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Biomedical subjects

W Thomas

Publications and source records attributed to W Thomas.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

[The dorsal metacarpal ligament I and arthrosis of the saddle joint of the thumb].

Morphology and function of the Ligamentum metacarpeum dorsale I are investigated. The ligament connects the capsule of the Articulatio carpometacarpea pollicis with the base of the second metacarpal bone. The ligament is responsible for the security and passive guidance of movements in the saddle joint of the thumb. In the course of an arthrotic affection of the Articulatio carpometacarpea pollicis the ligament is exposed to increased tensile stresses. The excessive mechanical stress often leads to partial ossification of the ligament. The ossification is radiologically identified as a spurlike protrusion at the base of the second metacarpal bone. The evaluation of clinical X-rays reveals, that an osseous spur can develop before the saddle joint of the thumb shows alterations. From this the bony spur is important for an early diagnosis of the rhizarthrosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1981

[The problem of dorsal spondylodesis while using traction rods (author's transl)].

Functional and morphological disturbances of health at the vertebral column lead to instability, dislocation and reduction of intervertebral distance in the mobile segment. A safe therapy to remove these changes must aim at achieving three goals: 1. Re-establishment of stability 2. Repositioning of slipped disks and 3. Re-establishment of intervertebral distance. Especially in spondylolisthesis, results are often unsatisfactory. Even if dorsal traction rods are used, the intervertebral bodies will often slip due to uncoupling in the vertebral joints. This situation can be avoided by effecting together with the introduction of bone blocks. This procedure enables satisfactory repositioning, full restoration of intervertebral distance and permanent restoration of stability.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed1981

The effect of alpha-bungarotoxin on spontaneous activity in the ventral nerve cord of Limulus polyphemus.

The physiological action of alpha bungarotoxin in the central nervous system of the horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus was investigated. Two types of effects were produced by the toxin. The predominant effect was an inhibition of spontaneous activity. However, in some instances alpha bungarotoxin caused a stimulation of activity. In both cases the action of the toxin resembled the effect of d-tubocurarine and opposed the effect of carbamylcholine. Both effects of alpha-bungarotoxin were maximal within 15 min and were sustained for at least 2 h. These results suggest that alpha-bungarotoxin acts as a cholinergic antagonist in the central nervous system of Limulus and are consistent with the specific binding of the toxin to an acetylcholine receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

[Radial nerve compression syndrome at the elbow with reference to radiohumeral epicondylosis--clinico-anatomic studies].

Compression of the radial nerve in the angle of the elbow can manifest itself clinically as "epicondylosis" ("tennis elbow"). Operative findings and systematic necropsy studies point to four specific areas in which a compression of the radial nerve occurs: 1. Occasionally, firm connective tissue fibers running between the brachialis and brachioradialis extend over the radial nerve in the proximal part of the radial tunnel. 2. Blood vessels may cross the nerve in the angle of the elbow and cause compression. 3. The profundus branch of the nerve may be compressed by the tendon of the extensor carpi radialis brevis when the origin of the muscle is located far medially, and 4. by the tendon of the superficial part of the supinator (arcade of Frohse). These structures can lead to an entrapment neuropathy of the radial nerve, and thereby to an epicondylosis humeri radialis. In patients with clinical symptoms of "epicondylitis" feeling pain along the radial nerve upon application of pressure, the nerve should be exposed to that compressing structures may possibly be released operatively.

Elbow Joint↗
PubMed1980

Psychometric evaluation of performance in diabetes mellitus.

Two-hundred and fourteen diabetics and 343 controls were studied using a psychological test battery (LPSU-KOLN). Out of these samples, 147 pairs matched for age, sex, and level of education were selected. Diabetics were classified as juvenile onset diabetics (JOD, n = 112) and maturity onset diabetics (MOD, n = 35). The performance was evaluated in four dimensions: Factor I: speed of reaction; Factor II: memory-concentration; Factor III: visual perception; and Factor IV: quality of performance. The data were statistically analyzed using a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). The speed of reaction of both types of diabetics was significantly lower than of that of controls. The abilities in memory-concentration tasks were also decreased in diabetics in general, particularly in MOD. The visual perception and the quality of performance of diabetics were not different from their controls.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Arthrodesis of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the great toe.

Since 1975 the usual treatment of hallux valgus and hallux rigidus at the Medical High School, Lübeck, has been arthrodesis of the metatarophalangeal joint of the great toe. We report 48 operations performed between 1975 and 1977 on 35 patients with a follow-up of 3-32 months. The operative technique, using the "dynamic compression plate" is described in detail. The patient's assessment and the clinical and radiological situations were recorded. There were only three poor results. Thus, arthrodesis of the metatarsophalangeal joint is considered to be a reliable therapeutic method in hallux valgus, with minimal post-operative complications. It compares well with other operations, including Keller's arthroplasty.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

An evaluation of cellularity in various types of bone marrow specimens.

Comparisons of marrow cellularity determinations in needle biopsy sections, aspirated smears of marrow particles, and aspirated clot sections were made using the point-counting and standard visual methods of measurement. Good correlations of cellularity between biopsies and smears were obtained with the point-counting method. This occurred with either single- or multiple-observer measurements, and differed from the wide observer-to-observer variation obtained in the other comparisons. Although the optimal method for cellularity measurements is point counting by biopsy sections, the findings indicate that aspirated smears of marrow particles can be a suitable substitute for needle biopsy sections when point counting is used. This would be particularly useful in clinical settings necessitating frequent cellularity assessments. The results also show that the standard visual method of cellularity measurement is satisfactory when specimens are evaluated by one observer. The point-counting method of measurement, although the most accurate, is not as reproducible among observers as previously considered.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1979

Psychopathology and psychotherapy in chronic physically ill patients.

Within the scope of psychosomatic medicine somato-psychic diseases are of great importance theoretically as well as practically, especially in view of problems dealing with the patient's attitude toward his illness and his coping with the disease. Among the somato-psychic illnesses chronic physical diseases are of primary interest. The knowledge of their general and specific psychological and psychopathological symptoms are of great importance for a better understanding of these patients and in view of a favourable direction in therapy. This is demonstrated in the form of extracts with three groups of the chronic physically ill: (1) hemophiliacs; (2) patients on regular hemodialysis treatment and following renal transplantation, and (3) diabetics.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

[The anatomical GT sledge endoprosthesis Lübeck (author's transl)].

In case of complete or partial destruction of articular surfaces of the knee joint where the ligamentous apparatus is present but probably insufficient, alloplastic substitution of the articular surfaces is indicated. To achieve mobility as ideally as possible, it will be necessary to shape the endoprosthetic parts in such a manner that the healthy knee joint is imitated as closely as ever possible. The anatomical GT sledge endoprosthesis Lübeck (Grundei--Thomas) was conceived with this view in mind. To preserve the knee-joint as a functional unit, all of its compartments were taken into consideration, in particular also the articulatio plana, or arthrodial joint. To perform implantation of these endoprosthetic parts without improvisation, the implantates must be prepared in accordance with surgical patterns. The high functional demands made on the knee joint can only be met by completely abandoning the simplified schematic shapes and by producing articular surface substitutes imitating the normal anatomic joints.

Humans↗
PubMed1979

[The uncus exostoses syndrome and its treatment by means of the decompression operation of the vertebral artery (author's transl)].

In degenerative changes of the mobile segments of the cervical vertebral column, deformations of the uncovertebral gaps (joints), resembling exostoses, with a lateral or dorsolateral spread, are frequently seen. This involves irritation of neighbouring structures, such as the arteria and vena vertebralis including the nervus vertebralis or the corresponding nerve roots. This produces a disease pattern with a cervico-encephalic and cervico-brachial mixed pattern of symptoms. Angiography of the a. vertebralis proves the localisation and extent of the disturbance. The decompression of the a. vertebralis according to the method described by A. Jung offers good chances of curing the disease. The author's own operative results are presented and discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

[Biomechanical investigations on the aetiology of arthrosis of the first carpometacarpal joint (author's transl)].

Forty-eight carpometacarpal joints of the thumb (dissecting room material) were investigated roentgenologically and macroscopically. The localization of arthrotic lesions of the articular surfaces of the first metacarpal bone and the greater multangular bone support the view that arthrosis of the first carpometacarpal joint is due primarly to mechanical factors. The opposition movement of the thumb is combined with a pronating rotation of the first metacarpal bone. This rotation leads to an incongruity of the joint and in consequence to an extreme diminuition of the pressure transmitting area. Photoelastic experiments demonstrate that the point-like contact areas are subjected to an extremly high stress. The functional analysis of the tangential fiber layer in the articular cartilage shows that the first carpometacarpal joint is adapted only to movements typical for a saddle-shaped joint.

Adult↗