Midterm results of bilateral enlargement of the aortic valve ring for valve replacement

From 1989, 4 patients underwent bilateral enlargement of the aortic valve ring for valve replacement. Age at the operation ranged from 2 to 8 (mean 6) years; body weight ranged from 14.9 to 25.4 (mean 19.0) kg. This procedure enabled us to implant a prosthesis 3 to 4 sizes larger (19 to 23 mm) than that measured with the native aortic annulus (13 to 17 mm). There was no late death and no cardiac event over a mean follow-up period of 6.2 years. Pressure gradient across the prosthesis measured by echocardiography was 40 mmHg in 1 patient who underwent aortic valve replacement with the use of 19 mm St. Jude Medical valve at 2 years of age. There was no significant pressure gradient in other 3 patients. All patients showed normal left ventricular function. We conclude that bilateral enlargement of the aortic valve ring for valve replacement has provided good midterm results with no mortality and no cardiac event.     

Protective effect of nisoldipine on myocardial ischemia during coronary bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Nisoldipine, a calcium antagonist, was assessed for myocardial protection and the prevention of reperfusion injury in patients undergoing CABG. METHODS: Of the 34 subjects undergoing CABG in this study, 20 were given nisoldipine orally at 10 mg/day for 2 weeks before surgery (N group) and the other 14 untreated controls (C group). Myocardial protection was conducted via ante-grade cold blood cardioplegia at 20-minute intervals. RESULTS: Myocardial blood flow was significantly higher in the N group (67.8 +/- 21.8 ml/100 g vs. 47.2 +/- 14.4 ml/100 g, p < 0.05) after cardiopulmonary bypass. Serum interleukin-6 levels were significantly lower in the N group 1 hour after reperfusion (116 +/- 58 vs. 409 +/- 362 pg/ml, p < 0.05), as were serum lactate dehydrogenase levels immediately after surgery (888 +/- 268 vs. 1350 +/- 486 IU/L, p < 0.05). The N Group showed a better left ventricle stroke work index 6 hours after surgery (43 +/- 8 vs. 36 +/- 9 g.m/m2). Dopamine dosage in the N group on postoperative day 1 was lower than in controls (5.3 +/- 1.9 vs. 3.0 +/- 2.4 micrograms/kg/min). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative nisoldipine treatment increased blood flow in the postischemic myocardium and prevented myocardial damage and reperfusion injury to some extent.     

Laparoscopic lymph node dissection for gastric cancer with intraoperative navigation using three-dimensional angio computed tomography images reconstructed as laparoscopic view

Background: Laparoscopic extended lymph node dissection for gastric cancer is difficult to perform because it requires dissection with preservation of vessels. Therefore, an intraoperative navigation system for the angioarchitecture would be helpful. Recent enhanced volume-rendering computed tomography (CT) can produce clear intraluminal three-dimensional (3D) images. This advanced radiological technology can provide 3D angiographic images reconstructed in the same view as would be observed from a laparoscope inserted into the abdominal cavity. We report our experience with laparoscopic gastrectomy with radical lymph node dissection using this advanced radiological technology. Methods: 3D CT angiographic images from the celiac axis to the proper hepatic artery were reconstructed in two ways preoperatively. The first was only 3D angiographic images that were reconstructed as the laparoscopic view (LapView 3D CT angiography). The second was LapView 3D CT angiography with images of the body of the pancreas, which was more useful for intraoperative navigation in comprehensing anatomy. Two monitors were placed over the shoulder of the patient during surgery. One monitor, which was controlled by the image mixer, projected the laparoscopic images with picture in picture of 3D CT angiographic images. The surgeon performed the surgery with reference to this monitor during lymph node dissection. Results: 3D angiographic CT clearly showed all vessels of interest in laparoscopic lymph node dissection for gastric cancer in 10 cases. The anatomy of vessels appeared as if looking beyond visible surface. LapView 3D CT angiography was useful for laparoscopic navigation surgery. Paper presented at the Scientific Session of the 8th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery hosted by SAGES, New York, NY, USA, March 2002     

Embolization of high flow arteriovenous malformations: experience with use of superabsorbent polymer microspheres

PURPOSE: To determine efficacy, safety, and requirements for adjunctive embolization or surgery in the treatment of symptomatic arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with superabsorbent polymer microsphere (SAP-MS) particles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SAP-MS particles (sodium acrylate and vinyl alcohol copolymer) are nonbiodegradable spheres with a precisely calibrated diameter. SAP-MS particles swell by absorbing fluids and become soft and deformable. Twenty-five patients (16 men, nine women; mean age, 32 y; range 12-66 y) with symptomatic facial (n = 5), upper- (n = 8) and lower- (n = 12) extremity AVMs were treated primarily (n = 23) or preoperatively (n = 2) by transarterial embolization (TAE) treatment with use of SAP-MS particles. Direct puncture embolization (DPE; n = 4) and/or surgical intervention (n = 5; ie, skin graft, resection, or amputation) were required. Surgical specimens from the resected (n = 2) and the amputated (n = 2) patients were evaluated histologically. Follow-up study, including clinical findings and imaging studies, was performed at intervals ranging from 3 months to 1 year. Clinical outcome was evaluated retrospectively, depending on the subjective improvement of symptoms and signs, according to the medical records. RESULTS: Seventy-two TAEs (range, 1-11; mean, 2.8) and 12 DPEs (range, 1-3; mean, 2.4) were performed during the mean follow-up period of 38 months (range, 7-110 mo). Twenty patients (80%) experienced symptom improvement by embolotherapy alone (n = 17) or in combination with surgery (n = 3). One lip and two finger AVMs were totally removed by surgical excision or amputation after TAE treatment. In diffuse upper- (n = 1) and lower- (n = 1) extremity AVMs, the symptoms were uncontrolled. No nerve injury or skin necrosis was observed after TAE treatment with SAP-MS particles. Mucosal necrosis was induced by DPE with ethanol in one patient. Histologically, SAP-MS particles penetrated intralesional vessels and conformed to the vessel lumen, resulting in tight vessel occlusion. Minimal perivascular reaction was observed. CONCLUSION: SAP-MS particles were used safely in TAE treatment of AVM. TAE treatment with use of SAP-MS particles was suitable for certain symptomatic AVMs, but diffuse AVMs remain a challenge and a combination of alternative methods will be necessary for further strategy.     

Lateral radiography of the knee with single-leg standing

The purpose of this investigation was to accomplish reproducible radiography of single-leg standing lateral radiography of the knee by adjusting lateral rotation using a ruler to measure foot position. After preliminary assessment of three-dimensional CT of the knees of normal volunteers, the best adjustment of external rotation was estimated. A ruler was made for use in adjusting the angle of knee rotation by measuring foot rotation. Based on the foot rotation measured by this ruler, the positioning of radiography was adjusted to correct rotation. Rotation was estimated by the distance between the posterior edges of the lateral and medial femoral condyles. Fifteen-degree and 17.5-degree rotations were used for correction. Correction of rotation was 17 degrees on average. This helped not only to correct external rotation in the initial radiography but also to correct rotation for repeat radiography. Our method is quantitative and highly reproducible, and it increases the success rate of lateral knee radiography.     

Small hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma revealed by double arterial phase CT performed with single breath-hold scanning and automatic bolus tracking

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of double arterial phase CT for the detection of small hypervascular hepatocellular carcinomas, using an automated bolus-tracking technique to initiate the hepatic arterial phase CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Double arterial and late phase contrast-enhanced helical CT scans were obtained on 287 consecutive patients suspected of having hepatocellular carcinoma. These included 56 patients with 90 small (< or 3 cm) hepatocellular carcinomas and 50 patients with no hepatocellular carcinomas. CT scans of these patients were interpreted by three reviewers. The first arterial phase scan was initiated automatically 10 sec after the bolus-tracking program detected the threshold enhancement of 50 H in the abdominal aorta. Three reviewers interpreted the late phase CT scans in combination with the first, second, or both hepatic arterial phases. Measures of the reviewers' detection of hepatocellular carcinoma included analysis of interobserver variation, sensitivity, specificity, and area under receiver operating characteristic curve (A(z)). RESULTS: The time elapsed from bolus initiation to threshold aortic enhancement ranged from 10 to 24 sec (mean, 13 sec), resulting in initiation of the first arterial phase CT scan from 20 to 34 sec (mean, 23 sec). The combination of late phase CT and both first and second arterial phase images showed significantly better performance than the combination of the late phase and either the first or second arterial phases, although the difference was most evident in comparison with the combination of second arterial and late phases. CONCLUSION: An automated bolus-tracking program can be used to optimize the timing of hepatic arterial phase CT. Multiphasic CT performed using this technique is useful in detection of small hepatocellular carcinoma.     

Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration performed in a pediatric patient with isolated gastric fundal varices

Background

For giant gastric varices in association with portal hypertension, endoscopic treatment often is difficult. Although balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) has been performed successfully in adult cirrhotic patients, there has been no report in pediatric patients.

Methods

A 10-year-old girl with biliary atresia (BA) who had been free of jaundice after hepatic portoenterostomy was detected to have isolated gastric fundal varices by routine endoscopy. They gradually enlarged up to 4 cm in diameter, showing a tense appearance, so prophylactic treatment was conducted. Magnetic resonance angiography showed the blood flow of the varices mainly drained by a large gastrorenal shunt. A balloon catheter was introduced into the gastrorenal shunt via the femoral vein and was inflated to occlude the outflow of the varices. Five percent ethanolamine oleate was injected into the varices, and the outflow occlusion was kept for more than 30 minutes. Extensive thrombosis was achieved by an additional embolotherapy after 17 months. Throughout the course, the patient has been doing well without bleeding or worsening of the liver function tests.

Conclusions

B-RTO for isolated gastric fundal varices has been performed safely in a pediatric patient and seems effective in reducing the variceal size and tension.     

Sequential morphological change of Chiari malformation type II following surgical repair of myelomeningocele

Purpose

To document long-term morphological changes of Chiari type II malformation (CM-II) following closure of spina bifida manifesta (SBM).

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated postnatal magnetic resonance images of the CM-II and posterior fossa (PF) in 28 consecutive cases. We measured changes in vertebral level and length of the cerebellar peg (CP), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces anterior and posterior to the cerebrospinal junction, PF area, and the anteroposterior diameters of the foramen magnum (FM) and C1 vertebra. We examined the morphological differences between the cases with and without ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting and derived predicted means by nonlinear mixed-effect modeling.

Results

At birth, there were significant differences in CP length, PF area, and FM and C1 diameters between those who underwent VP shunting and those who did not. In cases with a CP below C1, VP shunting was required in every case but one. In those with visible CSF space at birth, VP shunts were not required. In 17 of 18 cases with a CP below C1, the vertebral level ascended by mean two vertebral levels (range 0–5 levels) within 4–6 months of delivery. In the remaining case, slowly progressive hydrocephalus and delayed CP descent required VP shunting at 8 months. Predicted mean CP length and FM and C1 diameters were greater in those who underwent VP shunting, but there was no difference in predicted mean PF area.

Conclusion

The morphology of CM-II and the presence of hydrocephalus influence each other in children who have undergone postnatal SBM repair.

     

Whole plantar nerve conduction study with disposable strip electrodes

Introduction: A new method to evaluate whole plantar nerve conduction with disposable strip electrodes (DSEs) is described. Methods: Whole plantar compound nerve action potentials (CNAPs) were recorded at the ankle. DSEs were attached to the sole for simultaneous stimulation of medial and lateral plantar nerves. We also conducted medial plantar nerve conduction studies using an established method and compared the findings. Results: Whole plantar CNAPs were recorded bilaterally from 32 healthy volunteers. Mean baseline to peak amplitude for CNAPs was 26.9 ± 11.8 μV, and mean maximum conduction velocity was 65.8 ± 8.3 m/s. The mean amplitude of CNAPs obtained by our method was 58.2% higher than that of CNAPs obtained by the Saeed method (26.9 μV vs. 17.0 μV; P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The higher mean amplitude of whole plantar CNAPs obtained by our method suggests that it enables CNAPs to be obtained easily, even in elderly people. Muscle Nerve 53: 209–213, 2016