Diagnostic imaging, preautopsy imaging and autopsy findings of 8 AIDS cases: a comparative study

Background Aquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) presents a challenge to medical researchers because of its unique pathological and clinical picture. The clinical data, particularly autopsy evidence, from China have failed to provide enough pathological and etiological evidence for AIDS diagnosis, which impairs the reliability of the diagnosis and our full understanding of the occurrence and development of AIDS complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the imaging and pathologic characteristics of AIDS.Methods Autopsy, imaging and pathological data from 8 cases of AIDS were retrospectively analyzed. Routine CT scanning of different body parts was performed during their periods of hospitalization. Transverse CT scanning was conducted from the skull to the pelvis immediately after the occurrence of death. After routine formalin fixing, 7 cardevers were cross sectioned for autopsy in freezing state and 1 for gross autopsy. Tissues were obtained from each section and organs for pathological examinations.Results The autopsy data indicated the presence of parasitic infections, bacterial infections, fungal infections, and virus infections in AIDS patients. Pneumocystis pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, coccobacteria pneumonia, Aspergillus pneumonia, cytomegalovirus pneumonia, toxoplasma encephalitis, lymphoma and cerebrovascular diseases were found in these patients.Conclusions During the course of AIDS progression, the concurrent multiple infections as well as tumor development may result in multiple organ pathological changes and clinically complex symptoms that further complicate the imaging and pathological manifestations, thus resulting in difficult differential diagnosis. A combination of imaging data and autopsy data can help to clarify the diagnosis.     

Experimental studies on imaging of infected site with 99mTc-labeled ciprofloxacin in mice

Background Bacterial infection can pose a substantial diagnostic dilemma. 99m^Tc-labeled ciprofloxacin （CPF） was developed as a biologically active radiopharmaceutical to diagnose infection. In the present research, we studied the biodistribution and imaging properties of infection tracer 99m^Tc-CPF in a mouse model of infection. Methods CPF was labeled with 99m^Tc and the radiochemical purity and labeling rate were measured. A mouse model of infection was established. We then determined the biodistribution of 99m^Tc-CPF and conducted the whole body scintigraphy of the animal model. Results 99m^Tc-Ciprotech was stable for at least 6 hours at room temperature. The labeling rate of CPF by 99m^Tc was over 90%. Clearance of radioactivity mainly occurred in the liver and kidney, and the clearance from blood was rapid. Both biodistribution and imaging results showed higher uptake of 99m^Tc-CPF at sites of infection. The infectious tissue/normal tissue ratio peak was 4.30 at 4 hours after injection. Conclusions 99m^Tc-CPF is a sensitive radiopharmaceutical for scintigraphy of infectious lesions and it is easy to prepare.     

Endoscopic thyroidectomy: an evidence-based research on feasibility, safety and clinical effectiveness

Background The feasibility and safety of endoscopic thyroidectomy were evaluated by an approach of systematic review of published studies in the past decade.
Methods A database searching was performed on MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, American College of Physicians Journal Club, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Both comparative and non-comparative studies about endoscopic thyroidectomy were selected and analyzed. For the comparative studies, RevMan 4.2 was used for statistical analysis; and for the non-comparative studies, data analysis was performed by SPSS 13.0.
Results Seven comparative studies involving 367 patients （video-assisted thyroidectomy （VAT）, 174 patients; conventional thyroidectomy （CT）, 193 patients） were included in VAT-CT group. Age, gender, operative types, and pathological diagnosis were similar. Compared with CT, the mean operative time for VAT was significantly longer （VAT, 80.0 minutes; CT, 61.9 minutes, P 〈0.01）, but the postoperative hospital stay was shorter （VAT, 1.7 days; CT, 2.5 days, P 〈0.01）. The complication rate for VAT was 6.9%, while that for CT was 9.3% （P=0.35）. Three studies analyzed the postoperative pain and cosmetic evaluation, and indicated that the VAT group was superior to the CT group, but there was no significant difference after a meta-analysis. Three comparative studies involving 273 patients （totally endoscopic thyroidectomy （TET）, 145 patients; CT, 128 patients） were included in TET-CT group and the results generally resembled that of VAT-CT group. There were 18 and 14 non-comparative studies reporting the results of VAT and TET, respectively. The mean operative time for VAT was 76.8 minutes compared with 135.8 minutes for TET. The postoperative hospital stay was 1.8 and 3.8 days for VAT and TET respectively. The rates of conversion to open surgery for VAT and TET were similar （VAT, 2.8%; TET, 3.9%, P=0.105）. The complication rate for VAT was 8.     

Novel side branch ostial stent （BIGUARD^TM）： first-in-man study

Background Stenting a bifurcation lesion is technically challenging. No study has reported the clinical outcome of a dedicated bifurcation stent in China. We aimed to analyze the safety and clinical outcome of a novel side branch ostial stent （BIGUARDTM） stent in treating coronary bifurcation lesions. Methods Forty-seven patients were enrolled in this first-in-man study, with 61.7% true bifurcation lesions （0,1,1 and 1,1,1） and 26.7% diabetes. A two-stent technique was used in 27.6% of the patients, and 64.7% of patients crossed from the one-stent technique to the two-stent arm. Clinical and angiographic follow-up data at 12 months were available in all the 47 patients and in 43 patients （91.9%）, respectively. The study endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events （MACE） at 12 months. Results Only one patient had a non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, which led to 2% of the in-hospital composite MACE. Notably, the target lesion revascularization at 12 months was 8.6%, with a 10.6% composite MACE at 12 months. Neither cardiac death nor stent thrombosis was seen during the follow-up. By quantitative coronary analysis, the restenosis rate at the main vessel and ostium of the side branch was 9.4% and 2.1%, respectively. Four of 12 patients （33.3%） treated with one-stent and kissing balloon inflation had restenosis in the main vessel. Conclusion BIGUARDTM stent was safe and feasible in treatment of bifurcation lesions.     

Application of T2* measurement on gradient echo T2*-weighted imaging in differential diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage and calcification

Background  Differential diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage and calcification is a common problem encountered in clinical imaging diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of T2^* measurement on gradient echo (GRE) T2^*-weighted imaging (T2^*WI) in differential diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage and calcification.

Methods  Thirty-eight hemorrhagic foci in 18 patients and 11 calcification foci in seven patients were included in this study. The diagnosis of hemorrhage and calcification was confirmed in all cases with enhanced T2^* weighted angiography (ESWAN) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT respectively. The significance for the difference of T2^* value between the central and peripheral areas of hemorrhage and calcification lesions was tested with univariate analysis of variance.

Results  The detection rate of GRE T2^*WI on intracranial hemorrhage was 1.9-fold higher than that of CT, especially for the hemorrhage in the brainstem and cerebellum. However, GRE T2^*WI was far less sensitive to calcification than CT. There was a significant difference in the T2^* value between the central area of hemorrhage and calcification (P <0.001), though no difference in the T2^* value was obtained between the peripheral area of hemorrhage and calcification (P >0.05).

Conclusions  Quantitative measurement of T2^* value on GRE T2^*WI with a single MRI examination provides a fast, convenient, and effective means in differential diagnosis between intracranial hemorrhage and calcification, which may thus reduce the medical cost and save precious time for clinical management.

     

肾移植术后肺部特异性感染的CT表现

目的探讨肾移植术后特异性肺感染的CT影像表现,提高对特异性肺炎的影像学特点的认识。方法回顾49例肾移植术后合并肺部特异性感染的病例,其中男31例,女18例,年龄21～60岁,平均年龄42岁。发病时间分别为肾移植术后12d～7年。49例患者均进行了胸部螺旋CT及高分辨CT(HRCT)扫描,扫描范围自肺尖至膈面,螺旋CT扫描层厚5mm,层间距5mm;HRCT扫描层厚1mm或0.625mm,层间距10mm。其中侵袭性肺曲霉菌病29例,卡氏肺囊虫肺炎12例,巨细胞病毒肺炎4例,肺结核4例。19例经痰培养证实,20例经纤维支气管镜下肺泡灌洗及支气管肺活检证实,8例经血清学检查证实,2例经尸检证实。影像结果由3位放射科医师进行分析。结果49例患者的CT检查均可见肺内病灶特征性改变。29例侵袭性肺曲霉菌病患者出现最多的肺内异常表现为:肺内磨玻璃影(23/29);多发大小不等结节灶(22/29),支气管血管束周围结节灶(15/29);肺内实变影(18/29),肺内楔形实变影(11/29);晕征(17/29)。12例卡氏肺囊虫肺炎CT影像中均出现肺内弥漫磨玻璃样改变。4例巨细胞病毒肺炎CT影像中都有肺内散在磨玻璃影表现,并伴有小叶间隔增厚;其中3例伴有双肺多发粟粒结节灶;2例伴有胸腔积液。4例肾移植术后肺结核患者的CT影像中均表现为双肺多发粟粒结节灶,其中1例呈"树芽征"表现。结论肾移植术后肺部特异性感染患者中,卡氏肺囊虫肺炎、侵袭性肺曲霉菌病、巨细胞病毒肺炎、肺结核等在CT影像表现上各有特点,CT检查能较早发现肺部异常,并可以在发病早期或病情危重难以获得病原学证据时,通过影像学检查初步判断感染的病原体而得到及时治疗。     

艾滋病患者合并肺部机遇性感染性疾病CT影像学特征及诊断

目的探讨HIV/AIDS患者肺部机遇性感染CT表现特点。方法回顾性分析大理州人民医院感染科临床及病理检验证实的114例AIDS患者的肺部影像学表现。全部病例均有完整的X线胸片资料,其中45例同时行CT扫描,部分行HRCT扫描。结果AIDS合并肺孢子型肺炎(PCP)45例,典型表现为双侧肺周旁到中下肺野弥漫对称性分布的网格状影,部分融合成斑片状、结节状影或呈毛磨玻璃样改变。HIV合并肺结核15例,细菌性肺炎4例,其影像学表现与普通肺结核及肺炎表现类似。HIV合并肺真菌感染26例,表现为肺空洞内霉菌球形成,可见空气新月征。淋巴瘤2例,表现为肺内斑点、斑片状影,肺门纵隔淋巴结肿大。卡波济氏肉瘤1例,表现为肺内多发大小不等结节影。结论CT检查是AIDS基本的影像学检查方法,能更好地显示病变的部位、形态以及细微病变。双肺磨玻璃影、网状影、碎石路征为艾滋病伴肺孢子型肺炎(PCP)的特征性表现。     

Evaluation of global and regional left ventricular systolic function in patients with frequent isolated premature ventricular complexes from the right ventricular outflow tract

Background  Frequent premature ventricular complexes from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT-PVCs) are associated with left ventricular dysfunction. This study adopted two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging to evaluate global and regional left ventricular myocardial function in patients with frequent RVOT-PVCs.
Methods  This study included 30 patients with frequent RVOT-PVCs and 30 healthy subjects. Aortic systolic velocity-time integral (AoVTI) and myocardium strain in circumferential (CS), radial (RS) and longitudinal (LS) directions were evaluated by conventional echocardiography and speckle tracking imaging. All values of patients with RVOT-PVCs were recorded during sinus (PVC-S) and PVC beats (PVC-V).
Results  Significant differences were demonstrated in global CS, RS and LS between the control subjects and the PVC-V (CS: (17.46±2.48)% vs. (11.52±3.28)%, RS: (48.26±10.20)% vs. (20.92±9.78)%, LS: (19.89±2.62)% vs. (11.79±3.66)%, P <0.01), and in segmental RS and LS of nearly all the left ventricular segments. Statistical differences in segmental CS between the PVC-V and the control subjects were only observed in anterior, anteroseptal and septal segments (only seen in anteroseptal and septal segments at apex). Furthermore, V/S AoVTI (AoVTI during the PVC beat divided by AoVTI during the sinus beat, then multiplied by 100%) correlated with coupling interval (r=0.67, P <0.001) and global strain (CS: r=0.48, P=0.007; RS: r=0.65, P <0.001; LS: r=0.65, P <0.001).
Conclusions  Frequent RVOT-PVCs can induce global and regional left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The reduction of hemodynamic parameters relates to the coupling interval and the global systolic function.

     

甲型H1N1肺炎临床影像诊断与基础研究

目的探讨危重症甲型H1N1肺炎影像表现特征,提升对危重症甲型H1N1肺炎的认识与诊断水平。方法回顾分析经CDC确认为甲型H1N1流感患者,对危重症死亡病例生前的影像表现与尸检病理资料进行比较分析。生前4例行DR及胸部CT扫描,2例经DR胸部正位片检查。结果6例死亡甲型H1N1病例中,4例发生在两侧肺部中下肺野,主要累及肺部背段及基底段,1例显示累及两侧肺野致密阴影,以肺的背段及基底段为著,1例显示两侧肺野淡薄云雾状模糊阴影。病理组织分析HE染色显示肺泡壁间隔增宽,肺泡壁充血,中性粒细胞、浆细胞浸润,单核细胞浸润为主;肺泡内水肿液及纤维素渗出。免疫组化显示大量巨噬细胞表达聚集成团。结论危重症甲型H1N1肺炎影像表现具有一定特征性,对认识和提高甲型H1N1流感影像表现和鉴别诊断具有重要学术价值,但缺乏特异性,需结合临床与病理检查不难做出诊断。     

High extracellular potassium ion concentration attenuates the blockade action of ketanserin on Kv1.3 channels expressed in xenopus oocytes

Background Ketanserin （KT）, a selective serotonin （5-HT） 2-receptor antagonist, reduces peripheral blood pressure by blocking the activation of peripheral 5-HT receptors. In this study electrophysiological method was used to investigate the effect of KT and potassium ion on Kv1.3 potassium channels and explore the role of blocker KT in the alteration of channel kinetics contributing to the potassium ion imbalances. Methods Kv1.3 channels were expressed in xenopus oocytes, and currents were measured using the two-microelectrode voltage-clamp technique. Results KCI made a left shift of activation and an inactivation curve of Kv1.3 current and accelerated the activation and inactivation time constant. High extracellular [K^＋] attenuated the blockade effect of KT on Kv1.3 channels. In the presence of KT and KCI the activation and inactivation time constants were not influenced significantly no matter what was administered first. KT did not significantly inhibit Kv1.3 current induced by tetraethylammonium （TEA）. Conclusions KT is a weak blocker of Kv1.3 channels at different concentrations of extracellular potassium and binds to the intracellular side of the channel pore. The inhibitor KT of ion channels is not fully effective in clinical use because of high [K^＋]. and other electrolyte disorders.     

Clinical value of optimized magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of patients with painful hip arthroplasty

Background The imaging evaluation of pain in patients who have had a hip arthroplasty （HA） is challenging,and traditional imaging techniques,including magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） and computerized tomography （CT）,are limited by metallic artifact.The purpose of the present study was to investigate the use of modified MRI techniques to visualize periprosthetic soft tissues and the bone-implant interface,and to evaluate the value of MRI for the assessment of patients with painful hip arthroplasty.Methods Fifty-six painful hips in fifty-six patients following primary HA were assessed using optimized MRI,CT and standardized radiographs.The diagnosis of MRI was correlated with intraoperative findings as well as with microbiological and histological examinations （when available）.The sensitivity and the specificity of MRI diagnosis were determined according to final diagnosis.The chi-square test was performed to detect a difference between MRI and final diagnosis.Results Forty-eight patients have received revision surgery and final diagnosis were established.MRI was demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in detecting aseptic loosening （93％ and 95％）,periprosthetic infection （94％ and 97％）,adverse local tissue reaction （100％ and 100％） and periprosthetic fracture （100％ and 100％）.MRI was determined to be the most sensitive technique in detecting implant loosening for any reason,with a sensitivity of 93.8％ for acetabular shell and 97.1％ for femoral stem,compared to 81.3％ and 80.0％ on CT,75.0％ and 77.1％ on radiographs.Conclusions Optimized MRI was effective for the assessment of the periprosthetic soft tissues and bone.The use of modified magnetic resonance imaging parameters provided a useful adjunct to conventional examinations for the evaluation of patients with painful hip arthroplasty.     

Clinical features and imaging findings in pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis: report of two cases and a pooled analysis

Background  Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH) is a rare disease and no Chinese case has been reported yet. The disease is often misdiagnosed and its clinical characteristics are incompletely described. The aim of this study was to describe two Chinese cases and to clarify the clinical and radiographic parameters of patients with PCH.

Methods  Two PCH cases were presented and other cases were searched from the English literature. All available clinical and radiographic data were collected from 62 literature reported PCH cases. A pooled analysis of total 64 cases was made.

Results  Dyspnea and hemoptysis were the most common clinical symptoms of PCH. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) was found in 78% of the reported cases. PCH typically showed characteristic diffuse or patchy ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and/or multiple ill-defined centrilobular nodules in the computed tomography.

Conclusions  The diagnosis of PCH requires a high clinical suspicion. However, both clinical presentations and radiographic studies often provide clues to the diagnosis, which may prompt early lung biopsy for a definite diagnosis.

     

Gray matter involvement in patients with multiple sclerosis as shown by magnetic resonance imaging

Objective  To summarize the main findings seen on conventional and advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) used to assess gray matter (GM) involvement in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Data sources  The data used in this review were obtained mainly from studies reported in the PubMed database using the terms of multiple sclerosis, gray matter, magnetic resonance imaging. 

Study selection  Relevant literatures on studies of GM involvement in MS patients were identified, retrieved and reviewed.

Results  MS is the most common chronic, disabling central nervous system disease in young adults. Although traditional thinking has considered MS to be a chronic inflammatory demyelinating condition affecting solely the white matter (WM) of the central nervous system, over the last few years it has been shown that GM pathology is also common and extensive. GM demyelinating lesions can not only be found in the cerebral cortex but also in the deep gray nuclei. Apart from focal demyelinated lesions, diffuse neuronal loss and atrophy is also present in the GM of MS patients.

Conclusions  The widespread use of conventional and quantitative MRI based techniques in MS has led to an improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying the inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes of the disease. However, more researches are needed to unravel GM pathology in MS patients, which at present remains enigmatic.     

Endothelial progenitor cell mediates transport of hepatitis B

Health authorities in Shanghai said yesterday that investigations have found no contamination at the city＇s umbilical cord blood bank and gave the assurance that supplies remain safe for use.     

Initial study of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging in brain white matter of early AIDS patients

Background HIV is a neurotropic virus which can cause brain white matter demyelination,gliosis,and other pathological changes that appear as H IV encephalitis or AIDS dementia.The purpose of this study...     

A topographic study of temporomandibular joint arthroscopy

A topographic study of temporomandibular joint arthroscopy@向喜林 @陈仪 @戴其昌 @柯国欣 @殷善开     

变应性真菌性鼻-鼻窦炎的综合诊断

目的评价变应性真菌性鼻-鼻窦炎诊断方法的临床应用。方法总结18例变应性真菌性鼻-鼻窦炎病例,分析其临床特点、CT和MRI影像学特征,通过皮肤点刺试验、血清学检查结果、鼻窦分泌物压片/涂片和培养确定致病真菌的种类,通过病理学方法观察黏膜组织和变应性黏蛋白的特点。结果 18例患者中,男性11例,女性7例,患者年龄17～66岁,通过皮肤点刺试验、血清特异性IgE检测结合真菌压片/涂片和培养检查,明确致病真菌主要为曲霉菌,黏蛋白病理学检查可见嗜酸性粒细胞和Charcot-Leyden晶体。结论变应性真菌性鼻-鼻窦炎的诊断需要综合临床表现、影像学特点、皮肤点刺试验和血清学检查、真菌病原学以及病理学检查。     

Accuracy of tumor grade by preoperative curettage and associated clinicopathologic factors in clinical stage I

Background Preoperative tumor grading becomes one of the most important predictors for lymphadenectomy at primary surgery for clinical stage Ⅰ endometriod adenocarcinoma. However, there is an inconsistency of tumor grade between preoperative curettage and final hysterectomy specimens, and its associated factors are poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of tumor grade by preoperative curettage so as to achieve a better stratified management for clinical stage Ⅰ endometriod adenocarcinoma. Methods Clinical data of totally 687 patients with clinical stage Ⅰ endometriod adenocarcinoma who underwent preoperative curettage and primary surgery were retrospectively collected. Compared with final hysterectomy specimens, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of tumor grade by preoperative curettage were calculated and their associations with clinicopathologic parameters, including age, status of menopause, position of uterus, location and size of lesion, histological grade, depth of myometrial invasion, cervical invasion, extrauterine spread, peritoneal cytology, metastasis to retroperitoneal lymph node, serum CA125 level, and hormone receptor status, were analyzed. Results In final hysterectomy specimens, 139 of 259 grade 1 patients by curettage were upgraded to grade 1 or 2; 31 of 296 grade 2 were upgraded to grade 3, with a significantly discrepant rate of 40.9% （281/687） and an upgraded rate of 24.7% （170/687）. The specificity and negative predictive value for grade 3 were 90.7% and 89.9%, while the sensitivity and positive predictive value for grade 1 were 67.1% and 40.9%, respectively. Conclusions Preoperative tumor grade by curettage does not accurately predict final histological results, especially in those classified as grade 1. Complete surgical staging seems to be necessary for clinical stage Ⅰ endometriod adenocarcinoma.     

肺栓塞动物模型(猪)V/Q SPECT显像与平面显像的对比

目的应用201Tl标记栓子制作肺栓塞动物模型(猪),比较肺V/QSPECT显像和平面显像的灵敏度、特异性和准确性,探讨肺通气显像在肺栓塞诊断中的意义及V/Q显像在亚肺段肺动脉栓塞(PE)诊断中的作用。方法16头试验用小型猪,栓塞前应用不同技术参数行99Tcm窗肺灌注平面及断层显像,每头猪分别置入0～3个栓子,栓塞后行99Tcm窗及201Tl窗双窗肺通气平面、断层显像及99Tcm窗肺灌注平面、断层显像。最后行X线平片或CT显像并进行肺脏解剖确定栓子位置。结果共可见栓子28个,其中17个位于左肺,11个位于右肺。平面显像的敏感性、特异性和准确性分别为75%、75%和75%,而断层显像的敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为100%、75%和96.9%。结论肺通气/灌注断层显像的灵敏度及准确性均较平面显像高,而特异性两者相同。同时行V/Q显像可提高肺栓塞的诊断率。V/QSPECT断层显像可提高亚肺段性PE的诊断率。选用低能通用准直器、平面显像矩阵128×128、断层影像Zoom1.46可较好的满足临床诊断需要。     

Perioperative and late outcomes of laparoscopic fundoplication for neurologically impaired children with gastro-esophageal

Background  Persistent gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) due to various pathological factors often results in overt clinical symptoms and signs, which is termed as gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Affected children usually present with failure to thrive, recurrent pneumonia or apnea. Many neurologically impaired children have symptoms related to GERD. Although laparoscopic fundoplication has been established to be an effective treatment modality for children with GERD, data on its role and long-term efficacy for neurologically impaired patients remain sparse. The aim of this study was to review the results of such patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication.

Methods  A retrospective review was performed from 1998 to 2009. All children with neurological impairment who had laparoscopic fundoplication were included.

Results  Fifty-nine GERD patients (male=32, female=27; mean age 6 years) were identified. All subjects showed symptoms of frequent emesis; 32 of them had history of hematemesis (54.2%); 54 had feeding difficulty; 35 (59.3%) had associated respiratory symptoms, including recurrent pneumonia. Gastrostomy was performed concurrently in 39 cases. There was no conversion to open procedure nor was there intra-operative complications and operative mortality. Emesis or hematemesis was controlled adequately in all. However, respiratory symptoms were not controlled in 10 patients (16.9%), and five of them required further respiratory assistance including nasal airway tube and tracheostomy. Clinical recurrence of GERD was not observed in any subject. Twelve patients died during follow-up (range from 3 months to 9 years) due to severe respiratory complications, cardiac arrest, and brain tumor.

Conclusions  Laparoscopic fundoplication is an excellent procedure for controlling clinically significant symptoms in neurological impaired patients with GERD. Further studies are required to assess the improvement of the quality of life in such patients.