Chronic Fatigue: A Survey, Outcome Study and Proposals

Background:  Sample sizes in studies of childhood chronic fatigue remain small and there is a need to integrate research findings and establish common criteria.
Method:  This is a detailed report of 20 children with medically unexplained fatigue, referred to as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). It includes an uncontrolled outcome study of treatment based on a pragmatic cognitive-behavioural model adapted for children at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.
Results:  The data revealed psychological distress at 30 times the prevalence found in the normal child population, with specific high-ranking symptoms, including headache, social withdrawal and decreased appetite. Onset tended to occur at 11 years of age with some earlier problems at school age, suggesting it might be possible to identify those most at risk. Follow-up demonstrated improvement in 87% of the sample (parental report), a significant increase in school attendance and a significant decrease in symptom severity. Factors associated with good outcome were short duration of fatigue (less than a year) and behaviours that tended to combat the cycle of avoidance, such as carefully planned home-tuition.
Conclusions:  Recording a comprehensive range of symptoms and factors facilitates comparisons within and between child studies. It is proposed that symptom severity is a particularly relevant measure for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome which is characterised by persisting symptoms.     

颞下锁孔入路的显微解剖与临床应用

目的进行颞下锁孔入路解剖学研究,探讨其临床应用价值.方法取甲醛固定的成人尸头标本15例(30侧),采用神经内镜辅助的显微外科技术进行颞下锁孔手术解剖学研究.并采用该入路手术切除8例颅内肿瘤.结果颞下锁孔入路可以充分暴露鞍上区、脚间窝、岩斜区及脑干腹外侧区的神经、血管结构;岩骨尖最大磨除面积为306mm2.肿瘤全切除7例(87.5%).结论经颞下锁孔入路能很好地处理鞍上、岩斜区、脚间窝以及脑干腹外侧区的病变.     

颞部-颌下联合进路切除咽旁颞下区巨大肿瘤(附2例报道)

[目的]探讨切除侵犯中颅窝的咽旁颞下区巨大肿瘤安全而彻底的手术进路.利用颞部切口可充分暴露中颅窝底和颞下窝以及颌下进路显露咽旁区解剖的特点,联合进路切除2例咽旁颞下区巨大肿瘤.2例侵犯中颅窝底的咽旁颞下区肿瘤顺利切除,患者术中组织损伤、出血量相对较少,术后无严重并发症.[结论]颞部-颌下联合进路适合于侵犯中颅窝底的咽旁颞下区肿瘤的手术切除.     

在体磁共振波谱及扩散张力成像观察肌萎缩性侧索硬化的病理变化的研究

目的结合磁共振波谱成像(MRSI)以及扩散张力成像(DTI)技术及磁共振影像(MRI)对肌萎缩性侧索硬化(ALS)进行对照研究,评价MRSI、DTI、MRI在ALS诊断中的作用。方法采用MRSI、DTI及MRI技术对ALS患者及对照组进行扫描,观察沿皮质脊髓束(CST)走行区域包括中央前回皮层下(SWM)、半卵圆中心(CS)、侧脑室旁白质(PV)、内囊后肢(PIC)、大脑脚(CP)的各向异性比(FA)以及平均扩散率(MD),以及SWM、PV、PIC平面氮乙酰门冬胺酸(NAA)与肌酸(Cr)比值在对照组及ALS患者的改变,并比较不同扫描序列在ALS诊断的作用。结果ALS的总FA较对照组明显降低(P<0.001),在CST走行区的SWM、CS、PV和PIC平面,ALS组的FA较对照组明显降低(P<0.05),MD在ALS组有升高的趋势,但无统计学差异。ALS组的NAA/Cr较对照组明显降低(P<0.05),在SWM和PV平面ALS组的NAA/Cr较对照组降低明显(P<0.05)。对T1WI、T2WI与FLAIR序列判断结果显示,对照组与ALS组间MRI的表现无明显差异。结论MRSI与DTI结合能够早期定量探测ALS患者CST的轴索损伤,SWM、CS、PV和PIC平面的FA,在SWM和PV的NAA/Cr为有效的指标。ALS与对照组MRI的表现则无明显差异。     

三种颈前路钢板重建对维持颈椎曲度和高度的比较

目的对3种不同颈椎前路钢板系统重建并维持颈椎融合节段曲度和高度的作用进行比较.方法 2002年1月～2004年6月,行颈前路减压,自体髂骨植骨,钢板内固定术122例;男85例,女37例,年龄14～70岁.根据采用Orion、Zephir、Codman 3种颈椎前路钢板系统分为A组37例、B组39例及C组46例.于术前、术后1周和随访时摄颈椎侧位X线片,测量融合节段的曲度和高度,并比较其变化及3组间差异.结果术后患者均获随访6～35个月,平均17.3个月.术后6个月3组患者术段颈椎均获骨性融合.且术后1周时颈椎融合节段曲度和高度较术前明显改善(P＜0.05),但最后1次随访时和术后1周比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),3组间比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 3种钢板系统均能有效重建并维持颈椎融合节段曲度和高度,近期效果优良.     

枕下乙状窦后锁孔入路三叉神经内镜解剖学研究

目的 为经枕下乙状窦后锁孔入路行神经内镜三叉神经痛微血管减压术提供解剖学依据。方法 测量28具干性颅骨表面标志位置关系，确定枕下乙状窦后锁孔位置；在15具尸头上采用内镜模拟手术，观察入路中主要神经、血管等解剖标志的分支、变异情况和周期毗邻关系。结果 ①以星点-乳突尖连线中点为圆心作2.0cm直径的骨窗，可以充分显露桥小脑角区。②采用不同角度内用神经内镜可以减少对脑神经、脑干、小脑的牵拉，能够更好地显露小脑角结构，准确确定责任血管。     

Comparison of the growth hormone, IGF-1 and insulin in cerebrospinal fluid and serum between patients with motor neuron disease and healthy controls

Neurotrophic effects of the growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin on the central nervous system have become more apparent in the past decade. In this study, we measured serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of GH, IGF-1 and insulin in 35 patients with motor neuron disease (MND) [24 patients with definite amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 11 patients with progressive bulbar palsy] and in 40 healthy controls. Levels of serum concentrations of GH and IGF-1 did not significantly differ between the MND patient group and the healthy controls, while the level of insulin was significantly decreased ( P  = 0.0033) in the MND patient group. However, levels of all three examined parameters in CSF were significantly lower in the MND group than in the healthy controls with the statistical significance for IGF-1 and insulin of P  < 0.001. This finding has not been reported previously, and further investigations into its association with ALS should establish whether it can be used as an early marker of the disease, or whether it merely represents a consequence of ALS development.     

原发性醛固酮增多症的定位诊断与手术径路选择的初步研究——附10例报告

收治10例原发性醛固酮增多症。所有病例术前均经B超、CT扫描、血管造影及取肾上腺静脉血测醛固酮浓度4种定位方法检查。CT扫描和取肾上腺静脉血样分别获得75％和71.4％的肾上腺腺瘤诊断准确率。综合上述4种方法,7侧术前做出腺瘤定位诊断,其中5例获得术中和病理组织学证实,定位准确率为71.4％。并对手术入路的选择进行讨论,单侧腰切口仍然不能代替经腹切口。     

Rising mortality from motor neurone disease in Sweden 1961–1990: the relative role of increased population life expectancy and environmental factors

Recent studies of mortality from motor neurone disease (MND) in Sweden have demonstrated rising levels of mortality from the disease, especially amongst older age groups. Case-control investigations have suggested that certain environmental factors are significantly related to variations in mortality from the disease, and are associated with a probable individual susceptibility to MND. This study applies an innovative epidemiological technique to longitudinal and cohort analysis of Swedish mortality from MND during the period 1961 to 1990. Survival modelling shows that a subpopulation susceptible to MND exists in Sweden, as has been demonstrated in other countries. The increased life expectancy of the Swedish population since 1961 has resulted in more of that susceptible population living to the ages at which MND is expressed, explaining the majority of the increase in mortality from the disease. However, environmental factors may play a role in accelerating the course of MND and may affect the timing of death within the susceptible sub-population.     

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator:the end of the thoracotomy approach

Internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation has become a standard therapy for life-threatening arrhythmias. A simple and safe surgical implantation technique is therefore mandatory in this high risk population. In a 30-month period 86 patients received 87 ICD devices. An endocavitary lead system was used as first choice in 62 patients and defibrillation thresholds (DFT) of 25 joules (J) or less were obtained in 57 patients. A thoracotomy approach was avoided using a biphasic shock wave form in 17 patients and the addition of a subcutaneous (sc) patch in 11 patients or wire array lead in 9 patients. There was one early non-technique related death (1.7%) after the transvenous approach. Reoperation was necessary in three patients with lead complications and in two patients for local device problems (one migration, one infection). With the recent progress in ICD technology, a thoracotomy approach could be avoided for the last 52 patients. For comfort and cosmetic reasons left subcostal insertion of the device has been successfully used in the last 50 patients. We conclude that the nonthoracotomy approach can now be offered to all patients in need for an ICD as a consequence of the technological progress made in the field of electric treatment of malignant ventricular arrhythmias. A stepwise approach with a minimum of implanted hardware and the use of biphasic shock systems now offers a simple and efficient treatment alternative with very low perioperative risk. Internal cardioverter defibrillator implantation in combination with open heart procedures can easily be avoided.