J. F. Seeger

New implantable continuous administration and bolus dose intracarotid drug delivery system for the treatment of malignant gliomas

A totally implantable system for the continuous and bolus delivery of intra-arterial chemotherapeutic agents to patients with malignant gliomas is described. The system utilizes an Infusaid pump (Infusaid Corp., Sharon, Massachusetts), which discharges the drug directly into the internal carotid artery and is percutaneously refillable. This system has been utilized experimentally in primates and in the treatment of six patients with malignant gliomas. It seems that this system can be utilized safely as an experimental technique in the treatment of malignant gliomas.

Ascending pharyngeal artery collateral circulation simulating internal carotid artery hypoplasia

SummaryComplete occlusion of the cervical segment of the internal carotid artery may result in a collateral circuit between an enlarged ascending pharyngeal artery and the intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery. This anastomosis may simulate a severely stenotic or hypoplastic internal carotid artery. Differentiation between these entities is particularly important if carotid endarterectomy for relief of stenosis is contemplated.