Automated neuropsychological assessment metrics (ANAM) measures of cognitive effects of Alzheimer's disease.

Eight individuals with Alzheimer's disease, and eight age-matched controls, were administered the MMSE, the Yesavage GDS, and a customized subset of the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) Battery. Accuracy (percent correct) and efficiency (number of correct responses per minute) of performance on six ANAM tasks were assessed. The patients' GDS scores indicated no depression. Although their MMSE scores (mean approximately 25) were significantly lower than those of the controls, they nonetheless indicated that the patients were still functioning at a fairly high level. Analysis of ANAM accuracy scores indicated that the patients were significantly impaired on three tasks measuring working memory. A discriminant function analysis revealed 93.8% correct classification. Analysis of ANAM efficiency scores revealed that except for simple reaction time, the patients were significantly impaired on all tasks. A discriminant function analysis correctly classified 100% of the participants. Given the small size of the groups in the present study, this finding especially underscores the sensitivity of ANAM to the cognitive effects of Alzheimer's disease, as indicated by the large effect sizes. The findings further indicate that ANAM might be capable of detecting more subtle effects of the disease at an earlier stage in its progress.     

Pneumoperitoneum

Pneumoperitoneum results from perforation of the gastrointestinal tract in the majority of instances and the necessity of operative treatment is implied. In patients where peritonitis is not a problem, nonoperative treatment is successful. Surgical treatment is not required for those in whom the condition results from barotrauma. The decision to enjoin or withhold operative intervention in individual cases is judgmental.     

Sausage resection of ischemic intestine

In a critically ill neonate, simple ligation of intestinal segments to be preserved for a second look procedure allows expeditious resection of intervening necrotic segments.     

Management of the fetus with a cystic adenomatoid malformation

Prenatal detection and serial sonographic study of fetuses with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) now makes it possible to define the natural history of this lesion, determine the pathophysiologic features that affect clinical outcome, and formulate management based on prognosis. In a series of 22 prenatally diagnosed cases, the overall prognosis depended on the effects of the lung mass and the consequent physiologic derangement: A large mass may cause mediastinal shift, hypoplasia of normal lung tissue, polyhydramnios, and cardiovascular compromise leading to fetal hydrops. Two types of CCAM were distinguished by gross anatomy, ultrasonographic findings, and prognosis. Microcystic lesions (cysts < 5 mm; solid appearance) are often associated with fetal hydrops and have a poor prognosis. Macrocystic lesions (single or multiple cysts > 5 mm) are not usually associated with hydrops and have a more favorable prognosis. Four initially large lesions partially disappeared on serial prenatal sonography, suggesting that improvement can occasionally occur during fetal life. The finding that fetuses with hydrops are at high risk for fetal or neonatal demise led to fetal surgical resection of the massively enlarged pulmonary lobe (fetal lobectomy) in two cases. Fetuses with CCAM but without hydrops have a good chance for survival with maternal transport, planned delivery, and immediate neonatal resuscitation and surgery.

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Resumen La detección prenatal y el estudio sonográfico seriado de fetos con malformación adenomatosa quística congénita (MAQC) actualmente permite definir la historia natural de esta lesión, determinar las características patofisiológicas que afectan el resultado clínico y formular un manejo basado en pronóstico. En una serie de 22 casos diagnosticados en el período prenatal, el pronóstico global dependió de los efectos de las masas pulmonares y la consecuente alteración fisiológica: una gran masa puede producir desviación mediastinal, hipoplasia del tejido pulmonar normal, polihidramnios y compromiso cardiovascular resultante en hidrops fetal. Los dos tipos de MAQC pudieron ser distinguidos por la anatomía macroscópica, los hallazgos ultrasonográficos y el pronóstico. Las lesiones microquísticas (quiste <5 mm; apariencia sólida) generalmente están asociadas con hidrops fetal y tienen un pronóstico pobre. Las lesiones macroquísticas (quistes únicos/múltiples >5 mm) usualmente no están asociados con hidrops y exhibieron un pronóstico más favorable. Cuatro lesiones inicialmente de gran tamaño desaparecieron subsiguientemente bajo observación con sonografía seriada prenatal, lo cual sugiere que ocasionalmente se presenta mejoría en el curso del desarrollo fetal. El hallazgo de que los fetos con hidrops conllevan un alto riesgo de muerte fetal o neonatal ha llevado a la resección quirúrgica prenatal del lóbulo pulmonar de volumen masivo (lobectomía fetal) en dos casos. Los fetos con MAQC pero libres de hídrops tienen una buena probabilidad de sobrevivir mediante el transporte materno, un parto programado y resucitación y cirugía neonatales inmediatas.

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Résumé L'étude échographique répétée des foetus ayant la maladie kystique (adénomateuse) congénitale du poumon (MKACP) et la détection prénatale ont contribué à augmenter nos connaissances de l'histoire naturelle de la lésion, ont aidé à préciser les données physiopathologiques qui peuvent influencer l'évolution clinique et déterminer une démarche thérapeutique basée sur le pronostic. Dans cette série de 22 cas, diagnostiqués avant la naissance, le pronostic était basé sur l'effet de masse pulmonaire et les conséquences physiologiques: une masse importante peut en effet être responsable d'une déviation du médiastin, de l'hypoplasie des tissus pulmonaires normaux, d'une hydramnios, et d'une décompensation cardiovasculaire dont le résultat global est une anasarque foetale. Selon les données anatomiques macroscopiques, échographiques et pronostiques, on peut distinguer deux types de MKACP. Les kystes microscopiques (kystes < 5 mm, allure solide) sont souvent associés à une anarsaque foetale et un mauvais pronostic. Les lésions macroscopiques (kystes solitaires ou multiples > 5 cm) ne sont pas habituellement associés à une anasarque et le pronostic est généralement plus favorable. Dans cette série, quatre lésions larges initialement, ont diminué de taille au cours de la surveillance échographique, suggérant qu'une amélioration spontanée est toujours possible pendant la vie foetale. En raison du mauvais pronostic associé à une anasarque foetale avec mort foetale ou néonatale, on a été amené à pratiquer une résection chirurgicale élargie des lobes pulmonaires dans deux cas. Les foetus avec MKACP mais sans anasarque ont de bonnes chances de survie à condition d'entourer la maternité, la naissance et les premiers jours de l'enfant avec des soins chirurgicaux et de réanimation adaptés.

     

A comparison of oxymorphone and fentanyl as narcotic supplements in general anesthesia

The safety and efficacy of two potent opiate analgesics, fentanyl and oxymorphone, used as adjuncts in general anesthesia, were studied in 39 patients undergoing elective gynecologic surgery of at least 2 hours duration. Based on a potency ratio of 10:1, patients received either fentanyl 6.5 micrograms/kg or oxymorphone 65 micrograms/kg prior to a thiopental 2 to 3 mg/kg succinylcholine induction and endotracheal intubation. Additional maintenance narcotic and isoflurane were administered as required by the "blinded" anesthesiologist in response to hemodynamic alterations 15% above a presurgical baseline. Overall analysis included hemodynamic response at preset intraoperative intervals, total anesthetic requirements, and stability of vital signs in the recovery room. Blood pressure and heart rate were reliably controlled with either agent; however, less narcotic (ml) and recovery room analgesics were required in the oxymorphone-treated group (p less than 0.05). Decreased naloxone requirements (p less than 0.05) and a more rapid emergence suggested that fentanyl was a safer agent when administered in relatively unrestricted fashion.