Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift
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Wien Med Wochenschr · Jan 2000
Review Case Reports[Principles and application of acupuncture in neurology].
Acupuncture is a valuable method of complementary medicine with broad application in neurology. It is based on the experiences of traditional Chinese medicine as well as on experimentally proven biological (biochemical and neurophysiological) effects. Acupuncture-induced analgesia is mediated by inhibition of pain transmission at a spinal level and activation of central pain-modulating centers by release of opioids and other peptides that can be prevented by opioid antagonists (naloxone). ⋯ Clinical experience and controlled studies confirmed the efficacy of acupuncture in various pain syndromes (tension headache, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, posttraumatic pain, lumbar syndrome, ischialgia, etc.) and suggest favorable effects in the rehabilitation of peripheral facial nerve palsy and after stroke. Appropriate techniques, hygiene safeguards and knowledge of contraindications will minimize the risks of rare side effects of acupuncture which represents a valuable adjunction to the treatment repertoire in modern neurology. There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture to expand its use into conventional medicine and to encourage further studies of its pathophysiology and clinical value.
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Wien Med Wochenschr · Jan 2000
Review[Psychological concepts and treatments for chronic pain and somatoform syndromes].
Chronic pain syndromes and somatic syndromes not fully explained by organic pathology are common complaints presented by patients in general health care. Studies have shown the major role of psychological factors in the etiology of these disorders leading to new conceptualization of illness and cognitive behavioral approaches to treatment. Chronic pain and somatoform symptoms are dependent on individual resources of stress prevention strategies, coping skills, environmental influences on symptoms and dysfunctional cognitions and beliefs about illness. Psychological concepts, treatment approaches and specific interventions are demonstrated.
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The internet is an excellent medium for storing and quickly disseminating large amounts of information on a global basis. Modern medicine requires a rapid access to information including clinical data from medical records, bibliographic databases, knowledge bases and nomenclature databases. ⋯ This review focuses on how developments of this communication technology have become a useful educational resource in medicine, and describes modest ideas in computer network use. Internet basic resources are electronic mailing (e-mail), discussion groups, file transfer, and browsing the World Wide Web (WWW).
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Wien Med Wochenschr · Jan 2000
Review[Acupuncture and other forms of treatment for patients with chronic back pain].
As in all pain sites, one has to distinguish between acute and chronic pain in spinal pain syndromes. The treatment of chronic spinal pain is dominated by non-operative procedures. There are three main procedures in this field of treatment: the manual medicine, the therapeutic application of local anesthetics and acupuncture. ⋯ The symptomatology of these diseases is described. The indications for the individual cases and circumstances are discussed. Lastly, the various operative techniques are also described shortly.
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Wien Med Wochenschr · Jan 2000
Historical Article[History of neurosurgical treatment of gunshot wounds].
The provision of neurosurgical managing care in the German field hospital during the IFOR- and SFOR-mission in the former Yugoslavia is a novum within the NATO. Penetrating head trauma is by far the most common type of central nervous system trauma observed in a military combat setting. ⋯ The decision of the German Armed Forces to provide forward-located neurosurgical maintenance is justified and will lead to major reduction of time between injury and surgery. In the future neurosurgical managing care in combat settings will be supplemented and improved by peer-to-peer networks through the World Wide Web.