Biomedical subjects

I Conrad

Publications and source records attributed to I Conrad.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

[Fibromyalgia].

Within clinical practice fibromyalgia is diagnosed according to the classification criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. The examination of the tender points is still to be standardized. By using additional diagnostic criteria fibromyalgia changes into a polysymptomatic syndrom with multiple functional and psychic symptoms. The prevalence of FMS is estimated to range between 1,3-4,8% in the general population. Relative hypocortisolism, sensory hypervigilance, adverse life experiences and psychiatric disorders are discussed as main pathophysiological mechanisms. There are no evidence-based guidelines of scientific societies for the management of fibromyalgia available. Patient education, medical training therapy, physical therapy (heat or cold) and relaxation therapy are recommended. There is a moderate evidence for the effectiveness of tricyclic antidepressants and aerobic training. The effectiveness of multicomponent therapy in fibromyalgia is still to be demonstrated.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMed2003

[Diagnosis and clinical signs of fibromyalgia].

According to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR 1990) fibromyalgia can be classified as a complex of clinical symptoms. It is characterised by widespread muscle pain, and pain in at least 11 out of 18 defined so-called tender points. The widespread muscle pain must be present for at least 3 months. For the diagnosis of fibromyalgia many other rheumatological, neurological and psychiatric diseases have to be excluded; additional autonomic or functional symptoms are usual. Routine laboratory or radiological examinations yield normal results. From a pathogenetic point of view endocrine disturbances and psychosocial stress factors are found. In most cases the clinical course shows a slow development of generalised pain.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMed2001

Effects of a non-ionic surfactant (Tween-80) on the mineralization, metabolism and uptake of phenanthrene in wheat-solution-lava microcosm.

Effects of a non-ionic surfactant (Tween-80) on the mineralization, metabolism and uptake of phenanthrene in wheat-solution-lava microcosm were studied using 14C-labeled phenanthrene. The mineralization and metabolism of phenanthrene were fast in such a system. At least 90% of the applied phenanthrene were transformed within 24 days. Only 0.3% of the applied 14C-activity were identified to be the parent phenanthrene. Most of the applied 14C-activity (70%) was recovered from wheat, in which ca. 70% were associated with wheat shoots (stems and leaves) and ca. 30% wheat roots. 33% and 20% of the applied 14C-activity had been constructed into wheat tissues of shoots and roots, respectively. The 14C-activity recovered in forms of CO2 and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) was 12-16% and 4-5%, respectively. The major metabolites of phenanthrene were polar compounds (18% of the applied 14C) and only 2.1% were identified as non-polar metabolites. No phenanthrene was found in wheat shoots indicating that it could not be transported from roots to upper parts of the plant but in form of metabolites (mostly polar metabolites). Foliar uptake of 14C-activity via air in form of 14CO2 occurred. The presence of Tween-80 significantly enhanced the degradation of phenanthrene, which could be attributed to its increase of microbial activities in the system. Tween-80 also significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the phenanthrene level in wheat roots, which probably resulted from desorption of phenanthrene from root surface caused by the surfactant.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2001

Computerized tomography-guided epidural blood patch in the treatment of spontaneous low cerebrospinal fluid pressure headache.

A 54-year-old woman suffering from migraine for 35 years was referred to the pain clinic with a changed pattern of headache that had developed over the last 6 weeks. The pain was located in the central forehead region; aggravation in the prone and immediate relief in the supine position led to the hypothesis of a spontaneous low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure headache. Cisternography revealed a cyst-like formation in the cervico-thoracic region, indicating cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) myelography confirmed ventral leakage but failed to locate the exact site. Computerized tomography (CT)-guided epidural blood patching between T1 and T2 completely relieved the headache.

Blood Patch, Epidural↗

PubMed2001

Transdermal fentanyl: little absorption in two patients with systemic sclerosis?

Two patients suffering from systemic sclerosis (SSc) were treated with the 25 micro/hr transdermal fentanyl patch for pain from either deltoid muscle tendinitis of the left arm or from ischemia of the left-hand thumb. When the medication was changed to either oral morphine or oral methadone, the effects did not correspond to the drug conversion table. These findings suggest that patients with SSc and other systemic skin diseases may be at risk for limited absorption of transdermal fentanyl. In contrast, no restriction of the absorption of transdermal testosterone was observed.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1982

[Report of 2 cases of irreversible Horner syndrome after puncture of the internal jugular vein].

Two cases are presented with irreversible Horner's syndrome after cannulation of the internal jugular vein during the intraoperative period. In the first case the cannulation succeeded only after several attempts. In the second case the cannulation succeeded the first time. All cannulations were performed by experienced anaesthesiologists. This means, that a strict indication for the cannulation of the internal jugular vein must be considered, because of the possibility of irreversible damage, even if the cannulation is performed by an experienced physician.

Adult↗

PubMed1979

[Efficacy of low doses of heparin to postoperative changes of blood gases after abdominal surgery (author's transl)].

Arterial hypoxaemia near critical values may occur during the postoperative period after surgery under general anaesthesia. Mainly alterations of ventilation/perfusion ratio seem to be the cause for this disorder. In this study we examined the effect of low-dose-heparin in improving pulmonary perfusion and consequently reduction of postoperative hypoxaemia. In 22 elderly patients both male and female we found no significant differences in oxygen tension compared to a control group of 19 patients. In both groups duration and degree of postoperative hypoxaemia were equal with minima on the first respectively second postoperative day. As in both groups there were no significant differences in other parameters further influencing oxygen supply--such as haemoglobin, haematocrit, pH and mean arterial blood pressure--we do not believe that disturbances of perfusion caused by microembolism are mainly responsible for postoperative hypoxaemia. Likewise low dose heparin seems to have no effect on postoperative hypoxaemia.

Aged↗

PubMed1978

[Postoperative changes of blood gases after uncomplicated abdominal surgery in geriatric patients (author's transl)].

In 34 elderly male and female patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia we investigated duration and degree of postoperative hypoxaemia. In this study only patients with no signs and symptoms of pulmonary or cardiac diseases, verified by normal lung function--vital capacity and FEV1, X-ray and electrocardiographic findings were considered. Postoperative development was free of complications and temperature rises in all cases. The investigations showed occurrence of arterial hypoxaemia during the postoperative period with values near the lower limit where the organism must fall back on cardio-circulatory reserve mechanisms in order to avoid general hypoxydosis. Regarding the restricted pulmonary and cardiac capacity for adaptation and compensation in geriatric patients, we recommend to prolong the practice of O2-application for two or three hours over a period of 24 to 48 hours, especially in patients with postoperative complications such as prolonged gastric atony, temperature, haemorrhage or cardiac and coronary insufficiency. This prolonged application of oxygen by mask or nasal tube should go parallel to other physiotherapeutic measures.

Abdomen↗