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Biomedical subjects

B Neundörfer

Publications and source records attributed to B Neundörfer.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

[Quality assurance in treatment of stroke: basic module of the German Stroke Registry Study Group].

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Comparable, standardised data on the quality and efficiency of stroke care in Germany are lacking. The Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Schlaganfall-Register (ADSR--German Stroke Registries Study Group) has defined a "Minimum DataSet" for the evaluation of quality indicators of stroke treatment in Germany. METHODS: The ADSR is a voluntary network of current regional stroke registries aiming at a standardisation in the use of stroke terminology and methods of data collection for German stroke databases. Currently six regional stroke registries are cooperating in the ADSR, combining data from about 18,000 stroke patients in 110 hospitals annually. RESULTS: In the design of the ADSR DataSet a modular approach was chosen. The ADSR "Minimum DataSet" was adapted for a wide use in different health care facilities. In addition to the "Minimum DataSet" an "Advanced DataSet" will be developed to document additional items of stroke care in specialised stroke centres. The ADSR DataSet collection will be completed by special "Extended DataSets", designed for answering centre-specific and research questions. CONCLUSION: The ADSR "Minimum DataSet" allows a standardised assessment of stroke care in Germany. It is the first questionnaire that provides valid and reliable comparisons between different clinical settings as well as regional stroke databases. The ADSR "Minimum DataSet" defines core items for a future National German Health Report on stroke care.

Data Collection↗
PubMed2000

Muscle hypertrophy due to scarring of the S1 nerve root.

Segmental muscle enlargement occurs in a variety of neurogenic conditions. We present a patient with calf hypertrophy, likely produced by continuous neuromuscular irritability and compensatory type 1 and type 2 muscle fiber hypertrophy. The underlying lesion of the S1 nerve root was caused by scarring, which could be demonstrated by Gadolinum enhanced, fat saturated magnetic resonance imaging. Thus, the application of this technique is recommended in otherwise etiologically unclear cases of neurogenic muscular lesions in order to detect chronic nerve root pathology.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Neurologic manifestations of cerebral air embolism as a complication of central venous catheterization.

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVE, PATIENTS, AND METHODS: A severe case of cerebral air embolism after unintentional central venous catheter disconnection was the impetus for a systematic literature review (1975-1998) of the clinical features of 26 patients (including our patient) with cerebral air embolism resulting from central venous catheter complications. RESULTS: The jugular vein had been punctured in eight patients and the subclavian vein, in 12 patients. Embolism occurred in four patients during insertion, in 14 patients during unintentional disconnection, and in eight patients after removal and other procedures. The total mortality rate was 23%. Two types of neurologic manifestations may be distinguished: group A (n = 14) presented with encephalopathic features leading to a high mortality rate (36%); and group B (n = 12) presented with focal cerebral lesions resulting in hemiparesis or hemianopia affecting mostly the right hemisphere, with a mortality rate as high as 8%. In 75% of patients, an early computed tomography indicated air bubbles, proving cerebral air embolism. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was performed in only three patients (12%). A cardiac defect, such as a patent foramen ovale was considered the route of right to left shunting in 6 of 15 patients (40%). More often, a pulmonary shunt was assumed (9 of 15 patients; 60%). For the remainder, data were not available. CONCLUSION: When caring for critically ill patients needing central venous catheterization, nursing staff and physicians should be aware of this potentially lethal complication.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Pain-related somatosensory evoked magnetic fields induced by controlled ballistic mechanical impacts.

The purpose of this study was to investigate cortical processing of painful compared with tactile mechanical stimulation by means of magnetoencephalography (MEG) using the novel technique of mechanical impact loading. A light, hard projectile is accelerated pneumatically in a guiding barrel and elicits a brief sensation of pain when hitting the skin in free flight. Controllable noxious and innocuous impact velocities facilitate the generation of different, predetermined stimulus intensities. The authors applied painful as well as tactile mechanical impacts to the dorsum of the second, third, and fourth digit of the nondominant hand. Pain-related somatosensory evoked magnetic fields (SSEFs) were compared with those following tactile stimulation in seven healthy volunteers. Contralateral primary sensory cortical area activation was observed within the first 70 msec after tactile as well as painful stimulus intensities. Only painful impacts elicited SSEF responses assigned to the bilateral secondary sensory cortical regions and to the middle part of the contralateral cingulate gyrus, which were active at latency ranges of 55 to 155 msec and 90 to 220 msec respectively. Additional long-latency responses occurred in these cortical areas as long as 280 msec after painful stimulation in three subjects. In contrast to tactile stimulation, painful mechanical impacts elicited SSEF responses in cortical areas demonstrated to be involved in central pain processing by previous MEG and neuroimaging studies. Because of its similarity to natural noxious stimuli and the possibility of adjustable painful and tactile impact velocities, the technique of mechanical impact loading provides a useful method for the neurophysiologic evaluation of cortical pain perception.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Chronic parvovirus B-19 meningoencephalitis with additional detection of Epstein-Barr virus DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid of an immunocompetent patient.

Parvovirus B19 DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction in the brain biopsy specimen from a 67-year-old immunocompetent woman with severe chronic lymphocytic meningoencephalitis. In addition to parvovirus B19, Epstein-Barr virus DNA was identified in the CSF. Genomic material from Epstein-Barr virus was absent in the brain tissue. Clinical symptoms and CSF pleocytosis improved under long-term corticosteroid-treatment. The aetio-pathogenetic role of parvovirus B19 and the possible meaning of the additionally detected Epstein-Barr virus DNA are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Nosocomial pneumonias in a neurology intensive care unit].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Nosocomial pneumonia in patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) are a great problem as a cause of increased morbidity and mortality as well as the resulting high cost of treatment. This study was aimed at determining the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia and the risk factors for its occurrence in patients with severe neurological disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1.1. and 31.12.1997, 217 patients (125 men, 92 women; average age 63.4 years) were prospectively included if they were treated for more than 48 hours in the ICU of the Neurology Department of Erlangen University. The occurrence of nosocomial pneumonia (NP) was noted, using the criteria of the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Incidence of the diseases was related to age, sex, initial state of consciousness, type of ventilation, duration of stay in the ICU and any associated medical condition. RESULTS: NP was diagnosed in 68 patients (31.4%). Statistically significant relative risks were male sex (2.4 fold, P < 0.01), clouded consciousness with a Glasgow coma score < 8 (6.2 fold, P < 0.001), mechanical ventilation (8.4 fold, P < 0.001), time in ICU > or = 8 days (9.3 fold, P < 0.001) and associated medical condition (3.3 fold, P < 0.005). In 17.7% of cases no relevant pathogen was identified microbiologically. A mixed infection was present in 36.8% of cases. The most common Gram-positive organism was Staph, aureus (35.3%), the most common Gram-negative ones were Ps. aeruginosa (25%), Kl. pneumoniae and Kl. oxytoca (11.8%), E. Coli (10.3%) and Acinetobacter species (7.4%). There was also a high rate of infection or infestation with Candida albicans or glabrata (41.2%). NP played a clinically decisive role in the fatal course of 13 of the 47 patients who died. CONCLUSION: These data (incidence, relative risk) can, by taking into consideration various aspects of specialist and hospital hygienic practices, contribute to a continuing optimization of the prevention and treatment of disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Detection of patent foramen ovale. Transesophageal echocardiography and transcranial Doppler sonography with ultrasound contrast media are "supplementary, not competing, diagnostic methods"].

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in healthy individuals is estimated to be about 25% and is elevated to 40% patients with stroke. To date transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was considered to be the most sensitive method to detect PFO and was regarded as the gold standard. Transcranial Doppler sonography of the middle cerebral artery during contrast injection (c-TCD) has recently been proposed as an alternative method for the detection of PFO. We report our experience on 45 patients (age < 55 years) with stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in whom both c-TCD and TEE were performed to detect PFO as a mechanism for embolic cerebral ischemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 45 patients (21 women, 24 men, mean age 41.4 years ranging from 17 to 54 years) with cerebral ischemia, both standardized TEE and standardized c-TCD were performed separately. When any PFO was found by TEE and/or c-TCD, it was classified as positive. If c-TCD was positive but TEE negative, a second TEE was performed and vice versa. RESULTS: PFO was found epicritically in 26 patients (57.8%). First TEE detected PFO in 24 cases (sensitivity 92.3%). Separately performed c-TCD detected PFO in 22 cases of the PFO-positive cases (sensitivity 84.6%). However, c-TCD detected PFO in 2 cases, in which the first TEE had been negative, leading to a second TEE which confirmed PFO and demonstrated minimal shunt (7.7%). TEE detected PFO in 4 cases in which first c-TCD was negative. A second c-TCD confirmed in 2 of these 4 cases a positive right-to-left shunt. Neither method revealed false positive results (specifity 100%). The positive predictive value was 100% in both methods. The negative predictive value in TEE was 90.5% and in c-TCD was 82.6%. CONCLUSION: TEE and c-TCD are not concurrent diagnostic tools to detect PFO. Both supplement each other. If both methods are used in all PFO-suspected patients, PFO detection rate is higher than when using either method alone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Renal tubular acidosis with severe hypokalemic tetraparesis after ibuprofen intake].

HISTORY: A 72-year-old woman was admitted because of severe acute tetraparesis, more marked proximally. For six months she had been taking ibuprofen, up to 4800 mg daily, for a painful ulcer of the lower leg. INVESTIGATIONS: Biochemical tests revealed marked hypokalaemia (serum potassium 1.4 mmol/l) with a metabolic acidosis (pH 7.29). The ECG showed changes of hypokalaemia (ST-segment depression and U wave). TREATMENT AND COURSE: Within two days of administering potassium and bicarbonate the pareses completely regressed. Transitorily abnormal renal functions also rapidly normalized after ibuprofen had been discontinued. CONCLUSION: The biochemical findings suggest renal tubular acidosis, type 2, most likely caused by the excess intake of ibuprofen, a drug which can cause renal dysfunctions with life-threatening electrolyte abnormalities.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular↗
PubMed1999

[Structure quality in outpatient care of chronic pain patients].

BACKGROUND: Outcome quality of medical treatment depends on structure quality of the treatment facility. In the present study we tried evaluate structural parameters of outpatient treatment facilities relating to management of headache, low back pain and cancer pain. METHODS: 109 outpatient treatment facilities (104 offices, 3 outpatient departments of hospitals, 2 pain ambulances of hospitals) in middle franconia, one of the larger Bavarian administrative division (population: 1,6 Mio.), have been evaluated by questionnaires. Questions examined certain structural conditions of the treatment facility as compared to german guidelines for outpatient treatment of pain patients ("Schmerztherapievereinbarung"). RESULTS: Only one treatment facility worked within an interdisciplinary setting. Less than 25% (median) of total patients of an outpatient treatment facility suffered from acute or chronic headache, low back pain or cancer pain. 38% of physicians participated regularly on pain conferences. Established methods for diagnosis and documentation of patients suffering from chronic headache, chronic back pain and cancer pain were regularly used by 16%, 12% and 10% of physicians, respectively. Regular interdisciplinary cooperation in the management of patients with chronic headache, chronic back pain and cancer pain was indicated by 28%, 24% and 41% of physicians, respectively. However, personal discussion of patient related problems took place in less than 5% of physicians. Although a considerable number of different therapies (included as standard therapy for outpatient management of chronic pain in the "Schmerztherapievereinbarung") can be applied in each outpatient treatment facility (median:5), psychological therapy for management of chronic headache, chronic back pain and cancer pain was used regularly by 5%, 2% and 7% of physicians, respectively. Scoring of all examined structural parameters provides a measure for the quality of the parameters of a certain outpatient treatment facility as compared to that of an optimal outpatient facility for pain treatment (quality score=100%). However, 75% of examined outpatient treatment facilities reached quality scores only up to 43%. CONCLUSIONS: There are considerable structural deficits in outpatient treatment facilities involved in management of patients suffering from chronic headache, chronic back pain and cancer pain. Realisation of standards according to the "Schmerztherapievereinbarung" needs organisation of an interdisciplinary network between the different specialties necessary for pain management. Interdisciplinary cooperation should be supported by the official organization of the medical self-government in Germany--the Kassenärztliche Vereinigung--which has to assure optimal conditions for outpatient treatments.

English Abstract↗
PubMed1999

[Complex regional pain syndrome. Clinical and autonomic disorders during acute and chronic illness stages].

In order to describe autonomic dysfunction and clinical outcome in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) 20 patients were followed-up. First investigation was performed in the acute stage of CRPS and the second investigation two years later after therapy (individual, not standardized). Skin temperature and sudomotor function (thermoregulatory sweating (TST) and quantitative sudomotor axon reflex (QSART)) were assessed, and a clinical follow-up was performed carefully. Skin temperature was warmer on the affected side at first investigation (p < 0.001) and colder at follow-up (p < 0.02). Sudomotor output was enhanced on the affected side both after TST (p < 0.005) and QSART (p < 0.05) at first investigation. At follow-up, however, while thermoregulatory sweating was still increased (p < 0.04) QSART was not different. While autonomic failure improves as assessed by clinical examination, therapy failed to alleviate pain significantly. But patients' self-assesment of therapy was mostly positive (16 of 20, p < 0.001). The present study has shown that the autonomic failure may be probably the result of central disturbances of thermoregulation, but secondary peripheral mechanisms also contribute to our findings. Individual based therapy seems to be efficacious for long term treatment, but for final judge controlled studies are required.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Secondary normal pressure hydrocephalus. A complication of chronic neuroborreliosis].

We report about a 57-year-old patient suffering from the typical symptoms of normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) including gait disturbance, urinary incontinence, and mental deterioration. CSF analysis established the diagnosis of chronic active Lyme neuroborreliosis with lymphocytic pleocytosis and intrathecal Borrelia burgdorferi antibody production. After several weeks of i.v. antibiotic treatment we observed normalization of CSF parameters as well as a clear improvement of clinical symptoms so that surgical shunting was no longer indicated. Interference with subarachnoid CSF flow may be a possible cause of the observed symptomatic NPH in a patient with chronic Lyme neuroborreliosis.

Borrelia burgdorferi Group↗
PubMed1999

Neurological manifestations of chronic hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is often associated with abnormal immunological responses. We describe four patients with vasculitic neurological signs and symptoms following HCV infection. A 56-year-old woman with HCV infection developed peripheral neuropathy characterized by asymmetric distal painful hypesthesia, dysesthesia and moderate motor weakness of the lower limbs. Serological examinations revealed cryoglobulinemia and low levels of complement C4. A biopsy of the sural nerve revealed vasculitic neuropathy. HCV infection associated immunomediated vasculitis was diagnosed. While steroid therapy was ineffective, treatment with interferon-alpha improved the neuropathy considerably without, however, eliminating HCV infection. A 62-year-old man with HCV infection developed peripheral sensory neuropathy. Complement C3 was slightly diminished. Nerve biopsy revealed vasculitic neuropathy. A 71-year-old woman developed chronic symmetric sensomotor polyneuropathy. HCV hepatitis followed blood transfusions. Cryoglobulins tested positive, consistent with type II cryoglobulinemia. Complements C3 and C4 were diminished. Inflammatory infiltrates in the sural nerve biopsy specimen led to the diagnosis of chronic vasculitic disorder. A 55-year-old woman with HCV infection developed vasculitis of the skin, connective tissue, visceral organs, and kidney, leading to hemodialysis. Neurologically she developed severe apathy and drowsiness, myoclonic jerks, exaggerated deep tendon reflexes, and positive pyramidal signs. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed diffuse increased signal abnormalities involving supra- and infratentorial white matter suggesting cerebral vasculitis. Cryoglobulins were positive, complements C3 and C4 slightly diminished (54 mg/dl, 4.3 mg/dl). Supportive therapy resulted in neurological improvement. Treatment with interferon-alpha was discontinued because of agranulocytosis. In patients with peripheral neuropathy or signs of leucencephalopathy, a hepatitis C associated vasculitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Progression of optic neuritis to multiple sclerosis: an 8-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between acute monosymptomatic optic neuritis (AON) and subsequent multiple sclerosis (MS) is still doubtful. We investigated the risk of developing MS in patients from North Bavaria, who were suffering from AON. PATIENTS/METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with clinical evidence of AON were included in the study. Initial evaluation included brain resonance imaging (MRI) and a clinical neurological examination. Follow-up examinations were performed after 72-108 months (mean: 96 months) in 26 patients (three patients were lost to follow-up) and consisted of a second complete neurological examination. Diagnosis of MS was established according to the criteria of Poser CM, Paty DW, Scheinberg L. New diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: guidelines for research protocols. Ann Neurol 1983:13:227-231. RESULTS: At follow-up, 14 of 26 patients (54%) had converted to clinically definite MS. Nine patients (64%) had developed MS within 2 years after the onset of AON. CONCLUSION: We observed the development of MS in 54% of the 26 investigated AON patients. The exceptional feature of the present study was the relatively long follow-up period of 8 years.

Acute Disease↗