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1.
Childs Nerv Syst ; 36(11): 2707-2716, 2020 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32198580

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Torcular dural sinus malformations (tDSMs) are congenital complex vascular anomalies often referred as a single unit. Nevertheless, they possess distinct anatomical features, clinical diversity, and markedly different outcomes. OBJECTIVE: On the basis of our institutional experience and analysis of published data, we propose a grading system. METHODS: We have identified 44 papers to which we added our four institutional cases for a total of 126 patients. Eight predictor variables were studied. In order to assess their individual impact on mortality and possible correlations, a logistic regression model was constructed through a stepwise forward process. RESULTS: Overall mortality was 22.1%. Mortality was higher in tDSM patients diagnosed postnatally, 40.7% versus a 15.6% in prenatally found cases (p = 0.007). We divided the patients into four grades. Grade I comprised patients with no feeder evidence and possessed the best outcomes (mortality of 7.55%). Mortality rose for grades II and III defined respectively by scarce and multiple feeders. Brain damage was the defining feature of grade IV. A mortality of 75% could be observed within this grade. Grade IV was further divided into grades IVa (antenatal) and IVb (postnatal cases). Furthermore, our logistic regression model found that brain damage (OR 11.3, p < 0.001, 95% CI 2.97-42.91) and patent feeders (OR 4, p = 0.03, 95% CI 1.15-13.86) were major determinants of poor outcome (area under ROC curve of 81.44%). CONCLUSION: The grading system (tDSM-GS) streamlines classification into four different grades facilitating both diagnosis, clinical decision-making, and proper prognostication.


Subject(s)
Brain Injuries , Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations , Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations , Clinical Decision-Making , Cranial Sinuses/diagnostic imaging , Female , Humans , Pregnancy
2.
Childs Nerv Syst ; 36(2): 333-341, 2020 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31267184

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Torcular dural sinus malformations (tDSMs) are rare vascular pathologies with various anatomoclinical pictures and prognosis. We analyzed our case series and corroborated the complexity of this rare unit by a review of literature. CASE SERIES: From 2003 to 2018, we treated four tDSMs patients. The evolution of three postnatally diagnosed cases of similar angioarchitecture contrasted with a fourth antenatally diagnosed case with significant torcular thrombosis. All patients were examined by computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, CT angiography, and MRI angiography. Three patients underwent digital subtraction angiography with embolization of feeders. Unusual pathological images were depicted. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis along with embolization of feeders and lake could improve the outcome for tDSM patients with dural arteriovenous shunts. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt implantation before endovascular treatment led to significant worsening of both clinical presentation and MRI picture. For patients who persist with hydrocephalus despite the endovascular approach, we suggest endoscopic third ventriculostomy as a first-line treatment option. Antenatally diagnosed patients with thrombosed lakes constitute a prognostically better group of patients. Spontaneous thrombosis and remodelation of the lake can, however, still leave neurological sequelae, as observed in our patient.


Subject(s)
Cavernous Sinus , Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations , Cranial Sinuses , Embolization, Therapeutic , Adolescent , Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations/diagnostic imaging , Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations/surgery , Cerebral Angiography , Child , Cranial Sinuses/abnormalities , Cranial Sinuses/diagnostic imaging , Dura Mater , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Pregnancy
3.
Opt Lett ; 40(8): 1846-9, 2015 Apr 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25872089

ABSTRACT

We investigated the first and second-order correlations of the light scattered near-resonantly by a quantum dot under excitation by a frequency comb, i.e., a periodically pulsed laser source. In contrast to its monochromatic counterpart, the pulsed resonance fluorescence spectrum features a superposition of sidebands distributed around a central peak with maximal sideband intensity near the Rabi frequency. Distinguishing between the coherently and incoherently scattered light reveals pulse-area dependent Rabi oscillations evolving with different phase for each component. Our observations, which can be reproduced theoretically, may impact schemes for remote entanglement based on pulsed two-photon interference.

4.
Rev Sci Instrum ; 86(2): 023104, 2015 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25725820

ABSTRACT

We describe a simple and inexpensive optical ring interferometer for use in high-resolution spectral analysis and filtering. It consists of a solid cuboid, reflection-coated on two opposite sides, in which constructive interference occurs for waves in a rhombic trajectory. Due to its monolithic design, the interferometer's resonance frequencies are insensitive to environmental disturbances over time. Additional advantages are its simplicity of alignment, high-throughput, and feedback-free operation. If desired, it can be stabilized with a secondary laser without disturbance of the primary signal. We illustrate the use of the interferometer for the measurement of the spectral Mollow triplet from a quantum dot and characterize its long-term stability for filtering applications.

5.
Zentralbl Chir ; 137(5): 460-5, 2012 Oct.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23136105

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Thrombangiitis obliterans or Buerger's disease is a segmental inflammatory disease affecting small and medium-sized veins and arteries, which most often affects young smokers leading to thrombophlebitis and acral ischaemic syndromes, inducing high amputation rates. Based on positive results of a former pilot study we report on our results of immunoadsorption (IA) in clinical routine care, where IA was offered as a treatment option. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The uncontrolled course of 12 consecutive TAO-patients treated by IA on a series of 5 consecutive days was observed. Follow-up period was 14.1 (ranging from 1-26) months. RESULTS: Eight patients were treated with one, four patients completed 2 IA-series. In 9 patients an early onset and lasting clinical improvement and an improvement of ischaemia was noted. The intake of pain-relievers (especially opioids) sank drastically. Eight patients returned to work. Retrospectively, in two out of three treatment failures the correct diagnosis of TAO was questionable. CONCLUSION: IA seems to be a promising treatment option for patients suffering from TAO which should be further evaluated in controlled clinical trials.


Subject(s)
Immunosorbent Techniques , Thromboangiitis Obliterans/therapy , Adult , Cohort Studies , Female , Fingers/blood supply , Follow-Up Studies , Foot/blood supply , Humans , Ischemia/etiology , Ischemia/therapy , Male , Middle Aged , Raynaud Disease/therapy , Toes/blood supply
6.
Vasa ; 40(2): 123-30, 2011 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21500177

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We surveyed the quality of risk stratification politics and monitored the rate of entries to our company-wide protocol for venous thrombembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in order to identify safety concerns. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Audit in 464 medical and surgical patients to evaluate quality of VTE prophylaxis. RESULTS: Patients were classified as low 146 (31 %), medium 101 (22 %), and high risk cases 217 (47 %). Of these 262 (56.5 %) were treated according to their risk status and in accordance with our protocol, while 9 more patients were treated according to their risk status but off-protocol. Overtreatment was identified in 73 (15.7 %), undertreatment in 120 (25,9 %) of all patients. The rate of incorrect prophylaxis was significantly different between the risk categories, with more patients of the high-risk group receiving inadequate medical prophylaxis (data not shown; p = 0.038). Renal function was analyzed in 392 (84.5 %) patients. In those patients with known renal function 26 (6.6 %) received improper medical prophylaxis. If cases were added in whom prophylaxis was started without previous creatinine control, renal function was not correctly taken into account in 49 (10.6 %) of all patients. Moreover, deterioration of renal function was not excluded within one week in 78 patients (16.8 %) and blood count was not re-checked in 45 (9.7 %) of all patients after one week. There were more overtreatments in surgical (n = 53/278) and more undertreatments in medical patients (n = 54/186) (p = 0.04). Surgeons neglected renal function and blood controls significantly more often than medical doctors (p-values for both < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found a low adherence with our protocol and substantial over- and undertreatment in VTE prophylaxis. Besides, we identified disregarding of renal function and safety laboratory examinations as additional safety concerns. To identify safety problems associated with medical VTE prophylaxis and "hot spots" quality management-audits proved to be valuable instruments.


Subject(s)
Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Quality Indicators, Health Care , Venous Thromboembolism/prevention & control , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Chi-Square Distribution , Cross-Sectional Studies , Germany , Guideline Adherence , Health Care Surveys , Humans , Middle Aged , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data , Quality Indicators, Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Venous Thromboembolism/etiology
7.
Vasa ; 39(2): 145-52, 2010 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20464670

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We compared medical secondary prevention in patients with peripheral arterial disease stage II (Fontaine) located in the femoro-popliteal artery managed by vascular surgeons and medical doctors / angiologists in our multidisciplinary vascular center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed demission protocols of in-hospital treatments between 01.01.2007 and 20.06.2008. RESULTS: We surveyed 264 patients (54.2 % women; mean age 67.52 +/- 8.98 yrs), 179 (67.8 %) primarily treated by medical doctors / angiologists and 85 (32.2 %) primarily managed by vascular surgeons. Medical doctors / angiologists treated more women (n = 109) than men (n = 34), (p = 0.002) and documented smoking and diabetes mellitus more often (p < 0.001) than vascular surgeons. Besides, patients had similar cardiovascular risk profiles and concomitant diseases, vascular surgeons prescribed 5.47 +/- 2.26 drugs, medical doctors / angiologists 6.37 +/- 2.67 (p = 0.005). Overall, 239 (90.5 %) patients were on aspirin, 180 (68.2 %) on clopidogrel, and 18 (6.9 %) on oral anticoagulants. Significantly more patients treated by medical doctors / angiologists received clopidogrel (169 versus 11; p < 0.001), significantly more surgical patients received oral anticoagulants (11 versus 7; p = 0.016). The number of patients without prescriptions for any antithrombotic therapy was 6 (6.9 %) in patients treated by vascular surgeons and 0 (0 %) in patients managed by medical doctors / angiologists (p = 0.001). Prescription-rates of beta-blockers, ACE-inhibitors, Angiotensin II-antangonists, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics were statistically not different between the two disciplines, but statins were prescribed significantly more often by medical doctors / angiologists (139 versus 49; p < 0001). With the exceptions of Clopidogrel (women > men) and diuretics (men > women) we observed no gender-specific prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS: We observed high prescriptions rates of secondary medical prevention in patients primarily treated by medical doctors / angiologists and vascular surgeons. We believe that this result is highly influenced by our multidisciplinary approach. Nevertheless, efforts have to be made to raise vascular surgeons awareness of statin use and complete prescription of antithrombotic and antiplatelet drugs.


Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Agents/therapeutic use , Femoral Artery , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/drug therapy , Popliteal Artery , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Secondary Prevention/methods , Vascular Surgical Procedures , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Attitude of Health Personnel , Cooperative Behavior , Critical Pathways , Drug Prescriptions , Evidence-Based Medicine , Female , Germany , Guideline Adherence , Health Care Surveys , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Hospitalization , Humans , Interdisciplinary Communication , Male , Patient Care Team , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/diagnosis , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/prevention & control , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome
9.
Vasa ; 38(1): 39-45, 2009 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19229802

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In this pilot study we examined circulating concentrations of nerve growth factor (NGF) in controls and patients suffering from primary or secondary Raynaud's syndrome and determined their relation to digital vasospasm. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen controls, 16 patients with primary RP and 19 patients with systemic sclerosis (SScl) were included. Degree of vasospasm was graduated according to the degree of plethysmographically measured vasospastic reaction after cold test. A diary was handed out for documentation of the daily number and duration of RP during a period of 16 days. Circulating NGF levels were analysed by a commercial ELISA (Promega Inc., USA). RESULTS: SScl-patients were significantly older (p < 0.0001) and more severely affected by spontaneously occurring RP (p = 0.03), whereas the severity of the vasospastic reactions after a standard cold test were not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.09). Within each study group and between the study groups elevated NGF levels were observed only in SScl-patients after thermal provocations (p = < 0.05). In a correlation analysis restricted to patients with PRP or SRP, the degree of vasospasm after cold testing as well as the intensity of Raynaud's symptoms were not correlated with NGF-levels (p = n.s.). CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not support the hypothesis that NGF plays a major role in the generation of vasospasm in Raynaud's phenomenon.


Subject(s)
Fingers/blood supply , Nerve Growth Factor/blood , Raynaud Disease/blood , Scleroderma, Systemic/complications , Vasoconstriction , Adult , Aged , Case-Control Studies , Cold Temperature , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Humans , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Plethysmography , Raynaud Disease/etiology , Raynaud Disease/physiopathology , Scleroderma, Systemic/blood , Scleroderma, Systemic/physiopathology , Severity of Illness Index , Time Factors , Young Adult
10.
J Pediatr ; 133(2): 303-5, 1998 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9709729

ABSTRACT

We evaluated facial features in 9 patients from 7 kindreds with Job syndrome. Consistent features included prominent forehead with deep-set eyes, increased width of the nose, a full lower lip, and thickening of the nose and ears. The mean alar width (Z score = +3.9) and outer canthal distance (Z score = +2.2) were significantly increased. A recognizable face of Job syndrome exists.


Subject(s)
Facies , Job Syndrome , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male
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