[Status epilepticus].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to O Kristensen.
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Survivorship analysis was used in the evaluation of 348 consecutive primary total condylar knee arthroplasties (total knee arthroplasties) performed on 253 patients in a 27-month period, with a maximum follow-up period of 12 years. The diagnosis was osteoarthrosis in 184 cases and rheumatoid arthritis in 164 cases. Ten patients (10 total knee arthroplasties) were lost to follow-up evaluation. The endpoint was defined as prosthesis not in situ. The variables considered were age, sex, body mass index, and diagnosis. The overall cumulative survival rate was 92%. The survival rate of the osteoarthrosis group was significantly higher (97%) than that of the rheumatoid arthritis group (87%). None of the other variables affected survival rate significantly.
The antiepileptic effect of lamotrigine (Lamictal) was assessed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial in 56 adult patients with refractory partial seizures. Lamotrigine or placebo was added to the patients' existing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The dose of lamotrigine varied from 75 to 400 mg daily. Thirty-eight patients completed the trial and 7 withdrew because of adverse experiences. There was a statistically significant reduction in seizure counts on lamotrigine compared with placebo for total seizures (30.3% reduction, 95% CI 8.4%, 47.0%), complex partial seizures (29.2% reduction, 95% CI 3.8%, 47.9%) and secondary generalised seizures (37.9%, CI 18.9%, 52.4%). The analysis of total seizure days showed a similar significant reduction during lamotrigine treatment for the same seizure categories. There was no statistically significant difference in reporting of adverse events between lamotrigine and placebo except for dizziness which was reported more frequently on lamotrigine than on placebo. There were no differences in abnormal haematological or biochemical findings between lamotrigine and placebo, and lamotrigine had no effect on plasma concentrations of concomitant AEDs.
We report a case of pseudoarthrosis between a patellar tendon ossicle and the tibial tuberosity. A man, 18 years of age, had persistent symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter's disease from the left knee for 3 years. Conservative treatment was without effect. Excision of the ossicle resulted in complete relief of symptoms. Histologic examination showed a pseudoarthrosis covered with cartilage and no sign of inflammation. Persistent symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter's disease for more than 2 years indicate exploration.
Tremendous force is usually required to cause sternal fractures. Normally this is caused either by a direct blow to the chest or by an indirect injury from hyperflexion of the torso. A case is presented of a fracture of the manubrium sterni in a young man as a complication of body building exercises-a non-contact sport. It appears that this has not been reported before.
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Metachromatic leukodystrophy is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with deficient arylsulphatase A activity. Different forms occur according to the age at onset of symptoms. Adult forms generally present with presenile dementia and/or psychiatric symptoms. We report a case of a 45-year-old woman, without a family history of neuropsychiatric disorders, presenting with complaints of numbness and weakness of the lower limbs. No intellectual or behavioral disturbances were clinically detectable. Electrophysiological investigation was compatible with severe demyelinating neuropathy in upper and lower limbs. MRI of the brain showed multiple white matter lesions. Adult metachromatic leukodystrophy was diagnosed on the basis of low leucocyte arylsulfatase-A-activity and accumulation of metachromatic material in the sural nerve. Pseudo-deficiency was excluded by DNA analysis. This case indicates that adult metachromatic leukodystrophy should be considered in patients with symptoms and signs resembling multiple sclerosis with peripheral neuropathy and in patients with neuropathy of unknown etiology.
In a well-defined community, 144 cases of femoral shaft fracture in children (< 15 years old) were registered over a ten-year period. The cases were analysed epidemiologically. The variables taken into consideration were age, sex, aetiology of the fracture, and yearly and seasonal changes of the incidence rates of the fracture. The boy/girl ratio was found to be 2.8:1. The incidence rate was 28 per 100,000 child-years. Young children (< three years) had the highest incidence rates. The most common aetiology was traffic trauma (43.1%), fall trauma (41.7%) coming next. Falling off bicycles contributed with 41.9%, direct trauma with 3.5%, and jamming with 5.6%. An incidence peak was found in the summer months April through August. Involvement of children in traffic accidents and the number of femoral shaft fractures due to traffic trauma fell significantly over the ten-year period.
The influence of patient-related factors on inter-observer variability in the evaluation of neurological signs was investigated. Two hundred and two consecutive unselected inpatients were examined by two senior neurologists who were unaware of the neurological case history. Eight signs were evaluated: anisocoria, jerky eye movements, facial palsy, difference in elbow extension force, abnormal finger-nose test, Barré sign, difference in knee jerk, and extensor plantar reflex. Agreement rates were calculated in order to compare the inter-observer variability with reference to the patients' sex, age, mode of admission, and diagnosis at discharge. Observed agreement rates for the eight examined signs only sporadically showed statistically significant differences between the chosen patient-related factors. In general, inter-observer variation does not appear to be influenced by the sex, age, mode of admission or diagnosis at discharge of the patients.
Interobserver variation among four observers in evaluation of eight selected neurological signs was investigated. MATERIAL & METHODS--Two hundred and two consecutive unselected inpatients were examined by two senior neurologists and two trainees, all without knowledge of the neurological case history. The signs examined were: anisocoria, jerky eye movements, facial palsy, elbow extension force, finger-nose test, Barré sign, knee jerk, and extensor plantar reflex. Observed agreement rates and kappa coefficients were calculated in order to compare the interobserver variability among neurologists and trainees, and to evaluate differences in the interobserver variability between signs. RESULTS--Observed agreement rates varied from 0.80 to 0.95 for neurologists and from 0.65 to 0.98 for trainees. For neurologists kappa coefficients ranged from 0.40 to 0.67 and for trainees from 0.22 to 0.81. The neurologists had higher kappa values than the trainees in 5 signs, but this difference was only statistically significant for jerky eye movements. For the individual signs the observed agreement rates were between 0.50 and 0.93 for all four examiners combined, and overall kappa values varied from 0.32 to 0.71 with highest agreement for facial palsy and lowest for knee jerk. CONCLUSION--The magnitude of the interobserver and intersign variation indicates that the interpretation of the neurological signs tested, without knowledge of the case history, should be done with some caution.
Efficacy and tolerability of the new antiepileptic drug oxcarbazepine, was evaluated in a retrospective multicentre study. The records of all 947 epilepsy patients treated with oxcarbazepine in the eight participating centres from 1981 through 1990 were examined. The median daily dose of oxcarbazepine was 30 mg/kg in children, 18 mg/kg in adults, and 15 mg/kg in elderly patients, given b.i.d. or t.i.d. The mean plasma levels of the main active metabolite of oxcarbazepine was 88, 79, and 68 mumol/l in children, adults, and elderly, respectively. In patients shifted to oxcarbazepine treatment, seizure frequency was unchanged in 51-66%, 32-48% had a decrease, and 1-10% an increase in seizure frequency, considering the individual seizure types separately. Adverse events were reported in one third of patients, most frequently affecting the CNS (dizziness: 6%; sedation: 6%; fatigue: 6%). Rash was reported in 6% of patients, half of these patients had previously had an allergic reaction to carbamazepine. Hyponatremia was found in about a quarter of the patients from whom data were available. No congenital malformations were seen in nine live-born, first trimester oxcarbazepine-exposed children.
The results of 138 consecutive primary Insall-Burstein arthroplasties with an average observation period of 10 (9-11) years were assessed. Mean age at surgery was 71 (30-81) years. The patients were evaluated clinically, using the Hospital for Special Surgery knee rating scale, and radiographically, according to the radiolucency score of the Knee Society. At latest follow-up, the overall evaluation of the patients who completed the study was excellent or good in 86 percent, fair in 8 percent and poor in 6 percent. Residual functional pain was recorded in 12 percent of cases with prostheses in situ. An ability to walk more than 500 m was found in 62 percent. The median range of motion was 104 degrees. Arthrodesis was performed on 2 knees due to deep infection. There were 14 cases with substantial radiolucency around the prosthesis, but none of these patients had severe functional pain. The crude prosthetic survival rate was 98 percent. A correlation was found between the radiolucency score and both the total score and the intensity of the residual functional pain.
The effect of indomethacin 25 mg 3 times daily during the first 2 postoperative weeks in preventing heterotopic bone formation after cemented total hip arthroplasty was investigated in a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial on 57 patients. 16 patients were secondarily excluded, leaving 19 patients in the indomethacin group and 22 patients in the placebo group. Evaluated from the 3-month radiographs, 18/19 indomethacin patients developed either no or only the milder Grade 1 ossification. In contrast, 11/22 placebo patients developed Grade 2 or 3 ossifications. Our observations favor indomethacin prophylaxis for 2 weeks in cemented arthroplasty of the hip.
We have not been able to find any prospective study of the risk of developing occupational dermatitis in the car manufacturing industry. To try to define individual predictive risk factors for the development of hand eczema and to determine the prevalence of hand eczema within 1 year in an automobile manufacturing industry, we investigated prospectively 1564 new employees during one year of employment. Only persons with previous atopic dermatitis or hand eczema were restricted to dry and clean workplaces. The employees were personally interviewed and examined before their employment. Written questionnaires were used at 3 and 12 months to obtain information on type of work, exposure, protection and hand dermatitis. All patients developing hand eczema were examined, patch tested and followed to determine the course and consequence of their eczema. The risk turned out to be only 4% on average, but significantly higher in females (6%). Certain sections within the factory such as wet work (canteen/kitchen and cleaning) and work in the paint shop with high exposure to organic solvents carried significantly higher risks. Heavy exposure to mineral oil, a known risk factor, was effectively counteracted by the extensive use of protective gloves to yield a lower than average prevalence in the press and body shop. Individual risk factors for the development of hand eczema were previous hand eczema, atopic dermatitis, but also wool intolerance and hay fever as isolated phenomena. Most cases of hand eczema were mild, of irritant contact type and only 1 employee developed an allergic contact dermatitis due to the working environment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
We report the results of 75 consecutive primary press-fit Kinemax arthroplasties with an average follow-up of 14 months (three to 28). We reviewed 26 cemented and 49 non-cemented tibial components implanted into 72 patients (30 men and 42 women, median age 70 years). At the latest follow-up the overall evaluation (Hospital for Special Surgery knee rating scale) for cemented cases was excellent in 54%, good in 42% and poor in 4%. No cemented prosthesis loosened. Of the non-cemented cases 55% were excellent, 23% good, and 2% fair. Ten tibial implants (20%) loosened and required revision. Residual pain marred the result in 24% of the non-cemented prostheses and in 4% of the cemented group. We do not recommend the press-fit, smooth-surfaced Kinemax prosthesis for non-cemented use.
We have reviewed at an average period of ten years the results of 71 consecutive primary arthroplasties with the Insall-Burstein total condylar knee prosthesis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Their mean age at surgery was 52 years (24 to 72). At follow-up the overall results (Hospital for Special Surgery knee rating score) were excellent or good in 77%, fair in 11% and poor in 11%. There was residual pain in only 5% of patients with prostheses in situ; 58% could walk more than 500 m, and the median range of motion was 108 degrees. Eight knees had been revised. Five underwent arthrodesis because of deep infection and three needed revision arthroplasty for mechanical loosening. The crude survival rate of the arthroplasties was 89%. The presence of radiolucency around the tibial component correlated significantly with the severity of residual pain.
Risk factors and prognosis for pseudoseizures were studied in a matched pairs case-control investigation of Epilepsy Clinic out-patients. The case group comprised 28 patients with pseudoseizures, 4 of whom were without a prior diagnosis of epilepsy. The control group consisted of 28 age- and sex-matched epileptic patients. There was a marked female preponderance, 86%, in the group with pseudoseizures. The frequency of previous psychiatric problems was significantly higher in the case- than in the control group, while the factors major cerebral damage and idiopathic generalized epilepsy were significantly less prevalent. At follow-up, median 5.8 years after diagnosis of pseudoseizures, 45% of the patients in the case group were free from all types of seizures. A significantly higher proportion of cases, 55%, were living on public disablement pension, compared to 23% of control patients.
A total of 118 patients (164 knees) participated in this investigation. These consisted of 23 males (31 knees) and 95 females (113 knees). The average age was 63 years (24-80 years) and the average period of observation was 10 years (9-11 years). The patients were examined clinically and radiographically preoperatively and also 8-12 weeks postoperatively and at intervals of one year thereafter. The Hospital for Special Surgery knee rating scale was employed in the clinical assessment and The Knee Society recognized radiolucency index in the radiographic assessment. At the most recent control examination, 82% of the knees assessed showed excellent or good results, 9% had fair results and 9% poor. The median total score was 84 points (quartiles: 76 and 98). Complete freedom from pain or slight pain were found in 91%. The range of motion was increased by an average of 12 degrees. A considerable improvement in the walking ability was found. A significantly positive correlation was found between the varus positioning of the tibial component and the occurrence of translucent zones. Serious complications occurred in 10% but none proved fatal.