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Biomedical subjects

N V Todd

Publications and source records attributed to N V Todd.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Subarachnoid fat embolism complicating autologous fat grafting following translabyrinthine excision of acoustic neuroma.

A 64-year-old man had complete excision of an acoustic schwannoma via the translabyrinthine route and the mastoid cavity was packed with fat. Post-operatively there were two episodes of aseptic meningitis and CT scanning demonstrated migration of fat into the basal subarachnoid CSF spaces. This unusual complication should be recognized and differentiated from both true infective meningitis and aseptic meningitis from other causes.

Adipose Tissue↗

Outcome following aneurysm wrapping: a 10-year follow-up review of clipped and wrapped aneurysms.

One hundred and eighty-one patients with single aneurysms involving the anterior circulation were treated either by wrapping (60 cases) or clipping (121 cases), and 96.1% of them were followed for 10 years. The rate of early rebleeding (less than 6 months) from wrapped aneurysms was 8.6% (confidence interval 1.4% to 15.8%) and the late rebleeding (6 months to 10 years) rate was 1.5% per annum (confidence interval 0.3% to 2.5%/yr). Wrapping an aneurysm offers some protection from rebleeding, particularly during the first 6 months when the risk of rebleeding is high.

Adolescent↗

Cerebral ischaemia and surgical practice.

This review article examines the principles underlying the control of cerebral blood flow, the consequences of brain ischaemia and subsequent reperfusion and discusses the impact of brain ischaemia in a number of clinical situations of surgical importance.

Brain Ischemia↗

What follows diagnosis by computed tomography of solitary brain tumour? Audit of one year's experience in South East Scotland.

The referral rate to neurosurgeons after diagnosis by computed tomography (CT) of solitary brain tumour (SBT) was audited for South East Scotland in 1985. 142 patients had SBT diagnosed by CT, but histological confirmation by biopsy or open operation was sought in only 67. Among these the CT diagnosis of glioma proved to be incorrect in 3 of 44 cases and that of solitary metastasis in 4 of 8 cases. Since CT diagnosis of SBT is not fully reliable, biopsy should be considered in all cases.

Adult↗

Quantitative measurement of cerebral blood flow and cerebral blood volume after cerebral ischaemia.

CBF obtained by the hydrogen clearance technique and cerebral blood volume (CBV) calculated from the [14C]dextran space were measured in three groups of rats subjected to temporary four-vessel occlusion to produce 15 min of ischaemia, followed by 60 min of reperfusion. In the control animals, mean CBF was 93 +/- 6 ml 100 g-1 min-1, which fell to 5.5 +/- 0.5 ml 100 g-1 min-1 during ischaemia. There was a marked early postischaemic hyperaemia (262 +/- 18 ml 100 g-1 min-1), but 1 h after the onset of ischaemia, there was a significant hypoperfusion (51 +/- 3 ml 100 g-1 min-1). Mean cortical dextran space was 1.58 +/- 0.09 ml 100 g-1 prior to ischaemia. Early in reperfusion there was a significant increase in CBV (1.85 +/- 0.24 ml 100 g-1) with a decrease during the period of hypoperfusion (1.33 +/- 0.03 ml 100 g-1). Therefore, following a period of temporary ischaemia, there are commensurate changes in CBF and CBV, and alterations in the permeability-surface area product at this time may be due to variations in surface area and not necessarily permeability.

Animals↗

Recirculation after cerebral ischemia. Simultaneous measurement of cerebral bloodflow, brain edema, cerebrovascular permeability and cortical EEG in the rat.

The 4-vessel occlusion rat model of cerebral ischemia was modified to permit the simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow (hydrogen clearance), brain edema (specific gravity), cerebrovascular permeability (14C-AIB) and electrocardiogram. Surgery was performed in one stage in the anesthetised, paralysed and ventilated rat and severe hemispheric ischemia was produced in all animals. Electrode implantation did not alter cortical specific gravity or Ki for 14C-AIB. During 4-vessel occlusion mean cortical CBF was 5.8 +/- 1.4 ml-1 100 g-1 min. and this was associated with an isoelectric ECoG; 15 min of ischemia produced a significant reduction in mean cortical specific gravity (increase in brain edema). Following 15 min ischemia, 180 min of recirculation were permitted. Post-ischemic blood flow showed an immediate hyperemia (CBF = 202 +/- 12 ml-1 100 g-1 min.) followed by hypoperfusion (CBF = 58 +/- 8 ml-1 100 g-1 min). There was an early further decrease in cortical specific gravity. Further recirculation led to a significant increase in cortical specific gravity (resolution of brain edema). The transfer constant (Ki) for 14C-AIB was not altered at any stage in recirculation. This appears to be a model of pure cytotoxic edema until 180 min recirculation after 15 min cerebral ischemia. Recirculation permitted return of cortical electrical activity.

Animals↗

Regional blood-brain barrier permeability changes after restoration of blood flow in postischemic gerbil brains: a quantitative study.

A quantitative technique utilising [14C]alpha-aminoisobutyric acid as a tracer was used to study cerebrovascular permeability in 22 Mongolian gerbils. Seven other animals were used to measure cerebral blood volumes. Global cerebral ischaemia was produced by temporary bilateral carotid artery occlusion (60 min) in 16 gerbils that were sacrificed at 1, 2, and 3 h following reperfusion. The blood-to-brain transfer constant was significantly increased after 2 h of reperfusion in the ischaemic zones and also in structures, like the cerebellum, not supplied by the carotid artery and not ischaemic during the vessel occlusion. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) alterations were coincident with the onset of ischaemia--induced seizures that were accompanied by sudden "spikes" of systemic blood pressure. Epilepsy may play an important role in the development of BBB damage in this ischaemic model, and this factor must be considered in the interpretation of BBB damage data in gerbils.

Aminoisobutyric Acids↗

The role of cerebral blood volume changes in brain specific-gravity measurements.

Cerebral blood volume (CBV) was calculated in gerbils from specific-gravity (SG) changes between normal and saline-perfused brains. Furthermore, changes in CBV were investigated during ischemia using carbon-14-labeled dextran (MW 70,000) as an intravascular marker. Both data were used to evaluate the possible error due to a change in CBV on the measurement of ischemic brain edema by the SG method. The methodological error found was 0.0004 for a 100% CBV change. This error is insignificant, being less than the standard deviation in the SG measured for the gerbil cortex (SG 1.0494 +/- 0.0006). Thus, CBV changes are not responsible for the SG variations observed during the first phase of ischemia. These variations are better explained as an increase of brain water content during ischemia.

Animals↗

Reperfusion after cerebral ischemia: influence of duration of ischemia.

The influence of the duration of ischemia on the pattern of cerebral blood flow in recirculation was studied in anesthetised rats. Severe incomplete cerebral ischemia (mean ischemic flow = 5.8 +/- 0.4 ml/100 g/min) was produced by four-vessel occlusion and recirculation permitted after 15, 30 or 60 minutes ischemia. All three groups showed an immediate hyperemia followed by hypoperfusion. Hyperemia was maximal following 15 minutes ischemia and least pronounced following 60 minutes ischemia (p = 0.0249). Hypoperfusion started most quickly following 15 minutes ischemia and was delayed following 60 minutes ischemia (p less than 0.001). In established hypoperfusion there was no difference in flow between the three groups. The possible mechanisms of these changes in flow are discussed.

Animals↗

Duration of ischemia influences the development and resolution of ischemic brain edema.

The influence of the duration of ischemia on the development and resolution of post-ischemic brain edema (SG method) was studied in anesthetized rats. Edema developed during ischemia and the amount of edema was related to the duration of ischemia (r = 0.843, p less than 0.001). With recirculation to three hours, the major determinant of the amount of edema was still the duration of the preceding ischemia (p less than 0.001). Resolution of brain edema only occurred following fifteen minutes ischemia. Post-ischemic blood-brain barrier breakdown (14C-AIB, EB albumin) was greatest following longer ischemia. Where present, the BBB leakage was simultaneously to large and small molecules.

Animals↗

Diagnosis of intradural conus and cauda equina tumours.

Tumours in the conus medullaris, the cauda equina and filum terminale are rare, and present a varied clinical picture. There is often a delay between onset of symptoms and diagnosis. However, in most cases, a detailed history and clinical examination will indicate further investigation.

Cauda Equina↗