PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

N Haas

Publications and source records attributed to N Haas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Percutaneous reduction and stabilization of a dislocated acetabular fracture. Case report].

In the treatment of acetabular fractures, anatomic reconstruction of the joint is the primary aim. To achieve this, rather large approaches with approach-related morbidity are needed. Percutaneous stabilizations are still limited to nondisplaced or minimally displaced fractures. For displaced acetabular fractures there are percutaneous procedures described with intraoperative CT control, requiring that CT be available in the OR and posing a logistic challenge. The fluoroscope Siremobil Iso-C3D offers the possibility of displaying osseous structures with CT-like quality using a fluoroscopy technique. The case of a minimally displaced acetabular T-type fracture with a clear articular step in the weight-bearing area is presented. The percutaneous reduction and stabilization after intraoperative control of the reduction quality with the Siremobil Iso-C3D is demonstrated. Using the enhanced fluoroscopy technology with the ability to generate axial cuts and reconstructions comparable to CT clearly improves the reduction control also in acetabular surgery. Thus even displaced acetabular fractures can be reduced and stabilized percutaneously. Anatomic reconstruction of the joint remains the primary aim.

Acetabulum↗
PubMed2006

Primary carcinoma of ectopic axillary breast tissue.

The presence of ectopic breast tissue is reported in 2-6% of the general population with most cases being located in the axillary region. Although the same pathology occurs in both eutopic and ectopic breast tissue, primary carcinoma of ectopic breast tissue has been reported only in a small number of cases. Because an overlying accessory areola or nipple is often missing and because of a general lack of awareness among physicians and patients concerning these unsuspicious nodules, clinical diagnosis is frequently delayed. Histological diagnosis can also be delayed if ectopic breast tissue is not present or screened for in the biopsy specimens as apocrine glands of the breast and skin, respectively, exhibit striking similarities and immunohistochemistry is of limited help. Diagnostic delay is demonstrated by the case of a 56-year-old patient who underwent a series of four surgical excisions of a primary ectopic breast carcinoma and developed local lymph node metastasis until treatment with tamoxifen was started. As two-thirds of reported cases of primary ectopic breast carcinoma arose within the axillae, this case underlines the importance of a search for ectopic breast tissue in the context of axillary ductal carcinoma.

Axilla↗
PubMed2006

[Development of the medical treatment of diabetes in Luxembourg].

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to estimate the prevalence of diabetes in Luxembourg in 2002, to compare it to the prevalence reported in 1991 and to evaluate if prescription attitudes have changed since 1991. METHODS: The prevalence of diabetes was estimated using the drug sales data. The key parameters, total amount of antidiabetic drugs sold in one year and the average daily dose or Prescribed Daily Dose (PDD), have been obtained from the National Social Security Organization and by a standardized questionnaire sent to all general practitioners and all internists and endocrinologists of the country. RESULTS: The PDD was calculated on 2,402 questionnaires on individual diabetic patients. By this mean, the proportion of patients only treated with appropriate diet could also be obtained. Compared to 1991, the total amount of antidiabetic drugs showed a four-fold increase in biguanides tablet prescriptions. A high percentage of combined treatments was found. The prevalence of diabetes in Luxembourg was found to be 3.05% of the total population. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the status in 1991, prevalence of diabetes increased by 63%, which seems mainly due to type 2 diabetic patients as orally-treated diabetic patients almost doubled (2.11% vs 1.16%). A substantial change in prescriptions for diabetes has occurred, suggesting a positive influence of studies like the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS).

Diabetes Mellitus↗
PubMed2005

Changes in diabetes prevalence and treatment in the last ten years in Luxembourg. A lesson from the United Kingdom prospective diabetes study?

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to estimate the prevalence of diabetes in Luxembourg in 2002, to compare it to the prevalence reported in 1991 and to evaluate if prescription attitudes have changed since 1991. METHODS: The prevalence of diabetes was estimated using the drug sales data. The key parameters, total amount of antidiabetic drugs sold in one year and the average daily dose or Prescribed Daily Dose (PDD), have been obtained from the National Social Security Organization and by a standardized questionnaire sent to all general practitioners and all internists and endocrinologists of the country. RESULTS: The PDD was calculated on 2, 402 questionnaires on individual diabetic patients. By this means, the proportion of patients only treated with appropriate diet could also be obtained. Compared to 1991, the total amount of antidiabetic drugs showed a four-fold increase in metformine tablet prescriptions. A high percentage of combined treatments was found. The prevalence of diabetes in Luxembourg was found to be 3.05% of the total population. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the status in 1991, prevalence of diabetes increased by 63%, which seems mainly due to type 2 diabetic patients as orally-treated diabetic patients almost doubled (2.11% vs 1.16%). A substantial change in prescriptions for diabetes has occurred, suggesting a positive influence of studies like the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS).

Diabetes Mellitus↗
PubMed2005

[New osteosynthesis techniques for the treatment of distal femoral fractures].

The treatment of distal femoral fractures was for a long-time associated with high complication rates. Although implants and surgical techniques were improved, plate osteosynthesis and intramedullary nailing suffered from considerable rates of infection, non-union und malalignment. Attention to the soft tissue envelope by "biological" osteosynthesis and minimally invasive approaches resulted in decreased complication rates. Out of this movement grew the concept of minimal invasive plating with an internal fixator -- the LISS-DF (Less Invasive Stabilization System -- Distal Femur) -- and the retrograde nailing concept. This article should give a review about these two new techniques for the treatment of distal femoral fractures. Indications, the clinical use and the aftercare will be discussed.

Bone Plates↗
PubMed2005

[Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty in osteoporotic fractures of vertebral bodies -- a prospective 1-year follow-up analysis].

PURPOSE: Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty offer two minimally invasive operative stabilization procedures for vertebral compression fractures. The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate whether both procedures are able to reduce pain and to preserve postoperative vertebral height during a 1-year follow up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Osteoporotic vertebral fractures were treated in 42 cases, 20 patients (15 female, 5 male) underwent vertebroplasty, 22 patients (14 female, 8 male) underwent kyphoplasty. 32 vertebral fractures were treated with vertebroplasty and 35 vertebral fractures were treated with kyphoplasty. Symptomatic levels were identified by correlating the clinical presentation with conventional radiographs, CT or/and MRI. During the follow up reduction of pain was determined. Radiographic scans were performed pre- and postoperatively and after 3, 6 and 12 months. The vertebral height and endplate angles were measured to assess the restoration of the sagittal alignment. The effects on pain symptoms were measured on a self-reported Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry score was documented. RESULTS: The median pain scores (VAS) decreased significantly for kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty from pre- to post-treatment, as did the Oswestry score (p < 0.05). No significant differences could be found between both groups for the median pain score (VAS) and the Oswestry score. Kyphoplsty led to a significant restoration of the vertebral height and reduction of kyphosis (p < 0.05). During the 1-year follow up both operation techniques were able to stabilize the height of the vertebral body. CONCLUSION: Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are effective minimally invasive procedures for the stabilization of osteoporotic vertebral fractures leading to a statistically significant reduction in pain. Kyphoplasty restores significantly vertebral body height in fresh fractures. The restoration of vertebral height and reduction of kyphosis may have an influence on the long term clinical outcome. This has to be evaluated in a long term prospective study.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Crossreacting IgG antibodies against fox mite antigens in human scabies.

Scabies continues to be an important parasitic disease of mammals. There remain, however, major gaps in the understanding of the human host immune response, and a simple diagnostic test is lacking. In contrast to human mites, red fox mites (Sarcoptes scabiei var. vulpis) can be collected easily and have been used, due to crossreactivity, for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) studies in dogs and pigs. We wanted to investigate the possibility that crossreactivity might also exist for the human mite, and determined titers against fox mite antigens by ELISA in 41 patients with scabies. Specific IgG was significantly higher in patients with scabies than in healthy controls (P=0.01). The sensitivity was, however, only 48%, although it increased slightly during treatment (P=0.86). A positive correlation was also noted between disease duration and severity of infestation (r=0.5), with specific IgG titers increasing in parallel with severity of symptoms (P=0.01). Patients with symptomatic scabies for more than 4 weeks had furthermore significantly higher IgG titers than patients with a shorter duration of disease (P=0.007). In conclusion, these findings demonstrate IgG antibodies in human scabies that crossreact with fox mite antigens, thus encouraging the search for improved ELISAs with more specific mite antigens to produce a more sensitive detection system for scabies in humans.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

[Naevus lipomatodes cutaneus superficialis (Hoffmann-Zurhelle)].

The term naevus lipomatodes cutaneus superficialis was coined by E. Hoffmann and E. Zurhelle in 1921 for nevoid dermal accumulations of mature lipocytes. We report on a case in classic localisation in a patient of Turkish descent and discuss clinical characteristics in relation to variability of histologic findings.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Palpable arciform migratory erythema in an HIV patient, a CD8+ pseudolymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Palpable arciform migratory erythema (PAME) is characterized by large, elevated, reddish annular lesions localized on the upper trunk. As its infiltrate consists predominantly of dense infiltrates of CD4+ lymphocytes with polyclonal T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement, it has been grouped as a rare member of the T-cell pseudolymphomas. METHODS: We performed histology, immunophenotyping, and TCR-gamma gene rearrangement studies in an human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patient, CDC stage IIIB, who showed a clinically typical PAME. RESULTS: While TCR-gamma gene rearrangement studies showed a polyclonal infiltrate confirming a pseudolymphoma, 85% of skin-infiltrating lymphocytes were CD8+ T cells. CONCLUSION: PAME may also occur in HIV-positive patients with CD4+ deficiency. Our case demonstrates that regular CD4 counts and immunocompetence are not necessary for its pathogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Muckle-Wells syndrome: clinical and histological skin findings compatible with cold air urticaria in a large kindred.

BACKGROUND: Muckle-Wells syndrome is a rare familial disease with autosomal dominant inheritance, characterized by cold sensitivity and polyarthralgias since childhood, with possible later development of nerve deafness and renal amyloidosis. The nature of the skin manifestations is, however, not well characterized. OBJECTIVES: To clarify the nature of cutaneous cold sensitivity in patients with Muckle-Wells syndrome by studying clinical aspects and histological features. METHODS: Eighteen members of a family with Muckle-Wells syndrome and the recently identified mutation of the CIAS1 gene at locus 260 of chromosome 1q44 were available for study. Examination included a thorough history, physical examination and a battery of laboratory tests. In two brothers, standard cold contact and cold air provocation tests were performed, as were biopsies from normal and lesional skin. RESULTS: All affected family members reported an increased sensitivity to cold, dampness or changes in temperature, and most had arthritis and conjunctivitis. Eight had developed hearing loss, four renal involvement, and amyloid deposits were found in three of five patients in whom rectal biopsies were performed. Laboratory tests showed leucocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein, but no serum cold agglutinins and cryoglobulins. Skin eruptions, with weals of 0.2-3 cm, lasted from 5 to 24 h and were associated with local itching or pain as well as fever, malaise and chills. On cold provocation of two patients, lesions could be reproduced by cold air, but not by contact with an ice cube or cold water. On histology, there was increased vasodilatation, marked infiltration with neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages, and increased expression of beta 2 integrins in lesional vs. normal skin. Numbers of mast cells as well as expression of interleukin-3 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Cold-induced skin lesions in Muckle-Wells syndrome represent typical generalized cold air/wind inflammatory reactions, as also observed in familial cold urticaria. Microscopic features are similar to those observed in other types of urticaria.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Miliaria crystallina in an intensive care setting.

Drop-like, transient blisters of miliaria crystallina may develop with focal intensity of heat within the skin, such as occurs in tropical climates or during febrile episodes. Miliaria crystallina develops due to a transient poral closure of the sweat duct opening, resulting in obstruction of free flow of eccrine sweat and retention in a vesicle below the skin surface. Dual cholinergic and adrenergic sweat gland innervation is influenced by a variety of medications used in intensive care patients. We present two febrile intensive care patients in whom enhanced alpha-adrenergic stimulation of sweat gland myoepithelia may have led to miliaria crystallina.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed2004

Antitumour activity of paclitaxel and interferon-alpha in a case of metastatic eccrine porocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Eccrine porocarcinoma (EP) is a rare malignant tumour arising in the acrosyringium, with about 50% of the cases developing local recurrence or metastatic disease. No standard therapy protocols for metastatic disease exist. In the past, only short remissions were achieved by applying combinations of cytotoxic agents, which were associated with severe side-effects. AIM OF THE STUDY: In the case reported here, the aim was to find a protocol with fewer side-effects for a patient who was not willing to undergo extensive polychemotherapy. SUBJECT: A 67-year-old male patient with local recurrence and regional lymph node metastases after resection of EP was treated with a combination of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) 9 million units s.c. three times per week and paclitaxel 100 mg/m(2) weekly i.v., which shows a side-effect profile similar to taxotere and is used in the treatment of a variety of neoplasms such as advanced squamous cell carcinoma. MAIN OUTCOME: This less aggressive treatment was tolerated well and the patient responded with minor remission and long-term stable disease.

Acrospiroma↗
PubMed2004

Alopecia neoplastica due to metastatic breast carcinoma vs. extramammary Paget's disease: mimicry in epidermotropic carcinoma.

Clinically similar skin diseases can exhibit phenotypic mimicry as demonstrated here for alopecia neoplastica. An 89-year-old female patient had been treated for scalp eczema for several years until biopsy revealed pagetoid carcinoma. Her clinical history showed a mastectomy 20 years ago. For that reason the differential diagnosis was extramammary Paget's disease or epidermotropic metastasis of the breast carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry revealed positivity of MUC1, indicating that the latter is the case.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

[Preoperative fasting. An update].

In Germany the predominant standard of preoperative care for elective surgery is fasting after midnight, with the aim of reducing the risk of pulmonary aspiration. However, for the past several years the scientific evidence supporting such a practice has been challenged. Experimental and clinical studies prove a reliable gastric emptying within 2 h suggesting that, particularly for limited intake of clear fluids up to 2 h preoperatively, there would be no increased risk for the patient. In addition, the general incidence of pulmonary aspiration during general anaesthesia (before induction, during surgery and during recovery) is extremely low, has a good prognosis and is more a consequence of insufficient airway protection and/or inadequate anaesthetic depth rather than due to the patient's fasting state. Therefore, primarily to decrease perioperative discomfort for patients, several national anaesthesia societies have changed their guidelines for preoperative fasting. They recommend a more liberal policy regarding per os intake of both liquid and solid food, with consideration of certain conditions and contraindications. The following article reviews the literature and gives an overview of the scientific background on which the national guidelines are based. The intention of this review is to propose recommendations for preoperative fasting regarding clear fluids for Germany as well.

Fasting↗
PubMed2003

Stabilization of proximal tibial fractures with the LIS-System: early clinical experience in Berlin.

The Proximal Tibia Less Invasive Stabilization System (LISS PLT) is an internal fixator for the treatment of proximal tibial fractures according to the principles of "Minimally invasive surgery". From July 1998 to August 2000 22 fractures were treated in our clinic with the new Proximal Tibia LISS and the prospective course of healing was documented. The period of follow-up was 12 months. The inclusion criteria were defined as proximal tibial shaft fractures and intraarticular proximal tibial fractures of all degrees of severity. A total of 15 proximal medial and lateral tibial plateau fractures (AO 41) and 7 metaphyseal fractures were treated (AO 42), seven of these fractures presented with open soft tissue damage. The average age of the patients treated was 42 years. With a follow-up rate of 91% (2 patients lost to follow-up), definite consolidation of the fracture was seen in 19/20 cases. In one patient, the fracture had only been partially bridged and secondary bone grafting was performed. Radiologically, there was one case of a varus malalignment of 6 degrees, in two further cases there were valgus malalignments of 5 degrees and 7 degrees at the time of surgery. The other cases all healed in correct alignment. In one case, the implant became loose on the distal shaft and was stabilized again using bicortical screws. In a case with type IIIB soft tissue damage, a soft tissue infection became manifest, but healed uneventfully after a revision operation with the implant in situ.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Homologous growth hormone accelerates bone healing--a biomechanical and histological study.

The purpose of this study was to prove whether homologous growth hormone has a beneficial effect in the early phase of bone healing. Therefore the left tibias of 24 Yucatan micropigs were osteotomized and stabilized by plate fixation. The treatment group (12 animals) received 100 microg of recombinant porcine growth hormone (rpGH)/kg body w/day sc, whereas the control pigs (12 animals) received 1 ml sodium chloride as placebo. After a healing period of 4 weeks the animals were sacrificed and destructive torsional testing was performed. For histological evaluation 6 microm serial slices of the tibiae were stained with von Kossa. The total area of callus formation (CA) and the mineralized bone area (BA) were quantified by image analysis. The fraction of mineralized bone tissue within the callus area, the bone density (BD), was calculated as follows: BD = (BA/CA) x 100. Torsional failure load was 91% higher and torsional stiffness 61% higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The histomorphometric measurements revealed an advance for the CA (GH: 127.6 +/- 38.9 mm(2); placebo: 75.9 +/- 50.7 mm(2); P < 0.005) as well as for the BA (GH: 89.3 +/- 25.8 mm(2); placebo: 55.9 +/- 38.5 mm(2); P < 0.001) for the GH-treated animals in comparison to the control animals. The BD was similar in both groups (GH: 70.6 +/- 8.4%; placebo: 74.0 +/- 6.24%; P = 0.28). These data indicate that administration of homologous GH stimulates callus formation and ossification in the early phase of bone healing, which consequently results in an increased mechanical strength and stiffness.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Decreased cutaneous expression of stem cell factor and of the p75NGF receptor in urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Mast cells, the main effector cells in urticaria, have been reported to be increased in number in lesional and nonlesional skin of urticaria patients, but the underlying mechanisms have so far not been studied. Serum NGF has however, been reported to be increased in urticaria. OBJECTIVES: We have therefore explored the potential involvement of known mast cell growth modulating factors in urticaria. METHODS: Tissue sections from patients with different types of urticaria and healthy controls were studied for the immunohistochemical expression of known mast cell growth factors (stem cell factor, SCF; nerve growth factor, NGF), of the inhibitory granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and of the corresponding receptors, using the alkaline phosphatase-antialkaline phosphatase technique. RESULTS: Compared to skin of normal controls, staining for SCF, but not for NGF and GM-CSF, was significantly decreased in epidermis, endothelium and perivascular cells in lesional and nonlesional skin of all urticarias. On separate analysis of urticaria subtypes, decreased expression reached significance only in delayed pressure urticaria. Expression of the p75NGF receptor (p75NGFR) was also significantly decreased on endothelium and on perivascular cells of lesional and nonlesional skin in all urticarias. On evaluation of serial sections, p75NGFR expression was also decreased on c-Kit positive dermal mast cells. In contrast, expression of the NGF receptor tyrosine kinase and of the SCF and GM-CSF receptors was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that SCF and p75NGFR are selectively and systemically down-regulated in the skin of urticaria patients and may represent a negative feedback to increased mast cell reactivity and proliferation.

Endothelium↗