W E Erwin | PubMed Health

PubMed1998

Delirium tremens.

BACKGROUND: The hyperadrenergic syndrome, delirium tremens, as contrasted with tile milder alcohol withdrawal syndromes, is a medical emergency. The clinical features of delirium tremens were carefully described almost 200 years ago. Since then, many therapies have been suggested as superior to preceding therapeutic approaches. Unfortunately, morbidity and mortality remain relatively unchanged for the last 100 years. METHODS: Using a literature review, we review the history of delirium tremens, including the suggested therapeutic approaches. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: We recommend a rational approach to management and therapy, based on present knowledge.

Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Scheuermann's kyphosis--long-term results of Milwaukee braces treatment.

A review of 203 patients with Scheuermann's kyphosis is presented. The modified Milwaukee brace was used in 62 patients. Thirty-nine patients wore the brace for an average of 18 months. The pretreatment kyphosis averaged 62 degrees, and the curve at the completion of brace treatment averaged 41 degrees. Follow-up of more than 18 months after brace wear showed an average 15 degrees loss of correction. Wedging of the vertebral bodies improved from 7.9 degrees to 6.8 degrees with brace treatment. To provide permanent correction, vertebral wedging must improve to approximately 5 degrees. Most patients will require full-time brace wear of longer than 18 months to effect this improvement in vertebral wedging. The brace can improve kyphotic curves greater than 75 degrees.

Adolescent↗