Presence of 14Hz spindle oscillations in the human EEG during deep anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To report on presence of human EEG spindle oscillations on the cortical level within flat periods of the burst-suppression pattern during propofol-induced anesthesia; to search for corresponding oscillations and possible functional connections. METHODS: Artefact-free epochs of spindle activation were selected from the electroencephalograms of opiate-dependent patients undergoing rapid opiate detoxification. Power spectral analysis and source localization using low-resolution-brain-electromagnetic-tomography (LORETA(Key)) were performed. RESULTS: Sinusoidal rhythms with waxing and waning amplitudes appeared after propofol-induced narcosis but no direct correlations could be determined between individual dosage and characteristic spindle attributes. The power maximum stood midline over the cortical areas, especially around C(z). We calculated a peak frequency of 14(+/-1.2) Hz. Motor fields, particularly in the frontal, parietal, and various cingulate areas, were found to be the primary sources of spindle oscillations in the cortex. CONCLUSIONS: The frequent occurrence of these localized spindle sources demonstrates the preference for motor fields. Spindle oscillations observed during propofol-induced narcosis were similar in frequency and shape to those observed in natural sleep. SIGNIFICANCE: The results lend support to models that postulate a close link between the motor system and the organization of behavior. In addition, spindle rhythms under propofol bore some resemblance to spindle types which occur during sleep.

Microcirculation is similar in ischemic and venous ulcers.

Microcirculation of 15 ischemic and 15 venous ulcers, their scars, and intact surrounding skin were examined in order to demonstrate their similarities in the development and healing process. Subpapillary and nutritive perfusion of four areas were investigated by a laser Doppler perfusion imager (arbitrary units) and capillary microscopy (capillaries/mm2): one ulcer area without granulation tissue (no wound healing) and one with granulation tissue (ulcer healing); one skin area adjacent to the ulcer (1-8 mm) (scar developed from ulcer areas) and one distant (12-25 mm; intact skin). Areas without granulation tissue in ischemic and venous ulcers were similar, demonstrating a lack of capillaries (0.13 +/- 0.52; 0.93 +/- 2.09) and low laser Doppler flux (0.81 +/- 0.69; 1.47 +/- 1.17; P > 0.05 for each). In granulation tissue of both ulcers there was a tendency to a higher capillary density (0.67 +/- 1.40; 5.60 +/- 2.32; P < 0.0001 for venous ulcers) and a higher laser Doppler flux (1.15 +/- 0.67; 4.04 +/- 1.62; P < 0.0001 for venous ulcers) than in areas without granulation tissue. In scars of ischemic and venous ulcers capillary density (8.18 +/- 8.84; 13.60 +/- 5.45) and laser Doppler flux (1.72 +/- 1.00; 1.94 +/- 1.45) were similar (P > 0.05). In skin distant from ischemic ulcers very high capillary density (24.63 +/- 1.89) was associated with low laser Doppler flux (0.99 +/- 0.59); distant from venous ulcer capillary density was moderate (10.47 +/- 3.42) while laser Doppler flux was high (3.77 +/- 1.62; P < 0.0001 between both groups). The development and healing process of ischemic and venous ulcers is similar. Nutritive and subpapillary perfusion are involved in ulcer healing. In intact skin surrounding ischemic and venous ulcers, microcirculation is different due to the underlying pathophysiology.

Microcirculation in venous ulcers and the surrounding skin: findings with capillary microscopy and a laser Doppler imager.

BACKGROUND: To obtain more information about microcirculatory disturbances in venous ulcers, we studied their laser Doppler flux images and capillary densities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On photographs of venous ulcers and the adjacent skin of 17 patients, four regions of interest were marked: one non-granulation tissue area (NGTA) within the venous ulcer, one granulation tissue area (GTA) within the ulcer, one adjacent skin area (ASA) and one distant skin area (DSA). Within these four regions the average laser Doppler area fluxes and capillary densities were determined for each patient using a laser Doppler imager and capillary microscopy respectively. RESULTS: The laser Doppler area flux (mean +/- SD in AU) was significantly lower in NGTA (1.39 +/- 1.12) than in GTA (4.06 +/- 1. 52) or DSA (3.86 +/- 1.54) (P < 0.00001). In addition, the ASA flux (1.95 +/- 1.39) was significantly lower than the GTA or DSA flux (P < 0.0001). Capillary density (capillaries per mm2) in NGTA (0.82 +/- 1.98) was significantly lower than that in GTA (6.00 +/- 2.55), ASA (13.88 +/- 5.16) or DSA (10.29 +/- 3.41) (P < 0.0001). In addition, the capillary density of ASA was significantly higher than that of GTA or DSA (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The four areas showed the following characteristics: NGTA, low laser Doppler area flux and lowest capillary density (possible sign of ulcer area without healing tendency); GTA, high laser Doppler area flux and second lowest capillary density (possible sign of wound healing); ASA, low laser Doppler area flux and highest capillary density (possible sign of healing process nearly completed; scar); DSA, high laser Doppler area flux and second highest number of capillaries (sign of microcirculation of chronic venous disorder).

Reproducibility of laser Doppler imager flux measurements within ischemic or venous ulcers and adjacent skin.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The laser Doppler imager (LDI) is a device that maps the local distribution of the laser Doppler flux of tissues. To facilitate the interpretation of LDI measurements, we investigated their reproducibility. METHODS: We measured 10 arterial ulcers, 10 venous ulcers and their adjacent skin by the use of a LDI. The means were calculated of individual coefficients of variation ± standard error of mean (meanCV ±SEM) of measurements on the same day, on 5 different days and at specific time points (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min) during the application of PGE, on 2 different days. RESULTS: The meanCV ±SEM of measurements on the same day were 9.3±0.9% (ulcer), 9.8±0.9% (skin), and on 5 different days they were 21.9±1.9% (ulcer) and 28.6±2.4% (skin). Ulcer measurements on 5 different days were significantly more reproducible than skin measurements, if differences were calculated for all 20 patients or for the 10 patients with venous ulcers separately (P<0.05). During the application of PGE, for 120 min, meanCV ±SEM ranged from 19.2±4.0% to 26.9±5.0% (ulcer) and from 20.5±4.1% to 29.5+3.9% (skin). CV of skin measurements of all 20 patients at 0 min were significantly lower than those after 120 min of PGE(1) -application (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results show an excellent reproducibility of LDI measurements on a single day. The reproducibility of measurements on 5 different days or during the application of PGE1 over a period of 120 min was poorer. Because of the poorer reproducibility, more patients are needed to study long-term or drug effects.

Systemic activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis during varicose vein stripping.

BACKGROUND: Elevation of activation markers of blood coagulation (thrombin-antithrombin complex [TAT], prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 [F1 + 2], D-Dimer] has not only been found in clinically overt thrombosis but also reflects a prethrombotic state. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether varicose vein stripping, an operative procedure with an extremely low risk of postoperative thromboembolism, induces a prethrombotic state by activation of the hemostatic system. METHODS: In a prospective, observational study we compared the baseline and postoperative values of TAT, F1 + 2, and D-Dimers in 15 patients undergoing varicose vein stripping and in 11 control patients undergoing surgical procedures associated with only minor soft tissue trauma. RESULTS: A highly significant postoperative elevation of TAT (P < 0.001), F1 + 2 (P = 0.006), and D-Dimer (P < 0.001) was observed in the varicose vein stripping group. No significant postoperative change of the respective parameters was detected in the control group. CONCLUSION: We therefore conclude that varicose vein stripping induces a significant hemostatic system activation although postoperative thrombotic events are rare.

Preoperative imaging of lower extremity varicose veins: color coded duplex sonography or venography.

We prospectively examined 137 limbs in 112 consecutive patients with clinical evidence of severe varicosis by color coded duplex sonography and ascending venography (including varicography in 48 limbs) to evaluate the diagnostic capabilities of color coded duplex sonography in the assessment of venous anatomy, variant varicosis, postthrombotic changes, and incompetence of the superficial and perforating venous system. Additionally, descending venography was performed in the first 52 limbs and compared to color coded duplex sonography in the diagnosis of deep and superficial venous reflux. Variant venous anatomy (21 cases) was missed in two limbs and misinterpreted in one limb by ascending venography compared to surgery. Color coded duplex sonography was inconclusive in two cases. Variant varicosis (59 cases) was missed in seven surgically proved cases by venography and in one case by color coded duplex sonography. Color coded duplex sonography was inconclusive in five cases. Ascending venography was slightly superior to color coded duplex sonography in the detection of postphlebitic changes. Good agreement was found between color coded duplex sonography and descending venography in the grading of superficial (k = 0.75) and deep venous reflux (k = 0.79). Excellent agreement was found between ascending venography in the grading of long (k = 0.96) and short (k = 0.94) saphenous vein reflux. More incompetent perforating veins were detected by ascending venography, (and varicography) than by color coded duplex sonography, but the latter technique allows direct preoperative marking of the skin, which is beneficial for the surgeon. We conclude that color coded duplex sonography is a valuable imaging tool before venous stripping and is capable of replacing invasive ascending and descending venography. Only patients with inconclusive color coded duplex sonographic results (e.g., complex variant venous anatomy) should proceed to venography.

Ocular side effects associated with 13-cis-retinoic acid therapy for acne vulgaris: clinical features, alterations of tearfilm and conjunctival flora.

Isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid) is commonly used for the treatment of acne vulgaris. We included 55 patients in this prospective study, and inspected them before, while and after therapy with isotretinoin regarding ocular side effects. Careful slit-lamp inspection, measurement of break-up-time and Schirmer-test and microbiological investigations of the conjunctival flora were performed. While staphylococcus aureus was cultured from the conjunctival sac before application of isotretinoin in 7.3%, this percentage increased to 61.8% during therapy. A pathological decrease of break-up-time was realized in 69.1% of the cases, the development of blepharitis in 40%. But in spite of the alteration of conjunctival flora, bacterial conjunctivitis developed in just 7.3% of the cases. However, only 34.5% of the patients showed symptoms of a conjunctivitis sicca, in spite of the impressive diminution of break-up-time in so many cases. All ocular side effects of isotretinoin were treatable and disappeared completely within 1 month after stopping therapy.

Varicose vein stripping--a prospective study of the thrombotic risk and the diagnostic significance of preoperative color coded duplex sonography.

Insufficiency of epifascial veins promotes venous ulceration and increases thromboembolic risk in general surgery patients. Epifascial varicose vein stripping is therefore considered the most effective prophylactic procedure. Thromboembolic risk of patients undergoing this surgical procedure has not yet been prospectively evaluated but appears to be lower than in general surgery patients. The gold standard of preoperative assessment of varicose surgery patients is ascending pressure phlebography, but this technique is invasive, time consuming and costly. We prospectively investigated 100 consecutive varicose vein surgery patients for postoperative thrombosis. Ascending pressure phlebography (APP) and colour coded duplex sonography (CCDS) were performed before and 10 to 21 days after the stripping operation in 100 and 70 patients, respectively. APP revealed no postoperative deep vein thrombosis in all 100 limbs investigated (0 percent; 95 percent confidence interval: 0 to 2.95). With regard to epifascial vein reflux there was good agreement between APP and CCDS (quadratic weighted kappa: 0.76). In 67 out of 73 superficial veins investigated excellent agreement of diagnostic accuracy was found for both diagnostic procedures (91.78 percent; 95 percent confidence interval: 82.96 to 96.92). We conclude that thrombotic risk of varicose vein surgery is low in properly selected patients. CCDS provides a high degree of accuracy in diagnosis of reflux and regular vein morphology and should therefore replace APP; however, APP does remain essential in the preoperative workup of atypical anatomical variants.

[Isotretinoin administration in treatment of acne vulgaris. A prospective study of the kind and extent of ocular complications]. / Isotretinoinapplikation zur Behandlung der Akne vulgaris. Prospektive Studie über Art und Ausmass der okulären Komplikationen.

Isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid) is commonly used for the treatment of acne vulgaris. In the skin this substance causes an atrophy of sebaceous gland acini and a decrease in sebum production. Systemic treatment also alters meibomian gland function and structure. These alterations seem to be responsible for ocular complications (dryness of the eye, blepharitis, conjunctivitis) during therapy with isotretinoin. We inspected 30 patients before, during and after therapy with isotretinoin with regard to ocular side effects. Examination included careful slit-lamp inspection, measurement of break-up time (BUT) and the Schirmer test. Conjunctival smears were taken from every patient. The most frequently observed side-effects were decreased tear break up time and alterations of the lid margin. In addition, an enormous increase of Staphylococcus aureus in conjunctival flora was noticed. However, all ocular complications of systemic treatment with isotretinoin were reversible after cessation of therapy.

Zinc levels of serum and cervicovaginal secretion in recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether zinc deficiency in serum or vulvovaginal secretion is a risk factor for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. DESIGN: Prospective and controlled study. SETTING: Department of Dermatology, University of Vienna. SUBJECTS: 21 women who had experienced at least three documented episodes of acute vulvovaginal candidiasis within the previous 12 months. Fifteen women without anamnesis of vulvovaginal candidiasis as a control group. INTERVENTIONS: Blood samples were drawn for measurement of plasma zinc levels. Lavage of the vagina and ectocervix was performed with sterile saline solution for measurement of cervicovaginal zinc levels. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Zinc levels of serum and cervicovaginal secretions were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. RESULTS: We found no significant difference in the mean zinc concentration of plasma and cervicovaginal secretions between the recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and the control group. (p value for serum = 0.71, p value for secretion = 0.80). Zinc levels of plasma and cervicovaginal secretions showed no correlation (patient group: r = -0.05, control group: r = -0.07). CONCLUSION: It is well known that zinc not only exerts a major impact on different immune functions, but also participates in growth and morphogenesis of Candida albicans. Our results could not confirm the previous hypothesis that zinc deficiency of serum is a risk factor in recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. It is possible that the local zinc level of cervicovaginal secretions essentially influences antifungal activity of third generation azole antimycotics.

Studies on the effect of short-term oral dihydroergotamine and troxerutin in patients with varicose veins.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and pharmacologic effects of dihydroergotamine and troxerutin on varicose veins. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled parallel-group study was conducted in 53 patients with primary varicose veins. Patients received either a fixed combination of 3 mg dihydroergotamine and 300 mg troxerutin three times a day or placebo for 3 weeks. Symptomatic improvement was assessed by a self-assessment score, venocontracting effects on a varicose vein were quantified by the venous compliance technique (VCT), and changes in venous dysfunction were measured by digital photoplethysmography (DPPG). RESULTS: A significant reduction (p < 0.01) of subjective symptoms was observed in both groups. Results from VCT and DPPG after the therapy with dihydroergotamine and troxerutin or placebo were not significantly different (p > 0.05) from pretreatment values. Furthermore, no significant intergroup difference was observed when the before- and after-therapy differences of values of the self-assessment scores (VCT and DPPG) were compared. CONCLUSION: In our study, 3 weeks of treatment with a fixed drug combination of 3 mg dihydroergotamine plus 300 mg troxerutin three times a day had no measurable effect compared with placebo on any of the evaluated end points.

Immunohistochemical study of in vivo and in vitro IgA coating of candida species in vulvovaginal candidiasis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether quantitative or qualitative IgA deficiencies in cervicovaginal secretions can be identified in patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. DESIGN: Prospective and controlled study. SETTING: Department of Dermatology, University of Vienna. SUBJECTS: 30 patients with symptomatic and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis at the time of their presentation. 30 healthy women as a control group. INTERVENTION: Blood samples were drawn for measurement of serum IgA levels. Smears of the cervix and vagina were taken for direct microscopy and microbiological culture. Lavage of the vagina and ectocervix was performed with sterile saline solution for measurement of cervicovaginal IgA levels. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: IgA levels of serum and cervicovaginal secretion evaluated by Single Radial Immunodiffusion. IgA labelling was demonstrated on fungal elements in vaginal smears and subcultured blastospores after incubation with vaginal secretions by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: We could not find any significant difference of IgA levels in serum and cervicovaginal secretions between the symptomatic group and healthy controls (p value for serum = 0.5796, p value for secretion = 0.2381). In vaginal smears yeasts revealed IgA coating on their surfaces, whereas three of the 61 subcultures were negative. Negative subcultures were assigned to three patients with recurrent candidiasis. No correlation was found between IgA levels of cervicovaginal secretions and staining intensity of subcultured blastospores after incubation with vaginal secretions (r = -0.0578). IgA levels of serum and vaginal secretion showed no correlation (r = -0.00012). CONCLUSION: Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis cannot be attributed to IgA deficiency. In some cases an IgA coating defect of yeasts might be involved. In addition inactivation of the IgA molecule by candida proteases might be of pathogenetic importance.

[Imaging procedures in varicosities]. / Bildgebende Verfahren bei Varikose.

A prospective study was performed to compare the diagnostic potential of color-coded duplex sonography (CCDS) and that of ascending pressure phlebography (APP) in 61 patients before venous stripping. Varicosis of the long saphenous vein was correctly diagnosed and graded by CCDS in 87% of cases, and varicosis of the short saphenous vein in 97%. CCDS was inaccurate in 3 of 4 cases of recurrent varicosis of the long saphenous vein. Anterior femoral cutaneous varicosis (n = 3), mild postthrombotic syndrome (n = 1) and variant venous anatomy (n = 1) were not diagnosed on CCDS. One Baker cyst was diagnosed by CCDS. In the assessment of venous reflux CCDS seems to be superior to APP. Our results suggest that CCDS is a valuable diagnostic tool for routine imaging before venous stripping. However, patients with ambiguous or inconclusive CCDS results (eg. recurrent varicosis, venous variants) should be examined by APP.

Treatment of traumatic tattoos with various sterile brushes.

BACKGROUND: Various types of brushes are efficient for the removal of foreign material accidentally projected into the skin by explosive or abrasive trauma. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how different times between injury and treatment influenced esthetic results, we retrospectively evaluated 14 patients subjected to the brushing technique. METHODS: Two groups were identified. Group I had been treated within 24 hours of injury. In group II debridement had been performed later. RESULTS: Cosmetic results were strikingly better in group I. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that debridement of traumatic tattoos should be carried out as soon as possible to achieve favorable cosmetic results.

Primary defect in alpha-adrenergic responsiveness in patients with varicose veins.

Responsiveness of superficial hand veins to local infusions of noradrenaline was compared in patients with primary varicose veins and in healthy volunteers by use of the dorsal hand vein technique. Patients with varicose veins required significantly higher doses of noradrenaline for half-maximal venoconstriction than the dose required by control subjects (geometric mean, 11.6 ng/min in patients compared with 4.8 ng/min in control subjects; p = 0.006). Noradrenaline responsiveness in varicose veins was not significantly different from hand vein responsiveness in the same patients. Our findings indicate a constitutional decrease in venous alpha-adrenergic receptor responsiveness in patients with varicosities. Dilation of varicose veins does not further affect noradrenaline-induced venoconstriction.

Cutaneous aspergillosis.

We report a cutaneous infection by Aspergillus flavus in a tetraplegic but otherwise healthy young man. He presented with multiple erythematous to violaceous indurated papules and plaques which had progressed to central ulcers or black eschars. Lesional scrapings, biopsies and cultures demonstrated a fungus, Aspergillus flavus, as the aetiological agent. As the patient had to leave for his home country before diagnosis had been established, we cannot report on the results of therapy in this case.

Ketoconazole 2% cream versus hydrocortisone 1% cream in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. A double-blind comparative study.

Seventy-two patients with seborrheic dermatitis were treated once daily with 2% ketoconazole cream (n = 36) or 1% hydrocortisone cream (n = 36) on a double-blind basis for 4 weeks. For the global evaluation, no significant difference could be seen between the two groups. The clinical response was 80.5% in the ketoconazole group and 94.4% in the hydrocortisone group. For the different symptoms combined (scaling, redness, itching, and papules), no significant difference was seen between the two groups when the total scores at week 2 and at week 4 were compared with the initial scores. The incidence of side effects in both groups was comparably low.