Treatment of localized neuropathic pain of different etiologies with the 5% lidocaine medicated plaster - a case series.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of the topical 5% lidocaine medicated plaster in the treatment of localized neuropathic pain.

Study Design: This was a case series at an Austrian pain clinic, using retrospective analysis.

Patients And Methods: Data of 27 patients treated for localized neuropathic pain with the 5% lidocaine medicated plaster were retrospectively analyzed.

Treatment of Dens Fractures with Posterior Transarticular Fixation.

Introduction: Treatment of unstable dens fractures with posterior transarticular C1-C2 arthrodesis provides a biomechanically stable construct, even when poor bone quality is present, and a low rate of complications even in elderly patients; however, when this method of fixation is performed, cervical spine rotation is substantially reduced as compared with that associated with alternative fixation techniques.

Step 1 Positioning: Exact positioning of the patient and use of image intensifiers are mandatory to obtain appropriate anteroposterior and lateral views of C1 and C2.

Step 2 Surgical Approach: Use the modified technique of Magerl and Seemann, as it allows a less extensive approach to C1 and C2, and the drill can enter through two incisions at the level of T1.

Treatment of Dens Fractures with Anterior Screw Fixation.

Introduction: Direct anterior screw fixation of the dens preserves C1-C2 rotation, and the reported fusion rates range from 88% to 100%.

Step 1 Positioning Of The Patient: Exact positioning of the patient and use of image intensifiers are mandatory to obtain perfect anteroposterior and lateral views of the axis.

Step 2 Surgical Approach: The surgical approach is standardized, and the pretracheal layer can be exposed without violating any essential anatomic structures.

Relative survival of patients with non-malignant central nervous system tumours: a descriptive study by the Austrian Brain Tumour Registry.

Background: Unlike malignant primary central nervous system (CNS) tumours outcome data on non-malignant CNS tumours are scarce. For patients diagnosed from 1996 to 2002 5-year relative survival of only 85.0% has been reported.

Technical complications during removal of locking screws from locking compression plates: a prospective multicenter study.

Purpose: To assess the risk for technical complications in patients undergoing removal of locking compression plates (LCP) with head locking screws.

Methods: A total of 205 patients who were scheduled for implant removal surgery after a healed fracture of the femur, tibia, humerus, distal radius, or clavicle in nine Austrian clinics were prospectively included in the study, all of whom had previously undergone fracture fixation by plates, with titanium implants used in 98 % of the patients. Intraoperative technical complications and the methods used to solve them were documented by the surgeon.

Treatment algorithm for dens fractures: non-halo immobilization, anterior screw fixation, or posterior transarticular C1-C2 fixation.

Background: The appropriate treatment of dens fractures is unclear. We established a staged treatment protocol for dens fractures and conducted a prospective study to evaluate the outcome of treatment based on this protocol.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated sixty-nine consecutive patients who presented to our institution with a dens fracture.

"Crime scene investigation" at an anesthetic cocktail party with atrioventricular dissociation.

A healthy 21-year-old female patient received midazolam, propofol, fentanyl, rocuronium, nitrous oxide in oxygen, ranitidine, diclofenac, neostigmine and glycopyrrolate during the anesthetic process for elective knee arthroscopy and developed a complete AV dissociation with a P-wave frequency of 40 and a "small" QRS-complex frequency of 55 beats/min. Based on this typical case of poly-pragmatic anesthetic drug administration causing a complete atrioventricular dissociation in a young healthy patient we will discuss the possible pharmacodynamic mechanisms of all used drugs with regard to the cardiac conduction system.

Near-infrared autofluorescence and indocyanine green angiography in central serous chorioretinopathy.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic potential of near-infrared (NIR) autofluorescence (AF) in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and to present a method to analyze NIR-AF findings quantitatively.

Procedures: NIR-AF images, indocyanine green (ICG) angiograms, blue-light autofluorescence (BL-AF) images and fluorescein angiograms were recorded with the use of a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope in 19 eyes of 17 patients with CSC. Gray-value ratios were calculated to compare the methods.

IL2RA gene polymorphism rs2104286 A>G seen in multiple sclerosis is associated with intermediate uveitis: possible parallel pathways?

Purpose: Uveitis is a major cause for visual impairment. Inflammation-related gene polymorphisms have previously been shown to confer susceptibility to different types of uveitis. Recently, IL-2 receptor alpha (IL2RA, also called CD25) and IL-7 receptor alpha (IL7RA) gene variants (rs2104286, rs12722489, and rs6897932) have been identified to play an essential role in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated diseases.

Foreskin reconstruction and preservation of a thin distal urethra: a challenge in tubularized incised plate urethroplasty.

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the functional and cosmetic outcome of tubularized incised plate urethroplasty (TIPU) with preputial reconstruction and preservation of a thin distal urethra when applicable.

Methods: The records of 64 boys with hypospadias, who underwent TIPU between 2000 and 2007 were analyzed. 33 (52%) underwent foreskin reconstruction and a thin distal urethra was preserved and incorporated in 19 (30%) patients.

An overview on bone manifestations in Gaucher disease.

Gaucher disease (GD), the most prevalent lysosomal storage disorder, affects multiple organ systems. Patients with non-neuronopathic (type 1) GD, the most common form of GD, present with hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, anemia, bleeding tendencies, thrombocytopenia, skeletal pathologies, growth retardation, and, in severe cases, pulmonary disease. The bone manifestations include bone infarcts, avascular bone necrosis, lytic lesions, osteosclerosis, fractures due to osteopenia or osteoporosis, and rarely acute osteomyelitis.

Impact of PVCs noted during coronary calcium scan on image quality and accuracy in subsequent coronary dual-source CT angiography.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the presence of one or more premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) during coronary calcium score scan (CS) on image quality and accuracy of subsequent dual-source coronary CT angiography (DS CCTA). Fifty-three out of 502 patients showed one or more PVCs during CS and built the study group. Sixty consecutively registered patients with sinus rhythm formed the control group.

Effectiveness of respiratory-sinus-arrhythmia biofeedback on state-anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Aim: This study is a report of a study conducted to evaluate the value of psychological assistance including respiratory-sinus-arrhythmia biofeedback training in its ability to reduce the level of anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Background: Coronary angiography has been reported to cause anxiety and emotional stress.

Methods: Between March 2004 and January 2005, 212 patients undergoing routine elective coronary angiography for the evaluation of stable coronary artery disease were randomized into two groups.

The Austrian Brain Tumour Registry: a cooperative way to establish a population-based brain tumour registry.

In Austria, registration of malignant brain tumours is legally mandatory, whereas benign and borderline tumours are not reported. The Austrian Brain Tumour Registry (ABTR) was initiated under the auspices of the Austrian Society of Neuropathology for the registration of malignant and non-malignant brain tumours. All Austrian neuropathology units involved in brain tumour diagnostics contribute data on primary brain tumours.

Posttherapeutic (131)I SPECT-CT offers high diagnostic accuracy when the findings on conventional planar imaging are inconclusive and allows a tailored patient treatment regimen.

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the diagnostic impact and influence on patient treatment of posttherapeutic (131)I SPECT-CT when the findings on planar posttherapeutic whole-body scintigraphy (ptWBS) were inconclusive.

Materials And Methods: A total of 53 SPECT-CT scans were performed in 41 patients with thyroid cancer after high-dose (131)I therapy (2.944 to 7.

Patients with Gaucher disease living in England show a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency with correlation to osteodensitometry.

Aim: Gaucher disease type 1 (GD-1) is the most prevalent lysosomal storage disorder and frequently causes osteopenia and osteoporosis. Adequate vitamin D levels are essential for bone health. The present study retrospectively analyzed 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) in outpatients with GD-1.

Is there a role for scintigraphic imaging of bone manifestations in Gaucher disease? A review of the literature.

Gaucher disease is the most prevalent inherited, lysosomal storage disease and is caused by deficient activity of the enzyme beta-glucocerebrosidase. Bone and bone marrow alterations are frequent in the most prevalent non-neuronopathic form of Gaucher disease. Imaging of bone manifestations in Gaucher disease is performed by a variety of imaging methods, conventional X-ray and MRI as the most frequently and most important ones.

Accidental transtumoral microparticle embolization of eloquent brain areas in a case of large temporofrontal meningioma.

We report a case of transtumoral diapedesis of microparticles during preoperative embolization of a large symptomatic temporofrontal meningioma, resulting in severe neurological deficit. In retrospective analysis of angiographic images, the pattern of supply to the tumour was found to be predictive for wide anastomotic channels connecting the dural and pial supply, thereby increasing the risk of the procedure. Recognising this pattern can prevent this rare cause of complication in a still controversial procedure.