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Robert Maggisano

Publications and source records attributed to Robert Maggisano.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Diagnosis and outcome of blunt caval injuries in the modern trauma center.

BACKGROUND: Blunt vena caval injury (BCI) is uncommon with only a few published reports in the literature. Recently, with high resolution computed tomography (CT) scan imaging signs of caval injury are sometimes found in hemodynamically stable patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the current course of patients with BCI. METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients with BCI treated at a Regional Trauma Center from April 1999 to May 2005. Data collected included demographics, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, diagnostic investigations, surgical findings, and outcomes. RESULTS: During the 6-year study period, 10 patients presented with BCI (age 42 +/- 19 years; 70% mortality; Injury Severity Score 39 +/- 15). The spectrum of vena cava injury ranged from an intimal flap to extensive destruction. Six of the seven deaths were secondary to exsanguination and one secondary to severe brain injury. Four patients presented with refractory shock and were taken emergently to surgery (all died). Six patients responded to fluid resuscitation and underwent CT imaging (three out of six survived). Although active venous contrast extravasation was not seen in any patient, all six had indirect signs on CT suggestive of BCI. Overall, the diagnosis of BCI was confirmed at surgery in nine patients. The remaining patient had an intimal flap and contained pericaval hematoma confirmed by ultrasound, and was successfully managed nonoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The spectrum of BCI ranges from intimal flaps to extensive destruction. CT imaging may not diagnose or may underestimate the severity of BCI. Stable patients with intimal flaps and contained hematoma may be successfully managed nonoperatively.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2006

In vivo identification of complicated upper thoracic aorta and arch vessel plaque by MR direct thrombus imaging in patients investigated for cerebrovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article was to assess the feasibility of MR direct thrombus imaging (MRDTI) to evaluate the prevalence and location of complicated upper thoracic aortic and arch vessel plaque in patients referred for evaluation of cerebrovascular disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients referred for investigation of cerebrovascular disease by MRI were enrolled. Reasons for referral included transient ischemic attack/amaurosis fugax, acute infarct, remote infarct, or asymptomatic carotid disease. Of the 348 patients initially scanned, 17 were excluded from the analysis. The final patient population included 331 patients (199 men, 132 women; mean age, 67.7 years). Patients were scanned using MRDTI, a 3D, T1-weighted, fat-suppressed spoiled gradient echo that exploits the T1 shortening effects of methemoglobin, directly visualizing hemorrhage/thrombus in the vessel wall, thus identifying complicated plaque. Complicated plaque was defined as a high signal within the atherosclerotic plaque at least twice the signal intensity of muscle. RESULTS: Forty-three of 331 patients (13%) had complicated upper thoracic aortic atherosclerotic disease, arch vessel atherosclerotic disease, or both. The upper thoracic aorta was involved in 36 of 43 patients (83.7%), and the left subclavian artery was involved in 14 of 43 patients (32.6%). Both the right subclavian artery and the brachiocephalic artery were involved in one of 43 patients (2.3%). Complicated carotid plaque was seen in 25 of 43 patients (58.1%). CONCLUSION: MRDTI can be applied in the detection of complicated plaque in the upper thoracic aorta and arch vessels. Complicated plaque was identified in 13% of the patient population. The upper thoracic aorta was the most common site involved. This technique could be useful for the screening of asymptomatic at-risk patients.

Adult↗