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Biomedical subjects

A Walløe

Publications and source records attributed to A Walløe.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Interpreting preoperative radiographs in displaced femoral neck fractures: observer variability in evaluating signs of poor outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reproducibility of four preoperative radiographic signs thought to be associated with negative prognosis in dislocated femoral neck fractures when treated with internal fixation. SETTING: University Hospital. DESIGN: Standard hip radiographs of ten patients with displaced subcapital femoral neck fractures were studied by five orthopaedic surgeons. The radiographs were studied twice; the second time on average 3 months after the first reading. Inter- and intra-observer reliability of four radiological parameters was estimated. RESULTS: Poor intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of all four signs tested was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The decision to treat an intracapsular femoral neck fracture with either prosthesis or internal fixation has to be based on other variables than the preoperative radiographic signs evaluated in this study.

Aged↗

[Swimming-induced asthma].

Swimming is said to have low asthmogeneity especially when compared with other physical activities. Four young athletes who participated in heavy swimming exercise are reported as having symptoms of exercise-induced asthma (EIA). Three of them started to develop the symptoms after several years of training and had no former history of asthma. In the fourth, the asthma was diagnosed in childhood but the EIA-symptoms here exacerbated by swimming. All four experienced more symptoms when the air in the swimming pool was warm, or when there was a strong smell of chlorine. Two of the athletes reported having no symptoms when they swam in outdoor pools and had only minor symptoms, or none at all, when they did other formes of physical exercise, including running. In all four their swimming performance was hampered by their respiratory symptoms. Two of the swimmers improved when they inhaled steroids and adrenerg-beta 2 agonists, and continued their swimming carrier. The cases suggest that an irritant may provoke asthma symptoms in susceptible swimmers. Volatile compounds from chlorination of the pools are suspected as possible irritant agents.

Adolescent↗

[Quality assurance in an emergency department--what is it?].

To date, the medical profession has worked mainly on the improvement of medical treatment and has concentrated less on the methods used and the information given to patients and colleagues. The different aspects of quality in the daily routines are described, and some of these are used as examples of how a system for quality assurance can be developed. It is important that each department develop its own system of quality assurance adapted to local difficulties and different specialties.

Emergency Service, Hospital↗

Open tibial fractures treated with Hoffmann external fixation.

Thirty-two open fractures of the tibial shaft were treated with external fixation between 1973 and 1981. Early amputation was necessary in one patient. In the remainder, including 14 with extensive soft-tissue lesions, wound healing was obtained within 18 weeks, and the median time until full weight bearing without pain was 32 weeks (range 8-60 weeks). Two deep infections healed during the observation period. Among 26 patients examined 1-9 years after the injury, the result was excellent in six, good in 11, fair in four, and poor in five patients (including the amputation). One fracture had not united during the observation period. Four poor results were due to the stiffness of the ankle and foot after compartment syndrome. In conclusion, alertness for early fasciotomy is necessary even in severe open tibial fractures. The external fixation should not be continued longer than the soft tissue and bone reconstruction make it necessary.

Adolescent↗

Large intramuscular spindle-cell lipoma. With review of the literature. A case report.

A case of a large spindle-cell lipoma in an intramuscular (subfascial) localization is reported. The tumour occurred in a 58-year-old male patient and was localized subfascially in his left deltoid muscle. The tumour measured 20 X 8 X 8 cm; its weight was 780 grams. After initial biopsy, the tumour was extirpated. Microscopically, the tumour tissue consisted of mature fat cells and spindle-cell areas in varying amounts, constituting a typical appearance of a spindle-cell lipoma. There were no histological signs of malignancy. Especially, no areas of liposarcoma differentiation were detected. The patient is well, with no signs of recurrence, one and a half years after the operation. We have reviewed the literature on spindle-cell lipoma, and we believe this is the first example of this neoplasm to be reported in an intramuscular (subfascial) localization.

Humans↗

Supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children: review of closed and open reduction leading to a proposal for treatment.

Of 70 supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children, 25 were treated by open reduction and internal fixation, 24 by closed manipulation and plaster and 21 by plaster-of-Paris only. Three of the fractures were operated on because of suspected vascular injury (with or without neurological symptoms), another seven because of instability and/or extreme swelling and 15 after unsatisfactory closed reduction. Traction was used in 3 of the 24 patients treated by closed methods and among the other 21, three fractures had to be manipulated twice. Three to six years after the injury, 6 of the 25 patients operated on had reduced flexion-extension and/or deformity exceeding 10 degrees. Five patients treated by closed reduction had reduced movements or deformity exceeding 10 degrees and three patients with originally undisplaced fractures had deformity exceeding 10 degrees. In this study the most severe fractures were selected for operation but, in spite of this, the results were better than for fractures treated by closed reduction and plaster. Based on this and previous studies, a plan suitable for most departments is suggested for the treatment of this fracture.

Adolescent↗

Bone metastasis. Prognosis, diagnosis and treatment.

Carcinoma of the breast, lung or prostate cause the majority of all bone metastases. Prolonged survival is common in patients with breast or prostate tumours. Different types of treatment may significantly increase the quality of life. Single-dose or fractionated radiation therapy may be effective, and 70 to 90 per cent of patients obtain partial or complete relief from pain. Surgery followed by irradiation is indicated in most patients with pathologic femur fractures. Immediate surgical treatment, either alone or combined with radiation therapy, may prevent paraparesis in patients with incipient cord compression. For neoplasms sensitive to systemic therapy such treatment should often be added to local treatment.

Bone Neoplasms↗