CT renal planimetry: effectiveness in the evaluation of individual renal function.

Computed tomographic (CT) renal planimetry was used to study individual renal function in 32 adult patients with urologic disease. CT results were well-correlated to reference methods (r = 0.88, P < 0.001), which were radionuclide studies (N = 9) or separate creatinine clearance (N = 23). The difference between planimetric data and reference methods did not exceed 14% in any case and was less than 10% in 26 cases.     

Balloon occlusion of the internal carotid artery in 40 cases of giant intracavernous aneurysm: technical aspects,cerebral monitoring,and results

Summary We have studied the results of carotid occlusion in the treatment of giant intracavernous carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms in 40 patients. Clinical, angiographic, Doppler and cerebral blood flow (CBF) criteria for tolerance of occlusion are discussed. The patients had headaches (47.5%), cranial nerve compression (87.5%), decreased visual acuity (20%), ruptured aneurysm (15%) and 5% were asymptomatic. Balloon occlusion tests were performed under light sedation anaesthesia: a successful test required perfect clinical tolerance and adequate angiographic collateral circulation in arterial, parenchymatous, and venous phases. Additional criteria include xenon 133 CBF measurements, and transcranial Doppler sonography of the middle cerebral artery. According to these criteria, 5 patients did not tolerate test occlusion and required an extra-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass. Mean follow-up was 4.7 years. All patients were radiologically cured of their ancurysm, and in 35 the symptoms resolved, although 3 had persistent ocular motor nerve palsies, and in 4 visual defects were unchanged. Complications were 1 permanent and 3 transient neurological deficits. Balloon occlusion of the ICA is an effective, reliable form of treatment for intracavernous giant aneurysm and should replace surgical ligation of the cervical carotid artery. With CBF or Doppler monitoring, the risk of neurological deficit is diminished. EC-IC bypass prior to ICA occlusion is indicated if test occlusion is not tolerated.     

A randomized controlled trial of electromagnetic therapy in the primary care management of venous leg ulceration

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to establish the potential efficacy, tolerabilityand side-effect profile of electromagnetic therapy as an adjunctto conventional dressings in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. METHOD: A prospective, randomized, double blind controlled clinicaltrial was carried out in a dedicated leg ulcer clinic basedin one urban general practice. Nineteen patients with leg ulcersof confirmed venous aetiology were assessed. The main outcomemeasures were rate and scale of venous leg ulcer healing, changesin patient-reported pain levels, quality of life, degree ofmobility, side effect profile and acceptability to patientsand staff. RESULTS: Sixty-eight per cent of patients attending this dedicated clinicachieved improvements in the size of their ulcer (4, 21%, healedfully) and in reduced pain levels (P < 0.05) during the trial,despite the chronicity of ulcer histories. Patients treatedwith electromagnetic therapy at 800 Hz were found at day 50to have significantly greater healing (P < 0.05) and paincontrol (P < 0.05) than placebo therapy or treatment with600 Hz. All patients reported improved mobility at the end ofthe study. The electromagnetic therapy was well tolerated bypatients, with no differences between groups in reporting adverseevents, and proved acceptable to staff. CONCLUSION: Despite the small numbers in this pilot study, electromagnetictherapy provided significant gains in the healing of venousleg ulcers and reduction in pain. Keywords. Electromagnetic therapy, RCT, leg ulcers, primary care.     

Giant perimedullary arteriovenous fistulas of the spine: clinical and radiologic features and endovascular treatment.

PURPOSETo present the clinical and radiologic features of giant perimedullary arteriovenous fistulas (GAVFs) in 12 consecutive cases and to evaluate the results of endovascular treatment.METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiologic data as well as the results of balloon endovascular treatment obtained from 1980 to 1989.RESULTSGAVFs, defined as large intradural perimedullary direct arteriovenous high-flow shunts, are revealed mainly in childhood either by subarachnoid hemorrhage or by progressive neurologic disorders. MR imaging and myelography show major vascular dilatations. The angioarchitecture of GAVFs can only be assessed by selective spinal angiography. Ten patients were treated by balloon occlusion resulting in eight anatomic cures and six good clinical results. One balloon migrated to the venous side, leading to clinical deterioration.CONCLUSIONGAVF is a special subgroup of intradural perimedullary arteriovenous fistula. The endovascular approach should be the first line of treatment, with surgery reserved for special circumstances. Nondetachable balloon occlusion is a safe and efficient method for treating GAVFs.