The epidural blood patch. Resolving the controversies

PURPOSE: To review the literature regarding epidural blood patch (EBP) to generate conclusions relating to the controversial issues surrounding its application. SOURCE: A Medline search was made for relevant publications using keywords epidural blood patch, prophylactic epidural blood patch, dural puncture, and postdural puncture headache. Bibliographies of retrieved articles were hand-searched for relevant articles. Case series and comparative trials were emphasized in the analyses. These were culled and those deemed relevant were reviewed. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The majority of the literature consists of observational reports: there are few comparative studies. Headache most likely results from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) loss leading to intracranial content shift and traction on pain sensitive structures; cerebrovascular alterations may be implicated. An EBP with 10-15 ml blood is indicated and effective therapy for severe headache after dural puncture. There is conflicting evidence regarding larger volume blood injections or delaying EBP for 24 hr or more after the diagnosis of postdural puncture headache (PDPH). Efficacy of EBP is related to a "patch effect" as well as transmission of increased epidural space pressure to the CSF space. Previous estimates of EBP efficacy were overgenerous; persistent symptomatic relief can be expected in 61-75% of patients with initial EBP. Patching with non-blood solutions, although initially effective, is associated with a high incidence of headache recurrence. Prophylactic injection of saline or blood decreases the incidence of severe headache after dural puncture. CONCLUSION: Blood-patching is an effective treatment of PDPH but further research is required regarding its mechanisms and prophylaxis.     

Correlating Papanicolaou Smear, Colposcopic Impression, and Biopsy: Results from the Women's Interagency HIV Study

OBJECTIVE: To determine associations among cervical cytology, colposcopy, and biopsy in HIV-seropositive women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HIV-seropositive women and uninfected comparison women in a multicenter prospective cohort study underwent colposcopy for protocol indications. Women were eligible if they had a cervix, satisfactory cytology, and colposcopy between October 1994 and September 1999. Cytology, colposcopic impression, and biopsy were compared using equivalent categorizations. Kappa statistics with bootstrap sampling assessed strength of associations. RESULTS: Colposcopy was performed in 978/1370 HIV-seropositive women and in 154/224 seronegative women. Biopsies were performed on 603 (44%) seropositive women at least once during 1015 colposcopy visits and on 82 (37%) seronegative women at 116 visits. The positive predictive value of cytology was 72% for seropositive women and 60% for seronegative women. The positive predictive value of colposcopy was 71% for seropositive women and 55% for seronegative women. CONCLUSION: The correlation between either cervical cytology or colposcopic impression and colposcopic biopsy was poor.     

Effects of clinical stage and immunological status on semen analysis results in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-seropositive men

Summary. Complete semen analyses including computer-assisted sperm motility and morphology assessments were performed to determine if semen and sperm differed between HIV-seropositive men and fertile controls, or differed with symptoms, or CD4+ peripheral cell count categories. Previous studies included small numbers of men and presented conflicting conclusions. Two hundred and fifty non-vasectomized HIV-seropositive men and 38 fertile controls each provided one semen sample. Non-parametric statistics were used to analyse both continuous and nominal data. Fertile men had significantly greater semen volume, sperm concentration, percent motility, percent rapid and linear motility and total strictly normal spermatozoa than HIV seropositive men. Neither total number nor subtypes of leukocytes in semen differed between the two groups. Among the HIV seropositive men, significant differences in semen analyses were found between CD4+ cell count, clinical, and AIDS categories. Lower CD4+ cell counts (<200 mm⁻³) were associated with significantly lower percent motility, percent normal sperm morphology by strict criteria, significantly more spermatids in semen, and higher percentages of teratozoospermia, oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and leukocytospermia. Healthier men, based on clinical categories, had significantly more normal shaped spermatozoa and fewer had azoospermia, oligoasthenoteratozoospermia or leukocytospermia. Many HIV-seropositive men have normal semen analyses, but as the disease progresses more defects are found, particularly in strict criteria sperm morphology.     

Management of postdural puncture headache with epidural blood patch in children

BACKGROUND: Until the last decade, it was believed that postdural puncture headache (PDPH) was an uncommon complaint in children, but recent studies indicate that young children may develop PDPH after spinal puncture. When the symptoms are severe and are not relieved within a few days with analgesics, forced hydration and bed rest, then epidural blood patch (EBP) might be performed. METHODS: In this retrospective survey, we analysed EBP performed in Kuopio University Hospital between the years 1995 and 2000. RESULTS: During the 6-year period, seven EBP were performed in children aged 12 years or younger. Four out of the seven children had undergone a diagnostic spinal puncture, two had spinal anaesthesia and one child had spinal puncture for treatment of postoperative hygroma. Five children had a typical PDPH, one child had a cerebrospinal fluid fistula headache and one child had a headache similar to his migraine. EBP was performed 2-19 days after spinal puncture with 0.3 ml.kg-1 (mean) of autologous blood injected into the epidural space. CONCLUSIONS: EBP gave some relief of symptoms in all children. No complications related to EBP were noticed.     

Epidural blood patch, never too late

Long lasting postural puncture headache secondary to an unintentional dural puncture (UDP) during epidural anaesthesia (EA) or following deliberate dural puncture for spinal anaesthesia, and neurological or neuroradiological examination, is becoming unusual. Placing the bevel of Tuohy needle parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dural cylinder when searching for epidural space, and in the later cases, widespread use of small diameter, atraumatic needles, have decreased both its incidence and severity. Furthermore, in the absence of any contraindication, patients suffering from such troubles are now quite systematically offered a curative epidural blood patch (EBP) whose effectiveness is documented. Authors report an original case of a fainthearted patient who underwent caesarean section under EA when she was 31-year-old, and whose disabling painful symptoms related to a UDP were successfully relieved by one EBP that she ended to accept more than seven years later. On the occasion of a short literature review, physiopathology and management are debated.     

Effectiveness of epidural blood patch in the management of post-dural puncture headache

BACKGROUND: Lumbar epidural blood patch (EBP) is a common treatment of post-dural puncture headache, but its effectiveness and mode of action remain a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to assess both the effectiveness and the predictive factors of failure of EBP on severe post-dural puncture headache. METHODS: This prospective observational study includes all patients treated in the authors' hospital with EBP for incapacitating post-dural puncture headache, from 1988 to 2000. The EBP effect was classified into complete relief (disappearance of all symptoms), incomplete relief of symptoms (clinically improved patients who recovered sufficiently to perform normal daily activity), and failure (persistence of severe symptoms). The following data were analyzed using a logistic regression to identify predictive factors of failure of EBP: (1) patient characteristics; (2) circumstances of dural puncture; (3) delay between dural puncture and EBP; and (4) the volume of blood injected for EBP. RESULTS: A total of 504 patients were analyzed. The frequency rates of complete relief, incomplete relief of symptoms, and failure after EBP were 75% (n = 377), 18% (n = 93), and 7% (n = 34), respectively. In a multivariate analysis, only the diameter of the needle used to perform dura mater puncture (odds ratio = 5.96; 95% confidence interval, 2.63-13.47; P < 0.001) and a delay in EBP less than 4 days (odds ratio = 2.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-6.51; P = 0.037) were independent significant risk factors for a failure of EBP. CONCLUSIONS: Epidural blood patch is an effective treatment of severe post-dural puncture headache. Its effectiveness is decreased if dura mater puncture is caused by a large bore needle.     

Fluoroscopically guided epidural blood patch in patients with postdural puncture headache after spinal and epidural anesthesia

Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is one of the major complications after spinal and epidural anesthesia. An epidural blood patch (EBP) may be applied when PDPH persists regardless of conservative treatment. We describe the results of management including fluoroscopically guided EBP in a series of patients with moderate to severe PDPH. From January 2007 to December 2009, PDPH developed in 15 of 3,381 patients (0.44%) who received epidural or spinal anesthesia: 5 (0.21%) after general anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia, 8 (0.81%) after spinal anesthesia, and 2 (3.14%) after combined spinal and epidural anesthesia. Of 15 patients, PDPH was relieved without the EBP in 9 patients and 6 patients required the EBP. EBP was performed under fluoroscopy in a prone position; a 4:1 mixture of autologous blood and contrast medium was injected to cover the site of dural puncture. The success rate of fluoroscopically guided EBP was 100% with a mean blood volume of 7.2 ml. No complications were associated with EBP except for a mild backache. Fluoroscopically guided EBP may be successfully and safely performed to treat persistent PDPH with a relatively small volume of blood for epidural injection.     

Effectiveness of Epidural Blood Patch in the Management of Post-Dural Puncture Headache

Background: Lumbar epidural blood patch (EBP) is a common treatment of post-dural puncture headache, but its effectiveness and mode of action remain a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to assess both the effectiveness and the predictive factors of failure of EBP on severe post-dural puncture headache.

Methods: This prospective observational study includes all patients treated in the authors' hospital with EBP for incapacitating post-dural puncture headache, from 1988 to 2000. The EBP effect was classified into complete relief (disappearance of all symptoms), incomplete relief of symptoms (clinically improved patients who recovered sufficiently to perform normal daily activity), and failure (persistence of severe symptoms). The following data were analyzed using a logistic regression to identify predictive factors of failure of EBP: (1) patient characteristics; (2) circumstances of dural puncture; (3) delay between dural puncture and EBP; and (4) the volume of blood injected for EBP.

Results: A total of 504 patients were analyzed. The frequency rates of complete relief, incomplete relief of symptoms, and failure after EBP were 75% (n = 377), 18% (n = 93), and 7% (n = 34), respectively. In a multivariate analysis, only the diameter of the needle used to perform dura mater puncture (odds ratio = 5.96; 95% confidence interval, 2.63-13.47;P < 0.001) and a delay in EBP less than 4 days (odds ratio = 2.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-6.51;P = 0.037) were independent significant risk factors for a failure of EBP.     

Association between HIV infection and bone mineral density in climacteric women

Summary

A cross-sectional study was conducted with the purpose of evaluating bone mineral density in HIV seropositive and seronegative climacteric women. HIV infection was negatively associated with bone mineral density in the lumbar spine

Purpose

To assess bone mineral density (BMD) and its associated factors in HIV seropositive and seronegative climacteric women

Methods

A cross-sectional study with 537 women (273 HIV seropositive and 264 HIV seronegative) aged between 40 and 60 years old receiving follow-up care at two hospitals in Brazil. A questionnaire on clinical and sociodemographic characteristics was completed. Laboratory tests were performed, and BMD was measured at the lumbar spine and hip. Statistical analysis was carried out by Yates and Pearson chi-squared tests, Mann–Whitney test, and multiple linear regression.

Results

The mean age was 47.7 years in HIV-seropositive women, and 75 % had nadir CD4 above 200, and 77.8 % had viral load below the detection limit. The mean age in the HIV-seronegative women was 49.8 years. The prevalence of low spinal BMD was 14.6 % in the HIV-seropositive and 4.6 % in the HIV-seronegative women (p?<?0.01). The prevalence of low BMD at the femoral neck was 5.6 % in HIV-seropositive and 3.3 % in the HIV-seronegative women (p?=?0.38). Multiple analyses showed that the factors associated with lower BMD at the spine were being postmenopausal and being HIV-seropositive. Being overweight was associated with a higher BMD. At the femoral neck, factors associated with lower BMD were being postmenopausal and being white. Being overweight and having a greater number of pregnancies were associated with higher BMD

Conclusions

HIV-seropositive women on long-term antiretroviral treatment and in good immunological conditions exhibited low BMD in the spine (L1–L4). However, BMD in the femoral neck was similar to non-infected women.

     

Mycobacterial infection in HIV seropositive and seronegative populations, 1987-93.

BACKGROUND--Although the causes of the worldwide resurgence of tuberculosis are multifactorial, the HIV epidemic is believed to have had a central role. Control is further threatened by the emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. METHODS--A retrospective evaluation was undertaken of trends in pulmonary and extrapulmonary culture positive mycobacterial pathology, and the prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis in both HIV seropositive and, presumptively, HIV seronegative patients receiving their clinical care at St Mary's Hospital, London. Five hundred and thirty eight patients (188 of whom were known to be HIV seropositive) with positive mycobacterial isolates between January 1987 and March 1993 were identified from laboratory records. These were cross referenced with drug surveillance records. RESULTS--Overall, between 1987 and 1992 there was a progressive 3.5 fold increase in positive mycobacterial isolates and a 2.5 fold increase in patients with proven mycobacterial infection. This increase was greater within the HIV seropositive population. A total of 663 positive mycobacterial isolates was evaluated; the major pathogen identified was Mycobacterium tuberculosis (379 isolates, 57%). Three hundred and fourteen patients were diagnosed as having M tuberculosis, 49 of whom were HIV seropositive. M tuberculosis was predominantly isolated from the lung. Of 358 positive cultures for M tuberculosis (68 HIV seropositive, 290 presumptively HIV seronegative), only 27 isolates (7.6%), almost exclusively derived from presumed HIV seronegative patients, were resistant to either isoniazid, rifampicin, or both drugs together. No increases in drug-resistant isolates were observed over this period. CONCLUSIONS--There has been a considerable increase in the incidence of tuberculosis in both HIV seronegative and seropositive populations during the study period. The emergence of drug-resistant tuberculosis was not observed.     

Impact of chronic viral diseases on semen parameters

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C (HCV) and B (HBV) virus infection on semen parameters. Semen samples were obtained from 27 HCV, 34 HIV, 30 HBV and 41 HCV‐HIV‐seropositive patients and compared with those of a control population of healthy seronegative subjects. Tests for detection of HIV, HCV and HBV were performed on seminal samples. The sperm concentration was significantly decreased in HCV‐ and HBV‐seropositive males compared to that of controls (P < 0.001). The mean sperm motility (a + b) was significantly decreased in HCV‐ and HBV‐seropositive (P < 0.001) and in HCV‐HIV‐seropositive subjects (P < 0.05) compared to that of controls. The sperm viability was significantly lower in HCV‐ and HBV‐seropositive men than in controls (P < 0.001). The normal morphology was significantly reduced in HCV‐seropositive and HBV‐seropositive men (P < 0.05) with respect to that of controls (P < 0.05). The sperm concentration after sperm wash was significantly higher in controls than in HCV‐, HIV‐, HBV‐ and HIV‐HCV‐seropositive men (P < 0.001). We can conclude that HBV‐ and HCV‐infected men have a significantly impaired sperm quality compared with that of controls. The reason for the better sperm quality in our series of HIV‐ and HCV‐HIV‐infected men is still under debate. Further investigations in a larger case series are warranted.     

Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV in orthopaedic patients at a tertiary hospital in Greece

Infections from hepatitis viruses and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as well represent a continuous risk factor to health care providers, in particular those working in surgical departments. The aim of this study was to define the prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses in patients admitted in an urban, tertiary orthopaedic department in Greece. We retrospectively studied 1,694 consecutive patients who underwent several orthopaedic procedures. All patients were tested for HIV, HBV and HCV infections. Sixty-six (3.9%) of the patients were seropositive for at least one of the studied viruses. Thirty (1.7%) were positive for HBV, 34 (2%) for HCV and 2 (0.1%) for HIV. The majority of the seropositive patients were women (53%), urban areas citizens (89.4%), and of Greek nationality (83.3%). Non-Greek nationality was the only significantly predictive factor for seropositivity (χ² = 590.2, P < 0.001). The majority of patients were not aware of their infection. A significant percentage of patients cared for at a Greek orthopaedic department were seropositive for blood-borne viruses. Non-Greek nationality is a risk factor. We believe that these data will increase awareness and will promote safer practices among health care providers in orthopaedic units.     

Second stage pushing correlates with headache after unintentional dural puncture in parturients

PURPOSE: To determine the association between bearing down, postdural puncture headache (PDPH) and epidural blood patch (EBP) following single 17 gauge unintentional dural puncture (UDP) in parturients. METHODS: The charts of 60 parturients identified with UDP in our institutional database during epidural placement were independently reviewed. Patients were divided into categories based on the anesthetic record: well-documented single punctures; well-documented multiple punctures; catheter-related puncture; unclear category (not clear if more than one puncture occurred or if dural puncture had occurred at all) and no evidence of dural puncture. Patients with single 17 gauge punctures were divided into those who had pushed (Group 1) and those who had not (Group 2). Group 2 patients had undergone Cesarean section before reaching second stage labour. The incidence of PDPH, EBP, and cumulative duration to delivery after UDP were compared between groups. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients with well-documented single punctures were identified: 23 had engaged in active pushing as part of second stage labour (Group 1); 10 had not (Group 2). Seventy-four percent of Group1I developed PDPH compared with 10% in Group 2 (P < 0.002). Fifty-seven percent of Group 1 received an EBP compared with 0% in Group 2 (P < 0.002). Increasing the duration of pushing was associated with an increasing incidence of PDPH; the majority of women who pushed > 30 min developed headache. CONCLUSIONS: An increased incidence of PDPH and EBP after UDP occurs in women bearing down in 2nd stage labour when compared with those who never pushed. There was also an association between the cumulative duration of bearing down and the incidence of PDPH.     

The prevalence of hepatitis C in a regional level I trauma center population.

Several studies have examined the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a trauma population. To our knowledge, no one has reported on the prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV). We prospectively studied the prevalence of HCV, as well as HBV, HIV, and syphilis in our adult regional level I trauma center population. Two hundred eighty-six consecutive trauma patients were tested for previous exposure to HCV using an anti-HCV mAb ELISA. Patients were also tested for exposure to HBV, HIV, and syphilis, and for illicit drug use. All rho values were calculated using Yates' corrected chi 2 or Student's t test. Twenty-two patients (7.7%) were found to have anti-HCV antibodies, five patients (1.7%) had active HBV, nine patients (3.2%) had HIV, and 16 patients (6%) were positive by RPR. Four (18%) of the patients seropositive for HCV tested positive for HBV, HIV, or syphilis as well. The HIV-positive patients were more likely than the HIV-negative patients to be HCV positive (rho = 0.018). Nine of the HCV seropositive patients (41%) tested positive for cocaine use. Cocaine users were more likely than nonusers to be HCV positive (rho = 0.0007). We have demonstrated the prevalence of HCV in our trauma population to be high (7.7%). It is well known that HCV has a high rate of chronicity, thus up to 90% of these patients are carriers and represent a substantial risk to health care workers. The two significant risk factors, HIV status and cocaine use, are difficult to elicit in the acute setting, reinforcing the need for adhering to universal precautions.     

The injection of intrathecal normal saline reduces the severity of postdural puncture headache

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether the injection of 10 mL of normal saline into the subarachnoid space following accidental dural puncture reduced the incidence of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) and the need for epidural blood patch (EBP). METHODS: Twenty-eight patients who experienced accidental dural puncture with an epidural needle had 10 mL of normal saline injected into the subarachnoid space. In 22 patients, the injection was performed immediately through the epidural needle. In 6 patients who had intrathecal catheters placed through the epidural needle, the saline was injected through the catheter before removal. All other patients who experienced wet taps during the same period that the study was in progress but did not receive the saline injection served as a control group, 26 in number. Patients with severe or persistent PDPHs were treated with EBP. RESULTS: Of those patients who received intrathecal normal saline immediately through the epidural needle, 32% developed a headache compared with 62% of controls. Of these, 1 patient who received saline required EBP compared with nine in the control group (P =.004). Of those patients who had intrathecal catheters placed, there were no headaches in the saline group of 6 compared with 3 in the control group of 5, 1 of whom was treated with EBP (P >.05). CONCLUSIONS: The immediate injection of 10 mL intrathecal normal saline after a wet tap significantly reduced the incidence of PDPH and the need for EBP. When an intrathecal catheter had been placed following a wet tap, injection of 10 mL of normal saline before its removal effectively prevented PDPH.     

Beyond spinal headache: prophylaxis and treatment of low-pressure headache syndromes

OBJECTIVE: This Evidence-Based Case Management article evaluates and grades the evidence for two anesthesiology-related interventions: prophylaxis after unintentional meningeal puncture and treatment of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). METHODS: A search was made of relevant English language clinical studies or reports pertinent to the topic of low-pressure headache, but excluding the treatment of meningeal puncture headache. RESULTS: Thirty-seven case reports, case series, and clinical trials were included to develop the best available evidence-based recommendations for the prophylaxis of unintentional meningeal puncture and for the treatment of SIH. CONCLUSION: The highest quality randomized controlled trials suggest that prophylactic epidural blood patch (EBP) does not reduce the incidence of headache after unintentional meningeal puncture. The weight of existing literature supports EBP as an initial treatment of SIH, although its effectiveness does not approach that seen when EBP is used to treat meningeal puncture headache.     

Expectant management of postdural puncture headache increases hospital length of stay and emergency room visits

PURPOSE: This retrospective cohort study examined hospital length of stay (LOS) and emergency room (ER) visits in parturients diagnosed with postdural puncture headache (PDPH) following recognized dural puncture (DP). All cases were managed expectantly. Outcomes were compared with matched controls with uneventful labour epidurals. METHODS: After Ethics Committee approval, the hospital perinatal database was used to identify healthy parturients with recognized DP during labour epidural placement from 1996-2001. Women developing PDPH after expectant management were matched with women with uneventful epidurals and no evidence of PDPH, as well as by parity, delivery mode and admission date. All women delivered term singletons. The primary outcome was LOS (hours) from delivery to discharge. Secondary outcomes included: number (#) nights in hospital, #ER visits for PDPH, epidural blood patch (EBP) timing (pre vs post discharge), EBP location (ward vs ER) and blood volumes used. RESULTS: 26 cases and 26 controls were identified. Precise discharge times were found for 23 cases and 23 controls. In cases, the LOS was increased by a mean of 17 +/- 23.8 (SD) hours; [95% conficence interval (CI) = 8, 26; P = 0.0012] and # nights in hospital was increased by a mean of 0.62 +/- 0.94 nights (95% CI, 0.26, 0.98, P = 0.0027). Nineteen cases (73% 19/26) received at least one EBP. Sixteen cases received at least one EBP prior to discharge with 38% (6/16) returning to ER for re-assessment/repeat EBP. Forty-four percent (4/9) of cases without an EBP prior to discharge returned to ER for further assessment/EBP. CONCLUSION: PDPH leads to a significant increase in hospital LOS and ER visits. Studies of preventive therapy are warranted.     

Herpes zoster infection as an immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in HIV-seropositive subjects: a review.

The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has resulted paradoxically in the worsening of clinical symptoms of previously subclinical infections, such as herpes zoster (HZ), herpes simplex, angular cheilitis, warts, tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C, cytomegalovirus retinitis, and others, as a result of substantial reconstitution of the host's immune responses. This phenomenon is referred to as immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). It may affect up to 32% of HIV-seropositive subjects within a wide range of time after the initiation of HAART, but mainly after 8-12 weeks. Mucocutaneous HZ accounts for 7%-12% of the diseases associated with HIV infection that become worse again when the subject's immunity improves from the administration of HAART. It usually occurs after 4 weeks from the initiation of HAART, and under these circumstances the clinical symptoms and natural course of mucocutaneous HZ are similar to those in HIV-seropositive subjects who do not manifest IRIS.     

Subtle cerebral damage after shunting vs non shunting during carotid endarterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the extent of subtle cerebral damage (SCD) in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy with or without shunt placement. DESIGN: Prospective, randomised study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assessed a consecutive series of 96 patients undergoing endarterectomy for severe unilateral left carotid stenosis who had been randomly assigned to receive a shunt (48) or not (48). Eligibility criteria included age up to 80 years and Mini-Mental State Examination score >24 points. Patients underwent neuropsychological testing before surgery. Serum concentrations of S100 protein, neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured intraoperatively before and after carotid clamping. Finally, each patient underwent neuropsychological testing 3 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Patients with and without shunt had similar serum concentrations of S100 protein, NSE and IL-6 as well as similar neuropsychological test scores, all p>0.05. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in subtle cerebral damage between patients randomized to receive a shunt or not.     

Pulmonary complications of HIV disease: 10 year retrospective evaluation of yields from bronchoalveolar lavage, 1983-93.

BACKGROUND--Pulmonary disease is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in patients with HIV infection and AIDS. The aim of this study was to describe bronchoscopic findings and the spectrum of pulmonary pathogens in HIV seropositive patients undergoing investigation of respiratory disease over a 10 year period in a major UK referral centre. METHODS--Recruitment was procedure based with data being captured when bronchoscopy was clinically indicated. Data were evaluated from 580 HIV seropositive patients (559 men, age 13-65 years) over a 10 year period from June 1983 to March 1993. RESULTS--A total of 947 bronchoscopies was performed. The most frequent pulmonary pathogen isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in 44% of all bronchoscopies was Pneumocystis carinii. Of all patients studied, 324 (55%) had at least one cytologically confirmed episode of P carinii pneumonia; this was AIDS defining in 219 (38%) of patients who underwent bronchoscopy. Between 1987 and 1993 the overall diagnostic yield from BAL fluid was 76%; 25% of all bronchoscopies yielded positive microbiological results, the most frequent isolates being Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas spp, and Haemophilus influenzae. Mycobacteria were identified in 8% of patients; M tuberculosis was the most common being identified in 3% of lavage samples and in 4% of patients. No drug-resistant M tuberculosis was found. Viral isolates (mainly cytomegalovirus) were identified in up to 31% of BAL fluid samples. Endobronchial Kaposi's sarcoma was seen in 15% of patients at bronchoscopy. CONCLUSIONS--Of the 1956 newly diagnosed HIV seropositive patients receiving clinical care at St Mary's Hospital over this period, approximately 30% underwent bronchoscopy. Diagnostic rates for P carinii pneumonia, endobronchial Kaposi's sarcoma, and bacterial and mycobacterial infection have remained largely constant since 1989. Bronchoalveolar lavage produces high diagnostic yields generally, and P carinii pneumonia remains a common cause of pulmonary disease in these patients.