Anesthesiology clinics
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Since the first use of intrathecal (IT) drug infusion systems in the early 1980s, these delivery systems have undergone numerous revisions making them more tolerable, easier to program, and longer lasting. Concurrent with technological advances, the indications for IT pump placement have also been continuously evolving, to the point where the most common indication is now noncancer pain. This article provides an evidence-based review of the indications, efficacy, and complications of IT drug therapy for the most commonly administered spinal analgesics.
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Anesthesiology clinics · Dec 2007
ReviewInvasive and minimally invasive surgical techniques for back pain conditions.
This article summarizes current issues related to invasive and minimally invasive surgical techniques for back pain conditions. It describes pain generators and explains theories about how discs fail. ⋯ Problems related to current imaging are also presented. The article concludes with a discussion about physical therapy.
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Anesthesiology clinics · Sep 2007
ReviewAnesthesia for endovascular neurosurgery and interventional neuroradiology.
This review outlines the roles of anesthesiologists in the management of patients undergoing invasive endovascular procedures to treat vascular diseases, primarily of the central nervous system. This practice usually is termed interventional neuroradiology or endovascular neurosurgery. The discussion emphasizes perioperative and anesthetic management strategies to prevent complications and minimize their effects if they occur. Planning anesthetic and perioperative management is predicated on understanding the goals of the therapeutic intervention and anticipating potential problems.
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Transcranial perfusion monitoring provides early warning of impending brain ischemia and may be used to guide management of cerebral perfusion and oxygenation. The monitoring options include measurement of intracranial and cerebral perfusion pressures, assessment of cerebral blood flow, and assessment of the adequacy of perfusion by measurement of cerebral oxygenation and brain tissue biochemistry. Some monitoring techniques are well established, whereas others are relatively new to the clinical arena and their indications are still being evaluated. Currently available monitoring techniques are reviewed and their appropriateness and application to the perioperative period is discussed.
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Anesthesiology clinics · Sep 2007
ReviewAnesthetic considerations for awake craniotomy for epilepsy.
A variety of anesthetic methods, with and without airway manipulation, are available to facilitate awake intraoperative examinations and cortical stimulation, which allow more aggressive resection of epileptogenic foci in functionally important brain regions. Careful patient selection and preparation combined with attentive cooperation of the medical team are the foundation for a smooth awake procedure. With improved pharmacologic agents and variety of techniques at the neuroanesthesiologist's disposal, awake craniotomy has become an elegant approach to epileptic focus resection in functional cortex.