PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Luef

Publications and source records attributed to G Luef.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
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

[Snuff aspiration as a cause of recurrent pulmonary infiltrations in a 60-year-old patient with chronic renal failure].

Pulmonary infiltrations associated with renal failure demand several diagnostic procedures to exclude autoimmune disorders affecting both organ systems or to find an infectious cause of the disease. We report the case of a 60 year-old man with chronic renal failure and recurring pulmonary infiltrations. On admission to hospital all diagnostic parameters for systemic vasculitis, infectious or neoplastic disease were negative, including the histological report on transbronchial biopsies. Eventually, follow-up biopsies taken 3 months later showed vegetable fibres and necrosis due to intensive snuff abuse during the previous months. After the patient stopped taking snuff the pulmonary infiltrations improved quickly. Uraemic neuropathy, which may have facilitated aspiration, as well as the reduced pulmonary and systemic defence mechanisms due to chronic renal failure probably contributed to a considerable degree to the development of pulmonary infiltration.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1992

Laminar heterotopic grey matter (double cortex) in a patient with late onset Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

The Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a severe epileptic disorder, characterized by developmental delay, typical electroencephalographic pattern and poor control of seizures. This epileptic syndrome generally presents in early childhood but exceptionally starts at the age of 5 years or later. We describe a patient who was classified as late-onset LGS, with evidence of mild hydrocephalus on CT. MRI added new diagnostic information by demonstrating laminar heterotopic grey matter.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Neurologic symptoms within the scope of endocrine emergencies].

Functional disturbances of the central and peripheral nervous system can be seen in various internal diseases and it is not unusual that neurological symptoms are the first kind of presentation. The tight anatomical and functional junction between neurology and endocrinology predisposes to the development of neurological derangements such as somnolence, coma, seizures, and focal signs following endocrinological emergencies. In spite of modern imaging and laboratory methods, history and clinical examination are still of great importance to establish the correct diagnosis.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1992

[Cerebral and spinal nocardia infection. A case report].

We report a case of multiple cerebral and spinal abscesses due to Nocardia asteroides in a non-immunocompromised patient. The initial central nervous system manifestation was a sterile meningitis, with secondary development of multiple cerebral and spinal abscesses. Since the location of the abscesses did not allow neurosurgical exploration and the cultures remained negative, the diagnosis was finally established by raised antibody titres to Nocardia asteroides. After specific antibiotic therapy, resolution of the spinal and cerebral abscesses was documented on the basis of serial magnetic resonance tomography and computed tomography controls.

Abscess↗
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↗
PubMed1992

Diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis by detection of tuberculostearic acid in cerebrospinal fluid.

Tuberculous meningitis still poses a major diagnostic problem. Recently, several new techniques for rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis have been developed. One of these newer techniques is the detection of mycobacterial fatty acids, using gas chromatography--mass spectroscopy. In this study we evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of this recently reported method in a blind trial. The sensitivity was found to be 100%, specificity only 91%. The number of false positive results limits the value of this test in the primary diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis. Nonetheless, we consider this method to be a valuable tool for establishing the diagnosis in culture-negative patients presenting with signs and symptoms suggestive of tuberculous meningitis.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1991

Prediction of non-survival after trauma: Innsbruck Coma Scale.

421 severely injured patients admitted to a major trauma centre in Innsbruck during the ten years, 1981 to 1990, were investigated retrospectively for early prediction of survival by means of the Innsbruck Coma Scale (ICS). All 79 patients scoring 0 or 1 died within 21 days. The findings of this study indicate that the ICS allows a highly accurate prediction of non-survival in patients with scores of 0 or 1 even at the time of first examination after trauma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Determination of tuberculostearic acid--progress in early diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis].

Rapid diagnosis of cerebral tuberculous meningitis is of the greatest importance in determining the outcome of therapy. Since tubercle bacilli are often not seen on microscopy of the cerebrospinal fluid, and culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis takes many weeks, there is a need for more rapid and sensitive confirmatory tests. The importance of the detection of tuberculostearic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid in combination with magnet resonance imaging will be shown in this case report.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

[Control of serum concentration of anticonvulsants in pregnancy].

In a prospective study we investigated the serum concentrations and frequency of seizures in 38 women with epilepsy in a total of 44 pregnancies. Monthly follow-up examinations were carried out in cooperation with the risk outpatient unit of the Department of Gynecology. Antiepileptic serum concentrations were determined using the technique of fluorescence polarisation. At constant dosage, a decrease in serum concentration occurred in most cases with a maximum at the 5th and 6th month of gestation, regardless of the kind of antiepileptic medication. No changes in seizure frequency have been observed. The treatment of epilepsy during pregnancy should in any case depend on the course of the illness, rather than on laboratory parameters.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Antiparkinsonian activity of a non-ergot dopamine agonist, CV 205-502, in patients with fluctuating Parkinson's disease.

Six patients with fluctuating Parkinson's disease received single rising oral doses of the nonergot dopamine agonist CV 205-502 in an open experimental study. Doses of 0.5 mg produced antiparkinsonian effects of comparable intensity but longer duration than 200 mg of L-DOPA. CV 205-502, which combines structural features common to both ergolines and apomorphine, thus revealed interesting antiparkinsonian properties, but nausea and vomiting were dose-limiting side effects in all patients tested.

Administration, Oral↗