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Biomedical subjects

H Ostensen

Publications and source records attributed to H Ostensen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Three dimensional CT evaluation of occipito-atlanto-axial dislocation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Involvement of the upper cervical spine, with possible instability and dislocation of the atlanto-axial-cervico-occipital joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is routinely monitored with conventional radiographs. As disease progresses severe interpretation problems occur, especially when looking for cranial migration of the odontoid process. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether three dimensional CT examination should be considered for such monitoring. After clinical and biochemical examination of 20 consecutive patients, diagnostic information about cranial migration of the odontoid process was obtained by conventional radiograms and by three dimensional CT examination. When using conventional radiographs the odontoid process and the its relation to the skull base could be outlined in 8 of the 20 patients. whereas all bony structures could be well demonstrated on the CT examination and the degree of cranial migration into the foramen magnum could be quantified. Three dimensional CT should be considered as a reliable examination for monitoring RA patients with involvement of the upper cervical spine and a possible cranial migration of the odontoid process.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Ankylosing spondylitis--the female aspect.

OBJECTIVE: To study reproductive performance and interaction between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and pregnancy in a large population of female patients. METHODS: In collaboration with the Ankylosing Spondylitis International Federation, a questionnaire including clinical data and details on past and recent pregnancies was sent to the female members of national and regional AS societies in the USA, Canada, and 11 European countries. RESULTS: Nine hundred thirty-nine questionnaires were completed, showing the following clinical data. Mean age at onset of AS was 23 years. The onset was related to a pregnancy in 21%. The frequency of accompanying features of AS was as follows: peripheral arthritis 45%, acute anterior uveitis 48%, psoriasis 18%, and inflammatory bowel disease 16%. Six hundred forty-nine women with previous pregnancies had on average 2.4 pregnancies per woman, of which 1.4 pregnancies were during disease. Of pregnancies 15.1% ended with miscarriage. Disease activity during 616 previous and 366 recent pregnancies was unchanged in 33.2%, improved in 30.9%, and worsened in 32.5%. Improvement of disease activity during pregnancy was correlated with a history of peripheral arthritis. It was also observed more often among those having a female than a male child (p = 0.02). A postpartum flare within 6 months after delivery was experienced by 60%, most often patients with active disease at conception. Delivery occurred at term in 93.2% of cases. The rate of cesarean section was high and due to AS in 58% of cases. The majority of neonates were healthy and had a mean birthweight of 3339 g. AS had an adverse effect on being a mother and a caregiver. CONCLUSION: AS did not adversely affect fertility, pregnancy outcome, or the neonate. Improvement during pregnancy was related to a history of peripheral arthritis and a female fetus. Active disease at conception was a predictor of a postpartum flare.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Abnormality as differential diagnosis in atlas fracture].

In some patients, suspected fractures of the cranial part of the cervical spine are difficult to diagnose properly without the use of computed tomography or MT. In addition to imaging and positioning problems, the possibility of anomalies of the atlas vertebra may complicate the diagnostic considerations. Proper knowledge of such anomalies may facilitate the diagnostic procedures. The diagnostic problems are discussed, and are illustrated through two patients recently examined in our department.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Autosomal dominant osteopetrosis: report of a Norwegian family with radiographic or anamnestic findings differing from the generally accepted classification.

OBJECTIVE: Autosomal dominant osteopetrosis is currently divided into two, possibly three subgroups. The present study of a Norwegian family, however, suggests that such a grouping is not generally valid. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A Norwegian family has been studied over four generations. Information about the two older generations was obtained mainly from hospital files and by interviewing members of the family. Radiographs were obtained from the two younger generations. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Of a total 14 family members, nine patients consisting of six women and three men were studied. Within the same family, patients could be classified as belonging to different subgroups of osteopetrosis defined elsewhere, and at least three of them could be classified as belonging to more than one group. The present study suggests that the generally accepted classification of autosomal dominant osteopetrosis should be questioned.

Female↗
PubMed1996

Safety of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in pregnant patients with rheumatic disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether active arthritis in pregnant patients can be safely treated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) without harm to the neonate or longterm adverse effects in the offspring. METHODS: Patients were recruited from a prospective study on pregnancy and rheumatic disease. A cohort of 88 pregnant patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease was divided into 2 groups, 45 who were treated 43 not treated with NSAID during pregnancy. Possible longterm effects of NSAID on physical and mental development of the offspring were evaluated by telephone interview. RESULTS: Groups did not differ with regard to demographic data. Fourty-nine pregnancies had been exposed to standard doses of NSAID for a mean duration of 15.3 weeks. A comparison of pregnancies exposed with those not exposed to NSAID revealed no differences in pregnancy outcome, duration of labor, complications at delivery, or neonatal health. No significant differences were found between the groups with respect to health and development of offspring at followup. CONCLUSION: This study of a limited number of pregnancies in rheumatic patients showed no teratogenicity or adverse effects of NSAID on the neonate, nor did it reveal harmful longterm effects caused by intrauterine exposure to these drugs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Can we rely on Norwegian surgery data? A quality control at central and local hospitals of the procedure codes used in the survey on organization of gastrointestinal cancer surgery].

The nation-wide register of hospital discharges in Norway includes ICD-9 and national procedure codes. Hospitals were asked to check five surgical procedures listed in the register against the primary data sources. 649 discharges were controlled. The response rate was 68%. The results indicate that the quality of the data in the register varies for the different procedures. For procedures with high volume (resection of rectum), the error in the register is 3%. This is the same as reported from other Nordic countries. The proportion of errors in the register was high in hospitals with only one registered procedure code. The quality of data can to some extent be checked on the basis of DRG coding (DRG group 468/477). Quality control of register data is required when the number in DRG 468/477 is high in the nation-wide register or when the number of specific procedures in hospitals is low.

Databases, Factual↗
PubMed1992

[Diagnostic imaging of the gastrointestinal and biliary tracts. Pattern of examinations during the period 1975-90].

The procedures used for imaging of the gastrointestinal tract, the gall bladder and the bile ducts were registered in six Norwegian hospitals during the period 1975-90. Data obtained from all hospitals showed a significant decrease in radiological examinations of the stomach and the large bowel, and a dramatic decrease of such examinations in the case of the gall bladder and bile ducts. The changes are mainly due to the increasing use of newer methods such as ultrasonography, gastroscopy and colonoscopy. The shift in the pattern of examinations, as shown in the present study, may well have many implications for patients and for the health service as a whole.

Biliary Tract Diseases↗
PubMed1992

Radiological examinations of the urinary tract. Changes during the last 24 years.

Procedures for imaging the urinary tract have been recorded in six Norwegian hospitals for the last 24 years. For three of the hospitals, data were collected from 1965 to 1989, and for the other three from 1966, 1971 and 1975, respectively. There was a significant reduction in the number of intravenous pyelograms, voiding cystograms, and renal angiograms, but the number of retrograde pyelograms and plain radiographs of the urinary tract remained constant. Computed tomography of the urinary tract increased during the first years, but after the introduction of ultrasonography, the number of computed tomograms decreased. Ultrasonographic examinations of the urinary tract are still rapidly increasing, and seem to have replaced some of the other imaging techniques. The present results should be taken into consideration when planning the health care for the future.

Angiography↗
PubMed1990

Radiographic measurements of occipito-atlanto-axial dislocation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Atlanto-axial dislocation is frequently found in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Vertical atlanto-axial dislocation with invagination of the dens into the foramen magnum may result in most serious myelopathy. Decompression, removal of the dens and atlanto-axial fixation have given fair results in such cases. It is our aim, however, to prevent myelopathy in our rheumatoid patients. The prerequisite for that is routine, radiographic examination of the cervical spine and prophylactic atlanto-axial fixation. For these routine controls we need a radiographic measuring method which can be used even in cases of greater destruction. Our radiographic measuring method is compared with other methods and seems to be more appropriate and also gives information about the forward or backward tilting of the atlas. In a group of non-rheumatoid patients we have measured normal figures for this method.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Occupational pneumoconiosis and x-ray check-ups performed by the National Board of Occupational Protection].

In Norway the Directorate of Labour Inspection's pneumoconiosis panel consists of two radiologists. Pneumoconioses are notifiable diseases, and doctors are required by law to notify suspected and confirmed cases to the Directorate of Labour Inspection. Chest films are sent to the Directorate. The pneumoconiosis panel reads and classifies the cases according to ILO-standards. During a 9 months' period, 177 chest films were examined, 162 of which were from persons exposed mainly to asbestos. In this group of 162, 96 persons had parietal pleural plaques only, and 21 or 17% had pleuropulmonary asbestosis with visceral pleural thickening from which fibrous streaks radiated into the lung. Ten persons had pulmonary asbestosis alone or combined with pleural plaques. This group included one mesothelioma. The notification form used by the doctors demands adequate information on occupational history and exposures. More specific information would facilitate the work of the panel.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Splenic arteriovenous fistula. Case report.

A case of splenic arteriovenous fistula is reported. Two types of this anomaly are known--the more common, true, arteriovenous fistula, and a fistula between the arterial system and the portal venous system. In the present case the second, very rare, type developed after a motorcar accident.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1987

Intravenous urography in children and youth.

This report derives from Tromsoe in northern Norway. In a retrospective study of the indications for intravenous urography (IU) and the findings at IU in 740 patients (451 girls and 289 boys) aged 0-19 years, we found that urinary tract infections accounted for 69.4% of the IU in females 30.1% of the IU in males, most often seen in the youngest patients. The pathological findings most frequently seen were anomalies (17 females and 10 males) and urinary tract obstruction (3 females and 15 males). The present study indicates the following: first, that the yield of IU in the primary investigation of children and youth suffering from enuresis and non-specific abdominal disturbancies is small; and second, that the use of IU in children and youth with urinary tract infection and haematuria should be questioned and reconsidered.

Adolescent↗