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Biomedical subjects

O A Nielsen

Publications and source records attributed to O A Nielsen.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

[Endoscopic decompression of the carpal tunnel].

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency and safety of endoscopic carpal tunnel release using the Wolf one-portal system. The case records for all decompressions performed between January 1995 and June 1998 were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative complaints, intraoperative findings and postoperative results were recorded for a total of 168 procedures in 138 patients. The median follow-up period was 10.4 weeks (1.1-170.9). An improvement in symptoms was noted after 82.9% of the procedures. The complication rate was 8.9% at the time of follow-up. Nine procedures were converted to open release. No patients sustained nerve or vascular injury. The findings in this study indicate that carpal tunnel release performed using the Wolf one-portal system provides a safe and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. The technique is today used as a routine in the department in uncomplicated cases of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Adult↗

[Two cases of severe eye and cranial injuries due to firework explosions].

Two patients who sustained serious facial, cranial and eye trauma secondary to recreational fireworks injuries are reported. Initial assessment included axial and coronary computerized tomography, control of haemorrhage, debridement of wound and brain, and in one patient bilateral excenteration of the globe. Both patients suffered from intracranial haemorrhage, but both recovered without severe neurological sequelae.

Adult↗

Post-traumatic syringomyelia.

Post-traumatic syringomyelia is estimated to develop in more than 20% of individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). The development can give rise to clinical symptoms 6 months to 26 years after the injury, and presentation 40 years post-injury has been seen by one of the authors.1234 We present an unusual case for comments and discussion.

Adult↗

The role of neuroimaging in the initial management of patients with minor head injury.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether omitting neuroimaging in the primary assessment of patients with minor head injuries in the emergency department is safe. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: University hospital, Copenhagen County Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark. PARTICIPANTS: The study group consisted of 2,204 patients presenting to the ED after sustaining minor head injuries. Only patients able to talk and walk were included. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The decision to admit was based exclusively on clinical guidelines in which the findings in the ED were of highest priority. Seven patients (0.3%) had a skull radiograph; computed tomography was not used in the primary evaluation. Four hundred thirty patients (19.5%) were admitted. After hospitalization, four patients developed intracranial complications. One required surgery, two required hyperventilation, and one was observed. Follow-up demonstrated that no patient with an intracranial complication had been missed. CONCLUSION: We found it safe to exclude neuroimaging in the primary assessment of patients with minor head injuries in the ED, and to rely instead on clinical criteria.

Adolescent↗

Hearing loss after neurosurgery. The influence of low cerebrospinal fluid pressure.

A prospective study was performed to investigate the effect of neurosurgery on hearing. Thirty-two patients underwent neurosurgery while 32 patients who had surgical procedures not involving puncture or drainage of the subdural space, served as a control group. In the neurosurgical group, a significant loss of hearing was observed in the immediate post-operative period, with recovery over one week. No average threshold shift was observed in the control group. It is suggested that following neurosurgery the mechanism of hearing loss results directly from a decrease in pressure and/or volume of the cerebrospinal fluid, which is reflected within the perilymphatic fluid, comparable to a transitory endolymphatic hydrops.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗

Paroxetine and imipramine treatment of depressive patients in a controlled multicentre study with plasma amino acid measurements.

In a 12-week double-blind study with 36 patients with major depressive episode (DSM-III), paroxetine (Seroxat, Aropax) showed significantly quicker onset of efficacy on the Melancholia Scale, and better tolerance than imipramine. Plasma concentration analyses showed no clear concentration-efficacy correlation in either treatment group. During long-term treatment paroxetine seemed to be superior to imipramine in preventing relapse; both treatments were well tolerated. A significant correlation between baseline plasma tryptophan: large neutral amino acids ratio and final Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) score and a trend towards an inverse correlation between this ratio and percentage reduction in HRSD score were seen in the paroxetine group but not in the imipramine group. In line with previous studies, these results support the hypothesis that paroxetine is an effective and well tolerated antidepressant.

Amino Acids↗

Hyponatremia induced by oxcarbazepine.

A case of hyponatremia is presented with water intoxication due to treatment with oxcarbazepine (OxCZ). The patient was admitted because of exceeding dullness and increasing seizures. Low values for serum sodium and osmolality were found. Simultaneously with the reduction in OxCZ, values of sodium and osmolality increased, normalizing on discontinuation of the drug, and the exceeding tiredness as well as the generalized seizures disappeared. Low values of arginine-vasopressin were found, suggesting that the mode of action of OxCZ was directly or indirectly at the level of the kidney.

Anticonvulsants↗

Oxcarbazepine-induced hyponatremia, a cross-sectional study.

In order to estimate the frequency of hyponatremia in patients treated with oxcarbazepine (OxCZ), a cross-sectional study was carried out. 21 of 41 patients being treated with the drug were found to be hyponatremic (serum sodium levels less than 135 mmol/l). None was found to be hypernatremic (serum sodium levels greater than 145 mmol/l). A non-significant trend towards increasing frequency of hyponatremia with increasing age was observed. Patients treated with dosages above 30 mg/kg/day had a significantly higher risk of becoming hyponatremic.

Adult↗