Surgical closure of patent foramen ovale in patients with suspected paradoxical embolism: long‐term results

Objective—It is thought that a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is the crucial mechanism in patients with suspected paradoxical embolism and cryptogenic stroke. It has been hypothesized that closure of the PFO would prevent further cerebrovascular incidents. We describe our early and late experience with surgical closure of PFO in patients with paradoxical embolism.

Patients and methods—Between May 1994 and December 2001, 33 patients (26 men, 7 women; mean age, 55.2?±?8.7 years; range, 37–74 years) underwent surgical closure of a PFO at our institution. All patients had preoperatively suffered from a stroke and/or a transient ischemic attack, after which echocardiography showed a PFO. Mean follow‐up at 99?±?30 months (range, 10–111 months) was 100% complete.

Results—All patients survived the operative procedure. Early complications occurred in four patients (12%). Actuarial survival at 1, 5 and 8 years was 97?±?3%, 97?±?5% and 94?±?8%, respectively. At long‐term follow‐up all but two patients were alive. The deaths of these two patients were related to malignancy and ischemic heart disease, respectively. Two patients (6%) had suffered a residual cerebrovascular event after successful surgery.

Conclusion—Surgical closure of PFO in patients with paradoxical embolism can safely be performed with a low risk of early mortality. Residual thromboembolic events were rare and in those few it occurred it did so with the interatrial septum being closed, indicating that in those patients the PFO was not the mechanism of the thromboembolic event in the first place.     

枕骨大孔区脑膜瘤的显微手术治疗

目的 总结枕骨大孔区脑膜瘤的手术治疗经验.方法 对2002年1月至2010年4月收治并手术切除的枕骨大孔区脑膜瘤进行回顾性分析.本组共14例,病灶最大径2.5 ～5.0 cm,均经病理证实和显微手术切除.结果 9例采用枕下中线入路,5例采用远外侧入路,全切除12例,次全切除2例;术后早期因呼吸衰竭死亡1例.结论 选择合适的手术入路、采用娴熟的显微外科技术,枕骨大孔区脑膜瘤外科治疗效果良好.     

超声心动图结合右心声学造影在卵圆孔未闭中应用价值

目的探讨超声心动图(UCG)结合右心声学造影(c TTE)在卵圆孔未闭(PFO)中的应用价值,为临床诊断和治疗提供早期参考依据。方法选取沈阳军区总医院自2015年1月至2015年12月住院治疗的怀疑存在PFO的患者51例,行经胸超声心动图(TTE)检查明确是否存在房水平分流,存在者测量分流的大小;对于TTE显示房水平分流不明显的患者行经食管超声心动图(TEE)检查,观察房间隔卵圆孔的形态以及是否存在房水平分流,存在者测量分流的大小;对于存在房水平分流的患者行c TTE检查,观察左心内显示微气泡的数量及出现微气泡的时间,根据分流量分成0、Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ级。结果 TTE检出存在房水平分流27例,TEE检出存在房水平分流11例,无分流13例;c TTE检测存在房水平分流38例中,分流量0级3例、Ⅰ级5例、Ⅱ级21例、Ⅲ级9例。TTE、TEE测量的PFO直径与c TTE检测PFO分流等级间存在明显的相关性(r=0.876,P<0.05)。结论 UCG结合c TTE的应用,可以明确PFO的大小、分流量以及微气泡出现的时间,为临床的诊断和治疗提供参考依据。     

枕骨大孔腹侧脑膜瘤的显微外科治疗

ObjectiveTo investigate the microsurgical technique of ventral foramen magnum meningiomas for improving therapeutic efficacy.MethodsClinical data of 35 patients suffering from foramen magnum meningiomas surgically treated from July 2004 to July 2014 in our department were analyzed retrospectively. The operation was performed via classic far lateral approach and far lateral transcondylar approach in 31 and 4 cases respectively. Their pathologic features, clinical characteristics, surgical technique and postoperative cautions were summarized.ResultsComplete tumor resection was achieved in 32 cases and subtotal resection in 3. Transient cranial nerve dysfunction occurred in 15 patients and permanent dysfunction in 2. 6 patients had limb movement disorders. Tracheotomy was performed in 5 patients. No deaths occurred.ConclusionsPosterior cranial nerve, vertebral artery and brainstem are key protected aims during surgical treatment of foramen magnum meningiomas. The far lateral approach is preferred, and proper removal of occipital condyle will benefit tumor exposion.     

CT引导下经皮圆孔穿刺射频温控热凝术治疗三叉神经痛(第Ⅱ支)的疗效及安全性

目的探讨薄层CT引导下经皮穿刺圆孔射频热凝术治疗药物无效或复发性三叉神经痛(第Ⅱ支)的疗效及安全性。方法对药物无效或复发性三叉神经痛(第Ⅱ支)的22例患者行CT引导下经皮穿刺圆孔射频热凝术治疗,采用巴罗神经学研究所(BNI)分级评定标准评价患者术后疗效,观察术后并发症情况。结果 22例患者术后即刻疼痛完全缓解率达95.45%(21/22),1例患者术后疼痛有所缓解,但服药后可以控制(BNI分级Ⅲ级)。2例患者术后复发,均再次行射频术,术后即刻疼痛均完全缓解(BNI分级Ⅰ级)。随访3~19个月,平均(7.73±4.69)个月。所有患者均无任何严重并发症发生。结论薄层CT引导下经皮穿刺圆孔射频热凝治疗药物无效或复发性三叉神经痛(第Ⅱ支)的疗效可靠、并发症少,可作为药物无效或复发性三叉神经痛的一种理想微创治疗手段。     

Humanized mouse models infected with human Plasmodium species for antimalarial drug discovery

Introduction: Efforts on malaria drug discovery are expected to increase in the coming years to achieve malaria eradication. Owing to the increasing number of new potential candidates together with the actual limitations of the primate models, humanized mouse models infected with human Plasmodium spp. (HmHP) now appear as an alternative to the primate model.

Areas covered: The authors review the progress obtained in the HmHP in the last two decades, with a special emphasis of their input on the drug discovery pathway. The authors discuss the methodologies and strategies used in these models to obtain an accurate assessment of the compound activity and a reliable prediction of the human efficacious regimen.

Expert opinion: Research efforts have led us to an era in which HmHP can successfully be infected with P. falciparum, P vivax and P. ovale. Furthermore, it is now a reality that the complete human cycle of P. falciparum can be obtained in HmHP. The HmHP has shown a real input mainly in the preclinical evaluation of new compounds against the erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum. However, further technical improvements are needed before HmHP may replace the primate model.     

Pas de chirurgie sans échographie préalable en cas de thrombose veineuse superficielle clinique : à propos d’un cas d’embolie paradoxale grave

Lower limbs superficial venous thrombosis (LLSVT) is usually considered as common and of a benign prognosis. LLSVT can, however, be responsible for major thromboembolic complications: lower limbs deep vein thrombosis (LLDVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). We report a case of a LLSVT complicated with a massive bilateral PE and an ischemic cerebral stroke, occurring immediately after a varicose vein surgery. Venous ultrasonography of the lower limbs must be systematically performed in case of LLSVT, in order to evaluate the presence of an associated LLDVT. A rigorous diagnostic and therapeutic approach is the only way to optimize the treatment of this disorder, and to avoid the occurrence of dramatic venous thromboembolic complications.     

Clinical Correlates of the Anatomical Relationships of the Foramen Ovale: A Radioanatomical Study

Introduction Endonasal endoscopic transpterygoid approaches are commonly used techniques to access the infratemporal fossa and parapharyngeal space. Important endoscopic endonasal landmarks for the poststyloid parapharyngeal space, hence the internal carotid artery, include the mandibular nerve at the level of foramen ovale and the lateral pterygoid plate. This study aims to define the anatomical relationships of the foramen ovale, establishing its distance to other important anatomical landmarks such as the pterygoid process and columella. Methods Distances between the foramen ovale, foramen rotundum, and fixed anatomical landmarks like the columella and pterygoid process were measured using computed tomography (CT) scans and cadaveric dissections of the pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae. Results The mean distances from the foramen ovale to columella and from the foramen rotundum to columella were found to be 9.15 cm and 7.09 cm, respectively. Analysis of radiologic measurements detected no statistically significant differences between sides or gender. Conclusions The pterygoid plates and V3 are prominent landmarks of the endonasal endoscopic approach to the infratemporal fossa and poststyloid parapharyngeal space. A better understanding of the endoscopic anatomy of the infratemporal fossa and awareness of the approximate distances and geometry among anatomical landmarks facilitates a safe and complete resection of lesions arising or extending to these regions.