Civilian Gunshot Wounds to the Spinal Cord and Cauda Equina

Abstract We evaluated 42 patients with neurological deficits after civilian gunshot wounds to the spine. Thirty-five of these patients (the study population presented here) received their initial and follow-up care at Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport over a 4-year period. Each patient had incurred a single gunshot wound to the spinal cord or cauda equina with an accompanying neurological deficit. The patient population was divided into three groups. Group 1 patients had incurred a complete motor and sensory loss below the injury (20 patients (57%)). Group 2 patients had incurred incomplete spinal cord injuries (9 patients (26%)), whereas Group 3 patients had cauda equina injuries (6 patients (17%)). Myelography was performed for all Group 2 and 3 patients as well as Group 1 patients in whom the trajectory of the bullet did not explain a higher level of neurological injury (3 patients (15%)). A decompressive operation was performed in the patients whose myelography showed neural compression. Three patients in Group 1 (15%), 5 patients in Group 2 (56%), and 5 Group 3 patients (83%) underwent operation. All 3 Group 1 patients who underwent operation had some improvement of nerve root function postoperatively. All operated Group 2 and 3 patients had improvement of myelopathic or radicular function postoperatively. All began improving within several days of operation, implying a cause and effect relationship. None of the 17 nonoperated Group 1 patients improved neurologically, whereas 3 of the 4 nonoperated Group 2 patients improved. The single nonoperated Group 3 patient improved neurologically. It is concluded that patients with incomplete neurological injuries after civilian gunshot wounds to the spine can expect radicular or myelopathic improvement. Decompressive operation is indicated in selected cases with unexpected radicular injuries or incomplete myelopathic injuries with myelographic evidence of neural compression. A stepwise improvement in neurological function over that expected without operation should be realized in these cases.

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Association between cervical disc disease and lesions of multiple sclerosis

The Neuroradiology Journal ◽

10.1177/1971400920983565 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 197140092098356

Author(s):

Marwan Alkrenawi ◽

Michael Osherov ◽

Azaria Simonovich ◽

Jonathan Droujin ◽

Ron Milo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Cervical Disc ◽

Cervical Disc Disease ◽

Disc Disease ◽

Group 4 ◽

Demyelinating Lesions ◽

Grade Ii ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Background Cervical discopathy and demyelinating lesions often co-exist in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Our study examines the possible association between these two pathologies. Methods Medical records and cervical magnetic resonance imaging scans of MS patients with cervical discopathy who were seen at our MS clinic during 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The severity of the disc disease was classified as grade I (no compression), grade II (compression of the dural sac) and grade III (cord compression). The spinal cord in each scan was divided into six segments corresponding to the intervertebral space of the spine (C1–C6). Each segment was defined as containing demyelinating lesion and disc pathology (group 1), demyelinating lesion without disc pathology (group 2), disc pathology without demyelinating lesion (group 3) and no demyelinating lesion or disc pathology (group 4). Fisher’s exact test was used to test the association between demyelinating lesions and disc pathology. Results Thirty-four MS patients with cervical discopathy were included in the study (26 females; average age 42.9 ± 13.7 years; average disease duration 8.4 ± 5.4 years). A total of 204 spinal cord segments were evaluated. Twenty-four segments were classified as group 1, 27 segments as group 2, 52 segments as group 3 and 101 segments as group 4. There was no association between demyelinating lesions and the grade of disc disease ( p = 0.1 for grade I, p = 0.3 for grade II and p = 1 for grade III disc disease). Conclusion Our study did not find any association between cervical disc disease and demyelinating spinal cord lesion.

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Magnetic resonance imaging in the prone position and the diagnosis of tethered spinal cord

Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics ◽

10.3171/2017.3.peds16596 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 4-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Melissa M. Stamates ◽

David M. Frim ◽

Carina W. Yang ◽

Gregory L. Katzman ◽

Saad Ali

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Sensitivity And Specificity ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Tethered Cord ◽

Control Group ◽

Motion Sensitivity ◽

Canal Width ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

OBJECTIVETethered cord syndrome (TCS) is a neurosurgical disorder with varied clinical manifestations believed to result from vascular compromise due to stretch forces on the spinal cord. Conventional supine MRI findings may include a low-lying conus medullaris, thickened or fat-infiltrated filum terminale, or lipoma; however, imaging sensitivity and specificity for tethered cord can be low. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of prone MRI in the diagnosis of tethered and retethered spinal cord.METHODSMedical records were reviewed in 41 patients who underwent surgical release of tethered cord and in whom preoperative prone MRI sequences were available. Patients were divided into Group 1 (new TCS diagnosis) and Group 2 (recurrent TCS after previous untethering). Absolute conus ventral motion and motion as a percentage of canal width between supine and prone positions was measured in these 2 groups via sagittal T2-weighted sequences; these groups were compared with 30 consecutive patients (Group 3) who were classified as the normal control group.RESULTSThe mean ventral motion was as follows: Group 1 (absolute: 0.5 ± 0.5 mm [range 0–2.4 mm]; canal percentage: 3.7% ± 3.9% [range 0%–16.3%]); Group 2 (absolute: 0.4 ± 0.7 mm [range 0–2.6 mm]; canal percentage: 2.2% ± 3.7% [range 0%–14.0%]); and Group 3 (absolute: 3.4 ± 1.3 mm [range 1.4–5.6 mm]; canal percentage: 22.0% ± 7.2% [range 10.5%–36.1%]). Whereas 38/41 surgically treated patients with TCS had diminished (< 10% canal width) ventral motion on preoperative MRI, 30/30 controls had > 10% canal width motion. Sensitivity and specificity were thereby calculated as 92.7% and 100%, respectively.CONCLUSIONSIn the present series, prone imaging is found to be a sensitive and specific tool, and the authors believe it may have a role as supportive evidence in the diagnosis of tethered and retethered spinal cord.

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Neuropathic pain as a predictor of neurological disorders regression in patients with spinal cord traumatic injury

PAIN JOINTS SPINE ◽

10.22141/2224-1507.11.3.2021.243047 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 110-117

Author(s):

O.S. Nekhlopochyn ◽

V.V. Verbov ◽

Ia.V. Tsymbaliuk ◽

M.V. Vorodi ◽

Ie.V. Cheshuk

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Neuropathic Pain ◽

Neurological Disorders ◽

Traumatic Injury ◽

Neurological Dysfunction ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Background. Neuropathic pain is one of the principal secondary complications of spinal cord injury. The biological role of neuropathic pain has not been established yet. This type of pain is formed directly in the area of the spinal cord injury; therefore, it can be assumed that its intensity may characterize both degenerative and reparative processes. The aim of this work is to assess the possible relationship between the intensity of neuropathic pain in patients with spinal cord injury at cervical subaxial spine and the dynamics of neurological disorder regression. Materials and methods. We have performed a retrospective analysis of patients referred to outpatient department of the Romodanov Neurosurgery Institute of National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine in the period from 2010 to 2020 after a surgical treatment of subaxial cervical spine traumatic injury. The extent of neurological disorders and the intensity of neuropathic pain were assessed within 5–7 and 11–13 months after surgery. Results. All 102 patients selected for analysis were divided into three groups depending on the intensity of the registered pain sensations: 1) absence of constant pain sensations — 19.6 % of subjects, 2) moderate pain — 56.9 %, 3) severe neuropathic pain — 23.5 %. In the first group, the regression of neurological disorders was 3.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.15–6.15), in the second — 25.0 (95% CI 24.14–29.58), in the third — 13.0 (95% CI 10.87–16.55). The differences are statistically significant (χ2 = 60.4, df = 2, p < 0.0001). In patients with severe neurological disorders, the dynamics of recovery did not correlate with the pain intensity. With ASIA B, the dynamics of group 1 was 8.5 (95% CI 10.56–27.56), of group 2 — 15.0 (95% CI 13.41–18.41), of group 3 — 10.5 (95% CI 7.45–14.89). With ASIA C functional class, the difference is even more pronounced: in group 1, the median was 8.0 (95% CI 0.83–20.83), in group 2 — 32.0 (95% CI 25.41–36.86), in group 3 — 15.5 (95% CI 10.27–27.4). With ASIA D, a similar trend was observed. Conclusions. The worst regression of neurological disorders is observed in patients without clinically significant pain, the best results of neurological dysfunction recovery are found in patients with mode rate neuropathic pain.

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Magnetic resonance imaging in lumbar gunshot wounds: an absolute contraindication?

Neurosurgical FOCUS ◽

10.3171/2014.7.focus1496 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. E13 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Eduardo Martinez-del-Campo ◽

Leonardo Rangel-Castilla ◽

Hector Soriano-Baron ◽

Nicholas Theodore

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Mr Imaging ◽

Spinal Canal ◽

English Language ◽

Spinal Cord Injuries ◽

Gunshot Wounds ◽

Neurological Deficits ◽

Neurological Improvement ◽

Cord Injury

Object Performance of MR imaging in patients with gunshot wounds at or near the lumbar spinal canal is controversial. The authors reviewed the literature on the use of MR imaging in gunshot wounds to the spine. They discuss the results from in vitro and clinical studies, analyze the physical properties of common projectiles, and evaluate the safety and indications for MR imaging when metallic fragments are located near the spinal canal. Methods A review of the English-language literature was performed. Data from 25 articles were analyzed, including 5 in vitro studies of the interaction between 95 projectiles and the MR system's magnetic fields, and the clinical outcomes in 22 patients with metallic fragments at or near the spinal canal who underwent MR imaging. Results Properties of 95 civilian and military projectiles were analyzed at a magnet strength of 1, 1.5, 3, and 7 T. The most common projectiles were bullets with a core of lead, either with a copper jacket or unjacketed (73 [76.8%] of 95). Steel-containing (core or jacket) projectiles comprised 14.7%. No field interaction was evident in 78 (96.3%) of the 81 nonsteel projectiles. All steel projectiles showed at least positive deflection forces, longitudinal migration, or rotation. Heating of the projectiles was clinically insignificant. Image artifact was significant in all 9 steel bullets tested, but was not significant in 39 (88.6%) of the 44 nonsteel bullets tested. Overall, 22 patients with complete (82%) and incomplete (14%) spinal cord injury secondary to a projectile lodged inside the spinal canal underwent MR imaging. Discomfort and further physical or neurological deficits were not reported by any patient. Two patients with spinal cord injuries underwent MR imaging studies before surgical decompression and had subsequent, significant neurological improvement. Conclusions Metallic implants near or at the spinal canal are a relative contraindication for MR imaging. However, safe MR imaging might be feasible when a projectile's properties and a patient's individualized clinical presentation are considered.

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Impact of magnetic resonance imaging and urodynamic studies on the management of sacrococcygeal dimples

Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics ◽

10.3171/2017.5.peds16719 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 289-297 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Goichiro Tamura ◽

Nobuhito Morota ◽

Satoshi Ihara

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Tethered Cord ◽

Tethered Cord Syndrome ◽

Lumbosacral Region ◽

Group 4 ◽

Urodynamic Studies ◽

Intraspinal Anomalies ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

OBJECTIVESacrococcygeal dimples in neonates and infants are of uncertain pathological import. Previously they were believed to be rarely associated with intraspinal anomalies. Recent studies using MRI, however, revealed that 6%–7% of pediatric cases of sacrococcygeal dimples were associated with anatomical tethered spinal cord (TSC). Because the prevalence of tethered cord syndrome is still unclear, there is no consensus among pediatric neurosurgeons on the management of children with sacrococcygeal dimples. The authors performed an analysis of MRI and urodynamic studies to validate their management strategy for pediatric cases of sacrococcygeal dimples.METHODSA total of 103 Japanese children (49 male and 54 female, median age 4 months, range 8 days–83 months) with sacrococcygeal dimples who were referred to the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery between 2013 and 2015 were included in this study. The lumbosacral region of all the patients was investigated using MRI. Anatomical TSC was defined as a condition in which the caudal end of the conus medullaris is lower than the inferior border of the L2–3 intervertebral disc. Patients with minor spinal anomalies (e.g., anatomical TSC, filum lipoma, thickened filum, or filar cyst) underwent further urodynamic studies to ascertain the presence of neurogenic bladder (NGB). In this study, the presence of NGB without anatomical TSC but with other minor spinal anomalies was defined as “functional TSC.” The prevalence of anatomical and functional TSC was investigated. The association of the following cutaneous findings with spinal anomalies was also assessed: 1) depth of the dimple, 2) deviation of the gluteal fold, and 3) other skin abnormalities (e.g., discoloration, angioma, or abnormal hair).RESULTSThe children were classified into 4 groups: Group 1, patients with anatomical TSC; Group 2, patients with functional TSC; Group 3, patients without anatomical or functional TSC but with other minor spinal anomalies; and Group 4, patients with no spinal anomaly. There were 6 patients (5.8%) in Group 1, 8 patients (7.8%) in Group 2, 10 patients (9.7%) in Group 3, and 79 patients (76.7%) in Group 4. Twenty-four patients (23.3%; Groups 1, 2, and 3) showed MRI abnormalities, including filum lipoma (14 cases), filar cysts (5 cases), thickened filum (2 cases), and anatomical TSC without other spinal anomalies (3 cases). Untethering of the spinal cord was indicated for 14 patients (13.6%; Groups 1 and 2) with anatomical and functional TSCs. Preoperative NGB was found in 12 patients and improved postoperatively in 7 (58.3%). None of the associated lumbosacral skin findings predicted the presence of underlying spinal anomalies.CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of tethered cord syndrome among children with sacrococcygeal dimples was, for the first time, revealed to be higher than previously thought. MRI and supplemental urodynamic studies may be indicated for children with sacrococcygeal dimples to identify patients with symptomatic TSC.

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Radiosurgery for Childhood Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1097/00006123-200010000-00008 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 834-842 ◽

Cited By ~ 96

Author(s):

Elad I. Levy ◽

Ajay Niranjan ◽

Todd P. Thompson ◽

Alan M. Scarrow ◽

Douglas Kondziolka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Arteriovenous Malformations ◽

Early Recognition ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Neurological Deficits ◽

Primary Role ◽

Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Therapeutic Decision Making ◽

Group 1

Abstract OBJECTIVE The optimal management of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in children remains controversial. Children with intracranial AVMs present a special challenge in therapeutic decision-making because of the early recognition of their future life-long risks of hemorrhage if they are treated conservatively. The goals of radiosurgery are to achieve complete AVM obliteration and to preserve neurological function. We present long-term outcomes for a series of children treated using radiosurgery. METHODS The findings for 53 consecutive children who underwent at least 36 months of imaging follow-up monitoring after radiosurgery were reviewed. The median age at the time of treatment was 12 years (range, 2–17 yr). Thirty-one children (58%) presented after their first intracranial hemorrhaging episodes, two (4%) after their second hemorrhaging episodes, and one (2%) after five hemorrhaging episodes. Nineteen children (36%) presented with unruptured AVMs, and a total of 25 children (47%) exhibited neurological deficits. AVMs were graded as Spetzler-Martin Grade I (2%), Grade II (23%), Grade III (36%), Grade IV (9%), or Grade VI (30%). The median AVM volume was 1.7 ml (range, 0.11–10.2 ml). The median marginal dose was 20 Gy (range, 15–25 Gy). RESULTS Results were stratified according to AVM volumes (Group 1, ≤3 ml; Group 2, >3 ml to ≤10 ml; Group 3, >10 ml). Twenty-eight patients (80%) in Group 1 and 11 (64.7%) in Group 2 achieved complete obliteration. The only patient in Group 3 did not achieve obliteration. Complications included brainstem edema (n = 1) and transient pulmonary edema (n = 1). Four patients experienced hemorrhaging episodes, 30, 40, 84, and 96 months after radiosurgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only volume was significantly correlated with obliteration rates (P = 0.0109). CONCLUSION Radiosurgery is safe and efficacious for selected children with AVMs. The obliteration rates and the attendant low morbidity rates suggest a primary role for stereotactic radiosurgery for pediatric AVMs.

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Correlation between angioarchitectural characteristics of brain arteriovenous malformations and clinical presentation of 183 patients

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria ◽

10.1590/0004-282x-anp-2020-0291 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ulysses Caus Batista ◽

Benedito Jamilson Araujo Pereira ◽

Andrei Fernandes Joaquim ◽

Helder Tedeschi ◽

Ronie Leo Piske

Keyword(s):

Clinical Presentation ◽

Low Flow ◽

Neurological Deficits ◽

Group 4 ◽

Clinical Presentations ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 5 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Presentation Methods ◽

Group 1

ABSTRACT Background: The correlation between angioarchitecture and clinical presentation of brain arteriovenous malformation (bAVM) remains a subject of debate. Objective: The main purpose of the present study was to assess the correlation between angioarchitectural characteristics of bAVM and clinical presentation. Methods: A retrospective review of all consecutive patients presenting a bAVM who underwent a cerebral angiography at Beneficencia Portuguesa Hospital in São Paulo between January 2006 and October 2016 was carried out. Patients were divided in five groups: group 1 - hemorrhage; group 2 - seizure; group 3 - headache; group 4 - progressive neurological deficits (PND); group 5 - incidental). Results: A total of 183 patients were included, with group 1 comprising 56 cases, group 2 49 cases, group 3 41 cases, group 4 28 cases, and group 5 9 cases. Regarding hemorrhage presentation, a statistical correlation was observed with female gender (P < 0.02), Spetzler-Martin 3B (P < .0015), and lesions with low flow (P < 0.04). A positive association was found between group 2 and age less than 36 years (P < 0.001), male sex (P < 0.018), presence of superficial lesions not classified as SM 3B (P < 0.002), presence of venous ectasia (p <0.03), and arterial steal phenomenon (P < 0.03). Group 4 was associated with older age (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Angioarchitectural characteristics can be correlated with some clinical presentations as well as with some clinical data, making it possible to create predictive models to differentiate clinical presentations.

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Effects of Propofol on H-reflex in Humans

Anesthesiology ◽

10.1097/00000542-200101000-00010 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 94 (1) ◽

pp. 32-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Thomas Kerz ◽

Hans-Jürgen Hennes ◽

Annaïk Fève ◽

Philippe Decq ◽

Paul Filipetti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Blood Concentration ◽

Bolus Dose ◽

Volatile Anesthetics ◽

H Reflex ◽

Motoneuron Excitability ◽

Sole Agent ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Background Depression of spinal cord motoneuron excitability has been proposed to contribute to surgical immobility. The H-reflex, which measures alpha-motoneuron excitability, is depressed by volatile anesthetics, whereas the action of propofol is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of propofol anesthesia on the H-reflex. Methods In 13 patients (group 1), H-reflex was measured before (T0), 3 min after (T1), and 10 min after (T2) a 2-mg/kg bolus dose of propofol, followed by an infusion of 10 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1). Ten patients (group 2) were studied when propofol was given via a programmable pump set to a propofol blood concentration of 6 microg/ml, and 10 patients (group 3) were studied with the pump set to 9 microg/ml. Latencies and amplitudes of H-reflexes (H0, H1, H2) and M-responses (M0, M1, M2) of the soleus muscle were recorded, and H/M ratios (H0/M0, H1/M1, H2/M2) were calculated. Results In group 1, H-reflex amplitudes and the H/M ratio were diminished after induction with propofol (H0 vs. H1, P = 0.033; H0/M0 vs. H1/M1, P = 0.042). After 10 min of propofol infusion, the H2/M2 ratio was still decreased versus H0/M0 (P = 0.031). In group 2, no difference was detected. In group 3, propofol depressed H-reflex amplitudes at T2 (H0 vs. H2, P < 0.01), and amplitudes were also lower at T2 than at T1 (H1 vs. H2, P < 0.01). In this group, the H/M ratio decreased from T0 to T2 (H0/M0 vs. H2/M2, P < 0.002). Conclusions During steady state conditions using propofol as the sole agent, a depression of the H-reflex is observed only at a high blood concentration of 9 microg/ml. The authors suggest that immobility during propofol anesthesia is not caused by a depression of spinal motoneuron circuit excitability.

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In-vivo evaluation of the effect of cyanoacrylate on prosthetic vascular graft infection – does cyanoacrylate increase the severity of infection?

VASA ◽

10.1024/0301-1526/a000867 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (4) ◽

pp. 281-284

Author(s):

Atıf Yolgosteren ◽

Gencehan Kumtepe ◽

Melda Payaslioglu ◽

Cuneyt Ozakin

Keyword(s):

Vascular Graft ◽

Graft Infection ◽

Vascular Graft Infection ◽

Group 4 ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Prosthetic Vascular Graft Infection ◽

Group 1

Summary. Background: Prosthetic vascular graft infection (PVGI) is a complication with high mortality. Cyanoacrylate (CA) is an adhesive which has been used in a number of surgical procedures. In this in-vivo study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between PVGI and CA. Materials and methods: Thirty-two rats were equally divided into four groups. Pouch was formed on back of rats until deep fascia. In group 1, vascular graft with polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) was placed into pouch. In group 2, MRSA strain with a density of 1 ml 0.5 MacFarland was injected into pouch. In group 3, 1 cm 2 vascular graft with PET piece was placed into pouch and MRSA strain with a density of 1 ml 0.5 MacFarland was injected. In group 4, 1 cm 2 vascular graft with PET piece impregnated with N-butyl cyanoacrylate-based adhesive was placed and MRSA strain with a density of 1 ml 0.5 MacFarland was injected. All rats were scarified in 96th hour, culture samples were taken where intervention was performed and were evaluated microbiologically. Bacteria reproducing in each group were numerically evaluated based on colony-forming unit (CFU/ml) and compared by taking their average. Results: MRSA reproduction of 0 CFU/ml in group 1, of 1410 CFU/ml in group 2, of 180 200 CFU/ml in group 3 and of 625 300 CFU/ml in group 4 was present. A statistically significant difference was present between group 1 and group 4 (p < 0.01), between group 2 and group 4 (p < 0.01), between group 3 and group 4 (p < 0.05). In terms of reproduction, no statistically significant difference was found in group 1, group 2, group 3 in themselves. Conclusions: We observed that the rate of infection increased in the cyanoacyrylate group where cyanoacrylate was used. We think that surgeon should be more careful in using CA in vascular surgery.

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Abnormal Haemostasis and Blood Viscosity in Malignant Hypertension

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1661190 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 52 (03) ◽

pp. 253-255 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

C Isles ◽

G D O Lowe ◽

B M Rankin ◽

C D Forbes ◽

N Lucie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Blood Viscosity ◽

Renal Damage ◽

Antithrombin Iii ◽

Plasma Viscosity ◽

Malignant Hypertension ◽

Fibrin Deposition ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

SummaryWe have previously shown abnormalities of haemostasis suggestive of intravascular coagulation in patients with malignant hypertension, a condition associated with retinopathy and renal fibrin deposition. To determine whether such abnormalities are specific to malignant hypertension, we have measured several haemostatic and haemorheological variables in 18 patients with malignant hypertension (Group 1), 18 matched healthy controls (Group 2), and 18 patients with non-malignant hypertension (Group 3) matched for renal pathology, blood pressure and serum creatinine with Group 1. Both Groups 1 and 3 had increased mean levels of fibrinogen, factor VIIIc, beta-thrombo- globulin, plasma viscosity and blood viscosity (corrected for haematocrit); and decreased mean levels of haematocrit, antithrombin III and platelet count. Mean levels of fast antiplasmin and alpha2-macroglobulin were elevated in Group 1 but not in Group 3. We conclude that most blood abnormalities are not specific to malignant hypertension; are also present in patients with non-malignant hypertension who have similar levels of blood pressure and renal damage; and might result from renal damage as well as promoting further renal damage by enhancing fibrin deposition. However increased levels of fibrinolytic inhibitors in malignant hypertension merit further investigation in relation to removal of renal fibrin.

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