The use of the laryngeal tube disposable (LT-D) by paramedics during out-of-hospital resuscitation-an observational study concerning ERC guidelines 2005.

UNLABELLED: In the current guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council (ERC), tracheal intubation, as an instrument for securing the airway during resuscitation, has become less important for persons not trained in this method. For those persons, different supraglottic airway devices are recommended by the ERC. The present investigation deals with the application of the laryngeal tube disposable (LT-D) during pre-hospital resuscitation by paramedics. METHODS: During a period of 2 years (2006-2008), we registered all cardiac arrest situations in which the LT-D had been applied according to the ERC guidelines 2005. Therefore, we investigated one emergency medical system in Germany. RESULTS: During the defined period, 92 resuscitation attempts, recorded on standardised data sheets, were included. The LT-D was used in 46% of all cardiac arrest situations. Overall, the LT-D was successfully inserted in more than 90% of all cases on first attempt. In 95% of all cases, no problems concerning ventilation of the patient were described. CONCLUSION: As an alternative airway device recommended by the ERC in 2005, the LT-D may enable airway control rapidly and effectively. Additionally, by using the LT-D, a reduced "no-flow-time" and a better outcome may be possible.

The value of intraoperative three dimensional fluoroscopy in anterior decompressive surgery of the cervical spine.

PURPOSE: Intraoperative use of the mobile Siremobil Iso-C3D C-arm (Siemens AG, Medical Solutions, Erlangen) considerably improves the information available during cervical spine surgery. We report our experiences with the Iso-C3D fluoroscopic unit during anterior decompressive surgery of the cervical spine. METHODS: We used the mobile Siremobil Iso-C3D C-arm during decompressive cervical spine surgery. The study included 25 patients (22 males, 3 females) with degenerative cervical stenosis. Mean age was 55.9 years (42-73 years). Eighteen patients were surgically treated for one-level, six for two-level and one for three-level disease. Intraoperative 3D imaging was performed to evaluate the extent of bony decompression and to assist correct positioning of the cages when the surgeon believed that sufficient decompression had been achieved. RESULTS: Visualization of the extent of bone removal was good in all patients. In 3 patients, insufficient bony decompression with persisting dorsal osteophytic spurs was noticed on sagittal and axial images. In these patients, surgery had to be continued. Successful decompression was proved thereafter by a second scan. The quality of the images of the cervical spine was sufficient, although slightly inferior to that of a CT scan. CONCLUSION: The Siremobil Iso-C3D provides intraoperative 3D images of bony structures of the cervical spine. Although the imagine quality is inferior to that of a CT, in our series surgical revisions could be avoided in 12.5% of the patients on the basis of these intraoperative images of incomplete bony decompression. This means a reduction of additional costs which would arise with surgical revision.

Pallidal deep brain stimulation improves quality of life in segmental and generalized dystonia: results from a prospective, randomized sham-controlled trial.

As part of the first randomized, sham-stimulation controlled trial on deep brain stimulation (DBS) in primary segmental or generalized dystonia, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed by SF-36. After the 3-month sham-controlled phase, significant HRQoL improvement occurred only in the active-stimulation group. The open-label extension phase resulted in a significant improvement in all SF-36 domains following 6 months of neurostimulation. These results demonstrate a favorable impact of DBS on HRQoL in primary dystonia.

[Prepontine epidural hemorrhage]. / Präpontine epidurale Blutung.

Extradural haematomas of the clivus represent a rare event and occur almost only in infancy. The case of a haematoma promptly operated upon via a transdural cerebellopontine angle approach is described for the first time. The mechanism of injury is discussed.