Cerebral aneurysms treated with flow-diverting stents: computational models with intravascular blood flow measurements.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Computational fluid dynamics modeling is useful in the study of the hemodynamic environment of cerebral aneurysms, but patient-specific measurements of boundary conditions, such as blood flow velocity and pressure, have not been previously applied to the study of flow-diverting stents. We integrated patient-specific intravascular blood flow velocity and pressure measurements into computational models of aneurysms before and after treatment with flow-diverting stents to determine stent effects on aneurysm hemodynamics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood flow velocity and pressure were measured in peri-aneurysmal locations by use of an intravascular dual-sensor pressure and Doppler velocity guidewire before and after flow-diverting stent treatment of 4 unruptured cerebral aneurysms. These measurements defined inflow and outflow boundary conditions for computational models. Intra-aneurysmal flow rates, wall shear stress, and wall shear stress gradient were calculated. RESULTS: Measurements of inflow velocity and outflow pressure were successful in all 4 patients. Computational models incorporating these measurements demonstrated significant reductions in intra-aneurysmal wall shear stress and wall shear stress gradient and a trend in reduced intra-aneurysmal blood flow. CONCLUSIONS: Integration of intravascular dual-sensor guidewire measurements of blood flow velocity and blood pressure provided patient-specific computational models of cerebral aneurysms. Aneurysm treatment with flow-diverting stents reduces blood flow and hemodynamic shear stress in the aneurysm dome.

Relationship between osteoarthritis of knee and menopause.

AIM: To study the difference in the onset of osteoarthritis (OA) between males and females with respect to age and to note the relationship between OA of the knees and menopause and hysterectomy in females. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients (50 males and 50 females) were studied for the onset of OA and compared for the statistical difference. In females the relationship between onset of OA and menopause and hysterectomy, if done, was noted. RESULTS: Fifty eight percent of females had onset of symptoms of OA of knees before 50 years of age as compared to only 20% in males (p < 0.05). Sixty four percent of females with OA of knees had the onset of symptoms either perimenopausally or within five years of natural menopause or hysterectomy. CONCLUSION: There is a definite early peaking of the incidence of OA of knees in women in the fifth decade of life as compared to males. There is an association between OA of knees and menopause and we suggest correlating it with the levels of sex hormones.

Leprosy: a close mimic in a rheumatology clinic.

Cutaneous and neurological manifestations of leprosy are readily diagnosed. However, physicians sometimes fail to recognize that leprosy may present with a rheumatic symptoms. A plethora of rheumatic manifestations are associated with leprosy, particularly with lepra reactions. A diligent examination for skin lesions/nerve involvement may uncover the diagnosis of leprosy in a patient referred for a rheumatological disorder. To highlight the fact that leprosy can mimic several rheumatological disorders, we have discussed a few representative cases seen over the past two years at our rheumatology clinic in a teaching hospital. In all these cases, a diagnosis of leprosy was made when the patient was referred for a rheumatic complaint.

von Willebrand's disease with gastrointestinal telangiectasia.

A 30-year old woman presented with recurrent and massive bleeding from gastrointestinal tract. Her coagulation profile revealed von Willebrand's disease and her endoscopic examination showed extensive telangiectasia localized to the gastrointestinal tract. The association of Von Willebrand's Disease and telangiectasia is extremely rare and hence the report.

Tricuspid valve endocarditis following septic abortion.

PIP: The characteristics features of right-sided endocarditis are summarized in this case report of a 30-year-old female admitted with a history of high grade, continuous, fever, breathlessness, and dry cough over a 10-day period. The patient had had an incomplete abortion 15 days earlier for which dilatation and curettage was performed. On examination, the patient was toxic, febrile with a pulse of 118/minute and respiration 36/minute. Her blood pressure was 110/70 mm Hg. There was soft, tender hepatomegaly and soft splenomegely. There also were scattered coarse crepitations over both lungs. The vaginal examination revealed posterior fornicial bogginess and tenderness. Urine and cervical pus swab showed growth of klebsiella. The blood culture was negative. A plan chest X-ray revealed multiple, small, basal, pulmonary infiltrates. Posterior colopuncture revealed a small quantity of clear, yellowish fluid. Abdominopelvic ultrasonography revealed an ill-defined haziness in the parauterine region. The patient was treated with ampicillin, gentamycin, and metronidazole, but she continued to deteriorate. An urgent exploratory laparotomy was performed. The patient died on the 2nd postoperative day. The autopsy findings revealed that the heart was normal in size and shape. The tricuspid valve showed a large vegetation projecting into the ventricle. Microscopic examination revealed polymorphonuclear infiltration with clumps of gram-negative bacillifocal areas of myocarditis also were seen. In lungs the right lower lobe showed a small, hemorrhagic infarct. Both the liver and spleen were congested. Kidneys showed multiple petechiae on the external surface and on the cut section. Endocarditis during pregnancy may be because of perinatal infections, urinary tract infection, or septic thrombophlebitis of pelvi veins. Septic abortion of pelvic infection secondary to IUD also can provide portal of entry for bacteria. The common organisms are streptococcus, staphylococci, and occasionally bacteroides and gram negative bacilli. Clinical suspicion of right-sided endocarditis is justified in any patient with prolonged fever, cough, pleuritic pain, tachycardia, and multiple pulmonary infiltrates. Heart murmurs are usually absent and if present are soft and may be heard at atypical sites.^ieng