Metabolic characterization of AIDS dementia complex by spectroscopic imaging

Prospective proton chemical shift imaging (CSI) of the brain was performed in 30 HIV- 1-seropositive patients and 11 healthy controls. Significant (P < 0.05) reductions in the N-acetyl-L-aspartate (NAA)/total creatine (Cr), and NAA/total choline (Cho) ratios and significant increases in Cho/Cr occurred in patients with 1) AIDS-defining diagnoses; 2) <200 CD4 lymphocyte counts/microl; 3) neurological evidence for an AIDS dementia complex (ADC); 4) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs of cerebral atrophy. The basal ganglia and the insula were affected to approximately the same extent and without indications of spatial variations within these areas. Reduced NAA seems to indicate progressive neuronal injury or loss due to productive HIV infection in the brain and its clinical picture ADC. Spectroscopic abnormalities were, however, also observed in neurologically normal HIV patients or those with normal MRI results. Proton CSI may therefore serve as an early quantitative marker of central nervous system involvement in AIDS.     

Anästhesie bei geriatrischen Patienten Die Bedeutung physiologischer Variablen für die kognitive Leistungsfähigkeit geriatrischer Patienten nach Regional- oder Allgemeinanästhesie

Objective: The aim of the present study was to show the influence of the parameters of gas exchange (arterial oxygen pressure paO₂, arterial oxygen saturation SatO₂) and haemodynamics (arterial systolic and mean blood pressure RRs and MAP) on the restitution of cognitive functions in geriatric patients scheduled for elective hip arthroplasty. Methods: A total of 30 patients (70 years, ASA II) were randomized to be operated either in regional anaesthesia (n=15) or general anaesthesia (n=15). PaO₂ (by capillary blood gas analysis), RRs and MAP (by oscillometry) were measured 15 and 90 minutes after arrival in the recovery unit (t1 and t2), 24 and 72 hours postoperatively (t3 and t4), and cognitive functions were tested. Intraoperatively, throughout the day and the first night after surgery we measured satO₂ by continous pulse oximetry. We recorded MAP and RRs by oscillometry every 3 minutes during the operation and every15 minutes for the rest of that day and night. Results: The parameters of gas exchange and haemodynamics did not differ among the groups. PaO₂ was significantly reduced in both groups compared to baseline 24 hours postoperatively (t3) and remained low until 72 hours postoperatively (t4). Nearly all cognitive functions were significantly reduced in both groups compared to baseline 15 and 90 minutes after arrival in the recovery unit (t1 and t2), but recovered on the first postoperative day (t3). Both groups kept deficits in verbal memory and reading capacity up to the third postoperative day (t4). There was no correlation between the physiological parameters and the restitution of the tested cognitive functions. Conclusion: The restitution of cognitive functions during the first three postoperative days in geriatric patients scheduled for elective hip surgery does not depend on the anaesthetic technique. According to our results regional anaesthesia does not show any advantage for geriatric patients undergoing elective hip arthroplasty.     

Primary posterior chest wall echinococcosis

Hydatid cyst is not mentioned among the chest wall tumours in areas not known to harbour echinococcosis. One of the uncommon sites for echinococcosis even in endemic countries is the chest wall. The striking resemblance between neoplasm and hydatid cysts forms a diagnostic dilemma and makes the correct diagnosis essential before surgery.     

Middle ear adenocarcinoma with intracranial extension. Case report

Middle ear adenocarcinoma is a very rare, locally invasive neoplasm assumed to arise from the middle ear mucosa. Although endolymphatic sac tumor (aggressive papillary middle ear tumor) and jugulotympanic paraganglioma may show brain invasion, intracranial extension of histologically confirmed middle ear adenocarcinoma has not been previously reported. The authors describe a 53-year-old man who suffered from otalgia and tinnitus for more than 10 years and from neurological deficits for 1 year due to a large temporal bone tumor that invaded the temporal lobe. A combined neurosurgical and otolaryngological resection was performed. Pathological analysis revealed a low-grade adenocarcinoma of a mixed epithelial-neuroendocrine phenotype, which showed a close histological similarity to, and topographical relationship with, middle ear epithelium. The authors conclude that middle ear adenocarcinoma belongs to the spectrum of extracranial tumors that have possible local extension to the brain.     

Late complications of Silastic duraplasty: low-virulence infections. Case report

The authors describe three patients with expanding hemorrhagic mass lesions who presented 13 to 18 years after undergoing Silastic duraplasty. In all patients, results of bacteriological cultures of the masses obtained intraoperatively were positive, revealing low-virulence bacteria. Two of the patients were treated with antibiotic drugs and made a good recovery. The third did not receive antibiotic medications initially and later developed an epidural empyema that necessitated reoperation, but subsequently made a complete recovery. Vascularized neomembranes are generally agreed to be causes of the expanding masses, but the possibility that patients could be harboring chronic infections must be considered. Thus, on removal of duraplasty materials a complete bacteriological culture should be obtained, and if it is positive the proper antibiotic therapy should be administered. Furthermore, the creation of a registry of patients who have received implants is advocated to facilitate tracking of implanted material in case of complications.     

Vaginal atresia and Bardet-Biedl syndrome association: a component or a distinct entity?

Bardet-Biedl syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder. It is characterized by cardinal anomalies including retinal dystrophy, digital malformations, mental retardation, obesity, and hypogonadism. Recently, renal anomalies also are mentioned among the cardinal signs. Although association of genital anomalies among affected boys are well known, the association of vaginal atresia and other structural genital anomalies are not mentioned among the less-common manifestations of Bardet-Biedl syndrome in girls. Two girls with Bardet-Biedl syndrome presented with hematometrocolpos in the preadolescent period and vaginal atresia was diagnosed. After surgical treatment and extended hospitalization, uncontrolled sepsis resulted in progressive renal failure and death of both patients. Vaginal atresia is often delayed or missed in the early childhood period. In girls with Bardet-Biedl syndrome, vaginal atresia or other structural genital anomalies should be evaluated more systematically during the initial diagnosis of the syndrome. In infancy, the evaluation of a child with vaginal atresia also should include the differential diagnosis of Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Vaginal atresia may either form a component of the syndrome, or girls who present with vaginal atresia in addition to other components of Bardet-Biedl syndrome might form a distinct entity.     

Catheter entrapment by atrial suture during minimally invasive port-access cardiac surgery

PURPOSE: The port-access approach allows surgeons to perform heart operations through small intercostal openings, or "ports". This technique requires new skills for anesthesiologists. A pulmonary artery venting (PAV) catheter and, in some cases, a coronary sinus catheter (for administration of retrograde cardioplegia) are positioned with the aid of fluoroscopy and transesophageal echography (TEE). Both catheters have a wider diameter than the more commonly used conventional PA catheter and present distinctive features. We report a case in which a pulmonary artery venting catheter was entrapped by a suture during a port-access procedure. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 35-yr-old man with severe mitral valve insufficiency was scheduled for valve repair. After a successful bypass procedure, resistance was felt while attempting to withdraw the PAV catheter. On fluoroscopy, fixation of the catheter at the heart level was established and perforation by suture was confirmed after injection of a contrast agent. Because of the risk of cardiac wall rupture and tamponade, the thorax was reopened. After release of some atrial sutures, the catheter could be withdrawn easily. Transfixion by a suture was confirmed by visual examination. CONCLUSION: The more frequent use of a PAV catheter in minimally invasive cardiac surgery with the port-access technique should remind the anesthesiologist of the higher risk of entrapment by surgical sutures. Surgeons should be aware of the risk of accidentally transfixing this catheter during closure of the atriotomy via the port.