Bacterial contamination and the transport vial material affect cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of β-Amyloid and Tau protein as determined by enzyme immunoassay.

Background/aims: Determination of marker proteins of neuronal degeneration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is of increasing importance. However, preanalytical problems may compromise the results.

Methods: We studied the influence of the transport tube material and shaking at room temperature on the CSF concentrations of β-amyloid and tau protein determined by enzyme immunoassays.

Differential effects of surgical sympathetic block at the T2 and T4 level on vasoconstrictor function.

Endoscopic sympathetic block (ESB) is used as a treatment of excessive palmar sweating. In a prospective study we compared the effect of ESB at the level of the second (T2) and fourth thoracic ganglion (T4) on vasoconstriction and sweating of the hands. Sympathetic vasoconstriction was measured by computerassisted infrared thermography following ice water immersion of the hands in 22 hyperhidrosis patients before, two days and 3 months post op.

Effects of gender and level of surgical sympathetic block on vasoconstrictor function.

Interruption of sympathetic outflow by surgical sympathetic block has been used to treat hyperhidrosis for decades. In this study the effect of gender and the level of sympathetic block (T2 vs. T3) on the rewarming kinetics following ice water immersion were assessed in a prospective study on 60 hyperhidrosis patients before, 2 days, and 3 months postoperatively.

Differential effects of surgical sympathetic block on sudomotor and vasoconstrictor function.

Objective: To assess the effects of a surgical block of the sympathetic chain at the T2 level on vasoconstriction and palmar sweating in patients with palmar hyperhidrosis.

Methods: In a prospective study, sympathetic vasoconstriction was measured by laser-Doppler imaging and by computer-assisted infrared thermography (rewarming kinetics following immersion of both hands in ice water [4 degrees C, 30 seconds]) in 61 patients with hyperhidrosis preoperatively and 2 days and 3 months postoperatively. In addition, palmar sweating preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively was assessed by quantitative sudometry.

Combination of pressure and velocity parameters in the non-invasive diagnosis of aorto-iliac disease.

Three different femoral artery flow velocity parameters in combination with segmental pressure measurements were evaluated for their respective diagnostic value in identifying the presence or absence of hemodynamically significant aorto-iliac disease. A total of 60 patients (119 legs) were examined both non-invasively and with arteriography. Doppler flow velocities were recorded using a 5-MHz CW Doppler velocity metering system.