Fuzzy Logic: A “Simple” Solution For Complexities In Neurosciences?,
2011
Aga Khan University
Fuzzy Logic: A “Simple” Solution For Complexities In Neurosciences?, Saniya Siraj Godil, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim, Ather Enam, Uvais Qidwai
Medical College Documents
Background: Fuzzy logic is a multi-valued logic which is similar to human thinking and interpretation. It has the potential of combining human heuristics into computer-assisted decision making, which is applicable to individual patients as it takes into account all the factors and complexities of individuals. Fuzzy logic has been applied in all disciplines of medicine in some form and recently its applicability in neurosciences has also gained momentum.
Methods: This review focuses on the use of this concept in various branches of neurosciences including basic neuroscience, neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry and psychology.
Results: The applicability of fuzzy logic is not limited …
Intradiploic Epidermoid Cyst Overlying The Torcula: A Surgical Challenge,
2011
Aga Khan University
Intradiploic Epidermoid Cyst Overlying The Torcula: A Surgical Challenge, Amad Naseer Khan, Salema Khalid, Ather Enam
Medical College Documents
Intradiploic tumours are rare, slow growing tumours that can present in many different ways, including a painless lump, tenderness, headache and rarely with focal neurological signs. The authors present the case of a gentleman in whom the tumour presented in an unusual location and presented a surgical challenge. The major take home message from this case report is that an epidermoid cyst overlying the torcula is to be approached with great caution and care and is without doubt a surgical challenge.
Thoracolumbar Tuberculosis: Implications For Appropriate Management Based On Disease Location And Proposal Of A Novel Scoring System,
2011
Aga Khan University
Thoracolumbar Tuberculosis: Implications For Appropriate Management Based On Disease Location And Proposal Of A Novel Scoring System, Shahryar Noordin, Salim Allana, Tashfeen Ahmad, Zafar Sajjad, Khabir Ahmad, Ather Enam, Riaz Hussain Lakdawala
Section of Orthopaedic Surgery
Objective: To identify factors indicating disease severity in patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis requiring surgical intervention.
Design: Medical charts of patients who underwent surgery for thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis from 1990-2005 were reviewed. Patients with different levels of disease were compared in terms of neurological deficits, duration of symptoms, previous antituberculous therapy, nutritional status and associated co-morbids.
Results: Ninety-three patients aged 7-77 years (mean age 40 years) were included. Thoracic spine was involved in 80% of operated patients, and lumbar spine in 20%. Severe neurological impairment (Frankel A to C) was present in 68% of patients with thoracic disease, as …
Disability, Depression And Disc Surgery: Lets Be Careful With The Evidence,
2011
Aga Khan University
Disability, Depression And Disc Surgery: Lets Be Careful With The Evidence, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim
Section of Neurosurgery
No abstract provided.
Toward Personalized Cell Therapies: Autologous Menstrual Blood Cells For Stroke,
2011
University of South Florida
Toward Personalized Cell Therapies: Autologous Menstrual Blood Cells For Stroke, Maria Carolina O. Rodrigues, Loren E. Glover, Nathan Weinbren, Jessica A. Rizzi, Kazutaka Shinozuka, Naoki Tajiri, Yuji Kaneko, Paul R. Sanberg, Julie G. Allickson, Nicole Kuzmin-Nichols, Svitlana Garbuzova-Davis, Julio Cesar Voltarelli, Eduardo Cruz, Cesar V. Borlongan
Neurosurgery and Brain Repair Faculty Publications
Cell therapy has been established as an important field of research with considerable progress in the last years. At the same time, the progressive aging of the population has highlighted the importance of discovering therapeutic alternatives for diseases of high incidence and disability, such as stroke. Menstrual blood is a recently discovered source of stem cells with potential relevance for the treatment of stroke. Migration to the infarct site, modulation of the inflammatory reaction, secretion of neurotrophic factors, and possible differentiation warrant these cells as therapeutic tools. We here propose the use of autologous menstrual blood cells in the restorative …
Stem Cells For Spinal Cord Regeneration: Current Status,
2010
Aga Khan University
Stem Cells For Spinal Cord Regeneration: Current Status, Zain A. Sobani, Syed A. Quadri, Ather Enam
Section of Neurosurgery
Background: Nearly 11,000 cases of spinal cord injury (SCI) are reported in the United States annually. Current management options give a median survival time of 38 years, however, no rehabilitative measures are available. Stem cells have been under constant research given their ability to differentiate into neural cell lines replacing non functional tissue. Efforts have been made to establish new synapses and provide a conducive environment, by grafting cells from autologous and fetal sources, including embryonic or adult stem cells, Schwann cells, genetically modified fibroblasts, bone stromal cells, and olfactory ensheathing cells and combinations/ variants thereof.
Methods: In order to …
Microdiscectomy For Lumbosacral Disc Herniation And Frequency Of Failed Disc Surgery,
2010
Aga Khan University
Microdiscectomy For Lumbosacral Disc Herniation And Frequency Of Failed Disc Surgery, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim, Maria Adnan Parekh, Muhammad Ehsan Bari, Ather Enam, Faraz Khursheed
Section of Neurosurgery
Background: Microdiscectomy for lumbosacral disc herniations is one of the most commonly performed neurosurgical procedures. The Patient demographics, symptomatology, and recovery are highly variable, and surgical outcomes depend on several factors, including Patient demographics. Failed disc surgery refers to failure of improvement in Patient's symptoms following microdiscectomy, and has been observed to occur in up to 12% of Patients. To date, no study form Pakistan has looked into Patient demographics and failed disc surgery rates within the local context.
Objective:The aim of this study was to review the demographics of the Patient population presenting for surgical treatment of lumbosacral …
Intracranial Cavernous Angiomas,
2010
Aga Khan University
Intracranial Cavernous Angiomas, Syed Faraz Kazim, Atta-Ul-Aleem Bhatti, Ather Enam
Section of Neurosurgery
Objective: To describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of patients presenting with intracranial cavernous angiomas (CAs) at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.
Study Design: Case series. Place and Duration of Study: Section of Neurosurgery, The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, from January 1990 to September 2008.
Methodology: A retrospective case note review of all patients diagnosed with intracranial CAs at AKUH during the study period. The studied variables included patient demographics, clinical presentation, family history of intracranial CAs or other space occupying lesions, modality of diagnosis, management, and outcome. Results were described as frequency percentages.
Results: During …
Research-Retreat-Recovery: A Potential Model For Organization And Completion Of Research Projects. Experience From A Neurosurgery Department In A Developing Country,
2010
Aga Khan University
Research-Retreat-Recovery: A Potential Model For Organization And Completion Of Research Projects. Experience From A Neurosurgery Department In A Developing Country, Saniya Siraj Godil, Syed Faraz Kazim, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim
Medical College Documents
Background: In the current era of biomedical research, it is imperative that every research study at an institution is properly organized, and frequently audited to streamline efforts and maintain standards. Recently, a research retreat was organized by the Section of Neurosurgery at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, and following that a recovery team was made with the aim of recovering "lost in translation" research projects. In the realm of our experience, the current model is being proposed as a means for organization of departmental research.
Methods: The "research" component of the model comprised compilation of an abstract book of …
Primary Chiasmal Sarcoid Granuloma Masquerading As Glioma Of The Optic Chiasm,
2010
Aga Khan University
Primary Chiasmal Sarcoid Granuloma Masquerading As Glioma Of The Optic Chiasm, Muhammad Zubair Tahir, Farheen Shaikh, Arshad Ali Siddiqui
Section of Neurosurgery
A 37-year-old woman presented with a 6 months history of headaches and memory impairment. Examination showed no neurological deficit with normal vision. MRI scans showed an enlarged optic chiasm. There was no dural or leptomeningeal enhancement or hydrocephalus. Open biopsy of the suprasellar mass showed non-caseating chronic granulomatous inflammation compatible with sarcoidosis. Systemic features of sarcoid were absent. Patient showed marked improvement on steroid therapy.
Pontine Haemorrhage Due To Chondrosarcoma Of The Skull Base,
2010
Aga Khan University
Pontine Haemorrhage Due To Chondrosarcoma Of The Skull Base, Maliha Iqbal Jumani, Roomasa Channa, Sayed Nabeel Zafar, Ather Enam
Section of Neurosurgery
A young adult presented with acute weakness of right side of body and slurring of speech. An initial brain CT scan showed a pontine haemorrhage, however MRI done a few days later revealed a mass in the left parapharyngeal space. Histopathology of the mass revealed that it was a chondrosarcoma. Subsequently the patient was initially treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy and later surgery. Skull base chondrosarcomabe is to be included in the differentials of a young patient presenting with signs consistent with pontine haemorrhage.
Medical Ethics: A Slow But Sustained Revolution In Pakistan’S Healthcare,
2010
Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi
Medical Ethics: A Slow But Sustained Revolution In Pakistan’S Healthcare, Muhammad Shahid Shamim, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim
Section of Neurosurgery
No abstract provided.
Craniocerebral Aspergillosis: A Review Of Advances In Diagnosis And Management,
2010
Aga Khan University
Craniocerebral Aspergillosis: A Review Of Advances In Diagnosis And Management, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim, Ather Enam, Rushna Ali, Saleha Anwar
Section of Neurosurgery
Craniocerebral aspergillosis is a rare but dangerous central nervous system infection. The infection has a spectrum of presenting features, mostly affecting immunocompromised individuals. The incidence appears to be on the rise that has been especially observed in the immunocompetent population. A high index of suspicion, a comprehensive understanding of the infectious process and advanced laboratory and radiological diagnostic techniques, allow early diagnosis. Surgery, followed by systemic antifungal medications, remains the cornerstone of management. Early administration of empirical anti-fungal agents along with immunomodulators may further improve prognosis. Immunocompetent patients tend to have better outcomes as compared to those who are immunocompromised. …
Improving Schizophrenia Diagnosis Through Biomarkers: An Upcoming Prospect,
2010
Aga Khan University
Improving Schizophrenia Diagnosis Through Biomarkers: An Upcoming Prospect, Syed Mohammad Asad Zaidi, Abdul Latif Bikak, Rameez-Ul Hassan
Medical College Documents
No abstract provided.
Overview Of Surgical Management Of Infectious Non-Suppurative Brain Lesions (Part 2),
2010
Aga Khan University
Overview Of Surgical Management Of Infectious Non-Suppurative Brain Lesions (Part 2), Muhammad Shahzad Shamim, Ather Enam, Syed Faizan Ali, Rushna Pervez Ali, Mohammad Wasay
Section of Neurosurgery
No abstract provided.
