The anterior choroidal artery syndrome

We reviewed 12 cases of infarcts in the territory of the anterior choroidal artery (AChA) on CT and/or MRI. In each case vascular occlusion in the region was verified angiographically. Although the extent of the lesion on CT/MR images was variable, all were located on the axial images within an arcuate zone between the striatium anterolaterally and the thalamus posteromedially. The distribution of the lesions on mutiplanar MRI conformed well to the territory of the AChA demonstrated microangiographically. The variability of the extent of the infarcts may be explained by variations in the degree of occlusive changes in the AChA or the development of collateral circulation through anastomoses between the AChA and the posterior communicating and posterior cerebral arteries. The extent of the lesion appeared to be closely related to the degree of neurological deficit.     

Laparoscopic treatment of nonparasitic cysts of the liver with omental transposition flap

Background: Between 1991 and November 1994, 18 patients with large, solitary, nonparasitic liver cysts underwent laparoscopic deroofing; the last 13 of them also received an omental transposition flap in addition. Methods: Using three to four trocars, the cystic contents were first aspirated, and the cyst derooted widely using diathermia. An omental transposition flap was fashioned and stapled into the cyst cavity itself. Results: Postoperative complications included one case of pulmonary atelectasis. Another patient developed a subhepatic bile collection which was aspirated percutaneously. On average, patients were discharged on the 4th (2–14) postoperative day. Follow-up was performed with abdominal ultrasound for 2–43 months (mean 19 months). There were two early cyst recurrences, both in cases without an omental transposition flap (overall recurrence rate, 11%; in patients with omental flap, 0). Conclusions: Deroofing in combination with an omental transposition flap is a safe and effective therapy for symptomatic solitary liver cysts and can be performed using minimal-access surgical techniques. Received: 19 January 1996/Accepted: 26 August 1996     

Arthroscopic all-inside repair techniques of lateral meniscus anterior horn tear: a technical note

Although the conventional outside-in technique is especially useful for repairing tears in the anterior portion of the meniscus, it has a disadvantage of making an additional 1–2 cm sized skin incision and tying knots subcutaneously over the capsule. Therefore we devised two all-inside repair techniques of lateral meniscus anterior horn tear according to the site of meniscal tear, meniscosynovial junction or red–red zone. Because these techniques are modified methods of the outside-in meniscal repair using a spinal needle, they are as simple as conventional outside-in technique. In addition they have advantages of vertical mattress suture, which is an important characteristic of the all-inside repair, and no additional incision. We recommend these techniques as an alternative method for repairing an anterior horn tear of the lateral meniscus.     

双极射频电热固缩治疗前交叉韧带松弛临床研究

目的:对15例前交叉韧带双极射频电热固缩治疗进行回顾性研究,评估其临床疗效。方法:从2000年1月至2005年1月采用双极射频对16例前交叉韧带松弛的患者进行电热固缩治疗。完整随访者15例,男性11例,女性4例,平均年龄29岁。12例前交叉韧带部分损伤,3例为自体绳肌重建术后。电热射频设备输出功率为284W,组织内作用温度为65℃。术后患者采用支具制动,康复计划与前交叉韧带重建术后基本相同。结果:随访时间平均15·6个月(4~25个月)。Lysholm评分,术前74·27±5·51分(66~84分),术后3个月89·6±7·11分(72~99分),两者相比有显著性差异(P<0·01);术后最终评分83·33±11·81分(56~95分),虽仍显著高于术前评分(P<0·05),但与术后3个月比较有所降低。KT-1000测量结果,术前两侧胫骨前移差值为5·47mm±1·61mm(3·5mm~10mm),术后3个月为2·67mm±1·35mm(2~7mm),与术前测量值对比存在显著性差异(P<0·01);最终测量结果为3·8mm±1·96mm(2~9mm),虽仍显著低于术前测量值(P<0·05),但较术后3个月有所增加。所有患者均未出现明显的术后并发症。2例患者(13·3%)术后失效,接受了二期重建手术。结论:电热固缩治疗前交叉韧带松弛可获得较好的短期主、客观疗效,但长期随访疗效有所下降。建议慎重选择手术适应症。     

脊髓前动脉损伤致脊髓缺血性损伤模型的MRI评价

目的：研究经脊髓前动脉损伤，致脊髓缺血性损伤模型的高场强MRI信号表现特征。方法：选用12只家犬经颈前手术入路，切断脊髓前动脉，经高场强MRI扫描，对照病理分析脊髓前动脉损伤后脊髓的MRI信号变化特征。结果：脊髓前动脉损伤后脊髓MRI表现出异常T2WI高信号，且出现在脊髓前动脉损伤节段的前2／3，多表现为一例受累及或偏向一例。结论：MRI能确定脊髓缺血性损伤的部位及信号特征。     

Persistence of Mammary Artery Branches and Blood Supply to the Left Anterior Descending Artery

Background. Partial harvesting of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is a widespread technique used during minimally invasive coronary operations performed through a left anterior small thoracotomy. The influence of persisting LIMA branches was investigated to evaluate their effect on the blood flow of the left anterior descending artery.

Methods. Thirty patients, 15 with totally (group A) and 15 with partially (group B) harvested LIMAs, were evaluated. All the patients underwent postoperative angiography, during which a flow map of the LIMA was performed. The average peak velocity and the diastolic-to-systolic peak velocity ratio were recorded. The LIMA graft flow pattern was recorded in the proximal and distal thirds of the artery. Intramammary adenosine (12 to 14 μg) was injected and the average peak velocities before and after injection were calculated.

Results. The average peak velocity was similar in both groups in the proximal and distal thirds of the LIMA (25 ± 7 and 26 ± 5 cm/sec, respectively, in group A versus 27 ± 5 and 25 ± 5 cm/sec, respectively in group B; p = NS). The diastolic-to-systolic peak velocity ratio was similar proximally (0.78 ± 0.3 in group A versus 0.69 ± 0.3 cm/s in group B; p = NS), but not distally (1.72 ± 0.1 in group A versus 0.97 ± 0.3 in group B; p < 0.0005). The LIMA graft flow reserve was similar both proximally and distally (2.6 ± 0.6 and 2.5 ± 0.3 cm/s, respectively, in group A versus 2.6 ± 0.5 and 2.6 ± 0.3 cm/s, respectively, in group B; p = NS).

Conclusions. The persistence of LIMA branches does not influence the blood flow of the left anterior descending artery after acute adenosine-induced myocardial hyperemia. If a left anterior small thoracotomy is used in left anterior descending artery direct revascularization, complete LIMA harvesting is not mandatory and depends on the personal preference of the surgeon.     

Microvascular transfers of serratus anterior muscles in rats

Summary The serratus anterior muscle in the rat is supplied by the serratus division of thoracodorsal vessels, in a pattern similar to man [2]. The serratus anterior muscles were transferred to the groin area as a free muscle flap in 17 rats and as a free muscle graft in 13 rats. In the free muscle flap group, the serratus anterior muscles of 8 of 10 rats survived; histological examination showed them to be viable and the vascular anastomoses were patent at the 30th day. In the free muscle graft group, all of the muscle grafts became necrotic. As a result, it is concluded that the microvascular transfer of serratus anterior muscles in rats is a useful small animal model for microsurgical laboratory training of clinical free flap transfers and also for performing pharmacological and biochemical studies in transplanted muscle.     

Prognosis for patients with carcinoma in the middle third of the stomach

In 268 of the 1,115 patients (24.0%) with gastric cancer who underwent a curative resection in our clinics, the tumor was located in the middle third of the stomach. The clinicopathological features and prognosis of these patients were divided into two groups, according to site of the tumor: anterior wall (n = 58) vs. other sites (n = 210). Clinicopathological factors did not differ between the two groups. The survival time for patients with a tumor in the anterior group was shorter than that for patients with a tumor in other areas (P < 0.05). The five-year survival rate was 79.3% for patients with an anterior tumor and 91.9% for those with a tumor at a different site. A multivariate analysis indicated lymph node metastasis, serosal invasion, and anterior wall location to be independent prognostic factors indicative of a poor prognosis when the tumor was located in the middle third of the stomach. For such patients, close follow-up is needed to detect possible recurrences. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Ictal brain imaging in presurgical evaluation of patients with medically intractable complex partial seizures

At the Indiana University Medical Center, 99 patients with medically intractable complex partial seizures (MI-CPS) had presurgical evaluation with subsequent anterior temporal lobectomy. The majority of the patients had single photon emission tomography (SPECT) performed interictally as well as during an actual epileptic seizure (ictal scan). Decreased regional cerebral perfusion (rCP) was seen in 54/94 (57%) of the interictal scans corresponding to the eventual site of the surgery. However, ictal scans provided a higher yield; increased rCP in the temporal lobe during an actual seizure was observed in 60/82 (73%) concordant to the side of surgery. SPECT is a useful, noninvasive method of localizing the epilepti-form focus in patients with MI-CPS considered for resective surgery. Both interictal and ictal SPECT need to be performed; combined interictal hypo-perfusion and ictal hyperperfusion in the same focal area are unique to epileptogenic lesions. Ictal SPECT studies can be performed in the majority of patients during the period of continuous video/EEG monitoring with only a little additional effort. Combining the results of functional brain imaging (interictal and ictal SPECT, PET) with clinical semiology of seizures, surface and sphenoidal EEG, magnetic resonance imaging and other non-invasive tests, anterior temporal lobectomy can be recommended in approximately two-thirds of the patients without resorting to potentially dangerous intracranial EEG monitoring.