ORCID Profile
0000-0002-6376-1128
Current Organisations
Australian National University
,
UNSW Sydney
,
Canberra Health Services
,
The University of Auckland
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.JOCN.2010.01.025
Abstract: Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome is a severe childhood epilepsy syndrome characterised by the diagnostic triad of a slow spike and wave pattern on electroencephalogram, multiple seizure types and developmental delay. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a syndrome characterised by raised cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the absence of an intracranial mass lesion or ventricular dilatation and often headache. We present the first reported case of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome associated with symptomatic idiopathic intracranial hypertension in a 15 year old male, requiring cerebrospinal fluid ersion by means of ventriculoperitoneal shunting.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.JOCN.2016.03.019
Abstract: External ventricular drains (EVD) are crucial for the emergency management of hydrocephalus and raised intracranial pressure. Infection is the most morbid and costly cause of EVD malfunction and can cost up to $50,000 US to treat per case. In 2007, Canberra Hospital changed EVD management protocols requiring set-up of EVD transducer systems in theatre, cessation of prophylactic antibiotics after 24hours, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) s les second or third daily and discontinuation of elective EVD changes. The current study aimed to retrospectively audit EVD inserted between 2006 and 2010 in order to determine the impact of these changes. There was a non-significant downward trend in infection rates from 20.93% to 11.50% (p=0.343) after the protocol changes. Patient age (OR=1.032, p=0.064, confidence interval (CI): 0.998-1.067) and sex (OR=1.405, p=0.595, CI: 0.401-4.917) were not significantly associated with infection. However, multiple drains were associated with a significant increase in infections rates (OR=21.96, p=0.001, CI: 6.103-79.023) and systemic perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis was associated with decreased rates of infections (OR=0.269, p=0.044, CI: 0.075-0.964). Our study showed a non-significant downwards trend in infections with introduction of changes to hospital protocol and illustrated some risk factors for infection in the Australian setting.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 05-03-2013
DOI: 10.3109/02688697.2013.771724
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of preoperative magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in neurosurgical patients with diagnostically challenging intracranial lesions. Included in this study are twenty-three consecutive patients presenting to the neurosurgery service with diagnostically challenging intracranial lesions and who were investigated by conventional MR imaging and proton ((1)H) MRS, followed by surgery with subsequent histopathological diagnosis. An experienced neuroradiologist (RJ) blinded to the final histopathology evaluated the imaging studies retrospectively. Provisional diagnoses based on preoperative clinical and conventional MR data versus preoperative MRS data were compared with definitive histopathological diagnoses. Compared with preoperative clinical and conventional MR data, (1)H MRS improved the accuracy of MR imaging from 60.9% to 83%. We found (1)H MRS reliably distinguished between abscess and high-grade tumour, and between high-grade glioma and low-grade glioma, but was not able to reliably distinguish between recurrent glioma and radiation necrosis. In 12/23 cases (52%) the (1)H MRS findings positively altered our clinical management. Two representative cases are presented. Our study supports a beneficial role for (1)H MRS in certain diagnostic intracranial dilemmas presenting to neurosurgeons. The information gleaned from preoperative (1)H MRS can be a useful adjunct to clinical and conventional MR imaging data in guiding the management of patients with intracranial pathologies, particularly high-grade tumour versus abscess, and high-grade versus low-grade glioma. Further larger prospective studies are needed to clearly define the utility of (1)H MRS in diagnostically challenging intracranial lesions in neurosurgery.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-01-2019
DOI: 10.1111/ADJ.12668
Abstract: Chronic orofacial pain of neuropathic origin can present diagnostic and management dilemmas to dental practitioners and also affects the patient's quality of life. Intracranial aneurysms are a potential cause of stroke (e.g. sub-arachnoid haemorrhage) that is usually associated with, high rates of mortality and morbidity. A patient who had been previously managed for symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) presented with sharp, shooting pain of moderate intensity. It was precipitated by swallowing, and radiated to the right throat, posterior border of the mandible, ear and temporomandibular joint. Clinical and radiological investigations ruled out odontogenic pain, TMD and other more common types of facial pain. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 7 × 6 mm aneurysm in the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) which was subsequently surgically clipped. Interestingly, the facial pain resolved after this procedure. Compression of the insular region of the brain innervated by the trigeminal, glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves provides a plausible explanation for the pain reported. To our knowledge, this is the first case of facial neuralgia associated with an aneurysm in the MCA which emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis and management of unusual cases of chronic orofacial pain.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 09-2019
DOI: 10.1097/WNO.0000000000000763
Abstract: Compression of the optic chiasm by pituitary tumors typically results in bitemporal hemianopia, implying that nasal retinal fibers are preferentially damaged. The reason for this is not clear. One theory suggests that nasal fibers are selectively vulnerable simply because they cross each other. This study investigated the “crossing theory” by correlating visual field (VF) loss with chiasmal elevation and with the degree of eccentric compression on MRI scans. Our hospital database was searched to identify patients with a) chiasmal compression by a pituitary tumor b) documented preoperative evidence of VF loss and c) preoperative MRI scan performed within 1 month of VF testing. Temporality and bitemporality indices were derived from pattern deviation VF plots. Elevations of the central and peripheral parts of the chiasm were obtained from MRI scans, from which the eccentricity of compression was calculated. Temporality indices and hemifield loss were compared with central chiasmal elevation, and nasal hemifield loss in each eye was plotted against eccentricity. Eleven patients were suitable for analysis. The degree of bitemporal VF involvement was significantly correlated with elevation of the central chiasm ( P = 0.004). However, there was minimal involvement of nasal VFs, and no demonstrable increase in nasal field loss with increasing eccentricity of compression. This study provides support for the crossing theory. These findings will inform further finite element models of chiasmal compression. A larger, prospective study is planned.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2020
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 22-07-2016
Publisher: American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR)
Date: 14-11-2014
DOI: 10.3174/AJNR.A3776
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-10-2008
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2021
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 04-2002
DOI: 10.1136/GUT.50.4.535
Abstract: It is now generally accepted that chronic pancreatic injury and fibrosis may result from repeated episodes of acute pancreatic necroinflammation (the necrosis-fibrosis sequence). Recent studies suggest that pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), when activated, may play an important role in the development of pancreatic fibrosis. Factors that may influence PSC activation during pancreatic necroinflammation include cytokines known to be important in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis, such as tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and the interleukins 1, 6, and 10 (IL-1, IL-6, and IL-10). To determine the effects of these cytokines on PSC activation, as assessed by cell proliferation, alpha smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression, and collagen synthesis. Cultured rat PSCs were incubated with cytokines for 24 hours. Cell proliferation was assessed by measuring (3)H thymidine incorporation into cellular DNA, alpha-SMA expression by western blotting, and collagen synthesis by incorporation of (14)C proline into collagenase sensitive protein. mRNA levels for procollagen alpha(1)(1) in PSCs were determined by northern and dot blotting methods. Expression of alpha-SMA by PSCs was increased on exposure to each of the cytokines used in the study. Stellate cell proliferation was stimulated by TNF-alpha but inhibited by IL-6, while IL-1 and IL-10 had no effect on PSC proliferation. Collagen synthesis by PSCs was stimulated by TNF-alpha and IL-10, inhibited in response to IL-6, and unaltered by IL-1. Changes in collagen protein synthesis in response to TNF-alpha, IL-10, and IL-6 were not regulated at the mRNA level in the cells. This study has demonstrated that PSCs have the capacity to respond to cytokines known to be upregulated during acute pancreatitis. Persistent activation of PSCs by cytokines during acute pancreatitis may be a factor involved in the progression from acute pancreatitis to chronic pancreatic injury and fibrosis.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2007
DOI: 10.1016/J.SURNEU.2006.08.067
Abstract: Nocardia species are aerobic Gram-positive bacteria that are ubiquitous in the environment. Infection usually occurs through inhalation or direct cutaneous inoculation of the organism. It has been reported that infection is more common in warm, dry climates. Cerebral nocardiosis is an uncommon clinical entity, representing only 2% of all cerebral abscesses. It is an illness associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We report 4 cases of nocardial brain abscesses presenting to TCH, Australia, within a 1-year period. All 4 cases occurred in men without any significant underlying immunocompromise. In 3 of the cases, the diagnosis was only established after craniotomy. All cases were given prolonged antimicrobial therapy. After more than 8 months of follow-up, there have been no deaths or treatment failures. There has been only one other case of nocardial brain abscess at TCH over the past 15 years. We review the current literature on cerebral nocardiosis. Nocardial brain abscesses are uncommonly encountered at our institution. This cluster of 4 cases over a 1-year period has therefore led us to postulate that the severe drought may be aiding in the transmission of the bacteria. The cases also emphasize the propensity of nocardial infections to mimic other conditions, particularly malignancy, which may lead to delays in appropriate surgical treatment and antimicrobial therapy. The diagnosis requires a high clinical index of suspicion, with early tissue and microbiological diagnosis. Prolonged antimicrobial therapy is required to prevent relapse of the infection.
No related grants have been discovered for Peter Mews.