplantation. Pre-transplant, 18 patients (41%) had MAC; these and the 26 others had similar values for serum PTH, calcium-phosphate product, systolic blood pressure, age, and years of hemodialysis. The patients with PTH levels greater than 1000 mcl eq/ml had higher systolic blood pressures pre-transplant (157 +/- 21 vs 147 +/- 17 mm Hg, p less than 0.05), but not post-transplant as PTH levels normalized. Post-transplant, there were significant decreases in left ventricular mass index (140 +/- 35 to 103 +/- 25 g/m2) and average diastolic left ventricular wall thickness (1.4 +/- 0.2 to 1.2 +/- 0.2 cm, both p less than 0.05); however, ejection fraction and extent of MAC did not change. Left ventricular mass index, average diastolic left ventricular wall thickness, and ejection fraction did not correlate with serum PTH or electrolyte levels before or after renal transplantation. MAC is present in more than one third of uremic pts and does not resolve after renal transplantation. Although PTH does not correlate with left ventricular hypertrophy, cardiac function, or MAC before or after transplantation, elevated levels pre-transplant are associated with a slightly greater degree of hypertension. Thus PTH may be a mild vasoactive pressor in some patients with end-stage renal failure.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

CT attenuation numbers in the lumbar spine and their utility in diagnosing disc disease.

Normal CT attenuation values for various structures in the lumbar spine were obtained on several CT scanners. The wide range of normal makes using absolute CT numbers unreliable. The utility and pitfalls of using CT attenuation numbers in the lumbar spine are discussed and several examples are illustrated. CT numbers used as absolute values can be misleading, whereas, when used as relative values for comparison with other structures, they can be quite valuable.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Double-echo MPGR imaging of the rotator cuff.

T2-weighted gradient recalled (T2*) sequences are often used in place of T2 sequences when imaging the shoulder. The main advantages of these sequences are the decreased imaging time, the better demonstration of cartilage disorders, and the added tissue information that can be garnered due to the increased sensitivity to magnetic susceptibility with T2* sequences. Unfortunately, one drawback of T2* sequences that is less apparent with spin-echo techniques is the sensitivity of tissue close to the surface coil to undergo diffusely increased signal throughout an area in close proximity to the coil (coil-burnout). This phenomenon is a very bothersome artifact that can obscure tissue differentiation in this area. Fluid detection, especially in the subacromial bursa, can be especially difficult to diagnose in the presence of coil-burnout. We describe MR imaging of the shoulder using double-echo T2-weighted multiplanar gradient recalled sequences, which allow better evaluation of shoulder pathology.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Tarsal tunnel syndrome caused by strain of an anomalous muscle: an MRI-specific diagnosis.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) is a compression neuropathy of the posterior tibial nerve in the ankle, commonly caused by a mass lesion such as ganglion, tumor, fracture, or post-traumatic fibrosis. Although anomalous muscle is relatively common in the ankle, there has been only one report to date implicating it in TTS. This case demonstrates MR findings of a strained flexor digitorum accessorius longus muscle as an unusual cause of TTS.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Computerized tomography in orthopedic surgery.

Computerized tomography has been demonstrated to be highly effective and accurate in delineating soft tissue and bony cross-sectional anatomy. The technique is very helpful in: (A) delineating the 3-dimensional extents of destructive lesions; (B) defining the nature of lesions by revealing their tissue densities and invasive characteristics; and (C) delineating the cross-sectional anatomy of complex geometric lesions; for example, fractures of the pelvis and spine. These features enable the orthopedic surgeon to better diagnose pathological lesions, plan surgical procedures, screen patients for metastases, and facilitate percutaneous biopsy or aspiration of difficult anatomic sites. While these applications are becoming well established, additional uses are under investigation in the areas of trauma, and in clinical research of metabolic bone disease.

Adenocarcinoma↗