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Large Veins (large + vein)
Selected AbstractsComparison of Endovenous Radiofrequency Versus 810 nm Diode Laser Occlusion of Large Veins in an Animal ModelDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 1 2002Robert A. Weiss MDArticle first published online: 27 FEB 200 background. Endovenous occlusion using radiofrequency (RF) energy has been shown to be effective for the elimination of sapheno-femoral reflux and subsequent elimination of varicose veins. Recently, endovenous laser occlusion has been introduced with initial clinical reports indicating effective treatment for varicose veins. However, in our practice we note increased peri-operative hematoma and tenderness with the laser. Little is known regarding the mechanism of action of this new laser vein therapy. objective. To better understand the mechanism of action of endovenous laser vs. the endovenous RF procedure in the jugular vein of the goat model. methods. A bilateral comparison was performed using 810 nm diode laser transmitted by a bare-tipped optical fiber vs. the RF delivery by engineered electrodes with a temperature feedback loop using a thermocouple (Closure procedure) in three goat jugular veins. Immediate and one-week results were studied radiographically and histologically. Temperature measurements during laser treatment were performed by using an array of up to five thermocouples, spaced 2 mm apart, placed adjacent to a laser fiber tip during goat jugular vein treatment. results. Immediate findings showed that 100% of the laser-treated veins showed perforations by histologic examination and immediate contrast fluoroscopy. The RF-treated side showed immediate constriction with maintenance of contrast material within the vein lumen and no perforations. The difference in acute vein shrinkage was also dramatic as laser treatments resulted in vein shrinkage of 26%, while RF-treated veins showed a 77% acute reduction in diameter. At one week, extravasated blood that leaked into the surrounding tissue of laser treated veins acutely, continued to occupy space and impinge on surrounding structures including nerves. For the laser treatment, the highest average temperature was 729°C (peak temperature 1334°C) observed flush with the laser fiber tip, while the temperature feedback mechanism of the RF method maintains temperatures at the electrodes of 85°C. conclusion. Vein perforations, extremely high intravascular temperatures, failure to cause significant collagen shrinkage, and intact endothelium in an animal model justify a closer look at the human clinical application of the 810 nm endovenous laser technique. Extravasated blood impinging on adjacent structures may theoretically lead to increased peri-operative hematoma and tenderness. Further study and clinical investigation is warranted. [source] Sclerosing Foam in the Treatment of Varicose Veins and Telangiectases: History and Analysis of Safety and ComplicationsDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 1 2002Alessandro Frullini MD objective. To review the use of sclerosing foam in the treatment of varicose veins, to describe the different techniques of foam preparation, and to report the complications of our 3-year experience with this treatment. method. From November 1997 to the end of October 2000, 453 patients were treated with a sclerosing foam for large, medium, and minor varicosities with sodium tetradecylsulfate (STS) or polidocanol (POL). A first group of 257 patients (90 for minor varicosities and 167 for medium to large veins) received a sclerosing foam according to the Monfreux technique. From December 1999 to October 2000, 196 patients were treated with a sclerosing foam prepared according to Tessari's method (36 for minor size veins or teleangectasias and 170 for medium-large veins). Every patient was studied with (color-flow) duplex scanning before and after the treatment and large vein injections were administered under duplex guide. results. The immediate success rate was 88.1% in the first group for the medium-large veins. In the same districts we registered an early success rate in 93.3% for the patients treated with the Tessari's method. The complication rate (mostly minor complications) was 8.5% in the first group and 7.1% in the second group. conclusion. The use of sclerosing foam may become an established therapy in the treatment of varicose veins with a high success rate, low cost, and low major complication rate. According to our actual experience and knowledge, the safe amount of foam should not exceed the 3-ml limit, but further advancements could come from standardization of the foam preparation technique. [source] EEG-fMRI of focal epileptic spikes: Analysis with multiple haemodynamic functions and comparison with gadolinium-enhanced MR angiogramsHUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 3 2004Andrew P. Bagshaw Abstract Combined EEG-fMRI has recently been used to explore the BOLD responses to interictal epileptiform discharges. This study examines whether misspecification of the form of the haemodynamic response function (HRF) results in significant fMRI responses being missed in the statistical analysis. EEG-fMRI data from 31 patients with focal epilepsy were analysed with four HRFs peaking from 3 to 9 sec after each interictal event, in addition to a standard HRF that peaked after 5.4 sec. In four patients, fMRI responses were correlated with gadolinium-enhanced MR angiograms and with EEG data from intracranial electrodes. In an attempt to understand the absence of BOLD responses in a significant group of patients, the degree of signal loss occurring as a result of magnetic field inhomogeneities was compared with the detected fMRI responses in ten patients with temporal lobe spikes. Using multiple HRFs resulted in an increased percentage of data sets with significant fMRI activations, from 45% when using the standard HRF alone, to 62.5%. The standard HRF was good at detecting positive BOLD responses, but less appropriate for negative BOLD responses, the majority of which were more accurately modelled by an HRF that peaked later than the standard. Co-registration of statistical maps with gadolinium-enhanced MRIs suggested that the detected fMRI responses were not in general related to large veins. Signal loss in the temporal lobes seemed to be an important factor in 7 of 12 patients who did not show fMRI activations with any of the HRFs. Hum. Brain Mapp. 22:179,192, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Peripheral somatosensory fMRI in mouse at 11.7 TNMR IN BIOMEDICINE, Issue 5 2001Eric T. Ahrens Abstract The feasibility of performing extremely-high resolution somatosensory fMRI in anesthetized mice using BOLD contrast at 11.7,T was investigated. A somatosensory stimulus was applied to the hindlimb of an ,-chlorolose anesthetized mouse resulting in robust (p,<,4,×,10,3) BOLD changes in somatosensory cortex and large veins. Percentage modulation of the MR signal in cortex exceeded 7%. Experiments that artificially modulated the inspired oxygen tension were also conducted; the results revealed large, heterogeneous, BOLD contrast changes in the mouse brain. In addition, T1, T2, and T2* values in gray matter at 11.7,T were evaluated. Discussion of the sensitivity limitations of BOLD fMRI in the tiny mouse central nervous system is presented. These methods show promise for the assessment of neurological function in mouse models of CNS injury and disease. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] |