Assessment of blood-brain barrier disruption using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. A systematic review.

There is increasing recognition of the importance of blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption in aging, dementia, stroke and multiple sclerosis in addition to more commonly-studied pathologies such as tumors. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) is a method for studying BBB disruption in vivo. We review pathologies studied, scanning protocols and data analysis procedures to determine the range of available methods and their suitability to different pathologies.

Pressure monitoring can accurately position catheters for air embolism aspiration.

Venous air embolism is a potentially catastrophic surgical complication. While prevention and early diagnosis represent the cornerstones of management, definitive therapy of a massive air embolus relies on aspiration of the air through an appropriately located multiorifice catheter. Currently, the most common method for accurately positioning a multiorifice catheter in the high right atrium is an intravenous electrocardiogram (IVECG).

Rapid oral anesthesia for awake intubation.

Study Objective: To determine whether sodium benzonatate (Tessalon Perles) can provide rapid, effective topical oral anesthesia in preparation for awake intubations.

Design: Randomized, controlled, single-blind study.

Setting: Medical center anesthesia department.