Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to H Claessens.
Simultaneous Achilles and tibialis posterior lengthening was used to correct equinovarus foot deformity in 9 patients with cerebral palsy. In 7 cases, heel-to-ball gait became possible. There were no significant recurrences that required re-operation. Two overcorrections necessitated a subtalar arthrodesis.
En-bloc resection, extracorporeal irradiation and re-implantation of the irradiated bone have been used to treat 15 patients suffering from primary malignant tumours of bone or cartilage and two with benign lesions. This treatment is an alternative to replacement by prosthesis or allograft bridging techniques. After a mean follow-up of over five years results are encouraging, despite some complications and the relatively long period before weight-bearing is allowed.
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We report on our results with the intracavernous injection and self-injection of papaverine-phentolamine in a group of spinal cord injury patients with erectile impotence. This technique offers the possibility of achieving a full erection which continues for a few hours and disappears afterwards. In our limited experience no major complications have occurred. If our findings are confirmed, in future, the self-injection technique may become a valuable alternative to implanting a prosthesis in impotent paraplegics and tetraplegics.
A slow-growing Corynebacterium was isolated in pure culture from pus of a Küntscher-nailed tibial fracture. The strain was identified as Johnson-Kay strain or corynebacterium JK (CJK). This bacterium has been discovered recently and recognized as the cause of serious infections, especially in immunocompromized patients, polytraumatized patients, and patients with cardiac valve replacement. Superficial wounds can be colonized and hemocultures contaminated with CJK. Nosocomial spreading can occur. This microorganism is usually highly resistant to antimicrobial agents and requires therapy with vancomycin. This case was different from classic infections with "CJK" in several aspects. The infection occurred in a patient without underlying disease and the strain was sensitive to the antibiotic. The patient responded well to cephazolin treatment. Being part of the normal skin flora, Corynebacteria are often discarded as contaminants. A critical review of all clinical and laboratory data is necessary for the recognition of the infections and is important especially when a resistant strain is encountered.
In a series of 115 spinal cord injury patients four different methods of bladder drainage were used mainly during spinal shock. That is a) suprapubic fine bore cystostomy, b), indwelling Foley catheter, c) intermittent catheterisation; and d) both last methods consecutively. The methods of bladder drainage used did not influence the number of patients becoming catheterfree but determined significantly the length of period before patients became catheterfree. Patients on intermittent catheterisation had the shortest time from injury to established micturition. Patients on intermittent catheterisation and on cystostomy had few complications but in those patients treated with an indwelling Foley catheter the complication rate was high.
Sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis (SCCH) or intersternocostoclavicular ossification is a recently recognized disorder of unknown origin. SCCH is characterized by painful, condensing hypertrophy of the sternum, both clavicles, and the upper ribs. Since its original description by Sonozaki in 1974, approximately 40 cases have been reported, mainly in the Japanese literature. This peculiar hyperostotic syndrome is often misdiagnosed. The differentiation from osteitis deformans can be difficult. Clinically, the disease produces a swelling in the upper chest area with persistent, pulling pain exacerbated by cold and dampness. The condition is a nonspecific inflammatory syndrome. Radiographs usually show symmetric hyperostosis of the sternal portions of the clavicles, synostosis of the sternoclavicular joints, a thickened sternum, and varying degrees of involvement of the upper ribs and intercostoclavicular space. Biopsy specimens reveal hyperostotic sclerosis of the cancellous bone. Although the cause of the syndrome is unknown, clinical, radiologic, and histologic findings indicate that it represents a distinct entity. The treatment of SCCH remains symptomatic.
In 42 patients with a spinal cord lesion and chronic urinary tract infection the bladder wash-out test was performed to locate the site of infection. The test was easy to perform and no complications occurred. The test could not be performed in only one patient. Differentiation between upper and lower urinary tract infection was possible in 36 patients (43 tests). By using the test, precise treatment was possible for 23 patients, of whom 17 were cured.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
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