Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Wessel

Publications and source records attributed to K Wessel.

97 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration associated with Hodgkin's disease.

A case of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) associated with Hodgkin's disease is presented. The features that make this case particularly interesting are the simultaneous occurrence of PCD with a relapse of Hodgkin's disease, which has been present for 17 years, and the arrested progression of cerebellar dysfunction after a subacute onset. Cerebellar atrophy was revealed by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. In contrast to two previously reported cases, anti-Purkinje-cell antibodies were not detected.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Herpes simplex encephalitis with herpes simplex retinitis].

The association of herpes simplex encephalitis and herpes simplex retinitis is rare in adults. The case presented indicates that the manifestation of retinitis after herpes simplex encephalitis is infectious and not immunologic in origin. Retinal infection results either from neuron-to-neuron transmission of viruses along the optic nerve or from recurrent viral infection. Treatment with acyclovir improves the otherwise rather poor prognosis of combined herpes simplex encephalitis and retinitis. In this case a second course of systemic treatment with acyclovir was effective.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis: neuroradiological evaluation and clinical findings.

The spectrum of clinical signs in cases of superior sagittal sinus thrombosis includes not only focal neurological deficits, seizures and mental disturbances, but also symptoms which may lead to a diagnosis of pseudotumour cerebri (PTC). In 14 cases of angiographically (or autopsy) proven thrombosis of the superior sagittal or both lateral sinuses, the "empty triangle" sign on contrast CT examination was the most reliable sign, suggesting the diagnosis in 70%. Indirect CT signs (venous infarcts) were observed in all 8 patients with focal neurological signs, but appeared rather delayed in 3 cases. In contrast, patients with "benign" intracranial hypertension or PTC (6 cases) had normal unenhanced scans (4 cases) or showed slight diffuse brain oedema (2 cases). Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 4 patients with findings suggestive of intravascular coagulation; however, due to the complexity of flow phenomena, further studies employing this new imaging technique will first have to be performed. Thus, angiography remains the best diagnostic tool and should not be delayed if there is a clinical suspicion of thrombosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

[Hypokalemic periodic paralysis provoked by "Ambene"].

The case of a 42-year-old man is reported, who on four occasions developed a hypokalaemic periodic paralysis after an intramuscular injection of "Ambene". The detailed examination of this patient shows, that it is the primary, autosomal dominant inherited form of hypokalaemic periodic paralysis, and not the secondary form, which is caused by a renal or gastrointestinal loss of potassium. Clinical and electrophysiological, as well as histopathological and electron microscopic findings are presented, showing the typical vacuolar myopathy with submicroscopic tubular structures. In the literature there is evidence for an increased sensitivity of the muscle membrane to insulin with an increased potassium-shift inside the cell in hypokalaemic periodic paralysis. "Ambene" is a combination, which contains amongst other substances dexamethasone and the local anaesthetic drug lidocain. In the present case the paresis was possibly caused by a combined effect of dexamethasone with a consequent hyperglycaemia and lidocain with a change in the excitability of the muscle membrane. The pathophysiological mechanism of hypokalaemic periodic paralysis is discussed in terms of the release by the combination of these two drugs. It has not previously been reported that "Ambene" can provoke a hypokalaemic periodic paralysis. This is a severe side effect because of the resulting cardiac and respiratory problems.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Electromyography of the infrahyoid muscles: pathological and normal findings.

UNLABELLED: In recent years, the infrahyoid muscles (IHM) have been used by plastic reconstructive surgeons as a neurovascular muscle flap in the neck and mouth region. METHODS: A preoperative electromyographic examination (EMG) of the IHM was performed in 10 patients, of whom 9 suffered from tongue cancer, in order to detect neurogenic lesions caused by possible metastases or lymph nodes. The results were compared to those of 10 healthy controls. RESULTS: The EMG at rest showed no pathological spontaneous activity in any patient. During light voluntary innervation, the motor unit potentials (MUPs) were normal in controls and in patients with normal sonographic images, computertomographic scans, and histologic findings after surgery in the neck region. When metastatic lymph nodes were found on one side of the neck, the number of polyphasic MUPs in the IHM of that side was increased in some cases (n = 6), and normal in others (n = 5). Traumatic or radiogenic lesions clearly resulted in pathological EMG findings (n = 6). A maximal innervation of the IHM was achieved during head bending and jaw opening, there was no activation of the IHM with tongue movements and vice versa. CONCLUSIONS: If the presence of lymph node pathology was demonstrated using imaging techniques, a resulting lesion of the ansa cervicalis can functionally be demonstrated by EMG. In patients without lymph node metastases and without concurrent other lesions in the cervical region, EMG of the IHM seems to give no further clinical information. A clear postoperative functional differentiation of the transplanted IHM and the indigenous tongue muscles is possible.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Electrophysiological study of regenerated rabbit tibial and peroneal nerves: autologous versus non-neural grafts.

In recent years, successful experimental nerve regeneration using extracellular matrix as implants has been reported. In the present study, we compared peripheral nerve regeneration through implants of amnion membrane matrix (AMM) and umbilical cord membrane matrix (UCMM) versus autologous nerve transplantation, bridging gaps 8-12 mm in length in rabbit tibial and peroneal nerves. The data are based on direct nerve stimulation and recording of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and muscle action potentials (MAPs) to measure functional recovery after these different types of neuroplastic bridging. Incomplete regeneration was demonstrable as missing SEPs (15-22%), missing MAPs (17-42%), a mean delay of SEPs and distal motor latencies of approximately 40-50% compared with a normal control group, and slowed motor conduction velocities by approximately 50%. There were no significant differences between the three different types of neuroplastic bridging. Most of the AMM and UCMM implants (80-100%), but none of the autologous nerve transplants, caused inadequate connections with peripheral targets. We conclude that extracellular matrix implantation represents a useful experimental model for studying the biological basis of nerve regeneration, but does not yet serve as a tool for therapeutic applications.

Action Potentials↗