Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to D L Kasdon.
Interhemispheric subdural hematomas are rare. Bilateral interhemispheric subdural hematomas in a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for hydrocephalus were diagnosed by computerized tomographic (CT) scan after mild head trauma. The value of CT scanning, the clinical presentation and treatment, and a review of the literature are presented.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Two adolescent boys had classic histories and findings of spinal claudication. Their plain x-ray films were read as normal and myelograms demonstrated a ventral defect at L4-5. Surgical exploration revealed ventral bony ridges in both cases. Laminectomy initially provided substantial relief, but spinal fusion was necessary for complete abolition of symptoms.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Cervical spondylosis and motor system disease can appear in a similar manner with upper and lower motor neuron signs. Four patients with spasticity and fasciculations in the upper and lower extremities had surgical decompression for cervical spondylosis. Postoperative examinations at 24 to 48 months, including electromyographic studies, disclosed neurological improvement in all patients and loss of fasciculations in the lower extremities in three. Three mechanisms by which cervical spondylosis might cause fasciculations in the lower extremities are vascular insufficiency, cord traction, and denervation.
True arachnoid cysts of the suprasellar region are uncommon and have rarely been diagnosed pre-operatively. An histologically verified suprasellar arachnoid cyst producing hydrocephalus and visual loss in a 19-year-old man was diagnosed by a combination of pneumoencephalography and computerized tomographic (CT) scanning prior to surgery. The incidence, pathogenesis, signs, and treatment of suprasellar arachnoid cysts are discussed.
A large traumatic arteriovenous malformation of the scalp was embolized with Pantopaque-saturated Gelfoam pledgets, which made fluoroscopic monitoring of the radiopaque emboli possible. Postembolization angiography demonstrated complete occlusion of the malformation. There is still no clinical or physical evidence of recurrence after an 8-month follow-up period.
Three cases of spinal arteriovenous malformation are reported which illustrate that localization of intra- and extramedullary components are not always adequately assessed by spinal angiography alone. One large malformation, primarily dorsal to the spinal cord, was not seen on angiography. A second lesion thought to be intramedullary and unresectable as judged by angiography was found at surgery to be primarily dorsolateral and was resected. The third malformation was thought to be extramedullary on angiography, yet had a major intramedullary component at surgery and was not resected. We conclude that surgical exploration of all spinal arteriovenous malformations should be performed despite the angiographic appearance.