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Biomedical subjects

C Völklein

Publications and source records attributed to C Völklein.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Transnasal treatment of congenital choanal atresia with the KTP laser.

This retrospective analysis presents a minimally invasive method for a transnasal approach to treat bilateral and unilateral choanal atresia and stenosis in infants and children. We describe an advanced surgical technique that applies the use of a KTP laser and give recommendations for preoperative diagnosis and postoperative assessment. We report 13 cases of bilateral and unilateral choanal atresia or stenosis treated over a 3 1/2-year period. We used a transnasal approach and endoscopic control. For bilateral choanal atresia, the operation was performed within the first few days of birth. For unilateral choanal atresia or stenosis, surgery was performed several weeks after birth. In all cases, an intranasal stent was inserted. Our findings demonstrate that this transnasal approach provides significant benefits. A primary advantage is the diminished risk of intraoperative or postoperative complications. Additional benefits include lower rates of re-obstruction and a decreased incidence of subsequent disease, including chronic secretory otitis media.

Child, Preschool↗

Activated and non-activated eosinophils in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Nasal polyps develop out of an oedematous swelling of the mucous membrane, which is probably a localized mediator-dependent reaction of the mucous membrane in the lamina propria. Among other things, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is released from activated eosinophils. In previous studies, ECP was considered as measuring the degree of allergic dermatological illnesses and therapy was given accordingly. A group of 54 patients with massive polyposis requiring functional endoscopic sinus surgery was examined. After surgery they were treated with local and systemic cortisone. Polypous tissue samples were collected and counted for the number and ratio of activated and non-activated eosinophils, and the serum titre of ECP was measured simultaneously using a fluoroimmunoassay (test kit, Kabi Pharmacia, Sweden). The aim of the study was to evaluate the activity of the disease and to gain hints for a specific therapy. The presence of these eosinophils was demonstrated by immunohistochemical methods, using EG1 antibodies against non-activated and EG2 antibodies against activated (i.e. secreted form of ECP) eosinophils. Depending on the duration of treatment with systemic and local corticosteroids, there was a considerable decrease in activated eosinophils and the level of serum ECP. Consequently, cortisone can be applied in the treatment of eosinophilic nasal polyps. As the number of activated eosinophils in the tissue is an indicator for the activity of the chronic inflammation it can be deduced from our study that local and/or systemic cortisone application successfully stops the growth of eosinophilic nasal polyps. The number and ratio of activated and non-activated eosinophils seem to be reliable indicators for the activity of chronic polyposis.

Blood Proteins↗

Three-dimensional image-guided endonasal surgery with a microdebrider.

We report the first intraoperative use of a microdebrider as a stereotactic three-dimensional (3D) navigation instrument in paranasal and frontobasal surgery. The microdebrider uses rotating blades and an integrated suction device for controlled removal of tissue under video-endoscopic view. The ISG Viewing Wand uses the patient's computed tomography/magnetic resonance (CT/MR) data and a 3D reconstruction thereof and a high-precision position-sensitive mechanical arm for intraoperative three-dimensional navigation. We have linked the microdebrider to the Viewing Wand to transform it into a continuously available intraoperative stereotactic localizing device. We discuss the problems related to this extension of the Viewing Wand and demonstrate the practical use in an exemplary polypectomy.

Debridement↗

[Virtual endoscopy with post-processing helical CT data sets].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to test a newly developed, post-processing software for virtual CT endoscopic methods. Virtual endoscopic images were generated from helical CT data sets in the region of the shoulder joint (n = 2), the tracheobronchial system (n = 3), the nasal sinuses (n = 2), the colon (n = 2), and the common carotid artery n = 1). Software developed specifically for virtual endoscopy ("Navigator") was used which, after a previous threshold value selection, makes the reconstruction of internal body surfaces possible by an automatic segmentation process. We have evaluated the usage of the software, the reconstruction time for individual images and sequences of images as well as the quality of the reconstruction. All pathological findings of the virtual endoscopy were confirmed by surgery. RESULTS: The post-processing program is easy to use and provides virtual endoscopic images within 50 seconds. Depending of the extent of the data set, virtual tracheobronchoscopy as a cine loop sequence required about 15 minutes. Through use of the threshold value-dependent surface reconstruction the demands on the computer configuration are limited; however, this also created quality problems in image calculation as a consequence of the accompanying loss of data. CONCLUSIONS: The Navigator software enables the calculation of virtual endoscopic models with only moderate demands on the hardware.

Artifacts↗

Anatomy of the eustachian tube as demonstrated by endoluminal ultrasonography.

Using a new application of the endoluminal approach, we were able to demonstrate the sonographic anatomy of the eustachian tube in vitro and in vivo and correlate it with the plastic-embedded specimen. Five adult normocephalic cadavers, two patients, and one specimen especially prepared for embedding in plastic were examined. A specifically developed device was used to insert the ultrasound transducer employing an endo-oral approach. The investigation was performed using an intravascular ultrasound unit. In all cases the tube could be visualized in its entirety and relevant anatomic structures identified and compared with the specimen at the corresponding levels. The deeper layers, including the paratubal structures and the mucosa, could be distinguished for the first time by means of endoluminal ultrasonography. Now that endoluminal ultrasonography has revealed this anatomic information, further studies will be able to gauge the clinical efficacy of our method in cases of ventilatory, drainage, and clearance problems. The images showed no difference between the structures in vitro and in vivo, and the vivo examination was even easier than the in vitro one owing to better tissue turgor.

Adult↗

[Using a rotating suction debridement instrument with power generator in endonasal paranasal sinus surgery].

Endonasal nasal and sinus surgery using an endoscope for visual control has minimized the risks of surgery. A new technique is presented in which a suction-irrigation endoscope is used for visual control during surgery. The instrument is combined with a suction-rotation microdebrider with different tips and a power generator. The handling of this instrument is easy and atraumatic and it achieves a relatively bloodless field to reduce further the risk of inadvertent penetration of the skull base and lamina papyracea during endoscopic surgery.

Debridement↗