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Biomedical subjects

B Kåss

Publications and source records attributed to B Kåss.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

[Thrombotic or embolic stroke?].

BACKGROUND: Transoesophageal echocardiography reveals a possible source of embolism in many patients who present with acute brain ischaemia. The aim of this study was to observe the prevalence of possible sources of embolism in a representative Norwegian stroke population in a county hospital with a defined reference population. METHODS: All 103 patients with ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack admitted to our hospital during a five-month period were enrolled. We performed transthoracic echocardiography in 98 patients, transoesophageal echocardiography in 83, and Doppler examination of the precerebral arteries in 92. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 72 years; 19 patients had atrial fibrillation. Examinations revealed 70 potential sources of embolism in 55 patients. Twenty-eight findings were in the heart. Five patients had thrombi in left-sided heart chambers. Ten patients had patent foramen ovale; 11 had atrial septal aneurysm; four had both. Thirty-three had atheromas of the aorta with a protrusion of more than 4 mm, ten of them with mobile elements. Nine patients had carotid stenosis of high grade or carotid occlusion ipsilateral to a hemispheric stroke. INTERPRETATION: Potential precerebral sources of embolism are common in a representative population of patients with ischaemic stroke. Atheromas of the aorta may be an important contributor to brain ischaemia.

Aged↗

Propranolol (Inderal) and clonidine (Catapressan) in the prophylactic treatment of migraine. A comparative trial.

Twenty-one patients continued a double-blind crossover study to compare the prophylactic effect on migraine of propranolol and clonidine. The daily dosage of propranolol and clonidine was 160 mg and 100 microgram, respectively. Statistical analysis did not show any significant difference between the two drugs in respect to headache or nausea. The number of sickleave days and the use of symptomatic drugs were both less on propranolol treatment than on clonidine, but there was no statistically conclusive difference.

Adult↗

Acute multiple brachial neuropathy and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Although acute brachial neuritis is a well-known syndrome, factors that contribute to its pathogenesis are not yet understood. Only once before has this syndrome been reported in connection with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. We describe here a 24-year-old man who suddenly developed acute multiple brachial neuritis of the right shoulder and on neurologic examination showed an associated finding of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The latter syndrome was also confirmed in other members of his family. This combination may have been overlooked previously. Mechanical and traumatic factors may play an important role in both pathogenesis and therapy.

Adult↗

Practical application of patterned visual evoked responses in multiple sclerosis.

Pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (VEP) were studied in a control group of 72 subjects and in 60 patients with multiple sclerosis. The recording system consisted of a visual stimulator for pattern production on a commercial TV connected to an EMG machine for displaying and averaging of the response. The normal values of latency, the upper limit of normality and right-left differences in our control group were compared with those given by different authors. Likewise a comparison of the positive VEP results in MS was carried out. The reasons for the variability of results were briefly discussed and the importance of control studies for each laboratory starting VEP recording was stressed. This test can easily be carried out in every clinical neurophysiological laboratory and it provides an excellent and rapid technique for the investigation of patients with suspected multiple sclerosis.

Adolescent↗

Long-term prognosis of patients with central cerebral ventricular enlargement. A fifth follow-up study of 100 patients with a 3rd ventricle measuring 12 mm or more in width.

One hundred patients with a 3rd ventricle width of 12 mm or more were examined for the fifth time in 1976 after an average observation period of 20.8 years. On first admission, a predominant aetiological factor was found in 27 cases. Two patients had air-encephalogrophical findings indicating normal pressure hydrocephalus. One of these had a shunt operation, however, without improvement. Seventy-one patients had died, 7 patients were in need of care and supervision, 11 patients were unable to work, the remaining 11 were able to work to some extent. The group studied had a significantly increased mortality rate. The causes of death were divided into three groups: 1. Probably related to the underlying brain disorder; 2. Related to those in an average Norwegian population; and 3. Minor disorder usually not leading to death. The following factors indicated a poor long-term prognosis: 1. Serious associated disease; 2. A relatively high age; 3. Associated cardiovascular disease; 4. Marked degree of ventricular enlargement; 5. Marked enlargement of the temporal horns; 6. Many and/or marked neurological signs; and 7. Prognosis intellectual deterioration.

Adolescent↗