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Biomedical subjects

K Albegger

Publications and source records attributed to K Albegger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Autonomic and peptidergic innervation of the human larynx].

Autonomic and peptidergic innervation of the human larynx (vocal cords, ventricular folds, epiglottis, subglottic region and recurrent nerves) was studied by application of single and double immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay. In all tissues investigated, immunoreactivities for a variety of regulatory peptides were detected and included vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), peptide histidine methionine (PHM), helospectin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), C-flanking peptide of NPY (C-PON), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P and neurokinin A. In the recurrent nerves, only a few peptide-immunoreactive nerve fibers were found. The laryngeal region of the epiglottis and the subglottic region showed characteristic corpuscular nerves containing substance P and CGRP running underneath and within the epithelium.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Autonomic and peptidergic innervation of human nasal mucosa.

The localization and distribution of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), peptide histidine methionine (PHM), the novel peptide helospectin, neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY) and its C-flanking peptide (C-PON), substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were studied in the middle and inferior turbinate of the human nose using sensitive immunocytochemical and radioimmunological methods. For light microscopy, double immunofluorescence and immunogold-silver staining methods were applied. Ultrastructural immunoelectronmicroscopy was performed using a pre-embedding method. In addition, semithin Epon resin sections were immunostained. The concentrations of VIP, NPY, CGRP, substance P and neurokinin A were measured using radioimmunological methods. A dense network of autonomic and peptidergic nerve fibers in the normal human nasal mucosa was demonstrated. Colocalization studies showed the coexistence of peptides with components of the autonomic nervous system. Scattered chromogranin A-, CGRP and bombesin-flanking peptide (BFP)-immunoreactive endocrine-like cells were detected within the lamina propria and in groups within exocrine ducts. Highest radioimmunoassay (RIA) tissue concentrations were detected for VIP, followed by NPY, substance P, CGRP and neurokinin A.

Autonomic Nervous System↗
PubMed1993

Regulatory peptides in the human larynx and recurrent nerves.

We studied the peptide-innervation of the human larynx (vocal cord, ventricular folds, epiglottis, subglottic region and the recurrent nerves) using immunocytochemical and radioimmunological methods. In the tissues of the larynx investigated, the following regulatory peptides were detected: vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), peptide histidine methionine (PHM), helospectin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), C-flanking peptide of NPY (C-PON), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P and neurokinin. In the recurrent nerves only small numbers of peptide-immunoreactive nerve fibers were found. Most of them showed positive immunoreactivities with antibodies to PHM, NPY and C-PON, but only rare and scattered nerve fibers were positive for VIP-, CGRP- and substance P.

Fluorescent Antibody Technique↗
PubMed1992

Distribution and co-localization of immunoreactive helospectin with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and peptide histidine methionine in human nasal mucosa, soft palate and larynx.

Regulatory peptide immunoreactivities reported in the upper respiratory system of man include vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and peptide histidine methionine (PHM), which are co-localized in a network of fine varicose nerve fibers. The present study was undertaken to examine the possible occurrence and distribution of the recently described VIP-like peptide helospectin. Double immunofluorescence labelling showed that helospectin is co-localized with VIP and PHM. In addition to nerve fibers containing all three peptides, scattered nerve fibers were detected that were only immunoreactive to helospectin but not to VIP and/or PHM. The distribution of helospectin/VIP/PHM immunoreactive nerve fibers around blood vessels and in close relationship to seromucous glands indicates their possible involvement in the regulation of blood flow and secretion.

Fluorescent Antibody Technique↗
PubMed1992

Neuropeptides in human salivary (submandibular and parotid) glands.

The existence, distribution and density of various neuropeptides in human submandibular and parotid glands were investigated using immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay. Numerous nerve fibers containing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and peptide histidine methionine (PHM), or neuropeptide Y (NPY) and C-flanking peptide of NPY (CPON) immunoreactivities (ir) were found in close association to acini, ducts and blood vessels. Only few calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)- and substance P (SP)-ir nerve fibers could be demonstrated, mainly localized around blood vessels and ducts. Galanin and the newly discovered peptides helospectin and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) could not be detected in human salivary glands.

Fluorescent Antibody Technique↗
PubMed1992

[Itching following therapy with hydroxyethyl starch (HES) in otoneurological diseases].

It is generally assumed, that a disturbance of microcirculation is the common pathogenetic end factor in various cochleovestibular disorders of different etiology. Therefore improvement of microcirculation is an important therapeutic goal. Several studies demonstrated, that hydroxyethylstarch (HES) has better haemorheological effects than Dextran and less side effects. For this reason we have changed the therapy with Dextran since 1987 to hydroxyethylstarch in several oto-neurological disorders (as sudden hearing loss, neuronopathia vestibularis, idiopathic facial palsy). As after the therapy with HES--generally after dismissal from the ENT-department--some patients complained of general pruritus, so we performed a retrospective study with a standardized interview-protocol. Of 481 treated patients we investigated 237 (49%): of 149 patients treated with HES 200/0.5, 43 patients (28.8%) complained of pruritus; from 88 patients treated with Dextran 40, only 5 patients (5.7%) reported pruritus. The difference is significant (p less than 0.0001). In nearly half of the patients (more than 40%) the pruritus started in normal skin 1 to 3 weeks after the HES-therapy and lasted for 6 weeks to 6 months; the itching was very resistant to therapy (f.e. with antihistaminics). We want to draw the attention to this possible, in the literature until now quite neglected, for some patients extremely uncomfortable and socially embarrassing side effects after HES-therapy when given in relatively high doses. It is therefore suggested therapeutic recommendations should be developed to prevent this undesired side effect.

Cochlear Diseases↗
PubMed1992

[Otosclerosis--diagnosis and therapy].

Otosclerosis (synonym: otospongiosis) is a focal or diffuse spongifying disease of the bony labyrinth. So far pathogenesis is unknown, some recent investigations assume a paramyxovirus infection. But there are no doubts about hereditary and genetic factors, females are twice often affected as males with a maximum incidence between 20 and 40 years. If the disease invades the oval window niche it causes fixation of the stapes with conducting hearing loss. In some cases otospongiosis is associated with and presumably causes cochlear degeneration alone with sensoneurale hearing impairment of varying degree. The surgical technique is now well developed and the operative treatment enables in over 90% a closure of the air-bone gap by using stapes pistons. The medical therapy in cases of sensoneural hearing loss with sodium fluoride is still controversially discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Acute otitis media. Current therapeutic and clinical aspects].

Otitis media acuta is defined as an acute inflammation of the pneumatic spaces of the temporal bone, that means the middle ear including the mucous membranes of the mastoid cells and of the Eustachian tube; it is caused mainly by bacteria, rarely by viruses. When treated properly by antibiotics, otitis media acuta heals in the rule within two to three weeks completely. If more than three episodes of otitis media occur within one year, the disease is called recurrent otitis media. Secretory otitis media (mucoserotympanon) may be proceeded by an otitis media acuta, but it can also develop without any fore-going disease. If the inflammation of the middle ear is quite symptomless, it is called an occult otitis media or an occult mastoiditis; the causes are often insufficient antibiotic therapies. In these cases an operative treatment (paracentesis, mastoidectomy, antrotomy, adenoidectomy, ventilating tubes) may be necessary. If the defense of the mucous membranes respectively of the whole body is weak or the antibiotic treatment insufficient, there may develop some other sequelae like chronic otitis media, atelectasis, otitis media chronica adhesive, tympanosclerosis, with or without development of cholesteatoma. The typical clinical symptoms, possible complications and the recommended antibiotic and physical treatment are referred.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

[Muco-serous otitis media].

Typical symptoms of the otitis media with effusion (OME)--synonym (secretory otitis media--SOM)--are fluid (serous/mucoid) in the middle ear space and a conductive hearing loss. Its most incidence can be found in infants and kids, during this period often bilaterally, but also in adolescents and adults. Etiopathological factors are infections of the upper respiratory tract, obstructing adenoids, tumors of the nasopharynx, cleft palate patients, allergological and immunological influences. As most important anatomical factor ventilation problems, respectively insufficiency of drainage of the eustachian tube is considered. Especially in childhood, OME reveals high spontaneous remission. Thus in many cases is no need for treatment. Persists OME over a longer period (some months) or in patients with recurrent disease, therapy is necessary: decongestant nasal drops, local heat during concomitant upper air way infections, long term application of low dose antibiotics, adenoidectomy with myringotomy, or insertion of ventilating tubes.

Audiometry, Pure-Tone↗
PubMed1992

[Sudden deafness--diagnosis and therapy].

Sudden deafness is defined as acute inner ear hearing loss, in the rule one-sided, of unknown etiology. The tentative diagnosis can be made easily by otoscopy and simple audiological forke tests. To exclude symptomatic acute hearing losses during the first treatment period, f.e. acoustic neurinoma, rupture of the round window membrane, multiple sclerosis, infectious diseases like Borreliosis or Lues, but also psychogenic hearing disorders we recommend an immediate hospitalization. Neurological and internal check up should look for inflammatory or degenerative diseases of the vascular or nervous system and also for metabolic risk factors like diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, gout or blood hyperviscosity. Today there are some reasons to assume, that disturbances of the microcirculation of the cochlea end vessels may a possible prominent etiological factor in sudden deafness. Therefore the aim of therapy today is to improve the microcirculation and the oxygenation of the sensory cells of the inner ear.

Cochlea↗
PubMed1991

Regulatory peptides and general neuroendocrine markers in human nasal mucosa, soft palate and larynx.

Various peptide immunoreactivities in the respiratory system have been reported, indicating complex physiological mechanisms. There is only little information on the upper respiratory system of man. The present study was carried out to demonstrate regulatory peptides in the nasal mucosa, larynx (vocal cords and ventricular folds) and soft palate of man using highly efficient immunocytochemical methods. In addition, some peptide immunoreactivities were measured by use of radioimmunoassay (RIA). Using indirect immunofluorescence and immunogold-silver staining (IGSS) with silver acetate autometallography, a series of peptides could be detected, including vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), peptide histidine methionine (PHM), galanin, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P, neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY), C-flanking peptide of NPY (CPON) and somatostatin. In addition, antibodies to protein gene-product (PGP) 9.5, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S-100, PHE-5 and neurofilament proteins gave positive reactions in tissue sections. Using RIA, CGRP, substance P, and neurokinin A were measured. Our results demonstrate a complex network of regulatory peptide-containing nerve fibers and the possible existence of endocrine cells regulating various functions of the upper respiratory system, which need to be further investigated.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1991

[Idiopathic facial paralysis and magnetic resonance tomography (MRT)].

We investigated 15 patients with unilateral facial paralysis using gadolinium(Gd)-DTPA (diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid) enhanced (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Eleven were idiopathic and 1 each was due to basal skill trauma, Lyme's disease, Foville's syndrome and herpes zoster oticus. Ten of 11 Bell's palsies showed a significant enhancement of the facial nerve on the paralysed side. In all cases enhancement was shown in the labyrinthine segment, in 9 in the meatal segment, in 8 in the mastoid segment and in 7 in the tympanic segment also. Follow-up Gd-enhanced MRI investigation was performed 3-11 months later in 8 patients. In 1 case with incomplete return of function after 3 months MRI enhancement was decreased. We could not find any correlation between the intensity of the Gd enhancement and the course, severity or outcome of Bell's palsy, or stapedius reflex audiometry. The mechanisms and aetiology of the Gd enhancement in Bell's palsy seem to be non-specific phenomena which are also found in post-traumatic facial lesions, for instance. Nevertheless, the ability to image the facial nerve in Bell's palsy provides a new means of examination in this disorder. In our opinion Gd-enhanced MRI is recommended in cases of recurrent or "atypical" Bell's palsy and in cases with total loss of electrical excitability, to exclude tumours. It is further suggested that MRI may provide valuable information concerning areas which may require surgical exploration or decompression.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. I. Anamnesis--ENT medical examination--skin tests--intranasal provocation].

One of the most important factors in the diagnosis of allergic diseases of the nose is the history, which requires a detailed knowledge of the allergic disease, and of the personal and occupational environment of the patient. Skin tests usually confirm the allergens suggested by the history. If this is not the case, a further history must be taken with respect to the agents identified by the positive skin tests. Other additional investigations must be performed such as RAST, the human basophil degranulation test, the histamine liberation test and the intranasal provocation test (IPT) with anterior rhinomanometry. The guidelines of the working group on bronchial and nasal provocation tests of the German Society for Research into Allergy and Immunity for the performance of the IPT should be respected because they are reproducible and standardised.

Desensitization, Immunologic↗
PubMed1990

[The symptomatic therapy of allergic rhinitis].

For the symptomatic treatment of allergic rhinitis the following groups of drugs are available: decongestants (sympathicomimetics), stabilizers of the mast cell membrane (DNCG, nedocromil), corticosteroids (aerosols), antihistamines, ketotifen, anticholinergics. The world wide use (and abuse) of decongestants (sympathicomimetics) is limited by the so-called rhinopathia medicamentosa, when the necessary treatment exceeds 3 or 4 weeks. The antiallergic preparations like sodiumcromoglycat and nedocromil prevent sneezing, rhinorrhea and eye irritations. Their reported effect is "stabilisation" of the mast cell membrane. They have practical no side effects, but the patients compliance is limited by the short, prophylactic effect, necessitating frequent topical applications up to 6 times daily. As the overall symptom scores are only reduced between 30% to 50%, they are not suited for severe cases of allergic rhinitis. Nedocromil should have a significantly better efficiency than DNCG. The development of efficient topical glucocorticosteroid aerosols was a great progress in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. With daily doses of 100 micrograms to 800 micrograms they are very effective against hypersecretion, sneezing, itching and also blocking of the nose. Because of the so-called "first pass" effect after resorption through the nasal mucosa they have minimal general side effects, especially on the balance of the endocrine system. Their rate local side effects on the nasal respiratory mucosa include local irritations, crusting, dryness and seldom nose bleeding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1990

[Pruritus--a side effect of hydroxyethyl starch? First report].

It is generally assumed that a disturbance of microcirculation is the common pathogenic pathway of various cochleovestibular disorders. Several studies have demonstrated that hydroxyethyl starch (HES) has better rheological effects than dextran 40, and fewer side-effects. Therefore, we changed from dextran 40 to hydroxyethyl starch in 1987 for the treatment of several otoneurological disorders. However, some patients complained of general pruritus after 1 or 2 weeks of therapy with HES. Therefore, a retrospective study was performed using a questionnaire of 491 patients treated for various cochleovestibular disorders. We received answers from 94 (20%): 25 of 59 (42.4%) patients treated with HES complained of pruritus compared with only 4 of 35 (11.4%) patients treated with dextran 40. The difference was significant (P less than 0.01). Critical points are the retrospective study design and the small number of patients, so that no conclusions can be drawn about the incidence of pruritus after therapy with HES. However, we would like to focus attention on this side-effect, which has been neglected in the literature but is extremely uncomfortable and socially embarrassing for some patients.

Dextrans↗