ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: This study aimed to determine the impact of DM, HTN and age on IVC dimensions as measured by CT scan relevant to guide interventions in a Jordanian population. PRESENTATION OF CASES: Two hundred patients were selected from those referred to the Radiology Department, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan for clinical evaluation. Patients were divided into three age subgroups. Age, sex, and comorbidities such as DM and HTN were identified and saved for later use. All dimensions of the IVC were measured using an abdomino-pelvic CT scanner. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: A full morphometric analysis of the IVC would provide a better understanding of the dynamicity of the IVC in relation to its blood flow. Our results revealed that the length of the IVC was significantly shorter with age (P = 0.003). DM significantly affected the length of the IVC (P = 0.044). Hypertension also significantly affected the length of the IVC (P = 0.031), but it did not significantly affect the anterio-posterior or the transverse diameters of the IVC. CONCLUSION: The length of the IVC was significantly shorter with age, DM and hypertension. Morphometric measures of the IVC are of great clinical importance as they may assist in medical or surgical intervention and follow-up.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: There is paucity of data regarding change in arachnoid cyst (AC) volume following surgery. This study aimed at investigating the clinical outcome of ACs and applying 2 volumetric methods for determination of their volume change post microsurgical fenestration. METHODS: Twenty-one ACs in 20 patients that underwent microsurgical fenestration were analyzed using 2 volumetric methods; the modified McDonald equation and the picture archiving and communication (PAC) system-based method. Patients were followed up for 23 ± 40.3 months. RESULTS: The majority of the patients (13 or 65%) were children. Preoperative symptoms in children were mainly seizures and less commonly headache. Of the 20 patients, 12 (60%) had complete resolution of their preoperative symptoms with 8 (40.0%) showing partial improvement. Volumetric studies showed a mean reduction in AC size of 73.7% in children and 64.4% in adults using the PAC system versus 67.9% in children and 70.5% in adults using the modified McDonald equation method. There was no correlation between the percentage decrease in AC volume post surgery and degree of symptom improvement (49.2 ± 34.3% in patients with complete vs. 60.9 ± 40.3% in patients with only partial resolution of symptoms, p = 0.57). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Microsurgical fenestration is an effective approach for ACs with an excellent clinical outcome apparent in the complete or partial improvement of symptoms in all patients. Volumetric estimates of ACs and their change following surgery are feasible using the modified McDonald or PAC system methods. However, there is no correlation between the percentage decrease in AC volume after surgery and degree of clinical improvement.
