Reoperations with the Right Gastroepiploic Artery without Cardiopulmonary Bypass

A bstract The right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) has been utilized as the bypass conduit on the inferior surface of the heart with a minimally invasive approach. Fourteen patients had reoperative coronary bypass surgery for severely symptomatic single-vessel disease of the right coronary artery. All surgeries were performed since May 1996. A small mid-line incision including splitting of the lower sternum gave excellent exposure. The inferior surface of the heart was dissected to expose and stabilize the target vessel. The heart rate was controlled with a diltiazem drip. Cardiopulmonary bypass was not necessary in any case. The right coronary artery was bypassed in three patients, the posterior descending artery branch in ten patients, and the terminal circumflex of the left coronary artery in one. After grafting, patency of the anastomosis was demonstrated by Doppler echocardiogram. Two patients had left anterior descending artery (LAD) grafts with LIMA (left mammary artery) and RGEA grafts performed simultaneously with two port access incisions. No patient had perioperative mortality or complications. No patient had recurrent angina. Doppler color echocardiographic imaging studies before discharge confirmed patency of the graft in 13 of 14 cases. In one case, the gastroepiploic artery could not be visualized. Angiographic visualization was positive in seven cases; seven patients were not studied yet. The gastroepiploic artery is an excellent conduit for vascularization of the inferior aspect of the heart. The operation can be done with a minimally invasive technique and without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. This approach seems especially applicable in selective reoperative cases.     

Neuropathology and Molecular Studies of a Patient with Tourette Syndrome and Huntington Disease

This paper reviews the association of Huntington's Disease (HD) and tic disorder or Tourette Syndrome (TS) We also present the results of a follow-up study of a male with childhood-onset TS and adult-onset HD who died at 45 years of age. The developmental course and results of neuropathologic and molecular studies of this patient are reported. This is the first case of childhood onset of TS with adult onset of HD reported who has come to autopsy. A developmental model for childhood and adult neuropsychiatric disorders is presented.     

Anterior lumbar instrumentation improves correction of severe lumbar Lenke C curves in double major idiopathic scoliosis

Fifteen skeletally immature patients with double major adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with large lumbar curves and notable L4 and L5 coronal plane obliquity were retrospectively studied. Seven patients who underwent anterior release and fusion of the lumbar curve with segmental anterior instrumentation and subsequent posterior instrumentation ending at L3 were compared with eight patients treated with anterior release and fusion without anterior instrumentation followed by posterior instrumentation to L3 or L4. At 4.5 years follow-up (range 2.5-7 years), curve correction, coronal balance and fusion rate were not statistically different between the two groups; however, the group with anterior instrumentation had improved coronal plane, near normalangulation in the distal unfused segment compared with the group without anterior instrumentation. In cases involving severe lumbar curvatures in the context of double major scoliosis, when as a first stage anterior release is chosen, the addition of instrumentation appears to restore normal coronal alignment of the distal unfused lumbar segment, and may in certain cases save a level compared with traditional fusions to L4.     

Histological comparison of implanted cadaveric and porcine dermal matrix grafts.

OBJECTIVES: Histological comparison of human-based (AlloDerm) and porcine-based (ENDURAGen) dermal matrices regarding tissue incorporation and neovascularization as potential soft tissue augmentation materials. STUDY DESIGN: In vivo, rat model. METHODS: Subcutaneous implantation of 1-mm thick, 1 cm x 1 cm pieces of AlloDerm, ENDURAGen, and meshed ENDURAGen was performed in 24 Sprague Dawley rats. Implant materials were harvested at 4 (n = 12) and 8 weeks (n = 12). Histological quantification of soft tissue ingrowth and microvascular density was performed following hematoxylin-eosin staining and CD34 immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: AlloDerm showed significantly greater soft tissue ingrowth and microvascular density compared with both ENDURAGen and meshed ENDURAGen at 4 and 8 weeks (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although these results may differ in human host tissues, AlloDerm seems to be a more suitable dermal matrix implant than ENDURAGen for cases in which tissue incorporation and neovascularization are sought for the optimal outcome based on this animal model.     

Hyperreactio luteinalis in a normal pregnancy: Sonographic and MRI findings

A case of hyperreactio luteinalis in an otherwise normal pregnancy is reported. Ascites was present, but no peritoneal implants or adenopathy were seen. Findings that would have suggested the correct diagnosis are the symmetrical and bilateral pattern of the mass, as well as the rather uniform size of the loculi, which were 1 to 3 cm in diameter.     

Panic disorder and the vestibular system

This article reviews the interrelationship between panic disorder and vestibular function. There is a possibility of both somatopsychic and psychosomatic interactions between panic and the vestibular system. Another possibility is that vestibular dysfunction could be associated with certain mental disorders, including panic disorder, as a nonspecific marker. Somatopsychic interactions are suggested by findings of high prevalence of vestibular dysfunction in selected patients with panic disorder, by the occurrence of "space and motion phobia" in patients with panic disorder, and by the report of anxiety and pseudoagoraphobia in some patients with a primary complaint of vertigo. Psychosomatic influences include symptoms of dizziness and increased sensitivity of the vestibular system due to anxiety or hyperventilation. Vestibular dysfunction as a nonspecific marker is discussed in the context of a review of studies of the vestibular system in schizophrenia. Before more definite conclusions can be drawn whether panic disorder is related to vestibular dysfunction in some cases, further research is needed to establish the specificity of vestibular dysfunction for panic disorder.     

Adequacy of "Hot Biopsy" for the Treatment of Diminutive Polyps: A Prospective Randomized Trial

Patients with diminutive polyps in the rectum or sigmoid colon were randomized to "hot biopsy" treatment for either 1) electrocautery for 2 s (fixed duration cautery) or 2) cautery until visible necrosis of the polyp base was evident (variable duration cautery). Sigmoidoscopy was performed 4 wk after treatment to determine the adequacy of polyp eradication. In the fixed duration cautery group, 11 of 21 polyps (52%) were eradicated, compared with 12 of 14 polyps (86%) in the variable duration cautery group (p = 0.04). When analyzed according to whether or not visible necrosis was achieved (some of the polyps in the fixed duration cautery group showed necrosis with 2 s cautery), 19 of 23 polyps (83%) were eradicated when necrosis was evident, compared to 5 of 12 (42%) without necrosis (p = 0.004). We conclude that hot biopsy treatment for diminutive polyps is significantly more effective when visible necrosis is achieved during cautery. Furthermore, even with visible necrosis, there is a 17% failure rate of polyp eradication.     

Play interview therapy: Its history,theory and practice — A fifty year retrospective account

The method of the play interview offers the fearful child an opportunity to express himself by speaking for a series of dolls representing siblings, parents, teachers or himself. It is not the child who is aggressive, fearful, jealous or desires the parent's affection, but the doll. In this manner, the child learns to make connections between his fears and his unacceptable bad thoughts, feelings or wishes. Improvement occurs after several play interviews.This article is dedicated to Dr. Leo Kanner (1894–1981), former Director of the Children's Psychiatric Service of the Johns Hopkins HospitalLecture given to the Division of Child Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Md, 21205, on September 6, 1988.