1/5. An unusual disease presenting at an unusual age: Susac's syndrome.Susac's syndrome is a rare disease of unknown aetiology affecting the small vessels of the retina, brain, and cochlea. We present the case of a 55-year-old female, the oldest patient yet described with the condition, and highlight the syndrome's clinical features.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/5. Ultrastructural study of Norrie's disease.We studied the clinicopathologic and ultrastructural features of a full-term infant with Norrie's disease. The infant had bilateral retrolental fibrous vascular masses and retinal detachment with no other apparent physical abnormalities and no family history of ocular defects. A vitrectomy and a membrane peeling were attempted, and specimens of the retina, the retrolental membrane, and a vascularized epiretinal peripheral mass were examined by light and electron microscopy. The retrolental membrane was composed of layered collagenous tissue and contained structures resembling blood vessels. Inner and outer neuroblastic layers were identified in the retinal tissue, but no vessels were present. In the epiretinal mass, portions of retina and cortical vitreous were seen along with primitive vascular structures. The histologic appearance of these specimens suggests that the major pathologic event of Norrie's disease occurs in the retina in the third to fourth gestational month. We believe the subsequent ocular abnormalities found in this patient were secondary to this early retinal malformation and did not represent a progressive ocular disorder.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/5. Neuralgia of the intermediate nerve combined with trigeminal neuralgia: case report.An unusual case of a combination of trigeminal and intermediate nerve neuralgia is presented, caused by vascular compression of both of the nerve roots by different vessels. Because the neuralgia of the intermediate nerve could be cured by a vascular decompression operation, it is suggested to include it among the hyperactive dysfunction syndromes of cranial nerves caused by vascular compression at the root entry zone of the nerves. Therefore also for treatment of this neuralgia the non-destructive vascular decompression operation should be taken into consideration.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/5. A microangiopathic syndrome of encephalopathy, hearing loss, and retinal arteriolar occlusions.A syndrome consisting of a subacute encephalopathy, sensorineural hearing loss, and retinal arteriolar occlusions is described in two women. Laboratory investigations did not reveal any systemic vasculitis. CT and cerebral angiography showed no abnormalities, but magnetic resonance imaging revealed small, discrete lesions in the white matter. biopsy of cortical brain from one patient showed disseminated microinfarcts in the gray matter as well as sclerosis of small vessels. This syndrome is characterized as an occlusive vasculopathy rather than vasculitis, and should be considered in evaluations of young women presenting with encephalopathy and hearing loss.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/5. hemifacial spasm caused by vascular compression of the distal portion of the facial nerve. Report of seven cases.It is generally accepted that hemifacial spasm (HFS) and trigeminal neuralgia are caused by compression of the facial nerve (seventh cranial nerve) or the trigeminal nerve (fifth cranial nerve) at the nerve's root exit (or entry) zone (REZ); thus, neurosurgeons generally perform neurovascular decompression at the REZ. Neurosurgeons tend to ignore vascular compression at distal portions of the seventh cranial nerve, even when found incidentally while performing neurovascular decompression at the REZ of that nerve, because compression of distal portions of the seventh cranial nerve has not been regarded as a cause of HFS. Recently the authors treated seven cases of HFS in which compression of the distal portion of the seventh cranial nerve produced symptoms. The anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) was the offending vessel in five of these cases. Great care must be taken not to stretch the internal auditory arteries during manipulation of the AICA because these small arteries are quite vulnerable to surgical manipulation and the patient may experience hearing loss postoperatively. It must be kept in mind that compression of distal portions of the seventh cranial nerve may be responsible for HFS in cases in which neurovascular compression at the REZ is not confirmed intraoperatively and in cases in which neurovascular decompression at the nerve's REZ does not cure HFS. Surgical procedures for decompression of the distal portion of the seventh cranial nerve as well as decompression at the REZ should be performed when a deep vascular groove is noticed at the distal site of compression of the nerve.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |