PURPOSE: To determine whether certain patients with epidural hematomas would benefit from conservative treatment and to assess the neuroradiologist's role in decision-making. METHODS: We reviewed the CT scan findings, clinical presentation and outcome of 48 consecutive patients with epidural hematoma managed at our institution within the past 5 years. In 18 patients, initial management was nonsurgical, and only one of these went on to require surgery due to clinical deterioration and evidence of enlargement of hematoma on CT. The remainder of these 18 did well without surgery. OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS: Clinical indicators of neurologic dysfunction (decrease in Glasgow coma scale score, pupillary dilatation, and hemiparesis) in the presence of even small epidural hematomas usually dictates the need for surgical management. The role of the neuroradiologist is most important when the patient presents in a good clinical state, when identification of both favorable and unfavorable prognostic factors on Ct is essential. The initial diameter of nonsurgically managed epidural hematomas generally must be small (mean, 1.26 cm in our series, all under 1.5 cm), and midline shift should be minimal (mean, 1.8 mm in our series). The identification of lucent areas within the epidural hematoma (suggesting active bleeding), or CT evidence of uncal herniation, can be ominous and the neurosurgeon must be alerted to their presence. Even in the presence of a favorable clinical status, presence of a larger epidural hematoma with significant mass effect or central lucent areas should alert the neuroradiologist and neurosurgeon to the strong possibility of sudden neurologic deterioration, and indicate the probable need for surgical management.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Micro-arteriovenous malformations of the brain: superselective angiography in diagnosis and treatment.

PURPOSE: We assessed the usefulness of superselective angiography in patients with micro-arteriovenous malformations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five patients had superselective angiography for either diagnosis or treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations having a nidus of less than 1 cm. All patients presented with an intracerebral hematoma. RESULTS: In one patient superselective angiography confirmed the presence of a shunt that was suspected due to visualization of an early vein on the follow-up angiogram; in another patient superselective angiography was helpful in defining the topography of the malformation; in the remaining three patients, superselective angiography was used for embolization of the malformation. We were unsuccessful in achieving a complete angiographic cure in these 3; however, superselective angiography revealed an aneurysm in one that was obliterated by the liquid adhesive embolic agent. CONCLUSION: With the recent advances in microcatheters, superselective angiography has a promising role in defining the topography and angioarchitecture of micro-arteriovenous malformations. Micro-arteriovenous malformations may not be angiographically evident at the time of initial hemorrhage due to the hematoma. With future technical advances it may be possible to completely obliterate these malformations by embolization alone.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Vaccines.

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Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Monitoring and recording clinical trials.

A procedure based on the use of on-site monitoring has been developed for managing clinical testing programs. The procedure involves orientation meetings, forms specifically designed for good record-keeping, staff instruction, the establishment of normal laboratory values and criteria for patient selection, and prescribed monitoring functions. This procedure has proved successful in improving the performance of the physician-investigator, maintaining investigator interest, and enhancing the value of program results.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reprocessing of reusable medical devices.

Advances in medical science and, in particular, minimally invasive surgical and diagnostic procedures have stimulated the development of new and improved medical devices. This has been made possible because of developments in engineering and material sciences. The design of devices for reusability is particularly important in an effort to provide cost effective healthcare. Concerns and issues include the ability to safely and effectively reprocess the devices, infection prevention and control, safety of the patient and healthcare worker, environmental concerns, and effective use of resources. From an infection prevention point of view, present requirements are based upon the intended use of the devices. Critical devices require sterilization. Semi-critical devices require, as a minimum, high level disinfection. Sterilization is, however, preferred whenever possible. Before sterilization or disinfection, devices should be cleaned adequately. Device designs should be readily amenable to cleaning and sterilization. In the past, design requirements focused primarily on the clinical user and device functionality, with reuse considerations left to the user. In the current market, the customer is redefined and, for reusable medical devices, includes all those associated with the device through the reprocessing procedure. In addition, regulations require that manufacturers give detailed instructions for reprocessing medical devices. The device users have the obligation to follow reprocessing instructions. Many choices exist today in device designs, including disposable or reusable devices. The user needs to balance cost versus convenience and reprocessing requirements for reusables. Current trends are to reuse more devices, including many of which were meant to be disposable. Cost effective designs can best be achieved when the user and manufacturer work together on the design.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bacterial Infections↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Re: 'Issues in methods and measurement of thermodilution cardiac output'.

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Bias↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Metastases to meningioma.

We describe a patient with metastatic disease to an intracranial meningioma in which MR images showed multiple foci of intense enhancement within a background of moderate enhancement. The discrete foci proved to be metastatic disease from the patient's known breast carcinoma.

Aged↗