Publications by authors named "Raphaela Verheggen"

Background: Myopericytomas are benign vascular tumors composed of perivascular myoid cells that usually arise in superficial soft tissues of the extremities.

Methods: We here report on 5 cases of myopericytoma, malignant myopericytoma, and glomangiopericytoma arising from subcutaneous, paraspinal, orbital, and sellar regions that secondarily involved the nervous system. Patients experienced orbital swelling, progressing neuropathic pain, dermatoma specific pain, and oculomotor paresis.

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The two biopolymers Ethisorb and its modification Ethisorb Rapid were implanted in 80 defects of the anterior wall of frontal sinus in 20 Goettingen minipigs to analyze density of trabecula (Mann-Whtiney-Rank-Sum-Test), degradation of biopolymers and histomorphology. To optimate bone regeneration, particular resorbable membranes and autogenic spongiosa chips were used. The animals were killed after six, 12, 26 and 52 weeks and then postoperative undecalcified bone cuts were obtained.

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The goal of this animal study in Goettingen minipigs was to compare Ethisorb with its modification Ethisorb Rapid where the hydrolytic degradation process has started, with respect to degradation and bony substitution qualitites. For comparison, both biopolymers were implanted with and without addition of autogenic spongiosa chips in comparison with blank defects in metaphysis of the tibia. The animals were killed after six, 12, 26 and 52 weeks.

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Nontraumatic adrenal hemorrhage in adults is uncommon and unexpected in the context of intracranial surgery. The authors report on a patient in whom hemodynamically relevant retroperitoneal bleeding developed within hours after an otherwise uneventful operation for a falcine meningioma. In this brief report they seek to draw attention to this rare but life-threatening complication, because rapid diagnosis can be life-saving.

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Objectives: Expression studies of the rare Phe124Cys sequence variant of the human 5-HT1B receptor in HEK293 cells demonstrated that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and sumatriptan had both three times higher binding affinity and agonist potency at the variant receptor than wild-type receptor. We examined whether in-vivo expression of the variant compared to the wild-type Phe/Phe genotype at codon 124 of the 5-HT1B receptor in human temporal arteries modifies their agonist-induced contraction.

Methods: Rings of arteries, coexpressing 5-HT1B and 5-HT2A receptors, from 98 patients undergoing neurosurgery were set up to measure contraction.

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We hypothesize that dilatation of extracranial arteries during migraine could be caused by CGRP. We compared the relaxant effects of alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (alpha-CGRP) and beta-calcitonin gene-related peptide (beta-CGRP) and the antagonism by BIBN4096BS and CGRP(8-37) on rings of human temporal and occipital arteries precontracted with KCl. beta-CGRP relaxed temporal (-logEC50M = 8.

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The biocompatible hydroxyapatite cement (HAC) is a welcome alternative to the traditional use of autogenous bone for postoperative corrections of cranial vault irregularities. The authors performed experimental studies to show the safety and osseointegration capacity of HAC on animal models and confirm the osseous replacement without toxic reactions. The purpose of the current study was to analyze the clinical outcome after correction of secondary cranial vault irregularities with HAC.

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Short-chained cyanoacrylates have been used for many years for topical skin closure. Toxic effects in cell culture of a new long-chained octyl-2-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive are compared with those of short-chained ethyl-2- and butyl-2-cyanoacrylates. Two cellular tests were used: the agar overlay test and the MTT test.

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Brain metastases, including those of malignant melanoma (known for its high genomic instability), are the most common intracranial tumors. The main objective of this study was to investigate expression and mutation in the DNA mismatch repair system in melanoma brain metastases. Expression of MLH1, MSH2, PMS1 and PMS2 was investigated immunohistochemically in 31 melanoma metastatic tumors.

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5-HT receptors were studied in human occipital arteries, obtained from patients during neurosurgery. We detected mRNA for the following receptors (incidence): 5-HT(1B) (14/18), 5-HT(1D) (15/18), 5-HT(2A) (16/18), 5-HT(2B) (8/8), 5-HT(4(a)) (13/18), 5-HT(4(b)) (5/18), 5-HT(4(g)) (7/18), 5-HT(4(i)) (1/18), 5-HT(7(a/b)) (10/18) and 5-HT(7(d)) (12/18). 5-HT contracted and relaxed arterial rings at low (-logEC(50) M=7.

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The authors compared ultrasonography with electrophysiology for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) on 110 clinically affected wrists. An increased cross sectional area in the proximal carpal tunnel larger than 0.11 cm(2) in combination with compression signs on longitudinal scans proved to be highly predictive for CTS (sensitivity, 89.

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The rare case of a patient with carpal tunnel syndrome caused by thrombosis of a persistent median artery is presented. Progressive pain in the wrist and dysesthesias in the third and fourth fingers were the atypical complaints. High-resolution ultrasonography revealed a bifid median nerve that was compressed by an occluded median artery.

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Release of CGRP during migraine may produce harmful dilatation of cranial arteries, thereby possibly causing pain. We have compared the antagonism by BIBN4096BS and CGRP(8-37) of the relaxant effects of alpha-CGRP on rings of human temporal artery. alpha-CGRP relaxed the arteries precontracted with 9 - 24 mM KCl (-logEC50=9.

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