The hemodynamics of venous ulceration.

Venous ulceration is the result of progressive chronic venous insufficiency, the pathophysiology of which is complex and incompletely understood. Ambulatory venous hypertension in this disease has been well-documented; however, relatively little attention has been directed toward other parameters of venous function. This study evaluates a spectrum of hemodynamic variables and the degree to which they are altered in patients with venous ulceration, and correlates ambulatory venous pressure (AVP) with the noninvasive estimate of this parameter. Air-plethysmography was used to evaluate 36 ulcerated extremities from 30 patients with chronic venous disease and 80 asymptomatic extremities from 54 patients. This technique measures the functional venous volume (VV), assesses valvular function [Venous Filling Index (VFI)], evaluates the efficiency of the calf muscle-pump [Ejection Fraction (EF)], and provides an estimation of ambulatory venous pressure [Residual Volume Fraction (RVF)]. In addition, AVP's were recorded in 13 asymptomatic extremities from 10 patients and 16 ulcerated extremities from 14 patients with chronic venous disease. Significant differences existed between the two groups for all of the hemodynamic parameters. Ulcerated extremities had greater venous volumes, displayed marked deterioration in valvular competence and calf muscle-pump function, and showed significant ambulatory venous hypertension compared to the asymptomatic group. Additionally, the relationship between RVF and AVP appeared linear, with a correlation coefficient of 0.87. Air-plethysmography currently provides the most complete evaluation of venous hemodynamics and should improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic-venous disease.

Preoperative endoscopy: the impact on planned surgical procedures.

Of 1,504 endoscopic procedures in a two and one half year period, 296 (20%) were performed prior to elective surgery or an invasive diagnostic procedure. From these "pre-op clearance" procedures, there were 66 (22%) positive findings. Due to these endoscopic findings, 29 patients (44% of positive findings or 10% of all pre-operative evaluations) had an alteration of planned treatment. The indications for preoperative endoscopy in these patients were: atypical symptoms of diagnosed gastrointestinal (GI) tract disease, symptoms of GI tract disease unrelated to an elective surgical procedure, history of prior GI tract disease which may complicate elective surgery, and evaluation of a portion of the GI tract prior to operating on that segment. Judicious use of preoperative endoscopy following the above guidelines can decrease adverse surgical outcomes.

Splenic autotransplantation: determination of the optimum amount required for maximum survival.

Splenic salvage in cases of traumatic or iatrogenic injuries may require autotransplantation of splenic fragments when splenorrhaphy or partial splenectomy is not possible. There are no studies which address the issue concerning the optimal amount of spleen to be transplanted in order to yield maximal survival in a model of pneumococcal sepsis. This study uses a Sprague-Dawley rat model to attempt to clarify this issue. Animals were divided into seven groups: control, total splenectomy, 25, 40, 60, 80, and 100% omental pouch autotransplantation. These animals were challenged with intravenous Streptococcus pneumonia Type I after 24 weeks, and mortality and blood culture results were monitored. Transplants were recovered and weights were compared with the weights originally transplanted. Survival and blood culture results were seen to improve in a linear quantitative fashion as the amount of spleen autotransplanted increased up to 80%, after which no further improvement was seen. This data supports the autotransplantation of 80% of the spleen in the Sprague-Dawley rat as the optimum amount to achieve maximal survival in a model of pneumococcal sepsis.

The role of dual radionuclide scintigraphy in the preoperative localization of abnormal parathyroid glands.

Success rates for neck exploration in patients with hyperparathyroidism should exceed 90 per cent in the hands of experienced surgeons. The ability to localize abnormal parathyroid glands preoperatively should maintain or increase the rate of success. Dual isotope subtraction scintigraphy using thallium-201 and technetium-99m pertechnetate offers a noninvasive means of localization. The usefulness of this procedure was studied in thirteen patients with suspected hyperparathyroidism. The scan accurately localized the site of abnormal parathyroid glands (nine adenomas and eight hyperplastic glands) in 91 per cent of the patients. Localization was most successful in adenomas weighing more than 500 mg. We conclude that dual radionuclide scintigraphy is useful in the preoperative location of enlarged parathyroid glands.

Carotid body tumor and hyperparathyroidism. A case report and review of the literature.

Carotid body tumor is an uncommon tumor of the head and neck. The coexistence of this entity with primary hyperparathyroidism is even more unusual, with only four cases having been previously recorded. This report describes a patient with a left inferior parathyroid adenoma and a right carotid body tumor. A common neuroectodermal origin is proposed as an explanation for the simultaneous occurrence of these tumors. The fact that this may represent yet another variable expression of the multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes emphasizes the importance of careful endocrine screening in patients with carotid body tumors.

Saccular renal artery aneurysm as a cause of hypertension.

The case of a patient with renovascular hypertension related to an arterial kink is reported. The arterial kink was caused by a renal artery aneurysm and was not apparent with angiography. This is the first reported case in which renin-mediated hypertension was clearly related to a correctable mechanical problem from a saccular renal artery aneurysm. Indications for surgical repair of renal artery aneurysms and angiographic findings indicative of a functionally significant renal artery stenosis are reviewed.

Bright-light amaurosis fugax: an unusual symptom of retinal hypoperfusion corrected by external carotid revascularization.

The eye often serves as an important monitor of carotid artery disease by manifesting visual disturbances before cerebral events. The most typical ocular symptom complex is amaurosis fugax characterized by loss of vision in one eye that occurs suddenly and clears within seconds to minutes. This symptom is a hallmark of carotid artery disease and is usually caused by an embolic event. Although monocular visual disturbance on a hemodynamic basis is a more unusual manifestation of carotid artery disease, significant stenosis in combination with a low-flow state can cause transient, unilateral telescoping of vision. This report describes another visual disturbance associated with carotid artery disease in which unilateral visual loss occurred upon exposure to bright light. We term this syndrome bright-light amaurosis fugax and document successful treatment by external carotid artery revascularization in two patients.

Management of patients with symptomatic extracranial carotid artery disease and incidental intracranial berry aneurysm.

Perioperative fluctuation of blood pressure and the use of anticoagulants during carotid endarterectomy may potentiate lethal aneurysm rupture in patients who have symptomatic extracranial carotid artery occlusive disease with incidental, asymptomatic, intracranial berry aneurysms. Ten patients having this combination are described in the present study. Of five men and five women whose mean age was 63 years, nine had symptomatic carotid bifurcation atherosclerosis, one had internal carotid fibromuscular dysplasia, and all had intracranial berry aneurysms ranging from 2 to 13 mm in diameter (mean diameter 6.6 mm). In seven patients, aneurysms were greater than or equal to 6 mm in diameter. Hypertension was present in seven patients and moderately severe in five. Three of the aneurysms were located in the intracranial internal carotid artery, five in the middle cerebral artery, three in the posterior communicating artery, one in the anterior cerebral artery, and one in the superior cerebellar artery. Twelve carotid reconstructive procedures were performed without morbidity related to aneurysm rupture. These included 10 carotid endarterectomies, one of which was combined with Dacron patch angioplasty and one of which was combined with a simultaneous coronary artery bypass; one carotid artery dilatation for fibromuscular disease; and one reoperative carotid endarterectomy with patch angioplasty. Three patients had correction of hemodynamically significant lesions, two of which were proximal to ipsilateral anterior circulation aneurysms. An intraluminal shunt and heparin anticoagulation therapy were used in all patients. Despite a concerted effort to control blood pressure, the patients' perioperative blood pressures ranged from 60/30 to 240/110 mm Hg. Three patients had subsequent elective clipping of intracranial aneurysms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Dilemmas in dealing with the blue toe syndrome: aortic versus peripheral source.

Six patients with unilateral blue toe syndrome presented a diagnostic dilemma with regard to the source of embolization: central aortic versus peripheral. Two patients had moderately severe aortoiliac atherosclerosis associated with focal stenoses in the superficial femoral arteries, and four patients had mild aortoiliac disease associated with localized plaques confined to either the superficial femoral or popliteal arteries. In all patients, it was elected to explore the peripheral lesions first. At operation, ulcerated plaques or focal stenoses were found, and all lesions had adherent white thrombi on their surfaces. All patients were treated either by localized thromboendarterectomy or short reversed saphenous vein grafting. There was no morbidity or mortality. Recurrent embolization did not occur during a follow-up of 8 to 24 months. Distal atherosclerotic lesions should be sought to explain distal embolization before more complex aortoiliac disease is incriminated. In the presence of concomitant aortoiliac disease, it is mandatory to directly explore the peripheral lesion, open the artery, and carefully examine the lesion in situ. Thrombus adherent to the surface of an ulcerated plaque is evidence of an embolizing source. This approach is associated with minimal morbidity and may be curative. If these findings are not present, it would be appropriate to proceed with staged correction of aortoiliac disease.

Asymptomatic cervical bruit and abnormal ocular pneumoplethysmography: a prospective study comparing two approaches to management.

Fifty-seven patients with cervical bruits and abnormal ocular pneumoplethysmography but without symptoms were followed prospectively. Mean follow-up was 32 months and all patients were followed for at least 1 year. Twenty-nine patients consented to join a randomized study comparing treatment with aspirin, close follow-up, and no intervention unless symptoms developed [( NI: ASA] n = 14) versus intervention with arteriography and prophylactic surgery [( I: A/S] n = 15). Among patients who refused randomization, 14 were treated with NI: ASA and 14 with I: A/S. Endpoints for analysis included all unfavorable outcomes related to both management plans and included stroke, death of stroke, major angiographic and perioperative complications, asymptomatic carotid occlusion, and recurrent carotid artery stenosis. In both the randomized and nonrandomized portions of the study unfavorable outcomes were more frequent in patients treated with I: A/S, and by combining the results of both studies a significant difference was observed (N: ASA - 3.6% versus I: A/S - 31%; X:2 = 4.78; p less than 0.05). Among patients treated with NI: ASA, a single minor stroke occurred without warning. In patients from all groups who underwent arteriography, advanced carotid stenosis was found in 78% (mean percent diameter stenosis = 72% +/- 2%; mean residual lumen = 1.3 +/- 0.1 mm). We conclude that, despite the probability of underlying severe carotid stenosis, most patients with cervical bruit and abnormal ocular pneumoplethysmography but without symptoms are appropriately managed without intervention unless symptoms develop.

Paraduodenal hernia: diagnosis and surgical management.

Paraduodenal hernia is an unusual cause of intestinal obstruction, but one with which all surgeons should be familiar. We reviewed the anatomy, pathophysiology, initial symptoms, radiographic criteria for diagnosis, and subsequent therapy of five patients treated for paraduodenal hernia at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Contrast radiography of the small intestine remains the mainstay of preoperative diagnosis. Essential components of treatment include bowel reduction and obliteration of the hernia defect by simple closure or by wide opening of the sac. Further recommendations include sparing the inferior mesenteric vessels during the repair of left paraduodenal hernias and transpositioning the right colon to the left side of the abdomen for repair of right paraduodenal hernias.

Femoral anastomotic false aneurysms. An 11-year experience analyzed with a case control study.

Eighty-three femoral anastomotic false aneurysms occurring in 51 patients were diagnosed from 1972 through 1982. Twenty-two (27%) presented with acute events. Seventy (84%) were confirmed by sonography and/or arteriography. Bilaterality (29%), recurrence (18%), and associated aortic false aneurysms (8%) were significant problems. Eight-one were repaired with a six per cent complication rate, including one death related to preoperative rupture. The 51 patients were evaluated for associated illnesses, risk factors, and etiologies of their false aneurysms. The most common single cause (61%) was host vessel degeneration with an intact suture line remaining attached to a disrupted Dacron limb. Twenty-three patients with host vessel degeneration were matched with case controls not developing false aneurysms. These two groups were matched for gender, age, and year of AFB and compared for associated illnesses and risk factors. Incidences of cigarette smoking, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, previous femoral endarterectomy, outflow disease, other aneurysmal disease, multiple groin operations, wound complications, and training levels of surgeons performing initial AFBs were similar for both groups. Factors observed significantly more often in patients who developed false aneurysms included serum lipid abnormalities (p less than 0.05), braided synthetic suture material as opposed to monofilament polypropylene (p less than 0.05), and continued abuse of tobacco following AFB (p less than 0.005).

Surgical management of small-bowel radiation enteritis.

We treated 17 patients with severe small-bowel radiation enteritis surgically. Fourteen patients were female. Gynecologic malignant lesions (cervical, ovarian, and endometrial) were the most frequent sites of the primary tumors for which radiation was given. Thirteen patients had bowel obstruction, and the remainder had enterovaginal fistulae. Intestinal bypass, rather than resection, was the preferred approach in the treatment of these patients, and was used in 11 cases. Successful palliation was provided in nine patients, with minimal morbidity and no operative deaths. Follow-up at eight to 60 months has shown no further sequelae of radiation injury or of blind loop syndrome. This supports the relative safety of intestinal bypass for the surgical management of small-bowel radiation enteritis.

Isolated venous injury produced by penetrating trauma to the lower extremity.

Simple ligation of major venous injury can be both limb threatening and create chronic disability (9). A case of penetrating trauma to the thigh producing isolated major venous injury is presented. An aggressive approach, immediate exploration, and lateral suture and non-reversed saphenous vein graft, are advocated for the diagnosis and treatment of venous trauma.