Biomedical subjects

D P O'Brien

Publications and source records attributed to D P O'Brien.

131 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Silicone elastomer sling for fecal incontinence in dogs.

Fecal incontinence was created by bilateral pudendal neurectomy in 12 dogs. In six dogs, the fecal incontinence was treated by implantation of a polyester-impregnated silicone elastomer sling to form an artificial external anal sphincter. Six dogs underwent the same operative procedure without the implant to serve as controls. Five dogs regained total continence and one dog regained partial continence after implantation of the sling. Four control dogs remained incontinent and two control dogs regained partial continence. The difference between the dogs with slings and the controls was statistically significant (P less than 0.01). The only complication was infection in one dog, which was treated successfully. Histologic reaction to the implant was confined to a zone of fibrosis 1 to 3 mm surrounding the implant. The sling was well tolerated clinically and appeared to offer a successful method for correction of fecal incontinence in dogs.

Anal Canal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Myelinolysis after correction of hyponatremia in two dogs.

Two dogs developed delayed neurological deterioration after rapid correction of severe hyponatremia. Sequential magnetic resonance imaging showed the development of lesions in the thalamus. One dog was necropsied, and the lesions were characterized by myelinolysis with sparing of axons and neurons. The second dog gradually recovered with no detectable neurological deficits. The syndrome seems analogous to central pontine myelinolysis in human beings. Guidelines for correction of hyponatremia to prevent development of myelinolysis are given.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Dysautonomia in dogs: a retrospective study.

Dysautonomia was diagnosed in 11 young (median age, 14-months), predominantly medium- to large-breed dogs from 1988 to 1995. Clinical signs caused by autonomic dysfunction of the urinary, alimentary, and ocular systems were most common. Dysuria, mydriasis, absence of pupillary light reflexes, decreased tear production, dry mucous membranes, weight loss, and decreased anal tone were present in over 75% of affected dogs. Ocular pharmacological testing with a dilute (0.1%) solution of pilocarpine was used to demonstrate iris sphincter receptor function in all dogs. A low-dose (0.0375 mg/kg s.c.) bethanechol test and pharmacological testing with phenylephrine and epinephrine also demonstrated cholinergic and adrenergic receptor function in 4 dogs. All dogs died or were euthanized as a results of autonomic dysfunction. Neuronal depletion, with associated gliosis and minimal inflammation were noted histologically in the autonomic ganglia of each dog. The pelvic, ciliary, celiac, cranial cervical, and cranial and caudal mesenteric ganglia were affected in all dogs. The cause of autonomic failure in these dogs was not determined.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinicopathologic observations in 100 consecutive patients with fatal head injury admitted to a neurosurgical unit.

A neuropathologic study of 100 patients with fatal head injuries admitted to a neurosurgical unit revealed hypoxic-ischaemic brain damage in 74% and diffuse axonal injury in 42% of patients respectively. Of the seven patients who died as a result of extracerebral injuries, there were four in whom death due to hypovolaemic shock, was considered potentially avoidable. This study indicates that there is scope for improvement in the management of patients with acute head injury, particularly in the prevention of secondary brain damage, and in the need to increase awareness of potentially life threatening extracerebral injuries as a cause of coma.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Head injuries in the Republic of Ireland: a neurosurgical audit.

We examined prospectively over a twelve month period, all head injury admissions to a National Neurosurgical Unit. Patient characteristics, type and severity of injury, distances and time intervals involved in inter-hospital transfers, treatment administered and functional outcome, are reported. We illustrate the effects of inter-hospital distance travelled on outcome, we urge early recognition of potential intracranial injuries and advise rapid transfer of stabilised patients to a neurosurgical unit for assessment and management. These original data indicate that acute head injuries are a major medical problem in this country disabling a young population with unknown socio-economic consequences.

Craniocerebral Trauma↗