Electrophysiological assessment of the carpal tunnel syndrome in hemodialysis patients: formula for predicting surgical results.

Nerve conduction studies performed between 1994 and 1996 on the median nerves of 204 hands of 113 patients [20 patients in hemodialysis (HD) with diabetic nephropathy, 27 without diabetes mellitus in HD for 10 years or more, 18 without diabetes mellitus in HD for less than 10 years, and 48 with diabetes mellitus not undergoing HD] were reviewed retrospectively to develop a discriminating tool that would better inform treatment selection for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in HD. Scatter diagrams were drawn from the results of this study, and a regression formula was obtained. Among the long-term HD patients without diabetic nephropathy, distal motor latency (DML) tended to increase without a significant concomitant reduction in motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) in the forearm.

Comparative blood compatibility of polyether vs polycarbonate urethanes by epifluorescent video microscopy.

The segmented polyether urethanes (PEUs) have been used in implantable medical devices due to excellent mechanical properties, acceptable blood compatibility, and good biostability. However, recent studies demonstrate that the polyether soft segment of PEU is susceptible to oxidative degradation in vivo due to scission of the polyether group. Recently, polycarbonate urethanes (PCUs) having no ether linkage in the soft segment have been developed, and show improved stability against oxidative degradation over PEUs.

Dorsally displaced epiphyseal fracture of the phalangeal base.

A dorsally displaced epiphyseal fracture of the middle phalanx (Salter-Harris Type I) is described. The epiphyseal fragments were attached to the central slip of the extensor tendon and collateral ligaments. The articular surface of the PIP joint was intact and smooth.

The treatment of chronic hemodialysis vascular access by directional atherectomy.

Directional atherectomy (DA) was developed as a new therapeutic modality for coronary artery disease. For the past 3 years, we have applied DA intervention to vascular access failure with either poor blood flow rate or high venous pressure. DA intervention was performed on 27 lesions of 16 hemodialyzed patients.

Clinical profile and outcome of primary hyperparathyroidism accompanied by chronic renal failure.

We encountered 5 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) accompanied by chronic renal failure over the past 4 years. Neither hypocalcemia nor hyperphosphatemia was found in the past records. The parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in these cases were extraordinarily higher than those in usual patients suffering from renal failure.

Identification of risk factors on secondary hyperparathyroidism undergoing long-term haemodialysis with vitamin D3.

In order to evaluate the clinical outcome as well as the effect of vitamin D3 treatment on secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in the patients undergoing long-term dialysis therapy, we conducted a long-term follow-up survey on the demographic characteristics of 425 patients who were observed for more than 3 years. All patients were treated with daily 1 alpha (OH)D3 treatment after the initiation of dialysis. Among them the percentage of patients needing parathyroidectomy was 4.

Long-term follow-up study of 268 diabetic patients undergoing haemodialysis, with special attention to visual acuity and heterogeneity.

We studied the long-term outcome of 268 patients suffering from diabetic end-stage renal disease (DM-ESRD) treated with long-term haemodialysis between 1978 and 1991, with special emphasis on visual acuity as well as the heterogeneity of DM-ESRD. The 50% patient survival on haemodialysis was 60 months. Visual disturbances were found in 73.

[Evaluation of secondary hyperparathyroidism in the patients undergoing hemodialysis--focused on parathyroid hormone assay system].

We evaluated the degree of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in the patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis treatment. Most patients showed improvement of SHPT by administration of the active vitamin D3 analogue. However, some patients developed overt SHPT even under intensive treatment.