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Biomedical subjects

F Heppner

Publications and source records attributed to F Heppner.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Natural history and operative treatment of intracranial aneurysms after subarachnoid haemorrhage (author's transl)].

This report presents an evaluation of prognosis in 227 patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage caused by intracranial aneurysm, comparing operative treatment in 118 patients with conservative treatment in 109. In all operable cases, the prognosis following early surgery was better than that of conservative treatment. Statistical comparison of patient groups according to the clinical condition allowed the formation of guidelines for the optimal timing of surgery: patients in good clinical condition should be operated on at the earliest possible moment. The overall mortality with such a policy is lower than with a waiting policy, since the majority of recurrences occurred within 2 weeks. Patients with disturbed consciousness and neurological deficit are best operated on either within 24 hours or following stabilization or improvement of the clinical picture -- mostly after 2 weeks. The risk of rebleeding is much lower in these cases, which justifies awaiting optimum clinical conditions. Surgery on comatose patients is contraindicated.

Female

Predicting lethal outcome after severe head injury -- a computer-assisted analysis of neurological symptoms and laboratory values.

A total number of 58 parameters (laboratory values, neurological symptoms, and vegetative parameters) were evaluated in 150 patients during the first seven days after severe head injury. The patients were divided into two groups, "survivors" and "non-survivors". Eight easily evaluable routine parameters with the most significant differences between the two groups of patients were used for statistical evaluation of a "no survival chance score". These highly indicative parameters are serum osmolarity and urea, blood glucose, total bilirubin, motor reaction to stimuli, body temperature, respiratory activity, and pupil reaction. A "low survival chance limit" was evaluated from each of these parameters by computer analysis. None of the patients in the series survived when three or more of these eight parameters had climbed beyond the limit. So far, the system is able to predict "no survival chances" in 50.8% of the non-survivors some six days prior to death; 80% of these predictions could be made by the fourth day after injury.

Adolescent

Medical versus surgical treatment of patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency. A retrospective comparative study.

Report on a series of patients suffering from cerebrovascular insufficiency caused by stenosis and/or occlusion of one or several major cerebral vessels. The patients were divided in two groups, one being medically treated with anticoagulants, the other operated on either a carotid artery thrombosis by thromboendarterectomy or occlusion treated with an extracranial-intracranial arterial bypass. Results after a follow-up period of 1-3 years are compared and discussed in view of the recent literature.

Adult

[Psychosurgery today (author's transl)].

After discussion of the historical and neurophysiological bases of psychosurgery a report on personal experience in different indications is given. Finally, the present degree of informedness of doctors and the media on psychosurgery is discussed.

Aggression

[Therapy of traumatic brain edema with spironolactone (author's transl)].

In 30 patients with severe brain injury a double-blind study was performed. The effectiveness of the aldosterone-antagonist Aldactone pro injectione was examined in therapy of traumatic brain edema. The results indicate elimination of sodium and water from brain cells and white matter. Concomitantly faster improvement of state of consciousness was observed.

Adolescent

Proteolytic enzyme activity in patients with severe head injury and the effect of a proteinase inhibitor.

A study was performed to detect the inhibitory effect of intravenously administered aprotinin (Trasylol) on brain and CSF protease activity in 25 patients with severe head injury. The data presented include measurements of CSF protease activity, alpha-1-antitrypsin, alpha-2-macroglobulin, haptoglobulin, polyacrylamidgel-electrophoresis pattern, total protein and hemoglobin content. The results indicate that increased protease activity is present and that this induces autolytic processes which can be inhibited by aprotinin treatment. The survival rate was higher after aprotinin treatment. Total CSF protein content was significantly higher in nonsurvivors than in survivors.

Aprotinin

The operative approach to lipomas of the corpus callosum.

Survey on the incidence, pathology and the surgical attempts undertaken so far in lipomas of corpus callosum. Report of a case of radical removal with the aid of CO2-Laser beam followed by complete recovery in a 21-year-old woman.

Adult

[Experiences with the CO2 laser in surgery of the nervous system].

The results obtained in animal experiments in which the effect of the CO/-Laser on the nervous system was studied, have encouraged the author to use this new device in the surgery of the brain, spinal cord, and the peripheral nerves. Histological examinations have shown that the cuts of the brain tissue produced by the laser are cleaner and less destructive than those produced by the spatula and the diathermy knife. On thje other hand, the electrosurgical knife seems to produce a better coagulation. Clinically, the CO2-Laser has proved its value in 240 operations. Owing to the possibility of an exact dosing and the resulting small penetration depth, it is possible to use the laser not only in spinal cord surgery but also in regions of the brain stem that have been inaccessible until now. The combined use with the operating microscope is an additional advantage. Of special interest, too, are interventions in epilepsy, tumours of the spinal cord, comissurotomy and in amputation neuromas. Vaporisation of the tumour cavities for preventing or delaying glioblastoma relapses has shown no significant effect until now.

Brain

The liquefaction (oncolysis) of malignant gliomas by a non pathogenic Clostridium.

Vascular glioblastomas become liquefied when contaminated with spores of the non-pathogenic Clostridium butyricum M 55. The spores are administered by intracarotid injection. The oncolysis is complete one week after injection. The glioblastoma is converted into a brain abscess which is then operated on appropriately. Forty nine patients have been treated in this manner. The rate of recurrence, however, remained uninfluenced.

Adult

[1st experience with laser beams in the treatment of neurosurgical diseases].

The Sharplan 791 type CO2-laser, specially adapted to neurosurgical requirements, was used in the surgery of 9 gliomas, 10 meningeomas, 6 patients presenting metastasis, 1 case of vascular malformation, intracranial interventions, 1 case of hippocampectomy, 2 cases of neurinomas, 2 intramedullar tumours of the spinal cord, 1 case of thoracic commissurotomy, 1 case of thoracic prolaps of intravertebral disc, 1 case of vertebral metastasis and in 3 cases of stump neurinoma. Detrimental effects on the patients as well as any hazards to the surgical staff have not been observed. The cutting effect was mainly used for the incision of soft part, in some cases also for the formation of bony cover. Moreover the CO2-laser beam was used for coagulation and vaporisation. Particular advantages are offered by the equipment when working under the surgical microscope. Topografic precision and energetic dosing make the equipment a valuable supplement of the surgical instruments, available until now.

Brain Neoplasms

[Continuous telemetric recording of intracranial pressure].

A report is given on the development of a telemetric system for continuous recording of intracranial pressure, using an external energy source. The pressure transducer, called Teleceptor, is placed in the subdural space through a burr hole. The resonance frequencies of the transmitter and receiver circuits in the implanted transducer are influenced by a pressure-sensitive membrane in such a way that pressure variations result in resonance point displacement and energy transfer reduction. The necessary tuning of the transmitter frequency to maximum energy transfer is in direct proportion to the magnitude of pressure modification.

Humans

Telemetry of intracranial pressure.

A new technique is described for telemetric measurement of intracranial pressure in man using an external energy source and a small pressure transducer, called a TELECEPTOR, implanted in the skull. The method presents advantages, especially for long term recordings.

Female