[Addiction to tobacco and the consequences for the skin]. / Tabakabhängigkeit und die Folgen auf die Haut.

Consumption of tobacco is hazardous to the health. It leads to cardiovascular diseases, and increases the incidence of numerous neoplasms. The adverse effects on the skin are less well-known and often ignored. Changes in the rheologic characteristics of the blood, increased vasoconstriction and damage to the epithelial layer of the vessel play an important pathogenic role in impaired wound healing, thromboangiitis obliterans and peripheral arterial obstructive diseases. Interactions with collagen metabolism are of special significance in wound healing and skin aging. The immunological effects, such as the induction of an inflammation reaction play a role in palmoplantar pustulosis, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, acne inversa, thromboangiitis obliterans and lupus erythematodes. In addition, immunosuppression caused by nicotine consumption may contribute to the pathogenesis of human papilloma-virus infections, malignant melanoma and epithelial tumors of the skin and neighboring mucous membranes.

[Measuring equipment for bedside diagnosis of respiratory function in spontaneously breathing newborn infants]. / Messplatz zur bettseitigen Atemfunktionsdiagnostik bei spontanatmenden Neugeborenen.

Equipment was developed for bedside lung function testing in the newborn using the simultaneous measurement of air flow rate, tidal volume, and esophageal pressure changes as a measure of transpulmonary pressure. The equipment has a number of advantages for the investigation of very low birthweight infants. A flow-through technique was used to eliminate the dead space of the face mask and a very thin micro-tipped catheter permits ready measurement of esophageal pressure. With this equipment, long-term measurements are also possible in oxygen-dependent newborns and the air-tightness of the mask can be monitored continuously. Long-time measurements in neonates are a prerequisite for standardizing the measuring conditions and adapting the duration of the measurement to the variability of the signals, especially in newborn with an irregular pattern of breathing.

[Myocardial tomography with single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) technique in X syndrome]. / Myokardtomographie mit der Single-Photon-Emissions-Computertomographie (SPECT)-Technik beim Syndrom X.

Compared with the usual planar scintigraphy of the myocardium the single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) has essential advantages. By means of the SPECT a three-dimensional reconstruction of the intersection image is possible which allows a judgement of the myocardium in the transversal, sagittal and coronary planes of section. The scans of the SPECT are richer in contrast and freer from overshadowings of normally of disturbedly perfused areas of the myocardium. 43 patients with angina pectoris complaints in angiographically normal coronary arteries (syndrome X) were examined by means of the SPECT under bicycle ergometer load and at rest. As radionuclide thallium-201 was used. 28 out of 43 patients (65%) showed disturbances of the perfusion, in which cases 21 patients with reversible ischaemias and 7 ones with cicatrised changes and an ischaemia of the marginal zone were conspicuous. Previous own investigations with the planar Tl-201 scintigraphy of the myocardium showed pathological findings in 66% of the cases with a syndrome X. The nearly identical results speak for the high reliability of the scintigraphy of the myocardium, but against the increase sensitivity of the SPECT in contrast to the planar scintigraphy of the myocardium.

[Sonographic studies in the differential diagnosis of thyroid diseases]. / Sonographische Untersuchungen in der Differentialdiagnose der Schilddrüsenerkrankungen.

In the investigation period from May 1982 to February 1985 1,150 sonographies of the thyroid gland (B-scan) were performed, of which 240 patients underwent a fine-needle aspiration. The results of the sonography were compared with the findings of scintigraphy and the results of cytology. With the help of own investigations the indications, the advantages and limits as well as the value of sonography were demarcated under the conditions of our clinic.

[Portal vein network around the liver lobules demonstrates the lobular structure of the liver]. / Pfortaderkörbchen um Leberläppchen beweisen die Läppchengliederung der Leber.

The regularity of a basketlike surrounding of parenchymatous parts of the liver by portal branches proves the lobular organization of the liver. The wall formation of the portal basket (corbicula portalis) is demonstrated by several figures.