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Biomedical subjects

G R Cosgrove

Publications and source records attributed to G R Cosgrove.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Functional magnetic resonance imaging for cortical mapping in pediatric neurosurgery.

Currently there is considerable interest in applying functional imaging modalities to the problem of cortical localization. We present the case of a 15-year-old boy with a seizure disorder related to a tumor in the dominant supplementary motor area. This case illustrates the usefulness of functional magnetic resonance imaging as a new imaging tool for localization of cortical function in younger patients. The functional magnetic resonance imaging provided an anatomically accurate topographic map of operative site and subcortical structures along with relevant functional cortex. This information was useful for both presurgical planning and intraoperative localization. Validation of the technique in this instance was confirmed with intraoperative cortical motor mapping and the postoperative result.

Adolescent↗

Psychosurgery.

Surgical treatment of psychiatric disease can be helpful in certain patients with severe, disabling and treatment refractory major affective disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and chronic anxiety states. Psychosurgical treatment should be carried out by an expert multidisciplinary team with experience in these disorders. Surgery should be considered as one part of an entire treatment plan and must be followed by an appropriate psychiatric rehabilitation program.

Brain↗

Cerebral blood volume maps of gliomas: comparison with tumor grade and histologic findings.

PURPOSE: To assess the utility of magnetic resonance (MR) cerebral blood volume (CBV) maps in the evaluation of gliomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBV maps from 19 patients with histologically proved gliomas were calculated from dynamic MR image sets acquired with echo-planar spin-echo imaging after intravenous injection of gadolinium-based contrast material. RESULTS: The maximum CBV varied from 0.82 to 5.40 in the high-grade group (n = 13) and from 1.01 to 1.21 in the low-grade group (n = 6). The difference was statistically significant. Maximum CBV was associated with mitotic activity and vascularity, but not with cellular atypia, endothelial proliferation, necrosis, or cellularity. CONCLUSION: MR CBV maps provided diagnostic information not available with conventional MR imaging in six cases and offers a functional parameter for assessing glioma grade and regions of focal activity.

Adult↗

Hemorrhage into a lumbar synovial cyst causing an acute cauda equina syndrome. Case report.

Juxtafacet cysts of the lumbar spine have been reported with increasing frequency but their pathogenesis remains obscure. These cysts most frequently present with back pain, followed by chronic progressive radiculopathy or gradual onset of symptoms of spinal canal compromise. The authors report an unusual case of hemorrhage into a right L3-4 synovial cyst causing an acute cauda equina syndrome and describe its successful surgical treatment. The clinical, radiographic, and pathological features are discussed.

Acute Disease↗

Stereotactic microsurgical resection of cerebral lesions.

We describe our experience with stereotactic microsurgical resection of 27 lesions using the Leksell frame in 23 patients; 7 had cerebral metastases, 6 had gliomas, 6 had vascular malformations, 3 had meningiomas and 1 had radiation necrosis. Gross total removal of the lesion was accomplished in every case. All lesions were between 1.0 and 3.5 cm in greatest diameter and located either deep within the cerebral (n = 7) or superficially in areas of functional cortex (n = 20). There was no operative mortality and only minimal morbidity. Average length of operating time including frame application, imaging and resection was 4.4 h and most patients were discharged on the second postoperative day. The indications, advantages and limitations of stereotactic craniotomy are discussed and technical modifications that extend the usefulness and safety of this technique are described.

Adolescent↗

Remote recurrence of craniopharyngioma in the epidural space. Case report.

The case is reported of a 28-year-old man with "ectopic" craniopharyngioma recurring in the epidural space 21 years after the original tumor was resected. Previously described cases of similar remote recurrences as well as some features of the biological behavior of craniopharyngioma are discussed. The rarity of this postoperative complication is addressed.

Adult↗

Transaqueductal migration of a neurocysticercus cyst. Case report.

The clearly documented transaqueductal migration of a solitary intraventricular neurocysticercus cyst is described. The cyst was fortuitously demonstrated on magnetic resonance imaging during migration through the aqueduct. The radiological appearance and clinical significance of this condition are discussed.

Adult↗

Broca's aphasia following damage to Wernicke's area. For or against traditional aphasiology?

Classic aphasiology has been challenged by studies that have employed cranial computed tomography to test predicted anatomic-behavioral correlations. We treated a patient who developed a classic Broca's aphasia but whose computed tomographic scan revealed damage to Wernicke's area, thus seeming to contradict the principles of traditional aphasiology. However, subsequent information obtained by magnetic resonance imaging, intracarotid amobarbital (Amytal) testing, and electrophysiologic studies, including cortical stimulation, demonstrated that the brain-behavior correlations in this patient can be understood in terms of the formulations of traditional aphasiology.

Adult↗

Tests of EEG localization accuracy using implanted sources in the human brain.

The accuracy with which electrical sources in the brain can be localized by using electroencephalograms measured on the scalp is not well known. In this study, tests of localization accuracy were performed by using implanted dipolar sources in the human brain. These dipoles are created by passing a weak (subthreshold) current through intracerebral electrodes implanted in the brains of epileptic patients for seizure monitoring. The locations of these dipoles are accurately known from roentgenographs. First, 16 electroencephalograms produced by these dipoles were recorded, then inverse solutions were calculated for the apparent sources of these electroencephalograms. Finally, the locations of the apparent sources were compared with the known locations of the implanted dipoles to determine localization error. The average localization error for a total of 28 dipoles in 3 subjects was 1.1 cm. These results indicate that good localization accuracy for focal sources in the brain can be provided by scalp electroencephalograms.

Brain↗

128-channel cable-telemetry EEG recording system for long-term invasive monitoring.

A 128-channel cable-telemetry EEG monitoring system has been developed for use on patients undergoing intensive neurodiagnostic monitoring with invasive intracranial electrodes. A unique head mounted preamplifier/multiplexor design allows continuous recording from any combination of intracerebral, subdural, epidural or surface electrodes. A computer is used to delay or buffer all 128 channels by 2 min or more. This computer is connected to a fileserver via a local area network and is used exclusively for data acquisition. Seizure files created by the activation of the seizure/event push button or detected by a second computer containing on-line seizure/spike detection algorithms are written directly on to the fileserver by the acquisition computer. The 128 channels of EEG recorded on the fileserver can then be remotely reviewed on a high resolution graphics terminal, printed out on a laser jet printer, archived or played out on paper, 16 channels at a time on any EEG machine. A time of day signal is also generated by the computer to permit time correlation with a continuous audio/video VCR unit which permits comparison of the EEG and clinical events. This system allows continuous EEG monitoring of extensive multichannel arrays not previously possible with conventional 16-, 32- or even 64-channel systems.

Electroencephalography↗

High resolution EEG output using a laser printer.

With increasing computerization, digitization and complexity of 64- to 128-channel long-term monitoring (LTM), new problems have arisen with data presentation. We describe customized software that allows for high resolution EEG output on a standard laser printer. This system can display from 1 to 128 channels of EEG on standard or legal size paper with freedom to alter both time and amplitude scales as desired. This technique is inexpensive and provides a high resolution rectilinear paper record of selected EEG events that is convenient for review and storage.

Computers↗

Spinal leptomeningeal metastasis from cerebral glioblastoma. Appearance on magnetic resonance imaging.

A case of circumferential leptomeningeal metastasis to the spinal cord from an intracranial glioblastoma multiforme (spinal meningeal gliomatosis) is presented. The clinical, radiographic, and pathological features are described. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid accurately demonstrated the spread of disease when compared with autopsy findings. The value of spinal magnetic resonance imaging in patients with symptoms attributable to cerebrospinal fluid metastases is discussed.

Aged↗

Right hemisphere advantage for evaluating emotional facial expressions.

The ability to evaluate the intensity of emotional facial expressions was investigated in patients undergoing the intracarotid sodium amytal procedure. It was found that when the hemisphere non-dominant for language (usually right) was anesthetized, the patients' ratings of the intensity of emotional expressions in photographs were lower than baseline ratings of these expressions. Such an effect was not seen with anesthetization of the hemisphere dominant for language (usually left). Ratings of shades of gray (which served as control stimuli) showed no such effect. The findings are interpreted in terms of a right hemisphere superiority in the perception and evaluation of emotional expression.

Adolescent↗

MEG versus EEG localization test using implanted sources in the human brain.

It is believed that the magnetoencephalogram (MEG) localizes an electrical source in the brain to within several millimeters and is therefore more accurate than electroencephalogram (EEG) localization, reported as 20 mm. To test this belief, the localization accuracy of the MEG and EEG were directly compared. The signal source was a dipole at a known location in the brain; this was made by passing a weak current pulse simulating a neural signal through depth electrodes already implanted in patients for seizure monitoring. First, MEGs and EEGs from this dipole were measured at 16 places on the head. Then, computations were performed on the MEG and EEG data separately to determine the apparent MEG and EEG source locations. Finally, these were compared with the actual source location to determine the MEG and EEG localization errors. Measurements were made of four dipoles in each of three patients. After MEGs with weak signals were discounted, the MEG average error of localization was found to be 8 mm, which was worse than expected. The average EEG error was 10 mm, which was better than expected. These results suggest that the MEG offers no significant advantage over the EEG in localizing a focal source. However, this does not diminish other uses of the MEG.

Adult↗

Multiple peripheral aneurysms of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery associated with a cerebellar arteriovenous malformation: case report.

The authors describe a rare case of multiple peripheral aneurysms of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery found in association with a midline cerebellar arteriovenous malformation. Successful trapping of the aneurysms and excision of the arteriovenous malformation was accomplished with an excellent clinical result. The literature concerning aneurysms of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery, cerebellar arteriovenous malformations, and combined intracranial vascular abnormalities is discussed.

Cerebral Arterial Diseases↗

Abnormal pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone in men with epilepsy: relationship to laterality and nature of paroxysmal discharges.

We compared the pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) between 13 men with clinically and electrographically documented temporal lobe seizures and 8 age-matched controls. Serum for LH measurement was drawn every 15 minutes during 8 hours of EEG telemetry in both groups. The 2 groups did not differ significantly in average mean baseline LH secretion, total LH secretion, or average pulse amplitude. The group with seizures, however, showed a significantly greater (p less than 0.05) variability of baseline LH secretion and pulse frequency. Among the men with unilateral paroxysmal EEG findings, pulse frequency was significantly greater (p = 0.05) with right epileptiform discharges or left slowing (6.4 +/- 0.4) than with left epileptiform discharges or right slowing (3.0 +/- 1.3). The relationship of pulse frequency to the nature and laterality of paroxysmal discharges makes it unlikely that endocrine abnormalities can be attributed to medication alone and strengthens the notion that temporal lobe epileptiform discharges may disrupt hypothalamic regulation of pituitary secretion.

Adolescent↗

Embolization of solitary spinal metastases from renal cell carcinoma: alternative therapy for spinal cord or nerve root compression.

Four patients with a solitary vertebral metastasis from a renal cell carcinoma presented with acute spinal cord or nerve root compression. Because of the markedly hypervascular nature of the metastases it was decided to palliate the lesions by transarterial catheter embolization. The embolization reduced the venous blood pool within the tumors, resulting in progressive neurological improvement often lasting for 12 weeks or more. With such palliation, surgical decompression may be obviated, postponed, or at least made manageable.

Aged↗