Conventional MRA and contrast- enhanced MRA of extracranial vessel segments

Summary The introduction of fast gradient systems allows a reliable visualization of the extracranial carotid vessels by the magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) which meanwhile is implemented into clinical routine. By the mainly applied time-of-flight (TOF) technique, vessels can be imaged without contrast agent (CA). Due to the application of ultra-fast gradient-echo-sequences, the first-pass evaluation of an intravenous bolus-injection of Gadolinium in the carotids from the aortic arch up to the skull base can be performed in less than 30 s. In this study, advantages and disadvantages of both techniques are discussed. For a qualitatively optimal contrast enhanced MRA (CE-MRA) timing parameters like injection delay, flow rate and the adjustment of sequence parameters have to be considered in relation to the fast venous return from the sinus to the jugular veins. First, the optimal time point of the data acquisition have been determined at a model and with a computer simulation in reference to the presence of CA in the arteries. As a result, 90 % of the contrast contribution is defined by 16 % of the symmetrically acquired central k-space lines. A measuring protocol for clinical use was obtained by a gradual variation of spacial resolution, measuring time and CA-injection parameters and was proved in normal volunteers and patients. An exact determination of the bolus-arrival-time by means of a test-bolus injection was acquired. The best qualitative results were achieved by a double-dose injection at 2 ml/s injection rate. The temporal reserves of ultra-fast sequences should be invested in the improvement of the spatial resolution. To date, further investigations related to the problem of optimal CA-application may improve the potentials of CE-MRA procedures.      

A porcine model for sequential assessments of cerebral haemodynamics and metabolism

We present a physiologically stable porcine model designed for sequential assessments of pharmacological effects on mean hemispheric cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMRO2) at sustained normocapnia. The dynamic influence of continuously administered fentanyl (0.040 mg.kg-1.h-1 i.v.), nitrous oxide (70%) and pancuronium (0.30 mg.kg-1.h-1 i.v.) on these variables was studied in eight normoventilated pigs. CBF was reliably assessable at 10-min intervals by clearance of intra-arterially injected 133Xe, monitored by an extracranial scintillation detector. CMRO2 was calculated from CBF and the simultaneously measured cerebral arteriovenous difference in blood oxygen content. The intracerebral distribution of a contrast medium injected into the external and internal carotid arteries was studied by angiography, and the cerebral venous outflow was investigated by measurements of the distribution of an intra-arterially administered non-diffusible tracer, [99mTc]pertechnetate, to the internal and external jugular veins. After a 3-h equilibration period, CBF and CMRO2 were determined on six occasions over a study period lasting 1 h 40 min. The mean ranges of these variables were 56-60 and 1.9-2.0 ml.100 g-1.min-1, respectively. We conclude that the model enables repeated assessments of CBF and CMRO2 under stable physiological background conditions and thus valid cerebral pharmacodynamic investigations of drugs given for anaesthesia.     

Treatment of muscle spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy using BTX-A: a pilot study

This study was designed to verify the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) used as a neuromuscular block on spastic masticatory musculature of children with cerebral palsy. Six patients who had spastic-tetraplegic cerebral-palsy, aged 5 to 20 years were selected. All patients had spasticity of the jaw muscles, bruxism, lower lip trauma, limited mouth opening, and difficulties in cleaning the oral cavity. The patients were sedated under general anesthesia, while the dentist injected the masseter and temporalis muscles bilaterally with 150 and 75 units of BTX-A each. Clinical examinations were conducted at 7, 14, 30, and 90 days after the initial appointment. We found statistically significant decreases in muscle spasticity and bruxism ( p = 0.002), improved inter-incisal opening ( p = 0.002), improved oral hygiene ( p = 0.031), and less lower lip trauma ( p = 0.060) after the neuromuscular blocking.     

代谢综合征患者肾动脉狭窄的SCTA与DSA对比研究

目的探讨代谢综合征(MS)患者中肾动脉狭窄的发生率及无创性筛检的必要性与可靠性。方法45例MS患者预行肾动脉螺旋CT血管造影(SCTA),对所检出的14例肾动脉狭窄者行肾动脉数字减影血管造影(DSA)对照,并对SCTA及DSA结果进行对比分析。结果45例MS患者中SCTA显示肾动脉正常31例,其余14例患者存在单侧或双侧肾动脉狭窄,DSA对照显示肾动脉正常6条,肾动脉狭窄22条,与SCTA显示的情况基本符合。结论MS患者中肾动脉狭窄的发生率约31.1%,对可疑患者应常规予以肾动脉SCTA检查。     

Ictal Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Imaging in Extra Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Using Statistical Parametric Mapping

PURPOSE: To examine the application of statistical parametric mapping (SPM) to analyze ictal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans in surgical candidates with extratemporal lobe epilepsy. METHODS: The authors selected patients who underwent successful ictal SPECT acquisition in the process of surgical treatment of intractable partial epilepsy. Thirteen patients were identified who met inclusion criteria for confident seizure localization from either intracranial electroencephalogram recordings or epilepsy surgery outcome. In these cases, ictal scans were registered to an in-house-developed normal SPECT atlas composed of 14 spatially normalized brains of normal subjects. SPM96 was used to test on a voxel-by-voxel basis for statistically significant increases in blood flow associated with each patient's ictal scan. The results were then mapped back onto the patient's magnetic resonance image (MRI) for final interpretation. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis of ictal SPECT scans was compared to both conventional visual interpretation and the analysis of subtraction ictal SPECT co-registered to MRI (SISCOM). RESULTS: Ten of 13 patient scans showed localizing focal ictal increases in regional cerebral blood flow, all of which were concordant with ultimate epilepsy localization. Of the 3 cases not localized with SPM, 1 was localized by conventional visual interpretation and another, not localized by visual interpretation, was correctly localized with SISCOM. Two cases not localized by SISCOM were localized by both visual and SPM analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This work provides supportive evidence for proof of principle that SPM can be used to provide objective, accurate analysis of ictal SPECT scans in patients with extratemporal lobe epilepsy.     

Intensity-dependent regional cerebral blood flow during 1-Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in healthy volunteers studied with H215O positron emission tomography: I. Effects of primary motor cortex rTMS.

BACKGROUND: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) affects the excitability of the motor cortex and is thought to influence activity in other brain areas as well. We combined the administration of varying intensities of 1-Hz rTMS of the motor cortex with simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET) to delineate local and distant effects on brain activity. METHODS: Ten healthy subjects received 1-Hz rTMS to the optimal position over motor cortex (M1) for producing a twitch in the right hand at 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120% of the twitch threshold, while regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured using H(2)(15)O and PET. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was delivered in 75-pulse trains at each intensity every 10 min through a figure-eight coil. The regional relationship of stimulation intensity to normalized rCBF was assessed statistically. RESULTS: Intensity-dependent rCBF increases were produced under the M1 stimulation site in ipsilateral primary auditory cortex, contralateral cerebellum, and bilateral putamen, insula, and red nucleus. Intensity-dependent reductions in rCBF occurred in contralateral frontal and parietal cortices and bilateral anterior cingulate gyrus and occipital cortex. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that 1-Hz rTMS delivered to the primary motor cortex (M1) produces intensity-dependent increases in brain activity locally and has associated effects in distant sites with known connections to M1.     

降纤酶对ACI患者血清sCRP的影响及改善神经缺损的作用

目的:探讨降纤酶对急性脑梗死(ACI)患者血清超敏C反应蛋白(sCRP)水平的影响及其在改善神经功能缺损方面的作用。方法:46例ACI患者随机分为2组,对照组23例,静脉滴注曲克芦丁注射液,0.6g/d;治疗组23例,入院后立即给予降纤酶10IU溶入250ml生理盐水静脉滴注,1~1.5h滴完,第3、5天各给予降纤酶5IU,其他用药同对照组;应用免疫比浊法检测2组治疗前及治疗后第7天、14天的血清sCRP水平变化,并对神经功能缺损进行评分。结果:2组sCRP水平在治疗后第7天最高,随后逐渐降低。治疗组治疗前血清sCRP水平和治疗前、第7天的神经功能缺损总分与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),治疗组治疗后第7天、14天sCRP水平分别为(7.73±2.16)、(2.92±2.24)mg/L,对照组分别为(10.18±3.16)、(4.66±2.42)mg/L,治疗组明显低于对照组(P<0.05~0.01);第14天治疗组神经功能缺损总分为(10.68±4.08)分,明显低于对照组[(16.81±4.86)分](P<0.01)。结论:降纤酶能明显降低ACI患者血清sCRP水平,有利于减轻炎症反应,改善神经功能缺损程度。     

Cerebrovascular deaths before and after the appearance of oral contraceptives

The mortality of cerebrovascular diseases in Denmark was analysed for men and women 15-44 years of age, in a 14-year period before and after the appearance of oral contraceptives (OC) in 1966. 1,670 deaths were registered over 28 years, during which the female incidence of cerebrovascular deaths increased by 19% (P less than 0.025), while the male mortality was unchanged. Women showed a percentage increase in deaths from cerebral thromboembolic attacks (CTA) of 33%, men a fall of 14%. The increase of female CTA deaths was most pronounced in the young fertile group, the age group with a high OC use. A relative risk of CTA of 3.3-4.5 for OC users compared with non-users could explain the CTA trend difference between women and men. No other single risk factor responsible for the observed trends could be identified. Both women and men had a significant increase in the mortality of subarachnoidal hemorrhages, and a significant fall in the mortality of intracerebral hemorrhages.     

院前紧急气管插管与机械通气24例临床分析

目的总结紧急气管插管与机械通气在院前急救中应用的经验,以期提高院前急救水平。方法回顾性分析24例院前气管插管与机械通气抢救心搏呼吸骤停病人的临床资料。结果24例病人气管内插管均获成功,成功率100%。完成气管内插管的时间是15s～60s,平均时间(25±15)s。心搏、自主呼吸恢复4例(16.7%),心搏恢复8例(33.3%);心搏及自主呼吸均未恢复12例(50.0%)。结论气管插管与机械通气是急诊抢救危重病人的基础,对保证进一步心肺复苏、挽留手术机会以及提高危重患者抢救成功率有重要意义。要加强对抢救人员进行紧急气管插管和机械通气的培训。     

A simple mechanical model using a piston to produce localized cerebral contusions in pigs

Summary A simple mechanical model using a piston to produce localized cerebral contusions in pigs, is presented.The precision and reproducibility of the method are described by the biomechanical and pathological results.There are only pathological changes with haemorrhage and laceration close to the place of entry of the piston. The changes in the physiological parameters also indicate that the damage is focal.In this model, when kept intact, the dura mater offers considerable protection as no pathological changes in the brain are observed even when the energy at the time of the contusion is increased to twice the values which, when the dura is open, cause considerable damage.