ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the current practice of temporary vena cava filter placement and its complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter registry was conducted from May 1995 until May 1997 using a standardized questionnaire. One hundred eighty-eight patients were evaluated. Patient characteristics, filter indications, filter characteristics, and complications were registered. RESULTS: Deep vein thrombosis was proven in 95.2% of the patients. Main filter indication was thrombolysis therapy (53.1%). Average filter time was 5.4 days. An Antheor filter was inserted in 56.4%, a Guenther filter in 26.6%, and a Prolyser filter in 17.%. Transfemoral filter implantation was slightly preferred (54.8%). Four patients died of pulmonary embolism (PE) during filter protection. Major filter problems were filter thrombosis (16%) and filter dislocation (4.8%). When thrombus was found in or at the filter before explantation, additional thrombolysis was performed in 16.7%, additional filter implantation in 10%, and thrombus aspiration in 6.7%; 4.8% of filters were replaced with permanent filters. DISCUSSION: Temporary vena cava filters are placed to prevent PE in a defined patient population. Despite their presence, PEs still occur in a small percentage. Problems of filter thrombosis and dislocation have to be solved. CONCLUSION: The results of this multicenter registry support the need for innovative filter design, as well as a randomized, prospective study.
Subject(s)
Vena Cava Filters/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Germany , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pulmonary Embolism/prevention & control , Registries , Thrombolytic Therapy , Vena Cava Filters/adverse effectsABSTRACT
A total of 57 children aged between 5 and 15 years underwent endoscopic ethmoid surgery for recurrent acute or chronic rhinogenic sinusitis, chronic sinusitis associated with bronchial asthma or chronic bronchitis, early rhinogenous orbital complications and paranasal sinus disease associated with mucoviscidosis. The indications for surgical intervention are based on symptoms, the findings on nasal endoscopy and a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses in the coronal plane. The preoperative examination shows that in childhood there are endoscopically detectable anatomical variations of the ethmoid bone (pneumatised middle nasal concha, reversed curvature of the middle turbinate and contact between the uncinate process and the turbinate) that create the conditions for the development of inflammatory paranasal sinus diseases. Careful elimination of these obstructions can accomplish complete cure of the inflammation, and early orbital complications can be treated effectively by combination of surgery with infusion of antibiotics. All surgery was performed under endotracheal anaesthesia using the endoscopic technique described by Messerklinger. The follow-up period was between 6 and 18 months. With the exception of children suffering from mucoviscidosis, cure of the paranasal sinus disease and rhinomanometrically demonstrable improvement of the nasal breathing was achieved in all cases. On the basis of our results a conservative endoscopic approach is recommended as an effective surgical method for the treatment of paranasal sinus disease in childhood.
Subject(s)
Endoscopes , Ethmoid Bone/surgery , Ethmoid Sinusitis/surgery , Adolescent , Asthma/complications , Bronchitis/complications , Child , Child, Preschool , Chronic Disease , Cystic Fibrosis/complications , Ethmoid Bone/pathology , Ethmoid Sinusitis/pathology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Nasal Obstruction/pathology , Nasal Obstruction/surgery , Postoperative Complications/pathology , Recurrence , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
The first part of our article deals with the basic aspects of using computed tomography in obstetrical pelvimetry. A macerated osseous female pelvis was used to measure the true conjugate, the transverse plane of the pelvic inlet, the interspinous line and the distance between the ischial tuberosities. The same pelvis was then examined computed tomographically. A lateral and a posterior-anterior scan, and a single scan through the iliac spines were performed. The results of the direct measurement agreed highly with the values achieved computed tomographically if the phantom was positioned exactly on the mid-line of the examination-table, if not, the true conjugate was elongated. Measurements of the superficial and the intravaginal radiation dose in patients demonstrated a significantly lower risk in computed tomography than in conventional x-ray methods. We recommend computed tomography in obstetrics as a safe, accurate and reliable method.
Subject(s)
Pelvimetry/methods , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Radiation DosageABSTRACT
Drugs influence the leukocyte adherence inhibition test. Glucocorticoids reduce adherence more then aristolochic acid. When given together the glucocorticoid related adherence inhibition is abolished. In this way the known antagonistic behaviour of aristolochic acid towards glucocorticoids is confirmed.