Lumbar spinal stenosis operative treatment--early results]

Early results (12 weeks after surgery) of the lumbar spinal stenosis operative treatment were assessed in the group of 36 patients (aged 40-65 years). In 72% of patients posterior fusion was applied. In the results evaluation lumbar pain, low extremities pain, neurogenic claudicat ion, sensory disturbances and functional status were taken in account. A significant decrease in low extremities and lumbar pain was observed. Some sensory disturbances after operative treatment did not affect general high patients assessment of the performed surgical procedures (positive 80.5% cases).     

Prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance 6 years after gestational diabetes.

AIM: Prevalence of glucose metabolism disorders in women six years after gestational diabetes in the index pregnancy (GDM). METHOD: 227 Caucasian women who developed GDM between 1995 and 1996 were investigated; 173 women (BMI 27.5+/-6.0 kg/m2) received 75 g oGGT on average 5.8+/-2.0 years after delivery. RESULTS: Impaired glucose metabolism was found in 31.2%, IGT or IFG 19.1%, diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) 9.2%, diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1) 2.3%, second GDM 0.6%. 27.2% (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2) were overweight, 23.1% suffered from obesity (BMI 30-39.9 kg/m2) and 5.2% morbid obesity (BMI>or=40 kg/m2). In comparison to a healthy control group, women with DM2 at re-examination were: older in age (32.1+/-5.9 vs. 29.1+/-4.8 years, p<0.05), had higher BMI (29.4+/-6.9 vs. 24.6+/-4.8 kg/m2, p<0.05), higher fasting blood glucose (6.5+/-1.9 vs. 5.2+/-0.9 mmol/l, p<0.05), earlier diagnosis of GDM (25+/-8 vs. 29+/-5 SSW, p<0.05), more frequent insulin therapy during pregnancy (75 vs. 24%) and had significantly higher insulin- and C-peptide for all measures of the oGTT, whereas HbA1c was not different (4.9+/-0.5 vs. 4.8+/-0.3%, n. s.). CONCLUSION: In an average of 5.8 years after the diagnosis of GDM, the majority of women still have chronic insulin resistance. One third has either IGT, IFG or diabetes mellitus. Therefore, a long term follow-up is strongly recommended for women diagnosed with GDM.     

Late diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia results from 21-hydroxylase deficiency in more than ninety percent of cases. The classical form of 21-hydroxylase deficiency presents in the neonatal period with virilization or adrenal insufficiency, with or without concurrent salt wasting. We report on a rare case of classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency diagnosed in late adulthood. A 39-year-old male patient presented for workup of infertility. Urologic investigation revealed small testes, bilateral testicular masses, and asthenozoospermia. The patient's steroid metabolism showed markedly increased levels of adrenal androgens, in particular of 17-hydroxyprogesterone amd 21-deoxycortisol. The gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) urinary steroid profile was dominated by metabolites of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, while the endogenous glucocorticoid production was subnormally low. ACTH levels in plasma were elevated. These hormonal findings were consistent with 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Therapy with dexamethasone was initiated. The CTP21A2 gene analysis revealed the mutation I172N (ATC --> AAC) in exon 4 of allele 1 and a large gene deletion in allele 2. Cases of 21-hydroxylase deficiency diagnosed in late adulthood are rare; however, clinicians should be alert of this possibility.     

Long-term benefit to pallidal deep brain stimulation in a case of dystonia secondary to pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration.

Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with onset in childhood and rapid progression. There is no causative and insufficient symptomatic drug therapy. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the internal pallidum (GPi) has been reported to improve motor function. Most case reports, however, are limited to short observational periods. The impact of DBS on the progression and life expectancy in PKAN is unknown. We present a 5-year outcome and video documentation of bilateral GPi-DBS of an adolescent patient suffering from genetically defined PKAN.     

Short-term respiratory effects of cleaning exposures in female domestic cleaners.

Symptoms of obstructive lung disease in domestic cleaners have been related to the use of bleach and other irritant cleaning products. The short-term effects of cleaning exposures on respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were investigated in domestic cleaners with respiratory disorders. In a panel study, 43 female domestic cleaners with a recent history of asthma and/or chronic bronchitis completed a 2-week diary, collecting information on respiratory symptoms, PEF and cleaning exposures. Mixed regression models were used to assess daily changes in symptoms and PEF associated with specific cleaning exposures. The probability of having work-related asthma was individually assessed by a computerised diagnostic system and an occupational asthma expert. Lower respiratory tract symptoms were more common on working days and were predominantly associated with exposure to diluted bleach, degreasing sprays/atomisers and air fresheners. Associations with upper respiratory tract symptoms and PEF were less apparent. Eleven (30%) subjects scored positively for work-related asthma. It is concluded that exposure to certain irritant cleaning products aggravates lower respiratory tract symptoms in female domestic cleaners with asthma or chronic bronchitis.     

Thrombophilia and arterial disease. An up-to-date review of the literature for the vascular surgeon.

Thrombophilia may be defined as the tendency to arterial or venous thrombosis. Thrombophilia can be acquired or hereditary. Acquired conditions leading to arterial thrombosis are commonly encountered in vascular surgical practice, but less well known is the potential influence of genetic factors. In recent years, evidence has accumulated for a crucial role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of venous thrombosis, many previously unknown genetic defects having been recently identified. The role of genetic predisposition for the pathogenesis of arterial occlusive disease on the other hand is unknown, although recent publications suggest a definite link. This may have implications for the vascular surgeon in the management of patients with arterial disease. A medline search was performed in order to identify papers published between 1990-2002 on thrombophilia, arterial disease and peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). With regard to venous thrombosis we obtained a much wider knowledge about genetic defects leading to thrombophilia. This has altered the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to patients with venous thrombosis, and has had an important influence on counselling and screening of family members, especially females of childbearing age. With regard to arterial thrombosis, certain thrombophilic disorders have a definite pathophysiological role. Hyperhomocysteinaemia, inherited or acquired, has been demonstrated to be an independent risk factor for athero-thrombosis. The antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), an acquired condition, also predisposes to arterial thrombosis. Other thrombophilic conditions, such as prothrombin gene G20210A variant or factor V Leiden, have been investigated, but current evidence does not unequivocally support the hypothesis of a pathophysiological role in athero-thrombosis. Routine screening for thrombophilia in patients with athero-thrombosis is therefore not generally recommended on the basis of current evidence, but there is a role for selective screening.     

Multilevel surgery for obstructive sleep apnea: short-term results.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of a new multilevel surgical protocol for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Sixty patients with moderate to severe OSA because of multilevel pharyngeal obstruction were enrolled into this prospective, controlled clinical trial after clinical examination, endoscopy, and polysomnography. Surgery included uvulaflap, tonsillectomy, hyoid suspension, and radiofrequency treatment of the tongue base (group A). A second group did not receive hyoid suspension (group B). In both groups, nasal surgery was performed if necessary. Polysomnography and Epworth Sleepines Scale (ESS) were recorded at baseline and 2 to 15 months after surgery. RESULTS: In group A, the mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) decreased significantly after surgery (38.9 +/- 20.0 vs 20.7 +/- 20.6, P < 0.0001), whereas in group B the AHI did not. All secondary variables (minimal oxygen saturation, mean oxygen saturation, arousal index), and the ESS significantly improved in group A with only changes in arousal index and ESS reaching levels of significance in group B. CONCLUSION: The presented protocol including the hyoid suspension proved to be effective in the treatment of OSA, whereas surgery without hyoid suspension was less successful. EBM rating: B-2b.     

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News for the Practitioner