The natural history of intracranial venous angiomas

Cerebral venous angiomas are congenital anomalies of the intracranial venous drainage. Many believe that they are associated with a high risk of hemorrhage and neurological dysfunction, but newer neurodiagnostic imaging techniques are showing not only that they are more common than previously known but also that many have no associated symptoms. In this retrospective study, the natural history of venous angiomas was examined in 100 patients (48 males and 52 females) with radiographically identifiable lesions treated over a 14-year period. Information on the natural history of the lesion was obtained from clinical records and follow-up data. Imaging studies included angiography, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Angioma locations were classified as frontal (42 cases), parietal (24 cases), occipital (4 cases), temporal (2 cases), basal or ventricular (11 cases), cerebellar (14 cases), or brain stem (3 cases); 47 lesions were on the left side. Headache as a presenting symptom was common (36 patients) and often led to other radiographic studies, but this appeared to be related to the vascular lesion in only four patients. Other possibly related complications were hemorrhage in one patient, seizures in five, and transient focal deficits in eight. Fifteen patients had no neurological signs or symptoms. The mean patient age at last contact was 45.3 years (range 3 to 94 years). All patients have been managed without surgery. It is concluded that significant complications secondary to venous angiomas are infrequent and that surgical resection of these lesions and of surrounding brain is rarely indicated.     

Therapeutic implications of phlebographic obstruction in chronic venous stasis

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the functional characteristics of the venous system of patients with chronic obstruction of their deep veins proved by phlebography. Sixty-eight extremities in 34 normal volunteers and 21 extremities in 17 patients with chronic venous stasis and phlebographically demonstrated obstruction of their deep veins (popliteal-superficial femoral in 33.3%, common femoral in 23.8%, iliac in 33.3% and inferior vena cava in 9.5%) were evaluated using mercury in silastic strain gauges on the feet to measure venous volume changes on elevation and exercise. Regurgitant flow, corrected for arterial foot blood flow, was calculated. In the control group, the apparent regurgitation range was 0 to 2.3 ml %/min (mean +/- 2 SD). Sixty-two percent of extremities with obstructed deep veins had significant functional regurgitation. Regurgitation was detected by phlebography in only 14.3% of cases. From these results we conclude that obstruction of the deep venous system by phlebography may or may not signify functional obstruction and, in itself, therefore, does not indicate that bypass surgery is an appropriate method of treatment. Selection for surgical correction requires quantitative determination of insufficiency since higher grades of regurgitation probably contraindicate venous bypass.     

Clinician's perspectives on the treatment of venous leg ulceration

Treatment of venous leg ulcers (VLU) represents a considerable challenge to the health care professional and to the patient alike. Much of the current literature regarding VLU focuses on either wound pathophysiology and treatment of chronic venous insufficiency or the patients' experience of the condition. We present two studies that examine more closely the clinicians' experience of treating VLU and reflect upon how that understanding may further enhance better outcomes for patients in the future. The first of these studies is a qualitative investigation of 49 clinicians treating VLU in the UK and USA. The second is a quantitative, online survey of 304 clinicians' beliefs, attitudes and practices in the UK, Germany and USA. Findings show that the clinicians' experience of treating VLU is often accompanied by frustration and dissatisfaction with treatment challenges and uncertain outcomes. Practices and treatment choices were found to vary widely and differ by countries. We conclude that a key aspect in improving VLU treatment is in listening to the frustrations of the clinician when considering new approaches to therapy.     

The hemodynamics of venous ulceration

Venous ulceration is the result of progressive chronic venous insufficiency, the pathophysiology of which is complex and incompletely understood. Ambulatory venous hypertension in this disease has been well-documented; however, relatively little attention has been directed toward other parameters of venous function. This study evaluates a spectrum of hemodynamic variables and the degree to which they are altered in patients with venous ulceration, and correlates ambulatory venous pressure (AVP) with the noninvasive estimate of this parameter. Air-plethysmography was used to evaluate 36 ulcerated extremities from 30 patients with chronic venous disease and 80 asymptomatic extremities from 54 patients. This technique measures the functional venous volume (VV), assesses valvular function [Venous Filling Index (VFI)], evaluates the efficiency of the calf muscle-pump [Ejection Fraction (EF)], and provides an estimation of ambulatory venous pressure [Residual Volume Fraction (RVF)]. In addition, AVP's were recorded in 13 asymptomatic extremities from 10 patients and 16 ulcerated extremities from 14 patients with chronic venous disease. Significant differences existed between the two groups for all of the hemodynamic parameters. Ulcerated extremities had greater venous volumes, displayed marked deterioration in valvular competence and calf musclepump function, and showed significant ambulatory venous hypertension compared to the asymptomatic group. Additionally, the relationship between RVF and AVP appeared linear, with a correlation coefficient of 0.87. Air-plethysmography currently provides the most complete evaluation of venous hemodynamics and should improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic-venous disease.Presented at the 16th Annual Meeting of the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, June 2, 1991, Boston, Massachusetts.     

The etiology of venous ulceration

Venous ulceration is caused by the disorganization of the microcirculation that is induced by prolonged venous hypertension. The most common cause of calf pump inefficiency that permits superficial venous hypertension during exercise is deep vein thrombosis. Venous hypertension causes venular dilatation and an increased capillary permeability. Fibrin is deposited around the capillaries and not removed because of a vein wall deficiency of the fibrinolytic activator. The fibrin acts as a diffusion barrier and the overlying dermis becomes anoxic. Any minor trauma then causes an ulcer. Ulcers can be cured by restoring calf pump function to normal. Postthrombotic skin changes caused by irreparable calf pump damage can be reversed by the regular use of elastic compression and the pharmacological long-term enhancement of fibrinolysis.

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Resumen La ulceración venosa es causada por desorganización de la microcirculacíon que induce una prolongada hipertensión venosa. La causa más comÚn de ineficiencia de la bomba muscular de la pantorrilla, la cual hace posible el desarrollo de hipertensión venosa superficial en el curso del ejercicio, es la trombosis de las venas profundas. La hipertensión venosa causa dilatación de las vénulas y un aumento de la permeabilidad capilar. Esto resulta en depósitos de fibrina alrededor de los capilares, fibrina que no puede ser removida debido a una deficiencia del activador de fibrinolisis en la pared de la vena. La fibrina actÚa como una barrera para la difusión de oxígeno, con lo cual la dermis se hace anóxica. Ahora cualquier trauma menor puede iniciar la ulceración. Las Úlceras pueden ser curadas restaurando la función de bombeo de la pantorrilla a su estado normal. Las alteraciones postrombóticas de la piel causadas por daño irreparable de la bomba de la pierna pueden ser corregidas mediante el uso regular de compresión elástica y el incremento farmacológico prolongado de la fibrinolisis.

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Résumé L'ulcère variqueux est dû à l'altération de la microcirculation provoquée par l'hypertension veineuse de longue durée. La cause la plus commune de l'inefficacité de la pompe musculaire du mollet à l'origine de l'hypertension du système veineux superficiel qui s'exprime au cours de l'exercice est la thrombose veineuse profonde. L'hypertension veineuse provoque la dilatation des veinules et une hyperperméabilité capillaire. La fibrine se dépose autour des capillaires et ne disparaÎt pas en raison d'une déficience de l'activateur fibrinolytique de la paroi veineuse. La fibrine se comporte comme une barrière qui provoque l'anoxie des tissus sus-jacents. Un traumatisme minime peut provoquer un ulcère. L'ulcère variqueux peut Être guéri par le rétablissement de la fonction de pompe des muscles du mollet. Les modifications cutanées post-thrombotiques provoquées par l'irréparable altération de ce mécanisme peuvent Être traitées avec succès par l'emploi régulier de la compression élastique et par le renforcement à long terme de la fibrinolyse grâce aux agents pharmacologiques.

     

Role of superficial venous surgery in the treatment of venous ulceration.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the ability of superficial venous surgery to heal venous ulcers in lower legs with isolated superficial venous incompetence. METHODS: This was a prospective study of patients recruited from a venous ulcer assessment clinic. Ulcers were considered venous if the ankle : brachial pressure index was greater than 0.8 and duplex imaging showed venous reflux. Patients with isolated superficial venous incompetence were offered saphenofemoral and/or saphenopopliteal surgery. Neither perforator surgery, skin grafting nor postoperative compression hosiery or bandaging was used. RESULTS: A total of 122 legs with normal deep veins underwent superficial venous surgery. Ninety procedures (74 per cent) were done under local and 32 (26 per cent) under general anaesthesia. Sixty operations (49 per cent) were done as a day case. The median time to healing was 18 (95 per cent confidence interval 14-21) weeks and the cumulative 6-, 12- and 18-month healing rates were 57, 74 and 82 per cent respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with venous ulceration and isolated superficial venous incompetence, superficial venous surgery can produce ulcer healing in the majority of patients without the need for perforator surgery, postoperative compression bandaging or skin grafting.     

Influence of arterial disease,age and active ulceration on venous refilling time measured by photoplethysmography

This study investigated the influence of arterial disease, patient age and the presence of a venous ulcer on venous refilling time as measured by photoplethysmography. Refilling time was evaluated in 157 control limbs, in 133 limbs with venous disease, in 17 limbs with arterial disease and in 20 limbs with mixed disease (arterial and venous disease) as the cause of ulceration. Refilling time reduced progressively with age in control subjects and was significantly shorter over the age of 50 years. Limbs with venous disease alone had a significantly shorter refilling time when compared with controls (Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.01); however, there was no alteration in refilling time with age. Limbs with arterial disease, without clinical evidence of venous insufficiency, had a shorter refilling time when compared with controls but a longer refilling time compared with those with venous disease (P < 0.01). The refilling time in patients with mixed ulcers did not differ from those with venous ulcers (P < 0.265). Refilling time measured when an ulcer was present was not significantly different to that measured after the ulcer had healed (P = 0.59). Venous refilling time normally reduces with age but is not affected by arterial disease or the presence of an ulcer.     

Influence of local surgery and radiotherapy on the natural history of pleomorphic adenomas

We have analysed the interval between first treatment and tumour recurrence in 65 patients with parotid pleomorphic adenomas which had recurred following local excision. Our results indicate that 5 years is an inadequate period of follow-up and that 10-20 years may be more realistic. Radiotherapy given to 17 patients after local excision of their tumours was found to have had no significant advantageous effect in terms of recurrence-free interval either before or following formal parotidectomy or in limiting the ultimate surgery required. Major complications directly attributable to radiotherapy developed in at least 3 of these 17 patients. Malignant transformation of the pleomorphic adenoma has occurred in three patients, two of whom had been subjected to radiotherapy. We advise that caution is exercised in the interpretation of results of local excision and radiotherapy in this disease. In view of the fact that an alternative and apparently superior treatment is available in the form of formal parotidectomy, we urge that this should be universally adopted for the management of both primary and recurrent pleomorphic adenomas.     

Influence of tumor cell DNA ploidy on the natural history of rectal cancer

We have examined tumor cell DNA content as a possible variable in the behavior of early rectal cancer treated by local excision. Flow cytometry assays of tumor cell DNA content were carried out on specimens of archived, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 30 patients (11 male and 19 female) whose early rectal cancers were treated by curative local excision more than 60 months previously. The cancers invaded to the muscularis mucosae in 2 patients (1 with aneuploid disease and 1 with diploid disease), into the submucosa in 15 patients (7 with aneuploid disease and 8 with diploid disease), and the muscularis propria in 13 patients (8 with aneuploid disease and 5 with diploid disease). A total of 16 patients had aneuploid disease and 14 had diploid disease. Local recurrence of cancer developed in 12 patients. Of these 12 patients, 10 (83 percent) had aneuploid disease. By contrast, of the 18 patients who remained free of disease, 12 (67 percent) had diploid disease. Seven of the 12 patients with recurrence died. Six of these seven (86 percent) had aneuploid disease. The aggressive clinical behavior of the tumors with aneuploid DNA content was not otherwise predictable by standard histologic features. Aggressive tumor behavior appears to correlate closely with aneuploidy in locally treated rectal cancers, as opposed to a lack of correlation in our patients treated with major resection. The fact that these cancers are being treated by local excision may allow the prognostic impact of DNA content to reflect the natural history of cancer.     

Influence of blood group type on the natural history of superficial bladder cancer

The blood group was correlated with the grade and stage at diagnosis, and with the subsequent clinical course in 494 patients with bladder cancer treated at our institution from 1977 to 1986 who were followed for a mean of 5.5 years (range 2 to 9 years). The distribution of blood groups was similar to that reported for the general population and to that of 100 consecutive patients with urolithiasis used as controls, and the distribution was not different among patients with superficial cancer (stages O and A) than in those with advanced disease (stage B or higher). However, among patients with superficial disease high grade (III or IV) lesions were more frequent in those with blood group O (36 per cent) than in those with other blood groups (13 to 18 per cent) (p less than 0.001). In addition, in patients with superficial cancer of all grades progression to advanced disease was significantly greater among those with blood group O (37 per cent) than in those with other groups (12 to 16 per cent) (p less than 0.05). More importantly, in patients with low grade (I or II) superficial cancer development of advanced disease was significantly more frequent among those with blood group O (24 per cent) than in those with other blood groups (0 to 7 per cent) (p less than 0.004). Our findings suggest that individual genetic factors influence the natural history of superficial bladder cancer. The molecular basis of this phenomenon remains to be elucidated.     

Influence of the etiology of pancreatitis on the natural history of pancreatic pseudocysts.

We reviewed our experience with 90 patients with pancreatic pseudocysts to determine if the cause of pancreatitis influenced the patients' outcome. Acute pancreatitis (AP) occurred in 57 (63%) patients due to alcoholic (n = 15), postoperative (n = 14), biliary (n = 12), and other etiologies (n = 16). Thirty-three (37%) patients had chronic pancreatitis (CP) secondary to alcohol use (n = 27) or other causes (n = 6). Multiple pseudocysts were significantly more frequent in patients with acute alcoholic pancreatitis than in patients with chronic pancreatitis (47% versus 19%, p < 0.05). Spontaneous resolution occurred within 8 weeks in 10 (11%) patients with pseudocysts (AP = 9%, CP = 15%, p = NS). However, no patient with pseudocyst associated with biliary or postoperative pancreatitis underwent spontaneous resolution. Although pseudocysts associated with chronic pancreatitis were smaller in size (8.0 +/- 4.7 versus 5.7 +/- 3.8 cm, p < 0.05), a similar proportion of them required operation compared with AP pseudocysts (56% versus 58%). There were significantly more deaths in patients with postoperative pancreatitis compared with all other groups (29% versus 7%, p < 0.05). The outcome of pseudocysts was similar regardless of size (greater than 6 cm versus less than 6 cm) and presentation (acute versus delayed). Thus, the etiology of pancreatitis was a more important determinant of pseudocyst outcome than pseudocyst size or presentation.     

Electrical stimulation in the treatment of chronic venous ulceration

A clinical study was conducted over a 2 year period to assess the effect of four different treatments on the healing of venous leg ulcers. The treatments consisted of standard local applications of povidone-iodine or normal saline, with and without electrode therapy. At weekly intervals, ulcer areas were measured using a newly developed technique. This allowed time-to-heal data to be analysed. A comparison of the four treatments revealed a highly significant retarding effect on ulcer healing by the povidone-iodine plus electrode treatment. There were no statistical differences for comparisons made between povidone-iodine alone and normal saline alone or for normal saline with and without electrode. Covariates were considered in the analyses. Patient sex and initial ulcer area were identified as significant factors in ulcer's time-to-heal (P less than 0.05), while patient's smoking habits, age and ulcer's initial total organism count had no influence.     

胫前复发性静脉瘀积溃疡内镜治疗的疗效观察

目的 探讨胫前复发性静脉瘀积性溃疡的较理想的治疗方法.方法 对32例复发性下肢深静脉功能不全伴有溃疡患者施行内镜下静脉交通支结扎术,术后对溃疡愈合情况进行随访分析.结果 29例溃疡短期内愈合,3例溃疡明显缩小.术后29例进行1年以上随访,其中21例得到3年以上随访:溃疡均愈合,无一例复发.结论 内镜深筋膜下交通支结扎术安全有效,是治疗胫前复发性静脉瘀积溃疡的有效方法和重要组成部分.     

Anatomic and physiologic characteristics of venous ulceration

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the combination of physiologic and anatomic changes present in limbs with venous ulceration.Methods: Limbs with venous ulceration (chronic venous insufficiency [CVI] class 3) were assessed prospectively by air plethysmography and color-flow duplex scanning. Findings were compared with clinically normal contralateral limbs and normal control limbs (CVI class 0), as well as with limbs without skin changes (CVI class 1).Results: Of the 120 ulcerated limbs studied, only 28% had deep system incompetence. Reflux at the saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal junctions without perforator incompetence was present in 40%. Raised venous filling indexes (>2 ml/s) and high residual volume fractions (>20%) were present in 90% and 95%, respectively. Although levels of these parameters were significantly different from the other groups (p < 0.05), absolute ejection volumes and outflow parameters were the same (p > 0.05). One third of contralateral "normal" limbs (class 0) had abnormal duplex scanning findings. The ratio of venous filling time to residual volume fraction produced a useful discriminating index for the ulcerated limb.Conclusion: The ulcerated limb was characterized by high rates of reflux and high residual volumes that were independent of the site of reflux. This study highlights the important association of venous ulceration and isolated superficial venous system incompetence. (J VASC SURG 1994;20:759-64.)