Safety of CO(2)- and gadodiamide-enhanced angiography for the evaluation and percutaneous treatment of renal artery stenosis in patients with chronic renal insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the safety of CO(2) and gadodiamide angiography for diagnosing and percutaneously treating renal artery stenosis in patients with chronic renal insufficiency and presumed ischemic nephropathy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred forty-six consecutive patients with chronic renal insufficiency (serum creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL) were examined for renal artery stenosis using CO(2) and gadodiamide as the angiographic contrast agents. If renal artery stenosis was detected, percutaneous balloon angioplasty with or without stenting was performed. In patients for whom 48-hr creatinine levels were available, we performed an analysis to determine the incidence of contrast-involved nephropathy (increase in serum creatinine of 0.5 mg/dL at 48 hr without identifiable cause). Major complications were reported up to 1 week, and mortality was reported up to 30 days after the procedure. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients had serum creatinine levels available at 48 hr. An increase in creatinine of greater than 0.5 mg/dL at 48 hr occurred in three patients (3.2%), presumably caused by CO(2), by gadodiamide, or by both. Neither diabetes nor the degree of preexisting chronic renal insufficiency was a predictor of worsening renal function 48 hr after the procedure. The volumes of CO(2) and gadodiamide used for diagnostic studies alone versus the volume used for interventional studies was not significantly different (for CO(2), p = 0.09; for gadodiamide, p = 0.30). Eleven major complications occurred in eight patients (5.5%). Two deaths (1.4%) occurred within 30 days. One death was due to cholesterol embolization and the other was not believed to be related to the procedure. CONCLUSION: Angiography and percutaneous treatment of renal artery stenosis in patients with chronic renal insufficiency and suspected ischemic nephropathy can be performed relatively safely using CO(2) and gadodiamide as angiographic contrast agents without an increased risk of complications. Contrast-induced nephropathy potentially occurred in 3.2% of patients. Neither the degree of underlying renal insufficiency nor diabetes was a risk factor for predicting a greater likelihood of renal function worsening at 48 hr of follow-up. The volumes of CO(2) and gadodiamide used in this study did not result in an increased risk of contrast-involved nephropathy.

Bilateral thenar hammer syndrome as a result of cumulative trauma: a case report.

This report describes an unusual case of bilateral radial artery thrombosis associated with multiple weblike stenoses and pseudoaneurysms secondary to cumulative trauma in a manual laborer who used both hands for impacting at both the thenar and hypothenar aspects of the hand. In this case, thenar hammer syndrome was associated with acute ischemia of the long finger. The condition was treated surgically with arterial resection and reestablishment of blood flow to the hand. Noted improvement occurred with restoration of arterial competence.

Soft tissue attachments of the ulnar coronoid process. An anatomic study with radiographic correlation.

Regan and Morrey proposed a 3-type coronoid fracture classification observing that the incidence of concommitant elbow dislocation was proportional to fragment size. Elbow instability associated with coronoid fractures presumably is related to disrupted bony architecture and ineffective stabilizers attached to the free fragment. Twenty cadaveric elbows were dissected, measuring medial collateral ligament, anterior capsule, and brachialis muscle insertion loci on the coronoid. Radiographs were taken after radiopaque labeling of the stabilizer insertions. The anterior bundle of the medial collateral ligament insertion averaged 18.4 mm dorsal to the coronoid tip. Only in Type III fractures would it be attached to the free fragment. The capsule inserted an average of 6.4 mm distal to the coronoid tip. Rarely should Type I fractures result from a capsular avulsion, because only 3 of 20 specimens had the capsule inserting on the tip. The brachialis had a musculoaponeurotic insertion onto the elbow capsule, coronoid, and proximal ulna. The bony insertion averaged 26.3 mm in length, with its proximal margin averaging 11 mm distal to the coronoid tip. In only Type III fractures is the fragment large enough to include the brachialis bony insertion.

The retrograde radial fascial forearm flap: surgical rationale, technique, and clinical application.

The retrograde radial fascial forearm flap may be used to provide appropriate tissue coverage for nerve, tendon, or soft tissue defects in the forearm and hand. The procedure is differentiated from the standard radial forearm flap in that the radial artery remains intact when the retrograde radial fascial flap is designed. The rationale, technique, and clinical application of the flap are presented in order to allow surgeons to maintain the radial arterial trunk in continuity while obtaining the advantage of appropriate soft tissue cover in this critical area.

Long-term results of total arthroplasty in adolescents with debilitating polyarthropathy.

The authors retrospectively reviewed 29 hip and 13 knee arthroplasties performed in 17 adolescents and young adults from 1973 through 1979. Most patients had severe multiple joint involvement; 16 had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical and roentgenographic evaluations were performed before operation and at routine intervals for up to 11 years after operation. The average final follow-up evaluation was at ten years seven months. The modified Harris rating improved from 17 before operation to 68 at final evaluation. A dramatic improvement was noted in the ambulatory ability of 13 patients in whom increased joint motion and reduced deformity was observed at follow-up evaluation. At the 11-year roentgenographic review, 32% of hips had gross loosening, and an additional 39% had radiolucent lines greater than 2 mm in thickness in more than two radiographic zones. No lucency greater than 2 mm was noted in any of the knee replacements. Complications included one immediate collapse of the medial tibial plateau, four femoral fractures, one hip dislocation, and one case of arthrofibrosis. Despite untoward roentgenographic results and the high incidence of complications, total arthroplasty has dramatically improved the quality of life for these patients with multiple joint pathology. For this reason, the authors continue to recommend joint replacement in these individuals and the use of new prosthetic designs and surgical techniques.