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Anterior stromal puncture in bullous keratopathy: a clinicopathologic study.

PURPOSE: We report our experience of anterior stromal puncture (ASP) in symptomatic chronic corneal edema patients awaiting penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and hypothesize the mechanism of action of ASP in bullous keratopathy (BK). METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 28 patients with BK who underwent ASP between November 1996 and September 1999 with at least 1 month of follow-up. In all these patients, approximately 200 punctures were given with a bent 26-gauge needle sparing the peripheral cornea. Patients were examined on days 1 and 7, 1 month, and every 3 months after the procedure. The symptoms, corneal findings, and visual acuity of the patients at last follow-up were noted and compared with the preprocedure findings. For 11 patients who underwent PK, histopathologic study of corneal buttons was performed and a clinicopathologic correlation was attempted. RESULTS: Of the 28 patients, there were 15 men and 13 women with a mean age of 61.1 years. The clinical diagnosis was pseudophakic BK in 11 (39.3%), aphakic BK in 11 (39.3%), Fuchs' dystrophy in 4 (14.3%), failed graft in 1 (3.6%), and chronic corneal edema of unknown etiology in 1 (3.6%). The follow-up ranged from 1 to 33 months with a mean of 9.5 +/- 7.5 months. Symptomatic relief was noted in all. Twenty patients (71.4%) had complete relief, whereas eight patients (28.6%) experienced mild symptoms such as tearing and occasional pain. Visual acuity improved in 7 patients (25%), decreased in 12 (42.8%), and remained the same in 9 (32.4%). Objective evidence of scarring after ASP was noted in all patients. Complete regression of epithelial bullae and epithelial edema was found in 10 (35.7%) and partial regression in 18 (62.25%) patients. There was no progression or appearance of new blood vessels except in one patient (3.6%). Histologically, puncture marks and superficial stromal scarring were noted in all corneal buttons. Adhesion of epithelium with varying degrees of subepithelial fibrosis was seen in six, whereas in the remaining five buttons, there was complete denudation of the epithelium. Vascularization was seen in five and inflammation in two buttons. Clinicopathologic correlation revealed that symptomatic patients had persistent edema and loose adhesion of the epithelium to the stroma, resulting in detachment. CONCLUSIONS: ASP is a simple, safe, and cost-effective outpatient procedure for symptomatic relief in patients with BK. The possibility of decreased visual acuity after the procedure should be explained to all patients. Although ASP promoted subepithelial fibrosis in all cases, its subsequent adhesion is variable and probably has clinical relevance. Further studies could be directed toward identifying specific mediators that promote epithelial-stromal interaction and firm anchoring of epithelium to the underlying stroma.

Adult↗

Navi-ball: a new guidance device for CT-directed punctures.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: A new navigation system (Navi-Ball) for computed tomography (CT)-guided punctures was tested clinically. METHODS: The device consists of a transparent hemisphere with an angular scale. The hemisphere is fluid filled and contains a bubble indicating the angulation. The system works as a circular spirit level. Adapted to the handle of the needle, it allows needle adjustment according to the planned puncture path on the CT image. The system was tested in 36 patients who had 40 procedures. The needle deviation (in relation to the planned course of the needle) was measured in two rectangular planes. RESULTS: Without requiring preparation time, the guidance system allowed rapid and easy performance of the puncture. First-time needle placement in a double-angulated approach led to a deviation of the needle from the planned path ranging from 0.2 degrees to 4.6 degrees (mean 2.1 degrees, SD 1.4 degrees ) in the axial plane and from 0.4 degrees to 4.0 degrees (mean 2.3 degrees, SD 1.2 degrees). CONCLUSIONS: This "low-tech" system offers easy to use guidance by a single operator and provides for adequate accuracy of first-time needle placement.

Equipment Design↗

Postcontrast meningeal MR enhancement secondary to intracranial hypotension caused by lumbar puncture.

Intracranial hypotension, which is most commonly caused by lumbar puncture, can lead to intense meningeal enhancement, which resolves on its own once the intracranial hypotension has been corrected. The characteristic clinical presentation of severe postural headaches with a low opening CSF pressure on subsequent lumbar puncture and a history of prior dural puncture should alert one to the diagnosis, thus avoiding an extensive workup for carcinomatosis or infection.

Headache↗

Serious bacterial infections in febrile infants and children selected for lumbar puncture.

Lumbar puncture (LP) is performed frequently in pediatric emergency departments to diagnose meningitis in infants and young children with fever. Children selected to have LP who do not have meningitis may, however, have other serious bacterial infections. We surveyed lumbar punctures performed in the Boston City Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department and monitored the incidence of meningitis and other serious bacterial infections. Meningitis was diagnosed in 8% of children who underwent LP. An additional 10.5% of children who underwent LP and had normal cerebrospinal fluid had positive cultures of blood (3.1%), urine (4.1%) or stool (3.3%). The decision to perform lumbar puncture identifies children at risk of having not only meningitis but other serious bacterial illnesses. Those children 2 years of age and younger with normal cerebrospinal fluid should be considered for cultures of blood, urine and possibly stool.

Adolescent↗

Lumbar puncture in the clinical evaluation of children with seizures associated with fever.

This study was prospectively conducted to determine the frequency and yield of lumbar punctures performed in children with fever and seizures and to identify the criteria that were used by emergency physicians in selecting patients for this diagnostic procedure. During the five-year period from 1988 to 1992, 200 previously healthy children aged three months to five years were brought consecutively to the pediatric emergency department, after their seizure associated with fever. Lumbar puncture was performed in 51% of the cases and resulted in the detection of seven (3.5%) cases of meningitis, three (1.5%) of which were bacterial. An age less than 18 months, a febrile illness lasting over 48 hours, suspicious symptoms and signs of meningitis, and complex seizure features had significant influence on the decision of performing a lumbar puncture. Most children with meningitis had lethargy, irritability, and vomiting, and all had complex seizure features.

Child, Preschool↗

Lumbar puncture and the diagnosis of meningitis.

Because the symptomatology of meningitis in infancy frequently is nonspecific, interns and residents staffing a busy pediatric hospital emergency room are encouraged to perform lumbar punctures at the slightest suspicion of meningitis. The effects of this policy were investigated with regard to the number of lumbar punctures done, number of meningitis cases diagnosed, number of meningitis cases missed, and whether the degree of pyrexia and peripheral leukocytosis were helpful diagnostic clues. The results indicate that particularly when inexperienced interns and residents are evaluating young infants in whom the possibility of meningitis is raised, the only definitive diagnostic procedure is lumbar puncture. Hyperpyrexia and/or elevated peripheral white blood cell counts for not helpful in establishing the diagnosis of meningitis. Black infants of low socioeconomic status are a high-risk group for meningitis.

Child↗

High-dose exogenous iron following cecal ligation and puncture increases mortality rate in mice and is associated with an increase in gut epithelial and splenic apoptosis.

OBJECTIVES: Despite having dysregulated iron metabolism, critically ill patients may receive exogenous iron for the treatment of anemia. Iron is associated with increased tissue apoptosis and may facilitate bacterial growth. We hypothesized that exogenous iron administration given after the onset of sepsis would lead to increased mortality rate. To discriminate between elevated cell death and bacterial overgrowth as potential mediators of mortality, we examined gut epithelial and lymphocyte apoptosis and systemic bacterial counts in animals given iron supplementation after the onset of sepsis. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled study. SETTING: Animal laboratory in a university medical center. SUBJECTS: Male C57BL/6 mice, 6-10 wks old. INTERVENTIONS: C57BL/6 mice were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), a well-accepted model of intra-abdominal sepsis, followed by daily subcutaneous injections of either 1 mL of iron dextran (5 mg/mL) or 0.9% NaCl for a total of five doses. Animals (n = 78) were followed for survival for 8 days. Separate cohorts (n = 76) were killed 24 or 48 hrs after cecal ligation and puncture or sham laparotomy and were assayed for gut epithelial and splenic apoptosis as well as for quantitative blood cultures. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Eight-day survival was 7% in animals that received iron and 26% in mice that received 0.9% NaCl (p < .005). Iron supplementation after cecal ligation and puncture increased apoptosis by both active caspase 3 and hematoxylin and eosin staining in both the intestinal epithelium and spleen at 24 hrs (p < .05). Iron supplementation after sham laparotomy did not cause mortality or elevated apoptosis. Quantitative blood cultures revealed no detectable differences between septic animals that received iron and those that received 0.9% NaCl. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose iron supplementation with iron dextran after the onset of sepsis significantly increases mortality rate in this animal model. Iron-induced mortality may be mediated by an increase in gut epithelial and splenic apoptosis, whereas severity of bacteremia does not appear to play a causative role.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency↗

Cecal ligation and puncture versus colon ascendens stent peritonitis: two distinct animal models for polymicrobial sepsis.

Colon ascendens stent peritonitis (CASP) and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), two animal models designed to closely mimic the clinical course of intra-abdominal sepsis, were compared. In the past, immunomodulatory therapies developed in animal studies failed to be successful in humans. As a consequence, the established animal sepsis models were criticized. It has been proposed that present models had to be reevaluated, and new, clinically more relevant models should be evolved. CLP procedure was performed puncturing once (CLP[1]) or twice (CLP[2]) the ligated cecum of C57BL/6 mice. In the CASP model, a stent with defined diameter was surgically inserted into the ascending colon. Survival, bacterial load, immunohistochemistry, and serum cytokine levels were analyzed in the groups. Survival after CASP procedure correlated strongly with the stent diameter, whereas the number of punctures in CLP did not significantly change survival rate. Bacterial loads of peritoneal lavage, liver, and lung, as well as serum cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 10) steadily increased from 6 to 24 h after the CASP procedure. In contrast, continuously low amounts of bacteria and cytokines were found in CLP mice at any point of time. Twenty-four hours after CLP surgery, the ligated cecum was covered by adhesive small bowel loops, whereas in CASP mice, the intestinal leakage was then still present. The CASP model mimics closely the clinical course of diffuse peritonitis with early and steadily increasing systemic infection and inflammation (systemic inflammatory response syndrome). In contrast, CLP reveals a model of intra-abdominal abscess formation with sustained and minor signs of systemic inflammation.

Abdomen↗

Postdural puncture headache. A comparison between 26- and 29-gauge needles in young patients.

The incidence of postdural puncture headache after spinal anaesthesia with two types of 26- and 29-gauge needles was investigated in 149 patients less than 30 years old. Ten patients, (6.7%), six men and four women, developed typical symptoms of postdural puncture headache, while six (4.0%) developed headache of other origin. There were no headaches in the 29-gauge group. Spinal anaesthesia in four patients (8%) was impossible to perform with the 29-gauge needle. By using the latter, spinal anaesthesia can be given to young adults with little risk of postdural puncture headache.

Adolescent↗

Depth of extradural space and dural puncture.

The records of 3011 obstetric extradural blocks were examined to determine the depth of the extradural space and the relative risk of dural puncture. The overall incidence of dural puncture was 0.7%. A disproportionate number of punctures occurred when the space was superficial (1.45%), with a risk factor three times greater than that associated with normal depth spaces (0.48%). Caution is advised when infiltrating with local anaesthetics before extradural procedures, and when initially introducing the extradural needle.

Analgesia, Epidural↗

Ultrasound of the sinuses: a worthwhile procedure? A comparison of ultrasound and radiography in predicting the findings of proof puncture on the maxillary sinuses.

Fifty-five consecutive patients had ultrasonic examination and routine radiology of the maxillary sinus prior to proof puncture. One hundred and eight antra were washed out and a positive aspiration was obtained in 20% (22). A clear return correlated with a normal radiograph and ultrasound in 91% and 85% of sides respectively. Radiographic results gave a 9% false negative result whereas 15% of normal ultrasounds had a return on proof puncture. Abnormal radiographic appearances and ultrasound traces were correlated with a positive return in 28% and 27% of punctures, respectively. It is concluded that ultrasound adds little further information and does not improve upon radiology in predicting the presence of fluid within the maxillary antrum.

Adolescent↗

Postdural puncture headache (PDPH): onset, duration, severity, and associated symptoms. An analysis of 75 consecutive patients with PDPH.

Among 873 consecutive patients who had undergone a total of 1021 spinal anaesthesias involving puncture of the lumbar dura, 75 (7.35%) complained of Postdural Puncture Headache (PDPH). The severity of each patient's PDPH was categorized, on a scale from mild to severe, on the basis of the onset, duration, severity of the headaches, and the degree to which they were accompanied by auditory and vestibular symptoms. In the patients who developed PDPH, 65% developed symptoms within 24 hours of the lumbar punctures and 92% developed symptoms within 48 hours. For the patients who recovered spontaneously the mean duration of the PDPHs was 5 days, with a range of 1-12 dyas. PDPH was characterized by headaches that were influenced by the patient's posture and the severity of PDPH was categorized as follows: Mild PDPH resulted in a slight restriction of their physical activity. These patients were not confined to bed and had no associated symptoms. Moderate PDPH forced the patient to stay in bed for part of the day, and resulted in restricted physical activity. Associated symptoms were not necessarily present. Severe PDPH. Patients were bedridden for the entire day and made no attempt to raise their head or to stand. Associated symptoms were always present. Forty-five of the PDPH patients (60%) recovered spontaneously. Of these, 8 patients (11%) were categorized as mild cases of PDPH, 14 (19%) as moderate, and 23 (30%) patients as severe cases of PDPH. Thirty of the PDPH patients (40%) were treated with an autologous epidural blood patch (AEBP). Of these, 27 patients (36%) were classified as severe and 3 patients (4%) as moderate PDPH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Measurement of intravariceal pressure by fine needle direct puncture in hepatitis B surface antigen-positive cirrhotic patients: the effect of vasopressin.

The pressure of oesophageal varices was determined by fine needle direct puncture in 19 patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive cirrhosis after the first episode of variceal bleeding before endoscopic sclerotherapy. Both the stability and reliability of the measurement of intravariceal pressure by fine needle puncture were confirmed. Seven patients received intravenous 1 mL normal saline. Intravariceal pressure did not change before and after injection of normal saline (16.3 +/- 4.0 vs 16.0 +/- 4.0 mmHg, P > 0.05). Twelve patients received intravenous 1 units vasopressin and this caused a significant reduction in intravariceal pressure (15.6 +/- 2.6 vs 10.3 +/- 2.9 mmHg, P < 0.0001). The average basal intravariceal pressure in these patients was 15.8 +/- 3.1 mmHg. After intravariceal pressure was recorded, the needle was left in situ and endoscopic sclerotherapy commenced immediately. During the investigation, no adverse reaction or complication was encountered. It was concluded that the measurement of intravariceal pressure by fine needle direct puncture followed by immediate sclerotherapy is a safe and simple method to evaluate the short-term effect of drug prevention from oesophageal variceal bleeding and that vasopressin causes reduction of intravariceal pressure.

Aged↗

Cerebrospinal fluid parameters in healthy volunteers during serial lumbar punctures.

Lumbar punctures were performed on four occasions over a 5-day period (8:30 a.m. on days 1, 3, and 5; 2:30 p.m. on day 2) on 10 normal volunteers (five of each sex; mean age, 27.7 years) to assess, with repeated sampling, the day-to-day variation of selected CSF parameters. Two subjects abstained from the lumbar puncture on day 5 due to headache after the third puncture. Lumbar CSF was analyzed for concentrations of free and total gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), homocarnosine, homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), total protein, albumin, and immunoglobulin (Ig)G. No significant concentration differences were found between the afternoon and next morning samples. No differences were found in concentrations of free GABA, total GABA, homocarnosine, 5-HIAA, or albumin across the study. In contrast, HVA concentrations significantly increased by day 5, whereas total protein and IgG decreased during the study. The most likely explanation for these changes involves the known concentration gradients in the CSF column.

Adult↗

Ultrasound-guided puncture for gynaecological and pelvic lesions.

A series of 34 patients who underwent a total of 37 ultrasound-guided cyst punctures and fine needle biopsies for diagnosis and treatment of pelvic lesions are reported. In all but 1 patient the lesion visualized was entered and cytological diagnosis was achieved, although 1 patient required a second attempt under general anaesthesia. Seven cysts were endometriotic; these and all the remaining cysts were benign and only 4 patients developed a recurrence of the cyst following puncture. No patient in whom the ultrasound appearance suggested a benign cyst was found to have an ovarian malignancy. Three patients with malignant lesions had a total of 4 punctures or biopsies and a final patient had a fine needle biopsy of an ovary to exclude malignancy.

Adult↗

Lumbar puncture headache: a review.

August Bier, the father of spinal anesthesia, suffered and reported the first lumbar puncture (LP) headache. On August 24, 1898 his assistant, a Dr. Hildebrandt, attempted to administer a spinal anesthetic to Dr. Bier; it was never completed because the syringe did not fit the already implanted spinal needle. Bier himself suggested that continued leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the dural puncture site was the cause of headache, a theory that has been embraced by the medical community; however, the mechanism is probably more complex. Nearly 50 years ago, J. Lawrence Pool, using an endoscopic technique to visualize the surface of the spinal cord and the cauda equina, frequently observed large collections of epidural fluid two to four days following lumbar puncture in patients without headache. Evidence that will be presented below suggests that CSF volume alterations may be the signal closest to the headache mechanism.

Age Factors↗

Persistent post-dural-puncture headache treated with epidural infusion of dextran.

A retrospective review was done on medical records of 13 patients with persistent post-dural-puncture headaches after one or more epidural blood patches. Headache occurred in nine patients with post-laminectomy syndrome after "wet taps" while performing epidural blocks. In two patients post-dural-puncture headache appeared after long term implanted intrathecal catheters were removed. In two other cases headache developed after spinal anesthesia. Treatment included bed rest, intravenous hydration and at least one epidural blood patch; three patients were given 60 milliliters of epidural saline, without success. Eight epidural catheters were inserted through the lumbar access and five through the caudal approach. Initially, a bolus of 20 milliliters of dextran-40 was given followed by an infusion of 3 mL/hr, until 12 hours after the head pain and any other related symptoms subsided. In all patients the headache disappeared within 20 hours after initiating therapy (9.55 mean hours, SD +/- 0.79). In five patients headache ceased in less than five hours. Nausea and photo-phobia subsided earlier. Patients with post-dural-puncture headache resistant to other treatments, including at least one epidural blood patch, were successfully treated by a bolus followed by continuous epidural infusion of dextran-40.

Dextrans↗

Incidence of traumatic lumbar puncture.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of traumatic lumbar puncture (LP). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at an urban, university tertiary care referral center with 50000 annual emergency department (ED) visits. The study population included all patients who had cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples sent to the laboratory between August 15, 2000, and August 14, 2001. The numbers of red blood cells (RBCs) recorded in the first and last CSF tubes, the location where the LP was performed, and the discharge summary and the discharge diagnoses from the particular visit were obtained. All patients with intracranial pathology and CSF obtained via neurosurgical procedure or fluoroscopic guidance were excluded from the study group. Given no clear definition of traumatic LP in the literature, the incidence of traumatic LP was calculated using a cutoff of greater than 400 RBCs (visual threshold for bloody fluid) and 1000 RBCs (arbitrary threshold selected by other authors) in CSF tube 1. Proportions were compared using chi-square statistics. RESULTS: Seven hundred eighty-six CSF samples were recorded over one year. Twenty-four samples were obtained from patients with intracranial pathology or were obtained via a neurosurgical procedure. Of the remaining 762 CSF samples in the study population, 119 (15.6%) were traumatic using a cutoff of 400 RBCs, and 80 (10.5%) were traumatic, using a cutoff of 1000 RBCs in tube 1. Five hundred three LPs were done in the ED and 259 were attributed to all other locations in the hospital. Using a cutoff of 400 RBCs, the incidence of traumatic LP in the ED was 13.3%, compared with 20% in the rest of the hospital (p < 0.025). Similarly, using a cutoff of 1000 RBCs, the incidence of traumatic LP in the ED was 8.9%, compared with 13.5% in the rest of the hospital (p = 0.1). The incidence of "champagne taps" (defined as zero RBCs in the first and last tubes) in the ED was 34.4%, compared with 24.3% in the rest of the hospital (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of traumatic lumbar puncture is approximately 15% using a cutoff of 400 RBCs and 10% using a cutoff of 1000 RBCs. In this study, the rate of traumatic lumbar puncture was significantly less (with a cutoff of 400 RBCs) and the rate of champagne tap was significantly greater for LPs done in the ED compared with the rest of the hospital.

Cerebrospinal Fluid↗