[Sensitization to airborne ragweed pollen--a cause of allergic respiratory diseases in Germany?]. / Sensibilisierung gegen Ambrosiapollen--Eine Ursache für allergische Atemwegserkrankungen in Deutschland?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Allergic skin and respiratory diseases show a high prevalence in most industrial countries. In addition, during the last years ragweed colonization has increased in Europe. Ambrosia pollen ( AMBROSIA ARTEMISIIFOLIA L. - common ragweed) are highly allergenic. Due to the late flowering time (august/September) of ragweed this can result in increasing health threats for allergic populations. This is of particular importance for those who already are sensitive to some grass or tree pollen. These individuals can then suffer from allergies during nearly the whole year. The present study examined the prevalence of sensitization to ragweed in German children and possible health implications. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2007 sera of 1323 10-years old children in Baden Württemberg were tested in-vitro for specific IgE-antibodies against common aeroallergens including ragweed pollen. RESULTS: Specific IgE-antibodies to extracts of common ragweed pollen were present in 10 - 17 % of the tested sera depending on the year of investigation. CONCLUSION: The determined specific IgE-antibodies may be the result of a direct sensitization to ragweed pollen or correspond to cross-reactivity to other plants of the asteraceae subfamily or some nutritional allergens. The detection of sensitization to ragweed pollen does not prove actual allergic disease. However, a ragweed derived allergy should be considered in the differential diagnosis when allergic symptoms are present in direct connection to the flowering-time of ragweed. Ragweed plants should be removed and the spread of the plant 'restricted', as experiences in other countries with already wide spreading show.

[Craniocerebral trauma and glioma]. / Schädel-Hirn-Trauma und Gliom.

There are only a few well documented cases in the literature which allow for the assumption of traumatic origin of some intracranial tumors. Four cases are presented in whom the authors have accepted the traumatic origin of gliomas because of it's evidence, but--from their scientific understanding of tumor development--without being convinced of such a correlation. It is stressed that scientific points of view and argumentation in social insurance affairs may differ and that they should be carefully distinguished.

[MR tomography following craniocerebral trauma: comparison with computed tomography, electroencephalography and neurologic status]. / MR-Tomographie nach Schädel-Hirn-Trauma: Vergleich mit Computertomographie, Elektroenzephalographie und neurologischem Status.

56 patients with head and brain trauma and in coma were studied prospectively by means of MRT, CT, EEG and neurological examination. All patients had initial CT and EEG admission. MRT showed that in our patients morphological return to normal was the exception. Patients with head and brain injuries should be examined by MRT during the course of their illness. The use of special sequences, such as gradient-echo sequences for the diagnosis of haemorrhagic contusions, is indicated. CT should be retained for evaluating bone injury and cerebral damage during the acute stage.

"Malignant lymphoma" of the brain following renal transplantation.

A patient is described who was thought to have developed a malignant lymphoma of the brain after renal transplantation. The correct diagnosis was toxoplasmosis.