The anteromedial GPi as a new target for deep brain stimulation in obsessive compulsive disorder

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is now well established in the treatment of intractable movement disorders. Over the past decade the clinical applications have expanded into the realm of psychosurgery, including depression and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The optimal targets for electrode placement in psychosurgery remain unclear, with numerous anatomical targets reported for the treatment of OCD. We present four patients with Tourette’s syndrome and prominent features of OCD who underwent DBS of the anteromedial globus pallidus internus (GPi) to treat their movement disorder. Their pre-operative and post-operative OCD symptoms were compared, and responded dramatically to surgery. On the basis of these results, we propose the anteromedial (limbic) GPi as a potential surgical target for the treatment of OCD, and furnish data supporting its further investigation as a DBS target for the treatment of psychiatric conditions.     

Thalamic stimulation alleviates levodopa-resistant rigidity in a patient with non-Parkinson’s disease parkinsonian syndrome

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) to the thalamic ventrointermediate nucleus (Vim) is a useful treatment in patients with tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease (PD). Efficacy to alleviate rigidity remains controversial. We report a 65-year-old right-handed man with persistent severe rigidity and bradykinesia on the right side despite daily administration of levodopa/carbidopa (600/60 mg). His right-hand tremor was continuous at rest and present at action. His antiparkinsonian medications appeared ineffective and he reported difficulties with writing and eating. Repeated ¹²³I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine myocardial scintigraphy studies demonstrated a non-PD pattern. He underwent the stereotactic implantation of a DBS electrode into the left Vim. Using contacts 1 and 2 we started continuous unipolar stimulation with a pulse generator implanted in a subclavian pocket. This improved the tremor and the rigidity and bradykinesia of his right hand. Postoperative image analysis revealed the likelihood of simultaneous stimulation of the Vim and the nucleus ventralis oralis posterior. Our findings suggest thalamic stimulation as a therapeutic option for drug-resistant rigidity (and tremor) in patients with parkinsonian syndromes ineligible for DBS targeted at the globus pallidus internus or subthalamic nucleus.     

Amygdalohippocampectomy for epilepsy in a patient with prior ipsilateral deep brain stimulator lead placement

In light of failed medical therapy for movement disorders, the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) has increased the last two decades. Many complications may transpire; however, to our knowledge, the literature does not mention the phenomena of brain shift from a second unrelated neurosurgical procedure and its theoretical effect on lead displacement and lead function. We present a patient with a left sided DBS for essential tremor and subsequent left amygdalohippocampectomy for temporal lobe epilepsy with minimal radiographic distortion of the DBS lead and without clinical or functional complications. A 47-year-old woman presented with bitemporal epilepsy secondary to a brain injury acquired in childhood in addition to a comorbid bilateral essential tremor, both refractory to medical intervention. A successful left-sided DBS placement was performed with satisfactory resolution of her essential tremor. The patient subsequently developed deterioration of seizure control, becoming refractory to anti-epileptic medications, requiring surgical intervention. A left-sided selective amygdalohippocampectomy and techniques to minimize brain shift were performed without complications. Postoperative imaging suggested minimal distortion of the DBS lead. This did not correspond with reemergence of her essential tremor, implying that the lead maintained functional utility. Brain shift secondary to a craniotomy may cause DBS lead displacement. This phenomenon should be considered when planning operative approaches and can be limited by selective resections. With the growing propensity for placement of DBS leads and the risk of lead displacement, it is important to consider operative approaches to minimize brain shift.     

立体定向手术干预伏隔核治疗神经性厌食症

目的通过立体定向毁损术及脑深部电刺激能有效治疗神经性厌食症。方法共8例罹患神经性厌食症的患者通过立体定向手术干预伏隔核治疗神经性厌食症（其中6例患者接受双侧伏隔核毁损术,2例患者接受双侧伏隔核脑深部电刺激）。患者术前均接受正规的抗精神类药物及心理、营养治疗无效。患者术前及术后接受BMI指数、YBOCS,HAMA,HAMD量表的测定,评价疗效。结果 8例患者术后BMI指数均得到明显改善（P〈0.01）,除1名患者外,其余患者BMI指数均大于18.5kg/m^2。接受双侧伏隔核毁损术的患者术后YBOCS,HAMA,HAMD指数均得到立即改善,接受双侧伏隔核脑深部电刺激的患者术后经过程控,各项评定也均得到有效控制。结论伏隔核是治疗神经性厌食症的有效靶点,立体定向手术干预伏隔核可有效改善神经性厌食症患者的各项症状。     

Surgical Operative Time Increases the Risk of Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism in Robotic Prostatectomy

Background and Objectives:

To evaluate the effect of operative time on the risk of symptomatic venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Methods:

We reviewed the records of all patients at our institution who underwent RARP by a single surgeon from January 2007 until April 2011. Clinical and pathologic information and VTE incidence were recorded for each patient and analyzed by use of logistic regression to evaluate for association with VTE risk. All patients had mechanical prophylaxis, and beginning in February 2008, a single dose of unfractionated heparin, 5000 U, was administered before surgery.

Results:

A total of 549 consecutive patients were identified, with a median follow-up period of 8 months. During the initial 30 days postoperatively, 10 patients (1.8%) had a VTE (deep venous thrombosis in 7 and pulmonary embolism in 3). The median operative time was 177 minutes (range, 121–360 minutes). An increase in operative time of 30 or 60 minutes was associated with 1.6 and 2.8 times increased VTE risks. A 5-point increase in body mass index and need for blood transfusion were also associated with increased risk of VTEs (odds ratios of 2.0 and 11.8, respectively). Heparin prophylaxis was not associated with a significant VTE risk reduction but also was not associated with a significant increase in estimated blood loss (P = .23) or transfusion rate (P = .37).

Conclusion:

A prolonged operative time increases the risk of symptomatic VTEs after RARP. Future studies are needed to evaluate the best VTE prophylactic approach in patients at risk.     

重症胰腺炎术后发生肝右动脉血栓的诊断与治疗

重症胰腺炎的治疗方法主要有非手术治疗和手术治疗,治疗的关键在于手术时机、手术方式的选择以及对其并发症的处理。重症胰腺炎患者术后发生肝动脉血栓罕见,临床上对该病的诊断和治疗缺乏足够的经验。2011年10月海南医学院附属医院收治了1例重症胰腺炎患者,该患者病程长达10年,患有3种不同的疾病,病程中发生肝动脉血栓,采用开腹手术和介入治疗最后痊愈。     

超声弹性成像技术诊断深静脉血栓形成的研究进展

深静脉血栓形成是血管外科常见病。作为诊断深静脉血栓的首选检查方法,常规超声无法精确判断其形成时间。超声弹性成像技术可提供较常规超声更丰富的诊断信息。本文就超声弹性成像技术在诊断深静脉血栓形成中的应用进展进行综述。