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Biomedical subjects

F Aichner

Publications and source records attributed to F Aichner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Magnetic resonance: a noninvasive approach to metabolism, circulation, and morphology in human brain death.

Phosphorus (31P) magnetic resonance spectroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging were used to study the intracellular metabolism, circulation, and morphology in the brains of 3 patients with clinical brain death syndrome due to traumatic brain damage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and acute occlusive hydrocephalus caused by a colloid cyst. Magnetic resonance spectra were characterized by a complete absence of ATP and were dominated by an intense inorganic phosphate signal. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a uniform pattern of diffuse brain swelling and tentorial and foraminal herniation. Intracranial blood flow was absent on the magnetic resonance angiography projections. These preliminary findings suggest an important impact of magnetic resonance in the determination of human brain death.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1992

Magnetic resonance imaging and angiography in hemifacial spasm.

We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to investigate 14 patients with unilateral hemifacial spasm (HS) and 20 controls. The relationship of the seventh and eighth cranial nerves to adjacent vessels was best visualized on the contiguous flow sensitive 3D-FISP images. Reconstruction of projectional MRA was helpful to assess the complex architecture of the vertebrobasilar system. Neurovascular contact in the facial nerve root exit zone was present in 4 of 20 controls and in 12 of 14 patients, in whom it predicted the affected side. These results support previous findings of surgical and electrophysiological investigations that local irritation of the facial nerve is the most possible explanation for HS. MRI and MRA provide vascular and brain tissue diagnosis in a single non-invasive examination and should be recommended as primary neuroradiological procedure in HS.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Electrophysiological findings in a case of severe intrathecal baclofen overdose.

Multimodality evoked potentials were examined in a case of serious accidental intrathecal baclofen overdose in a patient who suffered from severe spasticity due to a traumatic brain lesion. Electrophysiological findings during, before and after the intoxication were compared. Transcranial electrical stimulation up to 750 V did not evoke any responses in thenar muscles on the first day of intoxication. An improvement to normal values was observed within 3 days, paralleled by an amelioration of the patient's clinical condition. Cervical electrical stimulation was largely unaffected by baclofen. Median nerve somatosensory and brain-stem acoustic evoked potentials revealed few or no differences during intoxication compared to pre- and post-intoxication responses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system: report of three cases and review of the literature.

We present 3 cases and a review of the literature to demonstrate the current state of clinical diagnosis and therapy of superficial siderosis of the central nervous system. Typical symptoms were progressive cerebellar ataxia, spasticity and hearing loss. Repeated subarachnoid hemorrhage was indicated by persistent xanthochromia of the cerebrospinal fluid and confirmed by the presence of erythrophages, siderophages and iron-containing pigments. Deposition of free iron and hemosiderin in pial and subpial structures leads to intoxication of the central nervous system and represents the pathophysiological mechanism of superficial siderosis. Hypointensity of the marginal zones of the central nervous system on T2 weighted MR images indicates an iron-induced susceptibility effect and seems pathognomonic for superficial siderosis. In 39 of the 43 previously described cases superficial siderosis was verified by biopsy or autopsy. Today magnetic resonance imaging enables diagnosis at an early stage of the disease. Therapeutic management requires the elimination of any potential source of bleeding. In patients with unknown etiology no proofed therapy is yet available.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

1-H-localized magnetic resonance spectroscopy: preliminary observations in transient ischemic attacks.

Water-suppressed proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy which has recently shown diagnostic potential in human stroke victims was performed in two patients who had suffered a hemispheric transient ischemic attack. Localized spectra were targeted from routine MR images. In one patient lactate could be observed 8 weeks after a transient ischemic attack. Lactate concentration was low compared with that of a patient who had suffered acute stroke. The other TIA patient did not show evidence of lactate production. Although these observations are preliminary, we demonstrated that localized in vivo proton spectroscopy can detect persistent biochemical alterations after transient ischemic attacks. We suggest that non-invasive in vivo proton spectroscopy will become a useful method in diagnosis and management of TIA in the future.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Wilson's disease with primary CNS manifestation--current status in diagnosis and therapy].

Five cases studied at our clinic are discussed and the literature reviewed with the aim of assessing the diagnostic value of various examination methods used for Wilson's disease and a modified diagnostic approach is suggested. CT and MRI are compared with regard to sensitivity, specificity and prognostic value. Almost regularly, MRI showed bilateral lesions in the basal ganglia in combination with structural changes in the brain stem. A pattern consisting of symmetrical lesions of the red nuclei, the periaqueductal grey region and, facultatively, the substantia nigra and the dentate nuclei was discovered and appeared almost pathognomonic. Follow-up studies revealed excellent reversibility of MRI changes by both penicillamine and trientine. Auditory evoked potentials showed the highest sensitivity and the best correlation with structural findings. Kayser-Fleischer corneal rings--a diagnostic requirement in the literature--were not found in all patients. The current state of therapy and therapy management is discussed on the basis of pathophysiological considerations. As possible complications of penicillamine administration the deterioration of the clinical condition after initiating therapy, and the risks associated with an abrupt termination of therapy are discussed in detail.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Septo-optic dysplasia and growth hormone deficiency: accelerated pubertal maturation during GH therapy.

We report four patients (three male, one female) with septo-optic dysplasia and growth hormone deficiency. All had GH therapy for a period of four to eight years until reaching final height. In all four cases bone maturation during puberty was accelerated (1.4 to 1.9 "years"/year), resulting in a final height which was clearly below the predicted height. The progress of pubertal stages was very short in all patients. In three patients TSH and prolactin release after TRH stimulation were increased. These data support a hypothalamic original of the endocrine disorder. Insufficient GH release, even after repeated GHRH stimulation, is in contrast to this assumption. In one case there was a late manifestation of neurohormonal diabetes insipidus, which indicates the possibility of later disease progression. MR imaging of the brain demonstrated variable malformation of the septum pellucidum, chiasma and nervus opticus or the pituitary gland, respectively.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1992

[MR tomographic aspects of olivary pseudohypertrophy].

MRI aspects of olivary pseudohypertrophy (OH) following pontocerebellar lesions of different etiology and localization are reviewed. OH is characterized by unilateral or bilateral enlargement of the inferior olivary nucleus and increased signal intensity in T2- and, especially, in proton-density (PD)-weighted images. Correlations between the extent and the uni- or bilateral presence of olivary hypertrophy and the localization of the primary pontocerebellar lesions are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Hemodynamic findings in migraine patients on transcranial Doppler sonography.

Forty migraine patients were examined by means of 3D-transcranial Doppler scanning (TCD). The complete circle of Willis was investigated in all patients during headache-free intervals. TCD investigations were repeated in 10 patients during a migraine attack, in one patient twice. Based on the diagnostic criteria of the "headache classification committee of the international headache society" 23 patients were assigned to a "migraine without aura" group and 17 to a "migraine with aura" group. Twenty age-matched volunteers, not suffering from headache or any vascular disease, served as a control group. No significant differences were detected between the hemodynamic data of the control group and the migraine groups both with respect to the headache-free interval and the attack. No hemodynamic changes in keeping with the pathophysiologic hypothesis of vasospasm were found in the proximal segments of the basal cerebral arteries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Agenesis of the corpus callosum and epilepsy in two brothers. Neurophysiological and MRI features.

We report on two brothers with partial agenesis of the corpus callosum and seizure disorder presumably related to ectopic grey matter. Development of both patients was characterized by psychomotor retardation and focal epileptic seizures. Genetic examination revealed normal karyotypes. One brother showed a remarkable focal miniature spike and wave periodicity constantly observed on sequential EEG records. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed partial agenesis of the corpus callosum and ectopic grey matter. Prior computerized tomography failed to visualize ectopic grey matter and overestimated corpus callosum agenesis. The heterotopic grey matter, isolated from the surrounding inhibiting influences, is the most probable source of focal seizures and the partial connection of both hemispheres may explain secondary generalization of seizures.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Intracranial germ cell tumor mimicking anorexia nervosa.

A previously healthy seventeen-year-old boy developed loss of weight, poor appetite, and aversion to food. Physical examination being normal, anorexia nervosa was suspected. Thirteen months later a CT scan revealed a mass in the third ventricle histologically proven to be a malignant teratoma. To our knowledge anorexia nervosa is only extremely rarely the presenting feature of intracranial germ cell tumors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Neuropsychological deficits in asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

A total of 20 subjects with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) and a group of healthy controls were compared as to their cognitive performance. Subjects with ACAS showed substantial deficits on tasks of mental speed, learning, visuospatial abilities, verbal processing and deductive reasoning. The cognitive profile of ACAS--subjects indicated non-specific impairment, possibly related to widespread cerebral vascular disease, of which the presence of ACAS may be one indicator.

Brain Ischemia↗
PubMed1991

Principal advantages of CNS diagnostics by magnetic resonance imaging.

In this paper the authors present the principal advantages and values of CNS diagnostics by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), on the basis of the data from the available literature as well as on the 3-year experience of the MRI Institute in Innsbruck. Also, qualitative advantages of MR 1.5 T over other, less powerful machines, have been emphasized. So far, the experience has proved that, for the moment, the 1.5 MR machine offers optimal characteristics for the diagnostics of the CNS diseases.

Adult↗