Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S F Quinn

Publications and source records attributed to S F Quinn.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

CT-guided nerve root block and ablation.

We report our experience in performing 52 CT-guided peripheral nerve root blocks and 27 CT-guided nerve root ablations. The nerve root block procedures were performed as diagnostic tests to determine the clinical significance of equivocal herniated disk or foraminal stenosis (n = 33) and before nerve root ablations (n = 19). To evaluate the clinical significance of these nerve root blocks, we performed 52 procedures at the vertebral level where a herniated disk or foraminal stenosis had been identified on CT or MR images. In 51 of 52 cases, the procedures were successful in anesthetizing the intended nerve root, which allowed us to determine whether that particular nerve root was the source of pain. By relieving or not relieving pain, the results of the diagnostic nerve root blocks helped determine whether a protrusion or foraminal stenosis was clinically significant. The nerve root ablations were done exclusively for treatment of pain in patients with malignant disease. Significant relief of pain was obtained in 17 (63%) of 27 patients. The thoracic nerve ablations were the most successful (9/10 or 90%) because the correct thoracic nerve innervation to the offending lesion could be identified. The lumbosacral nerve ablation procedures were the least successful (6/14 or 43%) because the innervation of the pelvic neoplasms was complex, arising from multiple lumbosacral nerves that often were bilateral. Equivocal foraminal stenosis and disk protrusion are common findings on CT and MR imaging, and CT-guided nerve block procedures can help determine which of these findings are clinically significant. CT-guided nerve root ablations have limited efficacy but can help control pain in patients with a malignant disease, especially when the pain is in the distribution of a thoracic nerve dermatome.

Ethanol↗
PubMed1987

MRI appearance of disseminated osseous tuberculosis.

Disseminated osseous tuberculosis is a rare disease. This is a report of two cases of disseminated osseous tuberculosis imaged with MRI at 1.5-T, CT, plain radiography and bone scintigraphy. CT and plain radiography demonstrated either highly destructive or cystic lesions with sclerotic margins. Bone scintigraphy and plain radiography were quite insensitive in detecting areas of involvement compared to MRI. On MRI the abnormal areas had short T-1 relaxation values, which is an atypical appearance for bony infections, and prolonged T-2 relaxation values. The reason for the T-1 relaxation behavior is uncertain. MRI also provided delineation of epidural extent.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Achilles tendon: MR imaging at 1.5 T.

Thirty magnetic resonance (MR) examinations of the Achilles tendon were performed: 20 from patients without suspected tendon abnormalities; ten from patients with suspected tendon abnormalities. The appearance of the normal Achilles tendon is hypointense and flattened. Partial tears appeared as high-signal intratendinous collections, complete acute ruptures appeared as tendinous discontinuity, and uncomplicated surgical repairs appeared as areas of tendinous continuity with inhomogeneous signal in the operative site. Chronic tendinitis appeared as a diffuse thickening of the tendon. MR imaging of the Achilles tendon at 1.5 T enabled the determination of the degree of tendinous continuity, which may help with diagnosis, treatment, and the pacing of rehabilitation.

Achilles Tendon↗
PubMed1987

CT for determining the results of treatment of fractures of the wrist.

Eighteen CT examinations of the wrist were performed in 13 patients to evaluate the results of treatment for carpal fractures. In four cases with metal objects and in seven with cast materials, there was no difficulty achieving adequate CT studies. In 13 cases CT was found to be helpful in determining bony union in the presence of advanced osteoporosis. In six cases CT was excellent in evaluating bone-graft incorporation. CT affords improved detection of fractures perpendicular to the plane of the scan and also shows small areas of bone disruption, even with osteoporosis. Axial CT images can evaluate Lister's tubercle, a bony prominence on the dorsum of the distal radius, for hypertrophy, which can occur secondary to traumatic and degenerative changes. A hypertrophied tubercle can impinge on the extensor pollicis longus tendon and cause atrophy and disruption. The high cost of CT is offset by the possibility of reducing the patient's period of immobilization and, thereby, the length of time the patient is unable to participate in normal activities. In addition, since CT is often definitive, the number of supplemental or follow-up radiologic procedures or clinical appointments should be reduced. We conclude that CT is useful in evaluating the results of treatment of wrist injuries.

Carpal Bones↗
PubMed1986

Sonographic diagnosis of a liver cell adenoma.

As shown by the case we have reported, ultrasonography should be the first imaging method used in a young woman with pain in the right upper quadrant and a history of contraceptive use. Possible biliary system abnormalities, a more common cause of pain in the right upper quadrant, can be simultaneously evaluated.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Percutaneous drainage access: a simplified coaxial technique.

We describe an access technique that we have used in 150 nephrostomy and biliary drainage procedures and for access to some abscesses and viscera. The system provides safe coaxial access with a 22-gauge removable hub needle, which then acts as a guide wire and is replaced by an 18-gauge cannula. A major advantage is that only one guide wire is used (0.038-inch) for the entire drainage procedure. No significant complications have occurred to date with this method.

Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed1986

Interventional radiology in the spleen.

Despite the widespread use of interventional radiologic techniques, there has been reluctance to apply these to the spleen. Concern for bleeding and difficulty in negotiating around the colon and pleura have limited its use. The authors report their experience with interventional radiology of the spleen in 35 cases, including percutaneous biopsy (n = 5), diagnostic and therapeutic fluid aspiration (n = 14), and catheter drainage of abscesses (n = 9), hematomas (n = 2), intrasplenic pancreatic pseudocysts (n = 2), and necrotic tumor (n = 1). Transsplenic fluid aspiration and biopsy of the pancreas and adrenal gland were performed as well (n = 2). All procedures were performed under computed tomographic or ultrasound guidance. Biopsies were performed with 22- or 20-gauge needles only; no complications were encountered. Diagnoses included primary and secondary malignancies and an infectious process. Drainages were successful in 11 of 14 patients; pleural effusions occurred in two cases, but neither required specific therapy. Interventional radiologic procedures in the spleen are feasible, and the authors discuss methods to promote their safe application.

Abscess↗
PubMed1986

Percutaneous gastrostomy and gastroenterostomy: 2. Clinical experience.

This report describes the authors' initial experience with percutaneous gastrostomy (PG) and gastroenterostomy (PGE) in 40 patients. Indications for PG and PGE included alimentation (35 patients) and small bowel decompression (five). Seldinger technique with air distension of the stomach via a nasogastric tube (20 patients) is a simple method to insert small (7-9 French) and firm catheters; tube exchanges for larger and softer catheters often are necessary by this method (23 procedures in 17 patients). Coaxial trocar technique (19 patients) permits initial insertion of softer and often larger catheters (9-14 French feeding tubes), which are less likely to clog or require exchange; the intragastric balloon support method facilitates trocar insertion. Now preferred is a system that uses 18-gauge needle puncture and allows coaxial insertion of a final soft feeding tube at the initial procedure. Small bowel catheter positioning (PGE) (31 patients) was more common than gastrostomy alone (8 patients); "downhill puncture" toward the gastric antrum assists direct guide-wire cannulation of the duodenum via the gastric puncture (12 patients). Five complications occurred; two were major and included catheter dislodgement in one patient. Another patient, who had a pharyngeal tumor, suffered profound respiratory difficulty from premedication and nasogastric tube malposition; patients with head and neck tumors present particular problems with nasogastric tube passage and airway monitoring. Inability to pass a nasogastric tube does not preclude PG and PGE, as direct puncture of the stomach is feasible.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Lobar collapse with respiratory syncytial virus pneumonitis.

In a study of 30 children with uncomplicated respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pneumonias, a high incidence of lobar collapse (8/30-26%) was noted. This involved the right upper lobe in seven patients and the left upper lobe in one patient. It is probably attributable to anatomical predispositions, sloughing of necrotic epithelium, and stimulation of mucus production. Lobar collapse should be considered part of the spectrum of RSV pneumonitis.

Female↗
PubMed1985

Cystic ovarian teratomas: the sonographic appearance of the dermoid plug.

The sonographic and pathological appearance of 13 cystic ovarian teratomas was reviewed. Twelve contained at least one mural nodule (dermoid plug) and one was completely cystic. Altogether there were 15 dermoid plugs, varying in consistency from homogeneous solid tissue to cystic. More than half were associated with hair and/or calcium. The nodules were round, ranged from 1 1/2 to 4 cm, formed an acute angle with the wall of the cyst, and tended to be entirely or predominantly hyperechoic. The authors suggest that most cystic teratomas contain dermoid plugs having a characteristic shape and hyperechoic pattern.

Dermoid Cyst↗
PubMed1985

Balloon dilatation of the prostatic urethra. Work in progress.

Balloon dilatation of the prostatic urethra was performed in eight dogs and one human with benign prostatic hyperplasia. This was done in vivo in six dogs and in vitro in two dogs and one human. Follow-up study at 1-23 weeks showed persistent dilatation, which was documented both radiographically and pathologically. Technical improvements limited complications to the early phase of the study. While results are encouraging, extrapolation to humans is difficult.

Animals↗