Heart rate variability in chronic alcoholics: a follow-up study.

Heart rate variability (HRV) was studied in 11 chronic alcoholic subjects, 1-30 days after the beginning of abstinence and again 5, 12 and 24 weeks later. Two patients could be re-examined after 19 and 22 months, respectively. In the follow-up study, the total patient group showed a statistically significant increase in HRV with prolonged abstinence of at least 6 months. No recovery of efferent vagal function was found in 4 patients. It is suggested that the vagal neuropathy may improve in chronic alcoholics, but perhaps only in patients with a short to moderately long duration of drinking history or a functional rather than an organic vagal damage.

Localized prior knowledge and optimal interpolation in high-resolution tomography.

The problem of electromagnetic tomographic reconstruction is approached in terms of the derivation of a minimum norm interpolator, incorporating a priori knowledge gained from a previous reconstruction. An algorithm is suggested for the initial estimate and both images are compared to that of bilinear interpolation.

[Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of carotid stenoses]. / Perkutane transluminale Angioplastik von Karotisstenosen.

The use of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for the treatment of stenoses of the carotid artery in three patients is reported. In two cases, the artery could be dilated to its original lumen and in the third a significant dilatation was achieved.

Heart rate variability of chronic alcoholics in withdrawal and abstinence.

Measurement of heart rate variability was performed in 106 healthy volunteers and 31 alcoholics. The mean momentary arrhythmia (MMA) of normal individuals showed an exponential decrease with increasing age. Cardiac autonomic neuropathy was found in 5 of 31 alcoholics. In agreement with the concept of hyperexcitability the withdrawing alcoholics had a significant increase in heart rate and decrease in MMA compared to later measurements. The result suggests that the diagnosis of autonomic alcoholic neuropathy may be reliable only after at least a one week period of abstinence from alcohol.

[Late damage caused by an undetected compartment syndrome. Forensic evaluation]. / Spätschaden eines nicht erkannten Kompartmentsyndroms. Gutachterliche Beurteilung.

A brief account is given of the aetiology and pathophysiology of the compartmental syndrome. Without decompression, acute compartmental syndrome causes irreversible muscle necrosis after six hours. Immediate diagnosis and therapeutic action are, therefore, imperative. Chronic courses are rare and are, probably, not unambiguously identifiable. Compartmental syndrome of the anterior tibial zone, when misinterpreted and taken for a muscular hernia, may lead to the development of acute compartmental syndrome with all its complications, once the fascia has been closed. Surgical opinion is discussed on the basis of the above case history.

[Indication for and value of scintigraphy of the intracranial cerebrospinal fluid spaces]. / Indikation und Aussagewert der Szintigraphie der intrakraniellen Liquorräume.

The experience gained in 56 scintigraphic examinations of the intracranial cerebrospinal fluid space with differential-diagnostic clearing-up of hydrocephalus, in the demonstration and the localization of liquorrhea and spinal-fluid passage disturbances are reported. The procedure has proved to be very reliable, side-reactions need not be expected when using Yb169-DTPA.

[Radiological pictures of the skull following brain-tumor surgery]. / Zum Schädelbild nach Hirntumoroperationen

In 90 patients, the majority of whom was operated upon for a brain tumour, we have systematically controlled the post-operative x-ray pictures of the skull. Clips set in during surgery, calcified epiphysis and changes of the sella due to pressure were the most important signs. To complete the follow-up of tumours we should like to propose to use clips not only as a hemostyptic measure, but also to have marks in cases of possible relapses.

[Incidence of infantile cerebral lesions in children with behavioral disorders]. / Häufigkeit frühkindlicher Hirnschäden bei Kindern mit Verhaltensstörungen

The delimitation of behavioural disturbances predominantly due to organic brain lesions from those caused by reactions due to environmental factors has practical importance for drug therapy and pedagogic guidance. Figures on the incidence of infantile brain lesions among children with behavioural disorders range from between 20 to 90%. However, comparison of the results is difficult, because different authors followed different aspects for the evaluation of their material. The authors have collected data from 497 children from the 3 to 15 year-old age group who suffer from behavioural disturbances: history, neurological and psychological findings, electroencephalogram, native x-ray picture of the skull, pneumo-encephalogram and echoencephalogram were reviewed for signs and findings suggesting infantile brain damage. Certain signs of intantile brain lesion were found in 28.6% of the children. Among the apparative diagnostic procedures without impairment to the patients, the electroencephalogram proved particularly suited for the support of the diagnosis. The most accurate data on the localization and extent of the lesion are provided by the pneumo-encephalogram. However, its performance is not possible or justified in each child.

[The F-wave in healthy subjects - origin, derivation, standardization]. / Die F-Welle beim Gesunden - Entstehung, Ableitung, Normierung.

The determination of the maximum F-wave conduction speed by means of the photographic superposition technique is a method that can be carried out in a technically simple manner and can give an insight into the peripheral motor neuron up to the anterior horn cell. The values can be determined in a more exact manner than the respective motor conduction speeds. Similar to the motor conduction speed, influencing factors are to be taken into consideration such as the temperature and the age of patients under ten years. The normal values for the N. ulnaris, radialis, fibularis and tibialis are submitted.

[Results of an electroencephalographic cross-sectional study of 2- to 4-year-old children after risk-birth in comparison with to normal-birth children of the same age]. / Ergebnisse einer elektroenzephalographischen Querschnittsuntersuchung drei- bis vierjähriger Kinder nach Risikogeburten im Vergleich zu normal geborenen Gleichaltrigen.

The results of an one time electroencephalographic transversal examination of 146 children with syndrome of intrauterine asphyxia aged from 3 to 4 years are compared with the EEG-findings of 87 children of the same age born normally. 82,9% of the 146 children with higher damage susceptibility and 64,4% of the children of the comparison group have an EEG corresponding to the standard criterions of this age group. 8,2% of the children with higher damage susceptibility and 18,4% of the children born normally show in their resting electroencephalogram focal findings with and without spikes or generalized spike potentials. The results indicate, that by reason of the breadth of variation between normal and pathological EEG-findings in infancy data of the type and frequency of pathological EEG-features have only a value if they are compared with the results obtained from healthy children of the same age.

[Computerized tomography findings in malignant progressive Duchenne muscular dystrophy]. / Computertomographische Befunde bei maligner progressiver Muskeldystrophie Duchenne (DMD).

A correct diagnosis of progressive muscle dystrophy type Duchenne is important for consultation of the family of patients. The muscles of neck, shoulder, back, pelvis and legs of 23 patients were examined by computed tomography. The density of selected muscles were measured and compared with that of normal probands. Typical changes in the density-pattern were found. It is show, that the measurement of the density-pattern of muscles in pelvis and legs is sufficient for a sure diagnosis of progressive muscle dystrophy Duchenne.

[Treatment of extrapyramidal hyperkineses in childhood with tiapride]. / Die Behandlung extrapyramidaler Hyperkinesen im Kindesalter mit Tiaprid.

34 children with extrapyramidal hyperkinesis were treated with Tiaprid. With 22 children the extrapyramidal syndromes could be reduced considerably or disappeared. A reduction of vigilance in the phase of adjustment was the only side effect.

[Course of heart beat variability following acute alcohol intake]. / Zum Verhalten der Herzschlagvariabilität nach akuter Alkoholaufnahme.

Blood pressure, heart rate and mean momentary arrhythmia were measured in 16 healthy test persons before and after acute alcohol ingestion. While the blood pressure remained unchanged, heart rate and mean momentary arrhythmia showed significant differences in comparison to the initial value, in which case the clearer change of the mean momentary arrhythmia in relation to the heart rate emphasizes the sensitivity of the parameter. The results are discussed as a sequel of the increase of sympathetic activity of alcohol/acetaldehyde.

[Are alcoholic polyneuropathies reversible?]. / Sind alkoholische Polyneuropathien reversibel?

Polyneuropathies by long term alcohol dependent patients are characterized by symmetric distal type of manifestation. By abstinence we found a diminution of symptoms. It is a point of view for treatment and diagnostic.

[Possible uses of Convulsofin liquid in the treatment of pediatric epilepsies]. / Einsatzmöglichkeiten von Convulsofin-liquidum bei der Behandlung kindlicher Epilepsien.

The effect of Convulsofin-liquidum on several epilepsies and types of seizure in childhood is described. Typical and atypical absences, tonic-clonic seizures of primary generalised epilepsies as well as atonic or myoclonic seizures are considered to be the main indications for the treatment with Convulsofin. To the special advantage of the application in drops especially with infants is referred.

[Computer tomography identification of carriers of Duchenne progressive muscular dystrophy]. / Computertomographische Konduktorinnenidentifikation der progressiven Muskeldystrophie Duchenne.

Comparison of findings obtained by computed tomography of muscles of possible carriers and normal subjects demonstrated that structural changes existed in 31 out of 74 women; the certainty of the information obtained became greater with increasing age. Six of the seven genealogically definite carriers were detected by computed tomography. The present results show that the use of computed tomography is promising for future carrier diagnosis.

[Iatrogenic peripheral nerve damage and its forensic evaluation]. / Iatrogene periphere Nervenschäden und ihre gutachterliche Bewertung.

Iatrogenic peripheral nervous lesions represent a regrettable complication of medical therapy. Legal regulations of the GDR make it possible for the practicing physician to remain an advocate of the patient's interests. The results of an analysis of 11 years of activities in the Magdeburg County Commission of Medical Experts are presented.

[Clinical, electroencephalographic and computer tomographic studies of children with West and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome]. / Klinische, elektroenzephalographische und computertomographische Untersuchungen bei Kindern mit West- und Lennox-Gastaut-Syndrom.

The results of clinical, electroencephalographic and repeated computed tomographic examination of 14 children suffering from epileptic seizures in connection with the West and Lennox-Gastaud syndrome are analyzed and compared. Computed tomography yields little information regarding the etiology of such forms of epilepsy. Distinct clinical and electroencephalographic findings were accompanied by normal computed tomographic results in a large proportion of the cases. To avoid misinterpretation of computed tomographic findings and consequent prognostic errors in these epileptic cases it is necessary to take possible side effects of ACTH and corticosteroid treatment into account. At the climax of hormone treatment computed tomography revealed imposing changes in the form of generalized atrophy in 10 of the 14 children examined. These receded completely upon termination of hormone treatment.