[Bilateral amaurosis after spinal trauma]. / Beidseitige Amaurose nach Wirbelsäulentrauma.

This article presents the case of a 72-year-old male patient who suffered severe trauma of the spinal column. The patient developed persistent, bilateral, complete blindness after prolonged emergency neurosurgical treatment in a prone position. A bilateral surgical posterior ischemic optic neuropathy (PION) was diagnosed, which is a rare but severe complication of prolonged non-ocular surgery with circulatory stress. The massive, mostly bilateral, irreversible visual loss up to complete blindness leads to severe and permanent impairment of affected patients.

Management of injuries of the eye and its adnexa.

The face plays the main role in interpersonal communication and in aesthetic perception. What is more, on account of the complex eyelid anatomy required to ensure the functioning of the eye, the treatment of periocular injuries requires a profound knowledge of anatomy and plastic reconstructive surgery, even if a loss of soft tissue is involved. Many methods for the reconstruction of eyelid defects have been described in the current literature. These methods must be guided by the site and extent of the defect on the one hand and by cosmetic requirements on the other to produce best results in terms of form and function. The treatment of injuries in the area of the eyelid involves some peculiarities that must be considered. The management of large defects in particular requires the cooperation of all head surgery disciplines.

[Possibilities in the surgical management of eyelid trauma]. / Möglichkeiten der plastisch-rekonstruktiven Versorgung von Lidverletzungen.

The face plays a central role in interpersonal communication and aesthetic perception. Moreover, due to the heavy dependence of ocular function on lid anatomy, the treatment of periocular injuries, particularly those involving soft tissue loss, requires profound knowledge of both anatomy and reconstructive plastic surgery. Numerous surgical procedures are described in the literature. The aim of these procedures is to achieve an optimal functional and aesthetic result according to injury localization and extent. Against this background, treating eyelid injuries presents certain challenges. Close collaboration between all areas of head surgery is required particularly in the case of large defects.

[Bilateral influenza-triggered panuveitis and subsequent therapy with amantadine and hyperimmunoglobulins]. / Beidseitige Panuveitis nach einer Influenza-A-Grippe und Therapie mit Amantadin und Hyperimmunglobulinen.

BACKGROUND: Influenza A is one type of influenza virus that commonly causes acute respiratory illness. Outbreaks of influenza occur every year. Major antigenic variations preclude permanent immunity in the population. Often signs of conjunctivitis or photophobia are common during acute infection. Posterior uveitis is very rare. PATIENT: A young lady with a diagnosed anterior uveitis was sent for further evaluation to the eye department with a known history of flu. RESULTS: This patient had a severe ocular manifestation of influenza A infection. There was bilateral panuveitis with keratic precipitates, cells and flare, and an impressive retinopathy in both eyes. Serology was positive for influenza A. CONCLUSION: The course of an influenza A infection is usually uncomplicated. Severe affection of the choriocapillaris results in a complicated post-influenza retinal pigmentary degeneration. Treatment with amantadine and therapy with hyperimmunoglobulins seem to be useful.

[Peroneal reaction time: study of a normal sample]. / Die peroneale Reaktionszeit: Untersuchung in einem Normalkollektiv.

Chronic functional instability is a residual problem after acute ankle sprain. Reasons may be weak ligaments and/or a deficit in the proprioceptive system. Studies have shown that peroneal reaction time (PRT) can be used to quantify proprioceptive performance. To test the influence of anthropometric data on PRT, an experimental study with 120 healthy volunteers was performed. Surface electrodes recorded the activity of the peroneal muscles after a sudden inversion on a tilting platform. It was found that PRT is not influenced by extrinsic or anthropometric data. Furthermore, the results prove a significant slackening in PRT with increasing age. Therefore, the patient's age must to be considered in judging the PRT.

Development of heart rate power spectra reveals neonatal peculiarities of cardiorespiratory control.

Postnatal adaptation should be associated with changes in cardiac rhythmic behavior. To examine the development of heart rate variability, instantaneous heart rate (IHR) and the corresponding breathing signals of 16 healthy infants were analyzed. This was pursued by use of fast Fourier transformation beginning with the 1st day until the 6th mo of life. Power in the low-frequency range (LF, 0.02-0.2 Hz) and high-frequency range (HF, 0.2-1.5 Hz), total power (TP), the quotient LF/HF, and the frequency of the peak in LF and HF (LFF and HFF, respectively) were derived from the IHR spectrum. The peak frequency in HF (RF) was detected in the respiratory spectrum. Power and frequency of IHR rhythms undergo a marked development. TP, LF, and HF are lowest from the end of the 1st mo until the 2nd mo. LF predominates over HF, with LF/HF reaching its peak during 1- to 2-mo period. HF, recording respiratory related rhythms is negatively correlated with the breathing rate (BR). HFF and RF both show an increasing tendency during the 1st mo followed by a decrease down to the 6th mo. However, HFF is lower than RF if BR is high, mainly during the first 2 mo. The distinct changes in BR and its important influence on the IHR spectrum underscore the importance of monitoring respiration as a further measure in the diagnosis of infants. LFF is on average between 0.075 and 0.095 Hz, exhibiting an irregular course with minimum at the 10th, 21st-28th, and 90th day being apparent. The developmental pattern of LFF may by interpreted in terms of the maturation of the nervous system involved in the generation of circulatory rhythms.