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Biomedical subjects

L Saltuari

Publications and source records attributed to L Saltuari.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Model of electromyographic study of small intestinal transplants in the rat].

Adequate motility of a small bowel transplant is a prerequisite for its resorptive function as well as its self-purging capacity. The literature contains some reports on changes in motility following denervation or transplantation, but none on the impact of acute rejection on motility of small bowel grafts. Therefore an experimental model was established to meet the following criteria: orthotopic position of graft, adequate nutritional status even when graft is functionally impaired, chronically implantable electrodes attached to graft and corresponding segment of native bowel, isogeneic or allogeneic set-up. 10 cm of proximal jejunum were transplanted from Lewis donors to five Lewis recipients in an orthotopic position just distal of the ligament of Treitz without resection of native small bowel. Three bipolar electrodes were sutured to the graft and the same number to the subsequent recipient bowel. Serial myoelectric measurements were taken until the end of week 3. From day 5 on, migratory myoelectric complexes independent of myoelectric activities of native bowel were recorded. Pacemaker frequency of the graft was found to be the same as that of the transsected native small bowel. This early reappearance of myoelectric activities makes this model suitable for comparative studies of small bowel transplant motility and in particular its changes during rejection, since even in strongly allogeneic combinations Lewis small bowel does not show histological signs of rejection before day 6.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Electrophysiological findings in a case of severe intrathecal baclofen overdose.

Multimodality evoked potentials were examined in a case of serious accidental intrathecal baclofen overdose in a patient who suffered from severe spasticity due to a traumatic brain lesion. Electrophysiological findings during, before and after the intoxication were compared. Transcranial electrical stimulation up to 750 V did not evoke any responses in thenar muscles on the first day of intoxication. An improvement to normal values was observed within 3 days, paralleled by an amelioration of the patient's clinical condition. Cervical electrical stimulation was largely unaffected by baclofen. Median nerve somatosensory and brain-stem acoustic evoked potentials revealed few or no differences during intoxication compared to pre- and post-intoxication responses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[CT findings of a cerebral air embolism as a consequence of an accidental subclavian catheter disconnection].

This report describes the definitive diagnosis of cerebral air embolism following accidental disconnection of a subclavian catheter by documentation of cranial CT's. We also discuss critically the pathophysiology of cerebral air embolism and its differentiation from "the bends". The necessity of recognising this entity is important in differential diagnosis. The pathophysiology of air embolism is discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Treatment concepts of tertiary damage of the locomotor system after craniocerebral trauma].

Brain injuries are the most frequent cause of handicap in young adults. The success of rehabilitation depends mainly on the avoidance of tertiary lesions of the locomotor system. Between January 1989 and December 1991, 54 patients were treated at the neuro-rehabilitation unit of the Neurology Department of the University Hospital for severe brain injuries. On admission these patients were in different stages of recovery. All patients underwent physiotherapy adapted to their specific needs. The decision as to whether other kinds of treatment were indicated depended on the patients' problems in the recovery phase reached and on the presence or absence of tertiary lesions. In 14 patients, contractures caused by spasticity were successfully treated with plaster casts, which were changed weekly. These contractures were corrected sufficiently. In 5 other patients contractures, also caused by spasticity, were treated with regional anaesthesia administered through an implanted catheter system. In 11 patients a system for continuous intrathecal administration of Baclofen was implanted. Central side effects could be avoided while a lasting decrease of spasticity and hyper-reflexia was achieved. Persisting tertiary lesions, such as contractures, dislocations and spinal deformities, were corrected surgically.

Anesthetics, Local↗
PubMed1992

[Peri-articular calcinosis after craniocerebral trauma--the natural course and treatment concepts].

Occurrence of periarticular ossification (PAO) is a serious complication in the rehabilitation of patients with neurological diseases, especially those with severe head injuries. The present concept for operative intervention in PAO postulates late surgical treatment after "maturation" of these heterotopic ossifications, because of a suspected higher rate of reoccurrence after early removal. In a retrospective analysis of nine arthrolysis in six patients with neurological diseases suffering from PAO (five patients with traumatic apallic syndrome and one patient with spontaneous subarachnoidal haemorrhage), the validity of a new concept of treatment of primary neurological diseases was investigated. Because of the well-known secondary and tertiary problems (fibrotic stiffness, osteoporosis, compression syndrome of peripheral nerves, muscle atrophy), we chose early removal of the ossifications. Our results demonstrate that the former concept of surgical intervention in "mature PAO" only can no longer be recommended as superior to early surgical treatment in neurological diseases, particularly in patients with traumatic apallic syndrome associated with PAO.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Indication, efficiency and complications of intrathecal pump supported baclofen treatment in spinal spasticity.

In 19 patients, who suffered from severe spinal spasticity of different etiologies and did not respond sufficiently to oral antispastic therapy, intrathecal Baclofen test boli were administered. In 11 patients a DAD (Drug Administration Device) [SynchroMedR Model 8611 H, Medtronic Inc. Minneapolis, USA] was implanted. Catheter dislocation or torsion was the most common complication to be observed in these 11 patients. Long term intrathecal Baclofen application was effective in all patients, as reducing spasticity, flexor spasms and spasm induced pain. In some cases the motor performance ameliorated.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Long-term intrathecal baclofen treatment in supraspinal spasticity.

Baclofen, a derivate of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), is known to be a useful drug in spasticity treatment. To achieve a good therapeutic response higher oral dosages have to be administered related with central side effects. Intrathecal application of Baclofen in microgram range dosages is proved to be effective in spinal spasticity. The efficiency of intrathecal Baclofen in patients suffering from supraspinal spasticity is discussed controversially. We report on 9 patients with long-term intrathecal Baclofen treatment, all of them responding well presenting a marked reduced muscle tone. In most cases an improvement of motor performance and in two cases improved bladder function was observed. The therapeutical dosages administered to patients with supraspinal spasticity exceed those administered to patients with spinal spasticity by approximately 100% without provoking central side effects. Despite the risks connected with this method it has to be considered as treatment of choice in cases of severe supraspinal spasticity.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Neuropsychological outcome after traumatic temporal lobe damage.

The most frequent sequelae after severe brain injury include changes in personality traits, disturbances of emotional behaviour and impairment of cognitive functions. In particular, emotional changes and/or verbal and non verbal dysfunctions were found in patients with bilateral or unilateral temporal lobe lesions. The aim of our study is to correlate the localization of the brain damage after severe brain injury, in particular of the temporal lobe, with the cognitive impairment and the emotional and behavioural changes resulting from these lesions. The patients with right temporal lobe lesions showed significantly better scores in verbal intelligence and verbal memory in comparison with patients with left temporal lobe lesions and those with other focal brain lesions or diffuse brain damage. In contradistinction, study of the personality and the emotional changes (MMPI and FAF) failed to demonstrate pathological scores in the 3 groups with different CT lesions, without any significant difference being found between the groups with temporal lesions and those with other focal brain lesions or diffuse brain damage. The severity of the brain injury and the prolongation of the disturbance of consciousness could, in our patients, account for prevalence of congnitive impairment on personality and emotional changes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Differential behavior of skin temperature in vascular patients vs. pain patients in lumbar radicular stimulation and nerve block].

Plantar skin temperature monitoring during the procedure of percutaneous radiofrequency-thermolesion of the sympathetic chain (PRFS) in patients with vascular diseases and patients with lumbar radicular pain and signs of sympathetic irritation showed a distinct difference. A significant decrease of skin temperature was observed during stimulation of the sympathetic chain by means of canula placement and contrast medium instillation only in the group of "vascular" patients, while "radicular pain" patients showed a significant increase of skin temperature after PRFS. This observation leads to the conclusion that the effect of sympathectomy more or less is to prevent physiological hyperactivity of the sympathetic system.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Association of ganglioneuroblastoma with syringomyelia. Case report.

The association of a syndrome of a degenerative nature such as syringomyelia and a neuroblastoma can be of clinical interest. We will describe the case of a young female suffering from a retroperitoneal neuroblastoma and secondary development of syringomyelia. The possible pathogenetic link between these two pathologies will be discussed. Firstly, the dysontogenetic interpretation will be underlined. Other hypotheses will concentrate on the presence of tumors within the cord, which tend to cavitate, and furthermore, on the association between the edema and some diseases such as neoplasma, traumas, and on arachnoiditis as a major pathogenetic factor in syringomyelia. The existence of a possible link between arachnoiditis and the radiotherapy received by the patient after the surgical excision of the retroperitoneal neuroblastoma, will be discussed. Lastly a further pathogenetic hypothesis will be pointed out: an intramedullary softening due to disturbed blood supply, caused by the extramedullary neoplasm.

Adolescent↗