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Biomedical subjects

S Pomeranz

Publications and source records attributed to S Pomeranz.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Arachnoid cysts: unusual aspects and management.

Several unusual aspects of primary cerebral arachnoid cysts are presented. The optimal management of these lesions is discussed. Attempts at craniotomy and excision of these cysts is not always effective in eliminating the lesion and may provoke intracranial catastrophies. Huge and bilateral cysts are best treated by cystoperitoneal shunting. In general shunting may be preferable to craniotomy and resection of the cyst. An anti-siphon device is recommended to avoid overdrainage of cerebrospinal fluid.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Technical note: the removal of free peritoneal catheters in the revision of ventriculoperitoneal shunts.

The widespread usage of ventriculoperitoneal shunts has been followed by a plethora of complications. One of these complications, the separation and migration of the distal tubing to be free intraperitoneally, has been relatively disregarded in the literature both as a phenomenon and as to treatment. We present our experience with nine such cases, four involving two peritoneal catheters. Unless contraindicated, we think that such tubing should be removed during shunt revision by single digit blind palpation of the tubing. No complications arose from this procedure, and the postoperative course was uneventful. The indications for this procedure are discussed in relation to the relevant literature.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts↗
PubMed1988

Intracranial pressure monitoring after elective intracranial surgery. A retrospective study of 514 consecutive patients.

A retrospective study of 514 consecutive patients whose intracranial pressure (ICP) was monitored after elective supratentorial or infratentorial surgery is reported. Of the 412 patients operated on in the supratentorial region, 76 (18.4%) had a postoperative sustained ICP elevation exceeding 20 torr. Abnormally high ICP occurred after 13 (12.7%) of the 102 infratentorial operations. Risk factors for postoperative ICP elevation were: resection of glioblastoma in 27.2% of cases, repeat surgery in 42.9% of cases, and protracted surgery (greater than 6 hours) in 41.7% of cases. Of the 89 patients with elevated ICP, 47 (52.8%) had an associated clinical deterioration. In 19 of these, the rise in ICP occurred before this deterioration was noticed, leading as a rule to quick diagnostic and management response. In eight patients clinical deterioration was noticed before the rise in ICP, and in 20 it happened simultaneously. The higher the level of ICP elevation, the greater were the chances of associated deterioration. The most common findings on computerized tomography scanning in 35 of 89 patients with elevated ICP were brain edema (19 cases) and bleeding in the tumor bed (15 cases). Mannitol, thiopental, additional hyperventilation, and reintubation (in patients who were previously extubated) were used to reduce ICP, in addition to surgical decompression whenever indicated. Thirteen patients with raised ICP and clinical deterioration underwent reoperation. The postoperative infection rate was 1.2% (six cases). In only one patient could infection be attributed to ICP monitoring. It was concluded that ICP monitoring is advantageous in the immediate postoperative management after elective intracranial surgery and is almost risk-free. It should therefore be used liberally, especially when risk factors for ICP elevation can be identified prior to the end of surgery.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1986

Randomized clinical trial of intra-operative antimicrobial prophylaxis of infection after neurosurgical procedures.

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind and sequentially analysed clinical trial to determine the efficacy of intra-operative parenteral gentamicin and vancomycin (with streptomycin in the irrigating solution) in preventing infection at the operative site following neurosurgical procedures is described. Patients receiving prophylaxis had a significantly (P = 0.046) lower operative site infection rate (2/71 = 2.8%) than those receiving placebo (9/77 = 11.7%). This difference was most apparent during an epidemic, the source of which was not evident. Moreover, a total of 13 infections (two operative site, five pneumonia and six urinary tract) occurred among 12 patients receiving prophylaxis, whereas there was a total of 31 infections (nine operative site, nine pneumonia, 10 urinary tract and three septicaemia) among 24 patients receiving placebo. A smaller quantity of antimicrobial drugs was administered postoperatively to patients receiving prophylaxis (3.96 'antibiotic-days' per patient) than to those receiving placebo (6.87 'antibiotic-days' per patient).

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1984

Pulmonary complications of AIDS: radiologic features.

Fifty-two patients with pulmonary complications of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were studied over a 3-year period. The vast majority of the patients were homosexual; however, a significant number were intravenous drug abusers. Thirteen different organisms were noted, of which Pneumocystis carinii was by far the most common. Five patients had neoplasia. Most patients had initial abnormal chest films; however, eight patients subsequently shown to have Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia had normal chest films. A significant overlap in chest radiographic findings was noted among patients with different or multiple organisms. Lung biopsy should be an early consideration for all patients with a clinical history consistent with the pulmonary complications of AIDS. Repeat biopsy is also indicated to ascertain the progression of radiographic findings. Unfortunately, even with documentation of the nature of the pulmonary process, treatment often is ineffective. Of the 52 patients, 41 had died by the time this report was completed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Massive intracranial bleeding requiring emergency splenectomy in a patient with CMV-associated thrombocytopenia.

We describe a previously healthy male patient, with severe immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) following CMV infection which was refractory to steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin, who developed massive intracranial bleeding. Despite an extremely low platelet count (2x10(9)/liter) which was refractory to platelet transfusions, successful emergency splenectomy was performed, with rapid resolution of the thrombocytopenia. Bleeding complications are extremely rare in viral-associated ITP. Emergency splenectomy should be considered in the presence of life-threatening bleeding when other modalities fail to produce a rise in the platelet count. Infection with CMV should be ruled out in cases of severe, treatment-resistant ITP.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Parenteral nutrition-induced anaphylaxis.

A case report of a 4-yr-old child who developed an anaphylactic reaction to parenteral nutrition is presented. Dermal allergy tests demonstrated a sensitivity to Travasol solution and Armour multivitamin 2 solution. This is the first reported case known to us of such a response to elemental parenteral nutrition.

Amino Acids↗