Multiple,peripheral aneurysms of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery

Summary In this case report, a 49-year-old woman developed subarachnoid hemorrhage in the right cerebellopontine angle cistern and blood into the fourth ventricle from a ruptured peripheral aneurysm of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) located at the meatal loop. Concomitantly, a contralateral peripheral aneurysm was found in the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). A second peripheral aneurysm, not identified by previous angiography, was found in the caudomedial branch of AICA. We describe this diagnostic dilemma, management, and review the clinical presentation and location of 84 other peripheral AICA aneurysms reported in the literature.     

Haplotype construction of the FRDA gene and evaluation of its role in type II diabetes

A GAA-repeat in the X25 gene is causing Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), a common neurodegenerative disease and >20% of FRDA patients develop type II diabetes (T2D). Linkage has previously been detected between T2D and chromosome 9p13-q21, the region that harbours the X25 gene, but association studies of this gene in T2D have been contradicting. Here, we examined whether genetic variation in the X25 gene is associated with risk for T2D. The GAA-repeat and 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) covering the X25 gene were genotyped in 220 trios in which the affected offspring had abnormal glucose tolerance. Any nominally significant findings were examined in an independent sample consisting of 523 individuals with T2D and 326 healthy controls. Previously reported results were analysed together with our data using a meta-analysis approach. There was no association between the GAA-repeat and T2D susceptibility in our study, which was supported by the meta-analysis including all previous publications. One SNP (rs2498429), 8.2 kb downstream of X25, was nominally associated with T2D in the trios (P=0.02) and showed a trend of association in the same direction in the case-controls (P=0.08; combined permuted P=0.01). Further analysis showed that the nine-marker haplotype containing the rare allele of rs2498429 was nominally associated with T2D in the trios (P<0.01) as well as in the case-controls (P=0.03). In conclusions, this study excludes a role of genetic variation within the X25 gene, but instead suggests that genetic variation downstream the X25 gene, may increase risk for T2D.     

Prosthetic joint infection with Pasturella multocida following cat scratch: a report of 2 cases

Infection is a known cause of failure in a total joint arthroplasty. Secondary or delayed infections are caused by a wider variety of pathogens, including Gram-negative organisms. Pasturella multocida is a Gram-negative bacillus that forms part of the normal nasopharyngeal and gastrointestinal flora of cats and many other animals. Nontrauma-associated infections also have been reported, but these are more often confined to animal handlers. We report 2 patients who had cat scratch and who developed infection of their total hip arthroplasties with P multocida. Both patients were immunocompromised and required revision of their hip arthroplasty. One patient had 1-stage revision, because infective cause was not obvious at the time of surgery. These patients were followed for 18 months to 2 years after surgery, with good results.     

Patient perception of comorbid conditions after acoustic neuroma management: survey results from the acoustic neuroma association

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Based on survey results of the Acoustic Neuroma Association, the patient ratings of the most difficult aspects of acoustic neuroma management were reported and a review of the literature was made regarding comorbid conditions associated with acoustic neuroma treatment and their impact on patient quality of life. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study of 1940 patients who were members of the Acoustic Neuroma Association. METHODS: A detailed questionnaire was mailed to 2372 members of the Acoustic Neuroma Association to identify preoperative and postoperative symptoms, complications, and long-term effects on physical and psychosocial function. For 1940 respondents (81.8%) who reported the "most difficult aspect of the AN [acoustic neuroma] experience," the responses were analyzed by tumor size, surgical approach, and patient age and sex. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Respondents reported that the most difficult aspect of the acoustic neuroma experience was hearing loss (25.8%), followed by facial weakness (17.9%), eye problems (10.8%), and headache (10.5%). In order of frequency, men reported hearing loss, balance problems, perioperative surgical experience, and eye and facial weakness, and women reported hearing loss, facial weakness, eye problems, and headache. Facial weakness was a morbidity more often reported for men and women who had large tumors, who were young, or who had undergone the retrosigmoid approach. Balance dysfunction was significant in patients older than 75 years of age. In patients with small tumors, headaches and balance problems were frequently reported. CONCLUSION: In the large cohort study of patients with acoustic neuroma, perceptions regarding the impact of treatment illustrated why it is incumbent on physicians to understand the sentiments of patients with acoustic neuroma when counseling them and recommending optimal management strategies.     

Cerebellopontine angle lipomas

Lipomas of the intracranial vault are uncommon lesions. Rarely, lipomas of the cerebellopontine angle have been identified. The two cases of cerebellopontine angle lipomas reported herein brings the number of recorded cases to 13.     

Improving the letter of recommendation

The selection of applicants to otolaryngology training programs is a challenging task. Applicants and their evaluators rely on objective and subjective data to facilitate the selection process. Unfortunately, data are often less helpful than either side assumes, suffering from poor validity and reliability in predicting future performance. The traditional resume-based letter of recommendation bears some responsibility in this. It is often a lengthy reiteration of already available objective data and contains nonstandardized, superlative evaluations of personal attributes. As a result, many letters are similar, describing “excellent” candidates who have done well on previous examinations and clerkships. Research has indicated improved reliability and satisfaction as well as decreased time expenditure using standardized letters of recommendation. These letters demonstrate how basic, easy-to-implement improvements can create letters that provide accurate information, separate applicants, and improve the selection process. Consideration should be given to adopting these improvements at the program director and/or educational committee level.     

Anatomical considerations in transradial intervention

The radial artery is currently regarded as a useful vascular access site for coronary procedures. The transradial approach for percutaneous coronary procedures has the advantage of reduced access site complications but is associated with specific technical challenges in comparison with the transfemoral approach. Transradial procedure failures can sometimes be due to failure to puncture the artery, radial artery spasm and anatomic variations of radial-brachial-axillary-subclavian artery axis or arch of aorta. Therefore, adequate anatomical information of the radial artery should be helpful in performing the transradial coronary procedure. In short proper patient selection and pre-procedure preparation; gentle and patient approach; liberal use of dye injection (check shoots) when in doubt; asking patient to breathe deeply when needed and thoughtful problem solving approach are the key factors to achieve high transradial success rate.