Biomedical subjects

F P Haws

Publications and source records attributed to F P Haws.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1994

Disc space infection.

Disc space infection or discitis, an infection of the intervertebral disc with contiguous subchondral vertebral osteomyelitis, most frequently follows prior intervertebral disc surgery or arises by hematogenous dissemination. The majority of cases are located in the lumbosacral spine and are caused by staphylococci. Clinical findings include localized spinal pain and fever. The diagnosis is suggested by radiologic studies (plain x-ray, bone scan, CT scan and MR imaging) and confirmed by culturing blood or material obtained from the involved disc space. Treatment consists of antimicrobial therapy, spinal immobilization and surgical intervention in selected circumstances. Discitis is associated with a good prognosis but residual back pain, limited spinal mobility and neurologic deficit may occur.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Subdural empyema and epidural abscess: recent experience in a community hospital.

We treated 31 cases of localized central nervous system infection over a seven-year period in our community hospital. The causes included brain abscess in 18 cases (58%); cranial subdural empyema (CSE) in six cases (20%); spinal epidural abscess (SEA) in four cases (13%); cranial epidural abscess (CEA) in two cases (6%); and spinal subdural empyema (SSE) in one case (3%). Both CSE and CEA were often caused by sinusitis and manifested by fever, headache, altered sensorium, and focal neurologic signs. Treatment consisted of drainage by burr holes or craniotomy followed by long-term administration of parenteral antibiotics. Though all patients with CSE and CEA survived, half had severe residual neurologic deficits. Both SEA and SSE were manifested by fever, spinal pain, and loss of motor function, and both were treated by laminectomy drainage and antibiotic administration. One patient died and three of the other four had residual neurologic deficits or back pain. Diagnosis of CSE and CEA was facilitated by CT scanning, while clinical examination, CT scanning, and myelography were useful in diagnosing SEA; SSE was not suspected preoperatively.

Abscess↗

PubMed1985

Brain abscess: recent experience at a community hospital.

Brain abscess is a formidable diagnostic and therapeutic problem with mortality ranging from 35% to 65%. It may occur at any age, and there is a male:female ratio of 2:1. Brain abscess arises from a contiguous focus of infection, direct implantation due to trauma, or hematogenous spread from a remote site. The commonest organisms isolated from brain abscess include streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacteroides species, and Enterobacteriaceae. Brain abscess frequently produces headache, vomiting, focal neurologic signs, and depressed level of consciousness. Fever and leukocytosis often are absent. Diagnosis is suggested by computerized tomography, but most cases require surgical confirmation. Optimal management consists of intensive antibiotic therapy. Aggressive surgical treatment is required in cases not responding to antimicrobial therapy. Long-term neurologic deficit occurs in up to 60% of cases.

Adolescent↗