Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jun 2002
Biography Historical ArticleGeorge J. Heuer: forgotten pioneer neurosurgeon at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.
George J. Heuer was a pioneer in neurosurgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in the early 20th century; he trained under Harvey Cushing and acted as a mentor to Walter Dandy. In his early career, Heuer focused on research and clinical work in the field of neurosurgery and temporarily led the neurosurgery section at Johns Hopkins. ⋯ Throughout his academic years, Heuer continued to operate on the nervous system and to perform spinal cord and peripheral nerve surgery. He played an important role along with Cushing and Dandy in the creation of neurosurgery as a specialty, but he is rarely given credit for this accomplishment. The authors describe Heuer's contributions to neurosurgery as well as his distinguished surgical career.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jun 2002
Stilbazulenyl nitrone, a novel azulenyl nitrone antioxidant: improved neurological deficit and reduced contusion size after traumatic brain injury in rats.
Stilbazulenyl nitrone (STAZN) is a second-generation azulenyl nitrone that has markedly enhanced antioxidant properties compared with those of conventional alpha-phenyl nitrones. In this study, the authors assessed the potential efficacy of STAZN in a rodent model of fluid-percussion brain injury, which results in a consistent cortical contusion. ⋯ Therapy with STAZN, a novel potent antioxidant, administered following traumatic brain injury, markedly improves neurological and histological outcomes. Azulenyl nitrones appear to represent a promising class of neuroprotective agents for combating this devastating condition.
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Journal of neurosurgery · May 2002
Real-time detection of vascular occlusion and reperfusion of the brain during surgery by using infrared imaging.
Application of sensitive infrared imaging is ideally suited to observe blood vessels and blood flow in exposed organs, including the brain. Temporary vascular occlusion is an important part of neurosurgery, but the capacity to monitor the effects of these occlusions in real time is limited. In surgical procedures that require vascular manipulation, such as those involving aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), or tumors, the ability to visualize blood flow in vessels and their distribution beds would be beneficial. The authors recount their experience in the use of a sensitive (0.02 degrees C), high-resolution (up to 50 microm/pixel) infrared camera with a rapid shutter speed (up to 2 msec/frame) for localizing cortical function intraoperatively. They observed high-resolution images of cerebral arteries and veins. The authors hypothesized that infrared imaging of cerebral arteries, performed using a sensitive, high-resolution camera during surgery, would permit changes in arterial flow to be be seen immediately, thus providing real-time assessment of brain perfusion in the involved vascular territory. ⋯ Use of high-resolution, digital infrared imaging permits real-time visualization of arterial flow. It has the potential to provide the surgeon with a means to assess collateral flow during temporary vessel occlusion and to visualize directly the flow in parent arteries or persistent filling of an aneurysm after clipping. During surgery for AVMs, the technique may provide a new way to assess arterial inflow, venous outflow, results of embolization, collateral flow, steal, and normal perfusion pressure breakthrough.