Biomedical subjects

V S Mehta

Publications and source records attributed to V S Mehta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Pediatric intracranial aneurysms-clinical characteristics and outcome of surgical treatment.

OBJECT: Intracranial aneurysms are rare in children and have different epidemiological, clinical, and morphological characteristics and outcome from those in adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed demographic, clinical, radiologic features, treatment, and outcome in 55 patients <18 years of age, treated from Jan 1995 through December 2005. RESULTS: Intracranial aneurysms in children below 18 years constituted 4% of all intracranial aneurysms. Internal Carotid artery (ICA) bifurcation was the commonest location. About half of the aneurysms were complex. Three-fourth of the patients required surgical treatment. Two patients died, constituting 5% mortality. Two patients (5%) had poor outcome, whereas the majority (90%) had a favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric aneurysms have male predominance, higher incidence of clinical features of mass effect or seizures, high incidence of large, traumatic/mycotic aneurysms, associated illnesses and ICH/IVH and hydrocephalus, better Hunt and Hess grades at presentation, ICA bifurcation as the commonest site, and better outcome than their adult counterparts.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Chordoid meningioma, an uncommon variant of meningioma: a clinicopathologic study of 12 cases.

AIMS: The study has been undertaken to document the clinicopathological features of 12 cases of chordoid meningioma, operated at All India Institute of Medical Sciences during 1996 to June 2005. METHODS: Clinical information was retrieved from the records of our Neurosurgery Department. The cases were stained with H&E, Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) with and without diastase, mucicarmine, giemsa, toluidine blue, alcian blue, reticulin and Masson trichrome. Immunohistochemistry for pancytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, vimentin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, MIB-1, Leucocyte common antigen (LCA), CD-3 and CD-20 was done in all cases. RESULTS: The age ranged from 12-67 years (mean 34.2 years) and three of them occurred in < 18 years. Male to female ratio was 1:1.4. The duration of symptoms varied from 3.5 months to 5 years (mean 14.1 months). No systemic symptoms were noted. The location of tumor in eight cases was in the supratentorial and rest four in the infratentorial compartments. Interestingly, two cases were in intraventricular location, one in the lateral ventricle and other in the fourth ventricle. Microscopic examination showed lobulation with chordoid elements constituting > 95% of the entire tumor area in 11 of the total 12 cases. In one case, chordoid pattern constituted about 30% of the total tumor area; the rest was predominant meningothelial (60%). Mild to severe lymphoplasmacytic cell infiltrate was present in all cases. The histochemical stains showed the pattern of acidic mucin and interestingly revealed the presence of mast cells both in connective tissue stroma and epithelial cell islands. The inflammatory infiltrate was B-cell predominant. MIB-1 labeling index was low (< 2%) in all cases except two, which showed LI of 6% and 8%. Strong diffuse immunoreactivity for vimentin and focal positivity for epithelial membrane antigen was noted in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Chordoid meningiomas are predominantly tumors of young adults with predilection for supratentorial location. Intraventricular location, absence of systemic manifestations despite the presence of abundant B-lymphocytes, presence of mast cells and low MIB-1 LI are some of the interesting findings in the present series, which need documentation. Hence, larger number of cases with adequate follow-up data need to be studied further to establish the clinical significance of this variant.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

The enigmatic origin of subfrontal schwannomas: report of a case without hyposmia.

Subfrontal schwannomas are rare intracranial tumors. Most of them are associated with hyposmia/anosmia. The source of origin of these tumors is still incompletely understood. We report a 23-year-old male who presented with recurrent focal motor seizures, but had no hyposmia. The tumor was completely removed by a subfrontal approach. Relevant literature has been reviewed.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Recurrence in craniopharyngiomas: analysis of clinical and histological features.

The aim of this study was to investigate the recurrence patterns and significance of various clinical and histological features as predictors of recurrence in craniopharyngiomas. A series of 234 craniopharyngiomas (156 males, 78 females; age range 1.6-65 years) was reviewed. The mean follow-up period was 18.53 months (range 1-120 months). Peri-operative mortality was 7.4% and tumor recurrence was observed in 26 patients (20.3%). Of the patients with recurrence, one had total tumor excision (recurrence-free survival (RFS) 14 months), four had near-total excision (mean RFS 18.2 months) and 21 had subtotal tumor excision (RFS for symptomatic recurrence 7.1 months). Histologically, an adamantinous pattern was seen in 81.4% of cases and a papillary pattern was seen in 18.6%. Brain tissue was included in 67 cases and brain invasion was noted in 44 (all were of adamantinous histology). No correlation was noted between histopathological subtyping or brain invasion and recurrence. The significant clinical factors predictive of recurrence included the extent of resection, tumor size greater than 4 cm and cystic tumors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Economics of head injuries.

Head injuries account for significant proportion of neurosurgical admissions and bed occupancy. Patients with head injuries also consume significant proportions of neurosurgical resources. A prospective 6-month study has been carried out to evaluate the expenditure incurred on head injury patients in a modern neurosurgical center equipped with state of the art infrastructure. Costing areas included wages / salaries of health care personnel, cost of medicines / surgical items / crystalloids, general store items, stationary, all investigation charges, equipment cost, overhead building cost, maintenance cost, electricity and water charges and cost of medical gases, air conditioning and operation theatre expenses. Expenditure in each area was calculated and apportioned to each bed. The statistical analysis was done using X2 test. The cost of stay in ward was found to be Rs. 1062 / bed / day and in neurosurgical ICU Rs. 3082 / bed / day. The operation theatre cost for each surgery was Rs. 11948. The cost of hospital stay per day for minor, moderate and severe head injury group was found to be Rs. 1921, Rs. 2569 and Rs. 2713 respectively. The patients who developed complications, the cost of stay per day in the hospital were Rs. 2867. In the operative group, the cost of hospital stay per day was Rs. 3804. The total expenditure in minor head injury was Rs. 7800 per patient, in moderate head injury was Rs. 22172 per patient, whereas in severe head injury, it was found to be Rs. 32852 per patient. Patients who underwent surgery, the total cost incurred was Rs. 33100 per operated patient.

Cost of Illness↗

PubMed2005

Endoscopic assisted excision of a retroclival arachnoid cyst presenting as hysterical breathlessness.

BACKGROUND: Arachnoid cysts are benign developmental cysts occurring most commonly in the middle fossa. Posterior fossa arachnoid cysts are less common, with retroclival arachnoid cysts especially in the pediatric age group being rare. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We present a case of a retroclival interpeduncular farachnoid cyst in a 10-year-old boy who presented with left-sided ptosis and episodes of hysterical breathlessness. RESULTS: The surgical treatment involved endoscopic assisted microsurgical excision of the cyst and the child made an uneventful and complete recovery with complete cessation of breathlessness. The clinical presentation, etiopathogenesis, imaging characteristics and treatment modalities are discussed and the relevant literature reviewed.

Arachnoid Cysts↗

PubMed2005

Recurrence in pediatric craniopharyngiomas: analysis of clinical and histological features.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the recurrence pattern and significance of various clinical and histological features as predictors of recurrence in pediatric craniopharyngiomas. METHODS: A series of 116 pediatric craniopharyngiomas (68 boys and 48 girls; age range, 1.6-18 years) was reviewed. Mean follow-up period was 18.53 months. Tumors recurred in 15 patients within 96 months [mean recurrence-free survival (RFS), 12.67 months]. Of the recurrence cases, 2 had complete (mean RFS, 16 months) and 13 had subtotal tumor excision (mean RFS, 9.03 months). Histologically, an adamantinous pattern was seen in 95% of cases, whereas a papillary pattern was noted in 5%. Brain tissue was included in 41 cases. In 32 of 41 cases, brain invasion was noted, and all were of adamantinous histology. No correlation was noted of histopathological subtyping or brain invasion with recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The significant clinical factors associated with recurrence included extent of resection, tumor size >4 cm, and cystic tumors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Memory and intelligence outcome following surgery for intractable temporal lobe epilepsy: relationship to seizure outcome and evaluation using a customized neuropsychological battery.

The main objectives of this prospective study were to (1) assess memory and intelligence outcome following surgery for intractable temporal lobe epilepsy, (2) correlate this with seizure outcome and side of surgery, and (3) perform (1) and (2) using an indigenously developed battery customized to the Indian population. Prior to use in our epilepsy surgery program, the test-retest and interexaminer variance reliability of this battery had been established in both normal and cognitively compromised populations. The memory scores were overall rather than material-specific. The battery was administered to right-handed adults undergoing surgery for intractable temporal lobe epilepsy without any evidence of opposite temporal lobe abnormality, both presurgery and postsurgery at a mean follow-up of 8 months. Twenty-five consecutive patients were included; 13 underwent right and 12 underwent left temporal surgery. Seizure outcome was assessed using Engel's classification. Among 13 patients who underwent right temporal surgery, although 4 patients with poor seizure outcome had insignificant changes in scores, 7 of 9 patients with good seizure outcome exhibited considerable (> 20% over preoperative) improvement in their memory and intelligence scores. Statistical analysis using Student's t test and the Mann-Whitney test revealed that the patients who underwent right temporal surgery with good seizure outcome had significant improvement in both memory (P = 0.007) and intelligence (P = 0.043) scores compared with those with poor seizure outcome. In contrast, patients who underwent left temporal surgery had no significant change in cognitive scores irrespective of seizure outcome. Cognitive improvement seems to occur in patients with good seizure outcome following nondominant temporal lobe surgery for intractable epilepsy with no evidence of pathology in the opposite temporal lobe. The same finding was not observed in patients undergoing left temporal surgery.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Role of shunt surgery in pediatric tubercular meningitis with hydrocephalus.

This study was designed to evaluate the indications for ventriculoperitoneal shunting in cases of children with tubercular meningitis, presenting with hydrocephalus. Thirty seven children (less than 18 years of age) of tubercular meningitis with hydrocephalus (TBMH) who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunting over a three year period (1999 to 2001) were included in the study. Sixteen (43%) children were Palur stage II, 15 (40%) stage III, and 6 (16%) stage IV. Fifteen (40%) children had received antitubercular therapy for less than 4 months and 17 (46%) received therapy for more than 4 months prior to presentation. Five (14%) children had not previously received antitubercular therapy. Shunt related complications occurred in 11 (30%) children and 3 children had undergone revision of the shunt multiple times. Good outcome was seen in 16 (43%) children. Thirteen (35%) had moderate disability and 6 (16%) had severe disability at 3 months of follow up. 62% (n =10) children in grade II had a good outcome compared to 40% (n = 6) in grade III. All six children in grade IV had a poor outcome. 2 children, both having multiple infarcts, died and the remaining 4 were left with severe disability. We recommend shunt placement in all children of grade II and III TBMH as this policy has yielded the best results. For grade IV children external ventricular drainage, followed by shunting if improvement occurs remains the most cost-effective procedure.

Child↗

PubMed2005

Recurrent lymphocytic hypophysitis in a woman 27 years after subtotal adrenalectomy for hypercortisolism possibly of autoimmune origin.

Lymphocytic hypophysitis commonly occurs in females in peripartum period but several unusual presentations have been reported. Here we report a rare case of recurrent lymphocytic hypophysitis in a woman who had subtotal adrenalectomy for hypercortisolism 27 years back. Polyglandular autoimmune endocrinopathy with an uncommon combination of Cushing's syndrome and recurrent hypophysitis is a strong possibility in this case. Treatment with steroids has been found to have beneficial effect.

Adrenalectomy↗

PubMed2004

Arachnoid cyst presenting as subdural hygroma.

Arachnoid cysts are developmental lesions which are usually asymptomatic or may present with a variety of clinical features. Subdural hygroma is an extremely unusual complication associated with arachnoid cysts. A case of subdural hygroma that developed after the rupture of an asymptomatic middle cranial fossa cyst, following minor head injury is reported.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Ganglioglioma of the spinal cord: report of two cases and review of literature.

Ganglioglioma can involve any part of the central nervous system. Mostly ganglioglioma occur in temporal lobe. Spinal cord ganglioglioma is a very rare entity. We report two cases of cervico-dorsal region ganglioglioma, who underwent complete surgical excision. In the postoperative period they had transient deterioration of their neurological status that gradually recovered with follow-up.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Efficacy and results of expansive laminoplasty in patients with severe cervical myelopathy due to cervical canal stenosis.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and results of expansive laminoplasty in advanced (Nurick's Grade III or greater) cervical myelopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed data in 24 patients who underwent cervical laminoplasty from January 1999 to December 2002. Nuricks grading was used for quantifying the neurological deficits and outcome analysis was done using Odom's criteria. A modified Hirabayashi's open door laminoplasty was done using Titanium miniplates and screws in 22 patients, autologous bone in one and hydroxyapatite spacer in one patient. OBSERVATIONS: There were 3 females and 21 males with a mean age of 56 years (range 39-72 years). Four patients presented in Nuricks Grade III, 15 in Grade IV and five in Grade V. MR imaging showed MSCS in 21 cases, OPLL in nine cases and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy in nine cases with cord signal changes being present in 19 cases. RESULTS: All patients with duration of symptoms less than three years, and 50 % with duration ranging from three to six years had improvement by at least one Nurick's grade following surgery. Eighty-seven per cent Grade IV patients (ambulatory with support) improved to Grade III (ambulatory without support) following laminoplasty. Using Odom's criteria, 23 patients (95.8%) had a good to fair outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Cord decompression with expansive laminoplasty using titanium miniplate fixation may improve the neurological outcome even in patients presenting late, and improvement by even one grade may have major 'quality of life' benefits for these patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Giant intraparenchymal neurocysticercosis: unusual MRI findings.

We report a case of surgically proven giant neurocysticercosis (NCC). MR imaging revealed an unusually large solitary parenchymal cystic lesion showing signal intensity similar to CSF on all pulse sequences, with internal septations and a small nodule in the anterior aspect of this lesion compatible with this diagnosis. Identification of a scolex in a cystic lesion with CSF intensity plays a key role in the diagnosis of NCC. The presence of internal septations is an atypical feature.

Brain Diseases↗

PubMed2003

Large cystic fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone: case report and review of literature.

Fibrous dysplasia is an uncommon benign disorder of unknown aetiology. It most likely represents a disorder of normal bone development. As it may occasionally involve the temporal bone, and encroach on the middle cranial fossa, it is of interest to the neurosurgeon. Fibrous dysplasia of the cystic variety is very uncommon. We report a case of a large cystic fibrous dysplasia involving predominantly the squamous temporal bone. The radiology and histology are discussed, and its differentiation from other lesions.

Craniotomy↗

PubMed2003

August 2002: 21-year-old male with cystic intracerebral tumor.

The August 2002 COM. A 21-year-old male presented with a single episode of generalized tonic clonic seizures. Radiology revealed a cystic tumor with mural nodule suggestive of a pilocytic astrocytoma. However, histopathological examination and electron microscopy revealed features of an intracerebral schwannoma. Therefore, although rare, in an intracerebral cystic lesion with mural nodule, the possibility of an intracerebral schwannoma should be entertained. This is important because this is a benign tumor with favourable response to resection.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Fenestration of the posterior communicating artery.

A 21-year-old male presented with sudden onset of right-sided third nerve paresis. Angiogram showed a fenestrated posterior communication artery on the right side and no other vascular anomalies. There was no other lesion that could suggest a cause for the third nerve weakness. Fenestration of the posterior communicating artery has not been reported till date. The case is discussed and the literature on the subject is reviewed.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Giant vertebrobasilar junction aneurysms: unusual cases.

Giant vertebrobasilar (VB) junction aneurysms are uncommon aneurysms, especially those associated with multiple aneurysms of the posterior circulation. We report two cases, one with a small and a giant aneurysm of the VB junction which were surgically clipped; and the other with a small left anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysm which resolved spontaneously. The patient, however, developed a de-novo giant VB junction aneurysm, which was detected on a follow-up angiogram. This aneurysm was treated by surgical clipping. The clinical features, angiographic considerations and surgical treatment of such rare conditions are discussed and the relevant literature reviewed.

Adult↗