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Biomedical subjects

R Brunner

Publications and source records attributed to R Brunner.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

[Early diagnostic criteria of ankylosing spondylitis in patients with acute anterior uveitis].

A group of 59 patients with acute anterior uveitis (AAU) were examined for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) according to the New York criteria und criteria for early diagnosis of AS: 17/59 (29%) presented AS according to the New York criteria: a further 13/59 (22%) were classified as having incipient AS according to the early diagnosis criteria. These findings indicate that in a group of AAU patients there are, in addition to patients with definite AS, patients with initial AS though X-rays of the sacroiliac joints are still negative or equivocal. Early diagnosis criteria seem to be useful for identification of these patients at an early stage and can be used as a major selection criterion for monitoring programs.

Acute Disease↗

[Recording and analysis of the electrooculography using a personal computer. Initial experiences with normal probands and patients with diseases of the posterior eye segment and intraocular foreign bodies].

The electro-oculogram (EOG) is recorded by a personal computer and analyzed during the examination. If the results obtained with this method in normal subjects are compared with the conventional method (with which data recorded in analog form have to be measured manually), there is no significant difference. In patients with diseases of the posterior segment (e.g., posterior uveitis) or intraocular foreign bodies the results of computer and manual analysis are also practically identical. There are two computer analysis techniques: for subjects with almost normal EOGs the trigger-independent method is sufficiently accurate. In patients with pathologic EOGs, however, and in particular those with small potential differences, the trigger-related method is more likely to lead to correct results. The analysis path can be displayed on the computer monitor at any time, so that the examiner can always check whether it is correct. In contrast to manual analysis, the computer analysis cannot be influenced subjectively by the examiner. This considerably improves the comparability of examination results. A further advantage of computer analysis is its speed: the result is available immediately following the examination. It is a low-cost system which is easy to install and use, and thus suitable for routine clinical work.

Chorioretinitis↗

Nd:YAG laser therapy of an oral verrucous leukoplakia.

A 75-year-old female patient afflicted with an extensive verrucous oral leukoplakia is reported. With treatment by the Nd:YAG laser under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, the disease could be kept under control for 4 years.

Aged↗

Peripheral hemodynamics, blood viscosity, and the renin-angiotensin system in hemodialysis patients under therapy with recombinant human erythropoietin.

Treatment of renal anemia with rhEPO (120 U/kg body weight/hemodialysis) in transfusion-dependent patients on maintenance hemodialysis led to an increase in blood pressure, regional peripheral resistance and whole blood viscosity. Our results are in agreement with earlier findings that partial correction of renal anemia results in hemodynamic changes characterized by a fall in cardiac output together with an increase in blood pressure due to increased vascular resistance. The increase in whole blood viscosity correlated with the increase in regional peripheral resistance but not with the increase in mean arterial blood pressure. Thus, other regulating factors of vascular resistance must be involved. Correction of renal anemia does not influence the reninangiotensin system. However, peripheral responsiveness of vascular smooth muscles may have changed due to improved tissue oxygenation and thus leading to an increase in vasoconstriction.

Adult↗

[Endothelial precipitates and cytomegalovirus infection].

In patients with the typical features of intraocular cytomegalovirus infection endothelial precipitates were identified that had a characteristic morphology, which included subtle, non-pigmented linear deposits with reticular arrangement that can spread diffusely over the corneal endothelium without preference for the inferior quadrants. The appearance of these precipitates was comparable to heterocromic cyclitis. Specular microscopy identified lymphocytes and macrophages on the endothelial layer. The present observations are based on five case reports of necrotizing retinitis, typical for intraocular cytomegalovirus infection, in connection with the atypical endothelial precipitates. In four of the five patients reported, HIV-infection was confirmed. In one patient with serologically confirmed cytomegalovirus infection (however without HIV-infection), a diagnostic work-up of the aqueous humor was carried out. Local production of specific antibodies against cytomegalovirus was identified in the aqueous humor. Topical treatment with antiviral and/or steroidal drugs was unsuccessful. The antiviral drug gancyclovir was applied systemically in two patients, but there was no impact on the corneal precipitates described. No intravitreal therapy was given. If these endothelial changes can be regarded as pathognomonic for cytomegalovirus infection, thorough slit lamp examination may be important for diagnosis of the presence of or the reactivation of cytomegalovirus infection in the eye. So far, no correlation has been found between the time course of corneal/endothelial precipitation and necrotizing retinitis.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Therapeutic concepts in infected hip prosthesis].

In the period from January 1980 to December 1987, 62 patients with infected hip joint arthroplasties were treated. The duration of observation was on average 37 months (minimum 12 months, maximum 91 months). The choice of treatment modality depended on the type of infection, the state of anchorage of the endoprosthesis, the general condition of the patient, the type of bacterium and the state of the tissue surrounding the implant. 42 arthroplasties (67%) healed primarily. The remaining 20 were subject to 46 further operations (2.3 relapse operations/patient). 14 subsequently healed (23%) and six cases remained definitively infected.

Debridement↗

Para-articular ossification in total hip replacement: an indication for irradiation therapy.

The results of postoperative irradiation therapy after total hip replacement or resection of para-articular ossification in 25 patients are reported. The patients were kept under radiological observation for an average period of 26 months and clinical observation for an average period of 31 months after surgery. There were only two clinically relevant recurrences of para-articular ossification. The earlier radiotherapy with a total dose of 2000 rads (2000 cGy) was begun, the better was the effect. In this small population sample statistical significance could not be calculated. No side effects were detected.

Adult↗

[Treatment of naevi flammei with the argon laser].

We report on 901 patients with port wine stains treated by means of an argon laser. The treatment results have been definitively evaluated in 371 patients. They were significantly influenced by the patients' age and by the colour of the lesions. The worst response to the therapy was seen in pink port wine stains in children and juvenile patients (20% good results), in contrast to red and purple lesions in adult patients (80% excellent and good results). The size of the port wine stains did not significantly influence the treatment results, but in extensive lesions homogeneous lightening could not usually be attained and treatment often extended over some years. Port wine stains in the head and neck area responded best to therapy, and lesions on the legs, worst. Altogether, in 60%-70% of adult patients excellent or good results were obtained, the lesions being completely removed or significantly lightened and reduced in size. The side-effects of laser therapy were scar formation (7.3%) and changes in pigmentation (8.6%).

Adolescent↗

Effects of argon, dye, and Nd:YAG lasers on epidermis, dermis, and venous vessels.

The aim of the present study, which was performed at the dorsal aspects of the ears of guinea pigs, was to compare effects of different lasers on epidermis, dermis, and small venous vessels. Irradiations were performed with argon, dye, and Nd:YAG lasers. In the first series tissue repair processes were studied after argon laser application. Laser defects were excised after 1, 4, 8, and 14 days and were prepared for routine histological examination. The breadth of epidermal defect and extent of dermal coagulation and occlusion of vessels by thrombus formation were examined histologically. In a second series parameters of irradiation (ie, exposure time, laser power) of the three different lasers were changed systematically. Laser-induced morphological tissue changes could be best observed 24 hours after irradiation. Each of the lasers led to occlusion of vessels by thrombus formation and also coagulated epidermis and dermis. The extent of dermal and epidermal coagulation was less pronounced after dye laser application. Using short exposure times it was possible to reduce the extent of epidermal damage caused by argon and Nd:YAG lasers. Only 50-msec dye laser pulses led to intravascular thrombus formation without epidermal and dermal damage.

Animals↗

Neodymium-YAG laser therapy for vascular lesions.

Three patients with port-wine stains with a nodular surface, one patient with macrocheilia resulting from a port-wine stain, and one patient with a capillary hemangioma were treated with a Nd-YAG laser (mediLas, MBB-AT, Munich). Irradiance was between 800 and 1,600 watts/cm2, with energy fluence between 400 and 1,600 joules/cm2. Treatments were performed with local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. In all patients, marked improvements could be obtained after only a few treatments. Histologically there was necrosis of epidermis and dermis immediately after laser application, and ectatic vessels contained coagulated erythrocytes. Depth of coagulation was up to 3.5 mm. Quick restoration of epidermis was observed. After some days, macrophages, fibroblasts, and capillary blood vessels grew into the agglutination thrombi and ectatic vessels were replaced by granulation tissue and, later, by fibrous tissue. In comparison with the argon laser, the Nd-YAG laser coagulates at a much deeper level, but processes of tissue repair take longer and fibrosis is more pronounced after Nd-YAG laser application. Clinically, therefore, scar formation is more likely. Chilling the skin surface during irradiation and shorter exposure times may be effective in reducing the risk of scar formation in the future.

Adult↗

Laser therapy of bowenoid papulosis and Bowen's disease.

Six patients with bowenoid papulosis and two patients with Bowen's disease of the genital area were treated by means of an argon, Nd:YAG, and CO2 laser. In all of the patients, complete resolution of the lesions was achieved. Due to a superficial coagulating effect, application of the argon laser should be restricted to macular and papular pigmented lesions. In contrast, Nd:YAG and CO2 lasers could be used even for treatment of extensive leukoplakia-like and verrucous lesions. Advantages and disadvantages of these two lasers are discussed.

Adult↗