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Biomedical subjects

O Kastrup

Publications and source records attributed to O Kastrup.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Incidence and prevalence of neurological disorders associated with HIV since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the change of incidence and prevalence of neurological disorders caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and opportunistic infections in HIV positive patients under treatment since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHODS: The data of all HIV infected patients were retrospectively analysed, who were examined in the HIV outpatients clinic of the neurological department of the University Clinic Essen between 1995 and 1998 (n=563, total number of visits=735). Data from identified patients were divided into two groups according to the time of examination from 1995 to 1996 (334 visits) and from 1997 to 1998 (401 visits). The incidence and prevalence of neurological disorders were statistically compared between both time intervals. RESULTS: Significantly more patients received HAART in 1997-8 (p<0. 001) and mean CD4+ cell count was significantly higher in 1997-8 (p<0.001). The prevalence of HIV associated dementia and HIV associated polyneuropathy were significantly lower in 1997-8 (both: p=0.02) and the incidence of toxoplasma encephalitis decreased from 5.7% in 1995-6 to 2.2% in 1997-8 (p=0.015). Based on the small number of patients significant changes in HIV associated myopathy, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, cryptoccocal meningitis, and cytomegalovirus-encephalitis could not be detected. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of the most frequent HIV associated neurological disorders and incidence of toxoplasma encephalitis decreased since the introduction of HAART. This may be due to the improvement of immunostatus by HAART as demonstrated by the higher CD4+ cell count in the later time interval. Direct antiretroviral effects within the nervous system may be considered causative as well. The prevalence and incidence of HIV associated neurological disorders and opportunistic CNS infections decreased after introduction of HAART.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Opportunistic CNS infection after bone marrow transplantation.

We retrospectively identified opportunistic CNS infections in 655 patients who had undergone allogeneic, syngeneic or autologous BMT or PBSCT between 1990 and 1997. Twenty-seven patients (4%) developed CNS infections. All CNS infections occurred in allogeneic BMT or PBSCT patients. The most common CNS infections were toxoplasma encephalitis (74%) and cerebral aspergillosis (18%). Furthermore, we identified one patient with candida encephalitis and one patient with viral encephalitis. Overall mortality of patients with opportunistic CNS infection was 67%. There were two different groups of toxoplasma encephalitis with a different appearance on MR imaging. The first group showed edema, but no gadolinium enhancement, whereas the second group exhibited typical MRI appearances with the exception of frequent hemorrhagic transformation. The first group had a significant shorter latency between BMT and onset of CNS infection (mean 45 days vs 180 days, P = 0.02), a significant higher daily dose of corticosteroids as treatment for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (P = 0.01), more severe GVHD and a higher mortality (71% vs 36%). This study shows that the most common CNS infections in our patient population are toxoplasma encephalitis and cerebral aspergillosis, that there are two distinct subgroups of toxoplasma encephalitis and that CNS infections occur after allogeneic BMT only.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Myopathy in two siblings with nephropathic cystinosis.

Nephropathic cystinosis is a hereditary disorder characterized by a specific defect in the transport of cystine across the lysosomal membrane, leading to an accumulation of protein-free cystine in tissues, including conjunctiva, liver, bone marrow and kidney. Renal transplantation is necessary because of renal failure. With improved life-expectancy, neurological complications have been reported, including cases of distal myopathy diagnosed ante- and post-mortem. We report on two further rare cases of two siblings suffering from cystinosis who developed a predominantly distal myopathy, proven electrophysiologically and on biopsy during life. The reported clinical picture of a distal atrophy resembling a neurogenic disease, confirms a picture apparently typical in cystinosis. Possible effects of cysteamine therapy on the course of the myopathy are discussed. Copyright 1998 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

[Central anticholinergic intoxication syndrome. A contribution to the differential diagnosis of exogenous psychoses].

A withdrawal syndrome in a 50-year-old alcoholic subsided within 5 days in response to treatment with doxepin (150 mg/d). But 2 days later he developed auditory hallucinations which were interpreted as alcohol hallucinations, for which he was additionally given haloperidol, 15 mg/d. He then developed early dyskinesia which was treated with 5 mg biperiden i.v. followed by twice 2 mg/d by mouth, while doxepin and haloperidol were continued. 5 days after detoxification there occurred, under this combination of drugs which included two with marked anticholinergic action, an anticholinergic intoxication syndrome characterized by restlessness, optical hallucinations, dysarthritic speech, mydriasis, urinary retention, fever, tachycardia and red, dry skin. After all previous drugs had been discontinued and clomethiazole started, the intoxication syndrome began to regress within 3 days. The case demonstrates the need to consider a central anticholinergic syndrome, which could end fatally, as a possible cause of otherwise unexplained delirium.

Akathisia, Drug-Induced↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system.

We report on three patients with superficial siderosis of the central nervous system. The main clinical findings were progressive dementia, hearing loss and ataxia in combination with repeated xanthochromia of the cerebrospinal fluid. Diagnosis was made in one patient with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which showed a hyperintense rim around the surface of the cerebellum and the spinal cord. In the two other cases necropsy disclosed superficial iron and hemosiderin deposits on the surface of the brain. The etiology either was idiopathic or secondary to chronic intracranial bleeding by an angioma or after multiple head injuries. Superficial siderosis should be taken into account as one reason for dementia.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Multiple intracerebral metastases of a 17-year-old girl with previously diagnosed neurofibromatosis type I.

We report a case of a 17-year-old girl with multiple intracerebral tumors. Previously, a neurofibroma in the posterior mediastinum and neurofibromatosis had been diagnosed. She developed a spastic tetraparesis with a prominent hemiparesis of the right side within several weeks. On admission we found clinical signs of elevated intracranial pressure. Cranial CT and MRI scans showed multiple space-occupying intracerebral tumors, thought to be multiple meningeoma. The patient was referred to the neurosurgical department, where two of the intracerebral tumors were excised. The histological examination revealed metastases of a neurosarcoma.

Adolescent↗