Biomedical subjects

K Wilhelm

Publications and source records attributed to K Wilhelm.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Bronchopulmonary infection with Mycobacterium malmoense presenting as a bronchoesophageal fistula.

We report a bronchopulmonary infection with Mycobacterium malmoense in a patient with severe immunosuppression due to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, humoral immunodeficiency after thymoma (Good's syndrome) and prolonged immunosuppressive treatment after myasthenic crisis. It presented as non-resolving pneumonia of the left lower lobe. Bronchoscopically, a bronchoesophageal fistula was detected. Numerous acid-fast organisms were found in the sputum specimen and in the bronchial biopsy around the fistula. M. malmoense was isolated from sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchial biopsy. Whereas conventional in vitro susceptibility testing revealed susceptibility only to ethambutol, multi-drug susceptibility testing confirmed susceptibility to rifampicin, ethambutol, clarithromycin and prothionamide. The clinical outcome after 12 months of therapy resulted in a stable remission and considerable suppression of the mycobacterial load, but not in complete eradication.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

[Stent implantation as a palliative therapeutic measure in stenosing tumors of central airways].

PURPOSE: Stent implantation was used to treat patient with malignant tracheobronchial obstructions to determine the effectiveness in producing symptomatic palliation. METHODS: 18 patients (15 men and three women; median age 57 years) with malignant tracheobronchial stenosis were treated by application of metal stents (15 Palmaz-, 10 Gianturco-, 4 Wallstents). The indication for stent implantation was given in 13 patients by clinically significant dyspnea, besides in 5 patients by therapy resistant postobstructive pneumonia. RESULTS: In 17 patients correct positioning of the stents was achieved and the symptoms completely disappeared until tumor related death. Median survival was 137 days (min. 10 days to max. 322 days). In one patient symptoms recurred three months after stent implantation. CONCLUSION: The application of metal stents in patient with malignant tracheobronchial obstruction appears to be a useful palliation procedure. The treatment was well tolerated and very effective.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Percutaneous removal of displaced metal stents in TIPS].

PURPOSE: Basing on our experience with three dislocated or displaced stents (one Wallstent, two Plamaz stents) during or after TIPS-procedure, we describe our technique to reposition or remove the stents. METHOD: The stents were moved back into the inferior vena cava by means of a balloon catheter, an alligator forceps, or an Amplatz gooseneck snare. They were secured against further dislocation by a central guidewire. After insertion of a balloon catheter into each dislocated stent, they were coaxially grasped with an Amplatz gooseneck snare. Stent diameter was reduced by forceful closure of the snare, and then the stent was either relocated or removed. CONCLUSION: To prevent further stent migration it is necessary to remove the stent via a guidewire. By using a balloon catheter and a coaxially inserted Amplatz gooseneck snare, reduction of the outer stent diameter is possible even in Plamaz stents, facilitating their relocation or removal.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Evolution of late potentials during the first 8 hours of myocardial infarction treated with thrombolysis.

It has been demonstrated that successful thrombolytic therapy is associated with a reduction of late potentials in the signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) recorded within 48 hours after hospital admission. This study extends these observations, using for the first time a longitudinal design investigating whether ischemia and its potential reversal by thrombolytic therapy are associated with dynamic changes in SAECG recordings obtained continuously for 8 hours after the start of therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). SAECGs were obtained from 12 patients (2 women and 10 men; ages 63 +/- 13 years) with acute MI. The SAECG (X2 + Y2 + Z2)1/2 was generated with a high pass filter of 40 Hz, noise < or = 0.3 microV. Comparing the SAECG recordings during the first and eighth hours, there was a significant decrease in filtered QRS duration (fQRS; 119.5 +/- 17.1 vs 106.3 +/- 15.3 ms) and duration of the low amplitude signals < or = 40 microV of the terminal QRS (LAS40; 48.8 +/- 18 vs 34.2 +/- 14.2 ms), and increase of root mean square voltage of the last 40 ms of the QRS (t-RMS; 14.8 +/- 9.3 vs 37.8 +/- 34.4 microV) (rank test, P < or = 0.05). In this patient series, there was a significant improvement of fQRS, t-RMS, and LAS40 during the first 8 hours of acute MI, perhaps indicating reversal of ischemia with thrombolysis. Even during acute MI, these markers of delayed conduction allow investigation of intervention induced changes in myocardial conduction and possibly prediction of the patency of the infarct related artery using signal-averaging techniques.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1996

If the referral fits: bridging the gap between patient and referrer requirements in a tertiary referral unit.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the reasons for which doctors refer and patients request referral to our tertiary Mood Disorders Unit (MDU), focussing on congruence and 'fit', and the potential for more efficient use of referral resources. METHOD: A postal survey of patients (n = 265 or 83% responders) and referrers (n = 156 or 94% responders) sought views regarding referral and service components. Ratings from 156 matched referrer-patient dyads were compared. RESULTS: Overall, referrers and patients were satisfied with the MDU. There was disparity between what referrers sought and what patients thought were the reasons for referral, and different perceptions of the value of interventions and the amount of improvement. Congruent matched referrer-patient judgements of patient outcome were more likely to correspond with objective clinician ratings than discordant ratings. Satisfaction with MDU contact or intervention was not necessarily linked to improvement; better management of chronic depression was also valued. Referrer and patient responses to open-ended questions highlighted beneficial ingredients of referral. CONCLUSIONS: There was considerable lack of fit between referrers' and patients' experience of the referral. Better communication between referrer and patients can clarify the purpose of referral and possibly lead to increased compliance with medical regimens.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

A casemix for mental health services: the development of the mental health and substance abuse components of the Australian national diagnosis-related groups.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the development of the mental health and substance abuse sections of the version of the Australian casemix system, Australian national diagnosis-related groups 3 (AN-DRG 3), released in July 1995. METHOD: The guiding principles and data sources used to construct the mental health and substance abuse components of AN-DRG 3 are described by the group who undertook that task. The group used data sets of patients separating from hospitals throughout Australia, and from hospitals in South Australia, to examine the capacity of existing and revised diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) to predict patients' lengths of hospital stay. They also reviewed the lists of conditions allowed as complicating and comorbid conditions within the AN-DRG system. RESULTS: A variety of recommendations were made including: moving organic mental disorder DRGs to a neuroscience area of the AN-DRG; completely reorganising the mental health section of the casemix; creating a number of narrowly defined DRGs covering areas such as schizophrenia, major affective disorders, anxiety disorders and eating disorders, while allowing for a limited number of more heterogenous DRGs and simplifying substance abuse DRGs into groups covering alcohol and other substances, and differentiating intoxication and withdrawal from abuse and dependency. CONCLUSIONS: A casemix dialect based on clinical diagnosis, which describes mental health and substance abuse problems in terms which should be familiar to clinicians, has been developed. Its applications and limitations are briefly discussed.

Australia↗

PubMed1996

Defining the personality disorders: description of an Australian database.

OBJECTIVE: We seek to improve the definition and classification of the personality disorders (PDs) and derive a large database for addressing this objective. METHOD: The paper describes the rationale for the development of a large set of descriptors of the PDs (including all DSM-IV and ICD-10 descriptors, but enriched by an additional 109 items), the design of parallel self-report (SR) and corroborative witness (CW) measures, sample recruitment (of 863 patients with a priori evidence of personality disorder or disturbance) and preliminary descriptive data. RESULTS: Analyses (particularly those comparing ratings on molar PD descriptions with putative PD dimensions) argue for acceptable reliability of the data set, while both the size of the sample and the representation of all PD dimensions of interest argue for the adequacy of the database. CONCLUSIONS: We consider in some detail current limitations to the definition and classification of the PDs, and foreshadow the analytic techniques that will be used to address the key objectives of allowing the PDs to be modelled more clearly and, ideally, measured with greater precision and validity.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism in patients with chronic and treatment-resistant depression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between hypothyroidism and treatment-resistant depression (TRD). METHOD: A retrospective case audit of 93 inpatients of a specialist Mood Disorders Unit. Patients referred with TRD were sub-classified into 'adequate' or 'inadequate' prior treatment groups on the basis of pre-established criteria, and compared with a 'non-TRD' control sample. Grades I (clinical) and II (subclinical) hypothyroidism were determined by review of relevant thyroid indices. RESULTS: Patients had chronic depressive disorders (sub-group means of 57.5-82.2 weeks of illness). Of those patients referred with TRD, 22% (10/46) had evidence of clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism compared with 2% (1/47) of the non-TRD patients (p < 0.01). A gradient in the rates of grade I hypothyroidism was observed with the adequately-treated TRD patients having the highest rate (13%), the inadequately-treated TRD patients having an intermediate rate (7%), and the non-TRD patients having the lowest rate (2%). Consistent with this view, the inadequately-treated TRD group had the highest rate of grade II hypothyroidism (p = 0.01) and tended to have higher thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) values (p = 0.06). Differences in the rates of hypothyroidism could not be accounted for by differences in age or prior exposure to lithium and/or carbamazepine. Duration of the depressive episode was negatively correlated with both the free thyroxine indices (r = -0.25, P < 0.05) and TSH levels (r = -0.32, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that relative hypothyroidism may play a role in the development of some treatment-resistant depressive disorders.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Therapy of osteomyelitis in the metacarpal region with local pedicle m. interosseus dorsalis II and III-flap-plasty. Anatomic principles and case report].

Both experimental and clinical studies showed that muscle flap transposition is a reliable method for treating chronic infections of the bone. Advantages of muscle flaps are: treatment of infection with well perfused autogenous tissue obviating the use of implants, cure of infection usually within four weeks and consequently, short immobilisation time. Disadvantages of muscle flaps are loss of muscle function with possible donor-site morbidity. The first dorsal interosseous muscle and the abductor digiti minimi muscle have been used successfully for the treatment of osteomyelitis of the metacarpals. The second and third dorsal interosseous muscle are presented for the first time. After discussing anatomy, especially vascularisation of these muscles, the operative technique is shown and a case of osteomyelitis of the third metacarpal treated by this new transposition is reported.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Upper inflow congestion as initial manifestation of idiopathic mediastinal fibrosis].

In about 90% of superior vena caval obstructions the cause is a neoplasm, generally a carcinoma of the right upper lobe. Fewer than 5 percent are due to inflammatory disease of the mediastinum. A case of idiopathic, fibrosing mediastinitis with occlusion of the superior vena cava is described. The clinical symptoms, radiographic finding, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Phase I trial of inhaled natural interleukin 2 for treatment of pulmonary malignancy: toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and biological effects.

Safety, local and systemic immunomodulation, and tumor response to treatment with aerosolized natural interleukin 2 (nIL-2) applied five times a day were studied in a Phase I trial in 16 patients with pulmonary malignancies refractory to conventional therapy. The toxicity of inhaled nIL-2 was different from that observed after systemic administration. Reversible airway irritation causing a nonproductive cough represented the dose-limiting toxicity. Mild to moderate reduction of the vital capacity and forced expiratory volume (FEV1) with minor effects on relative FEV1, peak expiratory flow, airway resistance, and PaO2 was experienced by individual patients. In 14 patients suffering from pulmonary metastases due to renal cell cancer, one durable complete response, one partial response, and one mixed response were observed. Inhalation of nIL-2 aerosol resulted in a dose-dependent expansion of pulmonary immunocompetent cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Posttreatment bronchoalveolar lavage showed an activated lymphocyte phenotype with increased HLA-DR expression. The only systemic biological effect detectable in peripheral blood was a marked increase of soluble interleukin 2 receptor serum levels. We conclude that treatment with aerosolized nIL-2 is an effective means for site-specific immunomodulation and deserves further investigation for the treatment of malignant and inflammatory lung disease.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1995

[Stent implantation for the palliative therapy of upper inflow obstruction in bronchial carcinoma].

AIM OF STUDY: To analyse results obtained in the palliative treatment of obstruction of the upper inflow veins by stent implantation in patients with bronchial carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Stents were implanted in 14 patients with upper venous obstruction due to bronchial carcinoma (three women, eleven men: mean age 64 [48-74] years), 4 of the superior vena cava (SVC), 6 of the SVC and brachiocephalic vein, 4 of the SVC and subclavian vein. To prevent thromboembolic phenomena all patients received heparin in therapeutic doses for 1-3 days from the time of stents implantation. RESULTS: Treatment was successful (regression of the clinical signs) in 12 of the 14 patients. Six patients died, without recurrence of the clinical signs, an average of 141 (10-420) days after the procedure. Mean survival time of the six patients who remained without symptoms was 3 months (longest interval 9 months). In one patient thrombotic occlusion of the SVC occurred 6 days after stent implantation. However, local thrombolysis successfully re-opened the vessel. Renewed upper vein obstruction occurred in two patients during follow-up. None of the stent filaments fractured and there was no stent dislocation. CONCLUSION: With a success rate of 86% stent implantation proved to be a sparing procedure in the palliative treatment of upper inflow vein obstruction, especially in patients with extensive malignant disease.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Subcortical hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging: clinical correlates and prognostic significance in patients with severe depression.

In 39 hospital inpatients with severe primary depressive disorders, we evaluated the relationships between subcortical hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical features, neuropsychological impairment and response to standard therapies. Both white matter and gray nuclei lesions were associated with older age and the absence of a family history of affective disorder. White matter hyperintensities were also associated with onset of first affective episode after the age of 50 years and impaired psychomotor speed. Most importantly, the severity of white matter hyperintensities predicted a poorer response to treatment (r = -0.44, p < .01). Negative correlations of the same order were detected in those (n = 20) who received electroconvulsive therapy (r = -0.42, p = .06) and those (n = 19) who received pharmacotherapy alone (r = -.49, p < .05). This study provides preliminary evidence supporting the clinical and prognostic significance of extensive white matter hyperintensities in patients with severe depression.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1995

Sub-typing depression, I. Is psychomotor disturbance necessary and sufficient to the definition of melancholia?

Melancholia is most commonly distinguished from non-melancholic depression by the presence of psychomotor disturbance (PMD) and a set of 'endogeneity' symptoms. We examine the capacity of an operationalized clinician-rated measure of PMD (the CORE system) to predict diagnostic assignment to 'melancholic/endogenous' classes by the DSM-III-R and Newcastle systems. Examining a pre-established CORE cut-off score (> or = 8) against independent diagnostic assignment, PMD was present in 51% of those assigned as melancholic by DSM-III-R, and 85% of those assigned as endogenous by the Newcastle system, quantifying the extent to which it is 'necessary' to the two definitions of 'melancholia'. Additionally, multivariate analyses established that the addition of a refined set of historically suggested endogeneity symptoms added only slightly to overall discrimination of melancholic and non-melancholic depressives. While only few endogeneity symptoms independent of psychomotor disturbance were suggested, their specific relevance varied against system definition of melancholia (appetite/weight loss and terminal insomnia being identified for DSM-III-R; anhedonia for Newcastle; and diurnal variation in mood and energy for both systems). Results allow consideration of the relative importance of two domains (psychomotor disturbance and 'endogeneity' symptoms) to clinical definition of melancholia, and have the potential to assist both classification and pursuit of neurobiological determinants. We interpret findings as suggesting a 'core and mantle' model for conceptualizing the clinical features of melancholia, with psychomotor disturbance as the core and with independent endogeneity symptoms as only a thin mantle.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Sub-typing depression, II. Clinical distinction of psychotic depression and non-psychotic melancholia.

We have attempted to clarify clinical differentiating features of psychotic depression. Forty-six depressed subjects meeting DSM-III-R criteria for major depression with psychotic features were compared with (i) DSM-defined melancholic, (ii) Newcastle-defined endogenous, and (iii) a residual DSM-defined major depressive episode group. Additionally, a 'bottom up' latent class analysis (LCA) suggested a larger sample of 82 'psychotic depressive' subjects, and multivariate analyses contrasted these subjects with both LCA-identified melancholic and all residual depressed subjects. Analyses suggested that, in addition to two features with absolute specificity (delusions and hallucinations), both the DSM-defined and LCA-defined 'psychotic depressive' subjects were significantly more likely to demonstrate marked psychomotor disturbance, to report two morbid cognitions (feeling sinful and guilty; feeling deserving of punishment), as well as be more likely to report constipation, terminal insomnia, appetite/weight loss and (variable across the defined 'psychotic depressive' groups) loss of interest and pleasure. The study identifies a wider set of potentially discriminating clinical variables than previous studies, as well as both indicating the existence and assisting identification of 'true' psychotic depression in the absence of formal psychotic features being acknowledged or elicited.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Sub-typing depression, III. Development of a clinical algorithm for melancholia and comparison with other diagnostic measures.

We describe the development of a clinical algorithm to differentiate melancholic from non-melancholic depression, using refined sets of 'endogeneity' symptoms together with clinician-rated CORE scores assessing psychomotor disturbance. Assignment by the empirically developed algorithm is contrasted with assignment by DSM-III-R and with several other melancholia sub-typing indices. Both the numbers of 'melancholics' assigned by the several systems and their capacity to distinguish 'melancholics' on clinical, demographic and a biological index test (the DST) varied across the systems with the algorithm being as 'successful' as several systems that include inter-episode and treatment response variables. Analyses provide information on the criteria set developed for DSM-IV definition of 'melancholia'.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Is early separation anxiety a specific precursor of panic disorder-agoraphobia? A community study.

The present study aimed to examine memories of early separation anxiety symptoms in a community sample of women at heightened risk to neurotic disorder. The chief finding was that subjects with a lifetime history of panic disorder-agoraphobia (PD-Ag) returned statistically higher scores on a retrospective measure of early separation anxiety compared to subjects with either generalized anxiety or other phobic disorders, a result which was not accounted for by differences in neuroticism or General Health Questionnaire scores. Although limited by its retrospective design and the problem of co-morbidity in subclassifying the anxiety disorders, the present study does provide added support for the hypothesis--endorsed by DSM-III-R--that there is a developmental link between early separation anxiety and panic disorder.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Stent implantation as a palliative therapeutic measure in tumor-induced stenoses of the large veins of the body].

PURPOSE: Self-expandable metallic stents were used to treat patients with malignant venous obstructions to determine their effectiveness in producing symptomatic palliation. METHODS: 20 patients with a total of 28 tumour-induced obstructions of the superior vena cava (n = 13), the inferior vena cava (n = 4), the subclavian (n = 4), the innominate (n = 5) and the iliac veins (n = 2) were treated with self-expandable metallic stents. 38 Gianturco stents and 21 Wallstents were applied. Patients were heparinised during the procedure and up to three days afterwards. RESULTS: In all patients correct positioning of the stents was achieved. In 16 patients stent placement resulted in relief of their symptoms. In 8 patients the symptoms completely disappeared without recurrence until death as a result of tumour progression. The follow-up ranged from 10 days to 14 months. In 8 still living patients no re-obstruction occurred (follow-up average three months). In one patient thrombotic stent occlusion occurred 6 days after the procedure; the v. cava superior was reopened again by local urokinase therapy. Three patients finally developed re-occlusion due to tumour progression. In one patient stent placement was complicated by migration of the Gianturco stent one day after stent implantation and reocclusion of the subclavian vein. CONCLUSION: The application of self-expandable metallic stents in patients with malignant venous obstruction is a useful palliative therapy.

Adult↗