1/92. Pathologic findings in a steroid-responsive optic nerve infarct in giant-cell arteritis.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathophysiologic mechanism of optic nerve infarction in giant-cell arteritis (GCA). BACKGROUND: Previous pathologic reports of optic nerve infarction in GCA involved patients who were blind at the time of death. The optic nerve infarcts were primarily retrolaminar in localization. Simultaneous short ciliary and ophthalmic artery vasculitis was found in all patients. methods: Clinical neurologic and ophthalmologic examination, temporal artery biopsy, and neuroimaging tests were performed in a patient with an anterior ischemic optic neuropathy secondary to GCA. Pathologic examination of the viscera, eye, and brain were performed at autopsy 1 month later. RESULTS: A prelaminar/retrolaminar infarct was found in this patient. Subsiding vasculitis was limited to the short ciliary arteries, sparing the central retinal, pial, and ophthalmic arteries. CONCLUSIONS: The authors believe that the visual improvement observed in this patient was the result of preserved, anterior optic nerve collateral circulation, as well as the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effect of the corticosteroids.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/92. Juxtapapillary nerve fiber layer infarction as a complication of coronary artery bypass surgery.BACKGROUND: Recent studies have detailed the prevalence and etiology of ocular complications resulting from coronary artery bypass surgery. Of these, retinal nerve fiber layer infarctions are reported most commonly. The clinical sequelae of nerve infarction may include loss of visual acuity, compromised pupillary function, and visual-field defects (the severity of which may be correlated with the location and extent of the insulted tissue). methods: A patient who had experienced bilateral juxtapapillary nerve fiber layer infarction with subsequent loss of visual acuity and peripheral visual field was followed postoperatively for more than 6 weeks. Immediately before our examination, he underwent quadruple coronary artery bypass graft surgery. RESULTS: From the data collected during initial and follow-up examinations, it was determined that the nerve fiber layer infarction was probably the result of a systemic ischemic event during an otherwise uncomplicated surgery. Such events may include hypovolemic blood loss, systemic hypotension during or following surgery, or a host of complications that would prevent adequate perfusion to capillaries in select regions of the eye. CONCLUSION: The pathology of bilateral juxatapapillary nerve fiber layer infarction as a result of substantial transient systemic ischemia may be explained by examining the microcirculation of this region of the retina. Due to certain anatomic and physiologic characteristics, the capillaries supplying the peripapillary zone are most susceptible to arterial vascular events such as ischemia. It is important to recognize this clinical presentation in order to rule out other possible causes for decreased visual acuity and field defects in the postoperative coronary bypass surgery patient.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.125keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/92. Posterior optic nerve infarction after lower lid blepharoplasty.We describe a case of acute and total loss of vision after lower lid blepharoplasty. This major complication followed minor cosmetic surgery. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed posterior segmental infarction of the optic nerve, a finding not previously demonstrated.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.625keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/92. Recurrent optic nerve head infarctions associated with combined factor v Leiden- and factor II:G20210A-mutation.PURPOSE: To demonstrate the association of bilateral recurrent optic nerve head infarctions with thrombophilia due to combined factor v:R506Q- and factor II:G20210A-mutation. methods: Case report. We examined a 55-year-old man with a two-year history of three segmental optic nerve head infarctions. visual acuity was 20/80 on the left and 20/25 on the right eye. RESULTS: Ophthalmologic, cardiologic, radiologic, neurologic and hematologic-immunologic examinations were unremarkable except for increased APC-resistance (APC ratio: 1.4; normal value >2) due to heterozygous factor v:R506Q-mutation and high factor II-levels due to factor II:G20210A-mutation. Therapy with coumarin was instituted at INR 2.0-3.0 and no relapse has occurred over the past 1-year period. CONCLUSION: Combined occurrence of thrombogenic factor II:G20210A-mutation and factor v:R506Q-mutation may be causally linked to recurrent optic nerve head infarctions.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.875keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/92. Skeletal muscle infarction in diabetes mellitus.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the risk factors, clinical features, and methods of diagnosis of diabetic muscle infarction (DMI). methods: Three patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and skeletal muscle infarction were studied, and 49 additional cases reported in the English literature (medline database search) were reviewed. RESULTS: review of all 52 patients with DMI revealed a number of typical features: equal sex distribution; mean age 41.5 years (range 19-81 yrs); a number of risk factors [long duration of DM (mean 15.2 yrs), poor control and microvascular diabetic complications (neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy) (94%), and insulin dependent type I DM (77%)]; a characteristic clinical presentation with painful diffuse muscle swelling (100%); and sometimes a muscle mass (44%), predilection for quadriceps (62%), hip adductors (13%) and leg muscles (13%), elevated serum creatine phosphokinase (47%), abnormal sonograms (81%), abnormal magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings (100%), typical histopathologic findings of a muscle infarct (100%) (ultrastructural evidence of microangiography in one patient); and a tendency toward spontaneous resolution although recurrences are common (51%). CONCLUSION: Skeletal muscle infarction is a rare complication of long standing, poorly controlled DM associated with multiple end organ microvascular sequelae. Increased clinical awareness is important for early recognition, particularly in a diabetic patient presenting with a painful thigh or leg swelling. MR imaging is the diagnostic study of choice, and in the appropriate clinical setting, may obviate the need for a muscle biopsy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.049755899060011keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/92. Os odontoideum with cerebellar infarction: a case report.STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: To report the case of a child with os odontoideum associated with cerebellar infarction and to discuss the correlation between atlantoaxial instability with os odontoideum and vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: knowledge of the influence of atlantoaxial instability on vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency remains limited despite the publication of several reports. methods: A 5-year-old boy with ataxic gait disturbance was hospitalized in the pediatric ward. magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple cerebellar infarctions, and cerebral angiogram showed occlusions of several branches of the basilar artery and a winding of the left vertebral artery. Stress lateral radiographs of the cervical spine showed atlantoaxial instability with os odontoideum. Posterior C1-C2 transarticular screw fixation with iliac bone graft was applied to obtain firm stability and fusion. RESULTS: There was no damage to the vertebral arteries or spinal nerves in the perioperative period. Solid union of the grafted bone and rigid stability of the atlantoaxial joint were seen on lateral flexion-extension radiographs 1 year after the operation. There has been no sign of recurrent arterial insufficiency, and the patient has been free from cerebellar dysfunction to date. CONCLUSIONS: Atlantoaxial instability may cause insufficiency of the vertebral artery as well as spinal cord injury. More attention should be paid to the possible relation between atlantoaxial instability and vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.125keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/92. Can migraine damage the inner ear?BACKGROUND: Auditory and vestibular symptoms and signs are common in patients with migraine, yet little is known about the pathogenesis of these symptoms and signs. OBJECTIVE: To perform clinicopathological correlation in a patient with migraine, sudden deafness, and delayed endolymphatic hydrops. methods: A patient with long-standing migraine with aura developed sudden hearing loss in the left ear at the age of 50 years and meniere disease on the right side at age 73. At age 76, he had a flurry of sudden drop attacks typical of otolithic crisis. He died of unrelated causes at age 81. The brain and temporal bones were removed approximately 24 hours after death. The cochlea and vestibular end organs were dissected after the surrounding bone was carefully removed. RESULTS: The brain and cerebrovasculature were normal. The left cochlea showed prominent fibrosis consistent with an old infarction. The right inner ear showed hydrops, with relatively good preservation of the hair cells in the cochlea, saccular macule, and cristae of the semicircular canals. However, the utricular macule was denuded of hair cells. CONCLUSIONS: The sudden left-sided deafness likely resulted from ischemia, possibly due to migraine-associated vasospasm. Presumably, the right ear suffered only minimal damage when the patient was 50 years old, but this damage later led to the development of delayed endolymphatic hydrops on the right. Otolithic crises are thought to result from pressure changes across the utricular macule. We speculate that loss of hair cells in the utricular macule resulted from a collapse of the utricular membrane onto the macule.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.049755899060011keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/92. Diabetic thigh muscle infarction in association with antiphospholipid antibodies.BACKGROUND: Diabetic muscle infarction (DMI) is a rare complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus. DMI has a stereotyped clinical presentation and characteristic, though nonspecific, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histologic findings. The etiology, however, remains controversial. OBJECTIVES: To present the first reported cases of DMI in association with positive antiphospholipid (aPL) antibody titers and to discuss the etiologic and pathogenic significance of the association between type 1 diabetes and aPL antibodies. methods: Descriptive case reports of 2 patients with DMI and positive aPL antibodies and a review of the relevant literature. RESULTS: Our 2 patients with DMI are female type-1 diabetics with end-organ microvascular complications who presented with an abrupt, painful swelling or mass of the thigh musculature. The diagnosis of DMI was based on the clinical picture and the findings on T2-weighted MRI and histologic evaluation. The first patient had a long history of known aPL antibodies in the setting of systemic lupus erythematosus. The second patient was only determined to be aPL positive after her recurrent episodes of DMI. The first patient was treated with anticoagulation and corticosteroids with relatively rapid resolution of symptoms. The second patient was treated with local debridement and supportive care with a resulting course of prolonged symptoms and recurrences. There are no controlled trials of the treatment of DMI. In the literature there is evidence for an increased prevalence of aPL antibodies in type 1 diabetic patients. The pathogenesis of DMI is poorly understood, but the hypercoagulable state often associated with aPL antibodies may play an important role. CONCLUSIONS/RELEVANCE: aPL antibodies may be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic muscle infarction and could serve as an important target of therapeutic intervention, namely with anticoagulation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.049755899060011keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/92. A cervical anterior spinal artery syndrome after diagnostic blockade of the right C6-nerve root.A 48-year-old man suffered from intractable neck pain irradiating to his right arm. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine was unremarkable. A right-sided diagnostic C6-nerve root blockade was performed. Immediately following this seemingly uneventful procedure he developed a MRI-proven fatal cervical spinal cord infarction. We describe the blood supply of the cervical spinal cord and suggest that this infarction resulted from an impaired perfusion of the major feeding anterior radicular artery of the spinal cord, after local injection of iotrolan, bupivacaine, and triamcinolon-hexacetonide around the C6-nerve root on the right side.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.75keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/92. Acute abdominal symptoms in malignant hypertension: clinical presentation in five cases.Malignant hypertension causes anatomical and functional damage in several target organs, in particular brain, retina, heart and kidneys. Although vascular lesions in the gastroenteric tract are known to occur in several instances, their clinical relevance is unknown. In this study five cases of malignant hypertension, presenting with acute abdominal symptoms, are reported. A history of essential arterial hypertension was present in three patients; while one patient had a previous diagnosis of renovascular hypertension and one patient had renoparenchymal hypertension. However, in all cases the antihypertensive treatment was discontinued and inadequate before the accelerated malignant phase. The acute abdominal symptoms at presentation were due to intestinal infarction in 3 patients and acute pancreatitis in 2 patients. One patient with intestinal infarction died of postoperative cardiogenic shock. Our data are in agreement with previous reports describing the possible intra-abdominal complications of malignant hypertension. The therapeutic approach in such conditions should always consider an effective antihypertensive treatment in conjunction with surgical options.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.049755899060011keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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