Biomedical subjects

V Schweizer

Publications and source records attributed to V Schweizer.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Use of botulinum toxin type A to avoid tracheal intubation or tracheostomy in severe paradoxical vocal cord movement.

Paradoxical vocal cord movement (PVCM) is characterized by paradoxical adduction of the vocal cords during inspiration and/or expiration. Patients with severe forms of PVCM can present with acute dyspnea. In this article, we describe a patient with severe PVCM who had required tracheal intubation or tracheostomy at multiple occasions and who presented with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. Using sedation and intralaryngeal injection of botulinum toxin type A, we could avoid more invasive intervention. Our observation shows that botulinum toxin type A should be considered in the acute care setting for severe PVCM.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

[Alcoholism from the systemic viewpoint].

In this paper we attempt to view the phenomenon alcohol abuse and dependence within the family or partnership and to describe the important impact of alcoholism on social relation. Understating the role of alcohol in the familial structure may help to draw conclusions for competence and effectiveness of individual or familial psychotherapeutic interventions.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Single-fiber electromyography of the laryngeal muscles.

Single-fiber electromyography (SFEMG) is useful in the evaluation of disorders of neuromuscular transmission and the assessment of motor unit morphology. Standard EMG techniques are used routinely in the evaluation of laryngeal dysfunction, but the feasibility of laryngeal SFEMG has not been established. We, therefore, performed laryngeal SFEMG in 10 normal individuals to demonstrate the feasibility of the technique and generate preliminary normative data. We also studied 2 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and 1 patient previously treated with botulinum toxin for comparative purposes.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Medialization laryngoplasty.

Medialization laryngoplasty was performed in 25 patients between 1993 and 1997. The underlying pathology resulting in glottal incompetence was vocal cord paralysis in 22 patients and vocal cord bowing in 3 patients. Two types of implants were used: self-carved Proplast in 19 patients and prefabricated hydroxyapatite prostheses in 6 patients. Preoperative and postoperative results were compared in terms of dysphagia, vocal quality as graded by three experienced voice specialists, and computer measurements of the glottal gap. All patients showed improvement both subjectively and on the objective measurements used. Swallowing returned to normal in all patients who had isolated recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. The voice improved in all patients but was rarely judged as entirely normal.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Unilateral cricothyroid contraction and glottic configuration.

It is frequently stated that unilateral cricothyroid muscle (CT) paralysis can be diagnosed by physical examination, noting rotation of the glottis, and shortening and vertical displacement of the ipsilateral vocal fold. These signs, however, are inconsistently observed, and there is considerable controversy regarding the direction of glottic rotation. To determine the effects of CT contraction on three-dimensional glottic configuration, we performed computerized tomography on cadaver larynges before and after simulated CT contraction. Radiopaque makers were used to compute distances. Unilateral CT contraction equally increased the length of both membranous vocal folds, and rotated the posterior glottis less than 1 mm. CT contraction neither adducted the vocal processes, nor significantly their altered vertical level. These results suggest that unilateral CT paralysis cannot be diagnosed on the basis of any clinically apparent change in glottal configuration.

Cricoid Cartilage↗

PubMed1997

The anatomy of the inferior laryngeal nerve.

Contradictory opinions are found in the literature concerning the precise anatomy and role of the inferior laryngeal nerve, the terminal portion of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Moreover, operative damage to this nerve beyond the thyroid area is seldom described. Twenty-one human larynges were dissected to give a precise description of the inferior laryngeal nerve and to draw attention to the risks of injury to the nerve during specific laryngological operations. In contrast with the varied descriptions found in the literature, only small variations in the terminal branching of the nerve were found. The nerve divides generally extralaryngeally into two branches: a motor, anterior one, innervating the intrinsic laryngeal musculature (except the cricothyroid muscle), and a sensory, posterior one, forming Galen's anastomosis. The anterior branch of the nerve is particularly susceptible to damage just behind the cricothyroid joint; two of its terminal rami, supplying respectively the interarytenoid and thyro-arytenoid muscles, incur potential risks of injury during endoscopic CO2 laser surgery.

Arytenoid Cartilage↗

PubMed1988

[Rehabilitation of the hemianopsia patient from the viewpoint of the ergotherapist].

Hemianopsia, above all if it is associated with other neuropsychological deficits (neglect, disturbances of spatial orientation) is very disturbing for the patient in daily life. The patient has difficulty dressing, exhibits poor spatial orientation, has difficulty construing spatial relations or reading. Ergotherapy tries to combat all these disorders. There are various methods of treatment at the ergotherapist's disposal: activities of everyday life, such as self-help and household training, functional games, craft skills and neurotraining, which aims in particular at improving intellectual function. In a well-protected environment the patient learns to judge his or her capabilities correctly once again and to make the best of his or her strength or weaknesses in daily life.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1976

Immunological decay in thymectomized infants.

Four infants underwent radical thymectomy for a suspected malignancy of the thymus. Histology revealed no malignant cells. The patients did clinically well as long as 14 years after the operation. There was laboratory evidence for a cellular and humoral immunodeficiency. Affected were mainly the response to oral poliomyelitis vaccinations and the skin tests of delayed type hypersensitivity.

Adolescent↗