Neurology
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Computerized transaxial tomography (CTT) is a nonivasive roentgenologic method that demonstrates the configuration of the intracranial contents, including the cerebral parenchyma and the ventricular system. Of 207 children examined by CTT, 53 later had neuroradiologic contrast studies or neurosurgical intervention, or both, and two came to autopsy. ⋯ The correlation was less concordant in patients with intracranial vascular malformations or lesions involving cranial bones. CTT promises to be valuable for diagnosis of many intracranial lesions in children.
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Electroencephalograms (EEGs) of 12 comatose patients showed "alpha-like" rhythms after cardiac arrest. Four patients revealed a stage II sleep pattern and two patients showed signs of reactivity in their EEGs. ⋯ In three patients with ventral pontine syndrome, a somewhat similar EEG pattern, but with distinct differences in topography and reactivity, was observed. In order to recognize alpha-like rhythms in comatose patients after cardiac arrest, EEGs should be recorded daily for several days.