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Biomedical subjects

D Holzmann

Publications and source records attributed to D Holzmann.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Management of benign inverted sinonasal papilloma avoiding external approaches.

Even though endoscopic removal of inverted papillomas has gained popularity, many studies advocate supplementary external approaches. The impact of including the current surgical staging system into the pre-operative clinical and radiological assessment has not been systematically evaluated. We present our experience with total endoscopic management of inverted papillomas and compare the accuracy of the pre-operative predicted extent of surgery, with the actually performed surgery. From 1997 to 2005 data from 51 patients with inverted papillomas were prospectively collected and subsequently reviewed. All have been operated on endoscopically without an external approach. The overall recurrence rate was 3.9 per cent. Pre-operative prediction of extent of surgery was accurate in 26 of 51 (51 per cent). The main reasons for the inaccurate pre-operative prediction were the variable sizes and locations of the inverted papilloma bases, particularly in the maxillary sinus and the frontal recess. Our results encourage us to recommend endoscopic management as the standard treatment of benign inverted papillomas.

Adult↗

Solitary fibrous tumor of the orbit--two cases and a review of the literature.

Solitary fibrous tumors of the orbit (SFT) are mesenchymal lesions that can develop either as malignant or benign neoplasias. We describe the histological features leading to the diagnosis in two females and review the current literature. Diagnosis of SFT only can be performed by histological examination, since clinical signs and radiological features are not specific enough. Even a malignant or benign course cannot be predicted, since clinical and radiological features do not correlate with histological signs of malignancy and vice versa. Radical resection is the treatment of choice, since no other treatment option has been proven to be efficient.

Aged↗

[An endocranial complication of sinogenic origin without initial classical neurological symptoms].

A 14 year old male developed a subdural empyema with a leptomeningeal infection of sinogenic origin. Initially, there were none of the expected neurological symptoms such as worsening headaches, vomiting, alteration in the level of consciousness and neck stiffness. Later, focal neurological deficits and seizures occurred. An endonasal sinus drainage was performed simultaneously with a neurosurgical exploration. We started an antibiotic therapy. All neurological deficits disappeared rapidly.

Adolescent↗

In vitro and in vivo allergenicity of recombinant Bet v 1 compared to the reactivity of natural birch pollen extract.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic procedures using natural extracts show only limited quantitative correlation between in vivo and in vitro results. Highly pure recombinant allergens might show more predictive findings. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare natural birch pollen extract (BPE) and recombinant Betula verrucosa (rBet v 1) for their diagnostic value comparing skin prick tests (SPTS) and nasal provocation tests (NPTS) with specific IgE in the serum. METHODS: Thirty-four patients allergic to birch pollen and five healthy controls were investigated. SPT and NPT were performed with BPE and rBet v 1 at different concentrations. Specific serum IgE was measured by the Pharmacia CAP system. RESULTS: Commercial BPE and rBet v 1 (10 micro g/mL) were able to elicit similar allergenic reactions in vivo and IgE binding in vitro. SPT reflects immediate-type allergy as determined by NPT to a higher degree than specific IgE, for both reagents. To cause allergic reactions in NPT, higher amounts of rBet v 1 were needed than for skin tests and the sensitivity was lower than with BPE. CONCLUSION: rBet v 1 alone is sufficient for a reliable diagnosis of birch pollen allergy in most patients and induces comparable skin test reactivity as BPE, but less allergic reactions in nasal provocations.

Adult↗

Cerebral venous thrombosis in childhood.

This was a retrospective study to determine different etiologies of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) in childhood and to correlate extent and location of thrombosis with the etiology and the age of the child as well as the final outcome. In addition, the radiologic approach is discussed. This was a retrospective analysis of 19 children with CVT. The children were examined by contrast-enhanced dynamic CT. Radiologic findings were correlated with the etiology of CVT. Cerebral venous thrombosis is not as infrequent in children as has been thought. Cerebral venous thrombosis in children can occur due to trauma (n=9), infections (n=7), or coagulation disorders (n=3). Extent and location of thrombosis, as well as complications, final outcome, and therapy, depend on the etiology. Computed tomography remains a valuable primary imaging modality in the diagnosis of CVT in the acutely injured or diseased child.

Child↗

On the decision of outpatient adenoidectomy and adenotonsillectomy in children.

OBJECTIVE: Outpatient tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy is the procedure of choice in the US, whereas in Europe, the transition from the traditional duration of hospital stay to same day discharge slowly increases. This trial was conducted to find factors, which influence surgery on an outpatient basis and to find possible positive and negative predictive conditions in patients. METHODS: Most trials, which argue for a same day discharge take the low percentage of postoperative hemorrhage into account. Hemorrhage, apnea and infections are complications and have to be distinguished from sequelae such as poor oral intake (with consecutive i.v. fluid supply), fever and protracted vomiting, that also should be considered as discharge criteria. Complications as well as sequelae were measured in 114 consecutive children, and the patients divided into an adenotonsillectomy group and an adenoidectomy group. RESULTS: Patients from both groups that underwent surgery because of severe obstructive symptoms had significantly more sequelae than those indicated because of chronic or recurrent infections. They could not have been discharged in an acceptable condition. Due to the fact that most children after adenoidectomy recovered well 8 h postoperatively, they could have been discharged on the same day. Children after adenotonsillectomy had significantly more sequelae. There was a tendency that adenotonsillectomy children with only mild obstructions could have been discharged either 8 or at least 24 h postoperatively. It still remains the surgeon's decision when a child can be discharged safely.

Adenoidectomy↗

Function and ultrastructure of cilia in primary ciliary dyskinesia.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a heterogeneous disease with impaired mucociliary transport leading to upper and lower respiratory disorders, hearing impairment and male infertility. Primary ciliary dyskinesia can only be diagnosed by clinical features together with functional and structural analysis of the cilia. To prevent bronchiectasis with marked reduced quality of life, early diagnosis is essential. For this purpose we compared our experience over 10 years with the literature. Our concept consists of a thorough interdisciplinary examination of the patient to rule out other underlying pathologies such as allergy, cystic fibrosis, immune deficiencies, and alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency on the basis of their clinical features. Thereafter, mucosal biopsies from 27 patients were investigated. In 10 patients (37%) primary ciliary dyskinesia was diagnosed with the help of functional and ultrastructural analysis. 9 patients displayed no or impaired ciliary motility and a high percentage showed ultrastructural defects such as dynein arm deficiency, radial spoke defects and translocation of peripheral microtubular doublets with absent central microtubules. We suggest that investigation of mucosal biopsies for primary ciliary dyskinesia diagnosis without clinical preselection is indicated in patients with "situs inversus" suffering from chronic and/or recurrent airway infections, in patients with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome of "unknown" cause (i.e. after ruling out the other well known causes) with "situs inversus".

Adult↗

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome--a sign of primary ciliary dyskinesia?

UNLABELLED: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a clinically heterogeneous disease. In most cases, its clinical manifestation in children is rather unspecific: chronic infectious rhinnosinusitis, recurrent acute infections of the upper and lower airways and chronic otitis media with effusion. Between 1990 and 1998 ten patients were diagnosed as PCD. Nine presented a neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) of unknown cause. Six of these patients were newborns treated in the intensive care unit, one of them needed mechanical ventilation. The few cases already described in the literature and the experience with our patients support the possible association of NRDS with PCD. CONCLUSION: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome of unknown cause should be added to the list of clinical presentation of primary ciliary dyskinesia, and if further signs and symptoms are indicative of primary ciliary dyskinesia, investigations to explore this disorder are warranted.

Ciliary Motility Disorders↗

Lateral dural sinus thrombosis in childhood.

OBJECTIVES: To present etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of dural sinus thrombosis (DST) in children. To discuss the diagnostic role of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) and to evaluate the controversial treatment modalities of anticoagulation, surgical drainage of the infected sinus, and ligation of the internal jugular vein (IJV). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review and analysis of computed tomography (CT) scans and follow-up visits to document the clinical outcome. METHODS: Between 1986 and 1996, CT scans of 15 children revealed DST. These patients were further investigated. RESULTS: The etiology could be divided in three groups: group A, infection (6); group B, trauma (6); and group C, coagulation disorders. There were neither symptoms nor clinical findings specifically related to DST but rather, these were related to the underlying disease or condition (otitis media, skull base fractures). Diagnosis was made by CECT in all cases. Fusobacterium necrophorum was found in 4 of 6 patients in group A. Early mastoidectomy with incision and drainage of the thrombosed sigmoid sinus was performed in patients in group A. Postoperative intravenous (IV) heparin was given; however, no ligation of the IJV became necessary. In all patients in group C, protein C or protein S deficiency, or both, was detected. CONCLUSIONS: CECT with adequate window-level settings allows the diagnosis of a DST with high sensitivity. Treatment of choice for septic DST consists of administration of antibiotics and early surgical drainage. We recommend anticoagulation therapy in children with septic DST during their hospitalization.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Diagnostic approach to primary ciliary dyskinesia: a review.

UNLABELLED: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a heterogeneous disease with impaired mucociliary transport leading to respiratory disorders, hearing impairment and male infertility. PCD can be diagnosed by clinical features together with functional and structural analysis of the cilia. To prevent bronchiectasis with a marked reduction in quality of life, early diagnosis is essential. The rarity of PCD and the costs of ultrastructural analysis of cilia require a rational diagnostic concept. We therefore reviewed the literature and compared clinical manifestations as well as functional and structural analyses of the cilia in 28 patients (23 children, 5 adults) investigated between 1990 and 1998. All were thoroughly examined for other possible diseases before biopsy, and ten patients (35.7%; eight children, two adults) were diagnosed as having PCD. From the literature review and our findings we conclude that ciliary investigation is indicated (a) in patients who remain suspected of having PCD despite thorough clinical examination and exclusion of other disorders such as cystic fibrosis, allergy, immunologic disorders and alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency; (b) in patients with situs inversus suffering from chronic and/or recurrent airway infections; and (c) in patients with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome of "unknown" cause (i.e. after exclusion of hyaline membrane disease, aspiration syndromes, neonatal pneumonia, and pneumothorax as well as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases). CONCLUSION: The combination of extensive clinical examination with functional and ultrastructural analysis of the cilia results in a high degree of accuracy in diagnosing PCD.

Adult↗

MRI of chronic recurrent parotitis in childhood.

PURPOSE: Chronic recurrent parotitis (CRP) is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by multiple episodes of unilateral or bilateral parotid inflammation over a period of years. The objective of this study was to evaluate the parotid glands using MRI during acute inflammation as well as during symptom-free intervals. METHOD: Twelve children with a history of CRP were included. Four patients were examined during the acute phase and eight children during symptom-free intervals. MR findings were correlated with the clinical status. RESULTS: Two different patterns were identified by MRI: acute inflammation versus chronic inflammation. Contrast enhancement of the parotid gland indicated acute inflammation. Cysts due to chronic inflammation were encountered in children who suffered multiple episodes of inflammation. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that CRP is characterized by recurrent, acute exacerbations of inflammation, resulting in a slowly progressive destruction of the parotid gland.

Acute Disease↗

Allergic rhinitis as a risk factor for orbital complication of acute rhinosinusitis in children.

The purpose of this article is to determine allergic rhinitis and age as potential risk factors for the development of orbital complications of acute rhinosinusitis in children. One hundred two children presenting with orbital swelling were investigated by computed tomography (CT) of the paranasal sinuses and the orbit as well as for underlying allergic rhinitis. Sixty (58.8%) patients had orbital complications of clinical and radiological acute rhinosinusitis. They were grouped accordingly: preseptal cellulitis (n = 24), periostitis (n = 10), and subperiosteal abscess (n = 26). No abscess within the orbit or cavernous sinus thrombosis was found. Thirty-four (56.7%) of the 60 patients underwent allergy investigation. Allergic rhinitis was found in 9 (64.3%) of 14 children with preseptal cellulitis, in 1 (25%) out of 4 children with periostitis, and in 13 (76.5%) out of 17 children with subperiosteal abscess. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis was significantly higher in patients presenting in pollen season from February to August (17:4) than in patients presenting in the period between September and January (6:7). Thus, allergic rhinitis may be a cofactor in the pathogenesis of orbital complications of acute rhinosinusitis. According to our study population, age only influences the type of orbital complication of acute rhinosinusitis in the sense that older children are more likely to develop subperiosteal abscess, whereas younger children develop preseptal cellulitis.

Acute Disease↗