Zentralblatt für Chirurgie
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The current level of knowledge about radioiodine therapy (RITh) for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma under consideration of the recent literature is summarised. In RITh for thyroid carcinoma two major fields can be distinguished: the ablation of the thyroid remnant and the therapy of recurrences resp. local and distant metastases. ⋯ The prerequisite is an appropriate follow-up. Surveys about the application of RITh for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma in Europe and in the USA reveal that uniform treatment recommendations designed to conform interdisciplinary demands are urgently required.
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The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate, whether early thoracic computed tomography (TCT) is superior to routine chest x-ray (CXR) in the diagnostic work up of blunt thoracic trauma and whether these additional informations influence subsequent therapeutical decisions in the early management of severely injured patients. ⋯ TCT is highly sensitive in detecting thoracic injuries after blunt chest trauma and is superior to routine CXR in visualizing lung contusions, pneumo- and hemothorax. Early TCT influences therapeutic management in a considerable subset of patients. We therefore recommend TCT in the primary diagnostic work up of multiple injured patients with suspected chest trauma, because early and exact diagnosis of all thoracic injuries along with sufficient therapeutic consequences may reduce complications and improve outcome of severely injured patients with blunt chest trauma.
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For therapeutic recommendations three different kinds of scores are essential: 1. The severity scores for trauma; 2. Severity scores for mangled extremities; 3. ⋯ The aim of these scores is to assist in the indication with regard to amputate or to save the extremity. These scoring indices can be used to evaluate the severity of a systemic inflammatory reaction syndrome with respect to multiple organ failure. All scores are dynamic values which are variable with improvement of therapy.
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Pheochromocytomas are active, catecholamine-producing tumours derived from chromaffine tissue, causing arterial hypertension. The therapeutical aim is the surgical removal of the tumour. Blockade of the alpha-adrenergic receptors during the preoperative phase is necessary to prevent cardiovascular complications. ⋯ With an adequate preoperative management, mortality of patients with pheochromocytomas has been reduced to less than 1 percent. Postoperatively, most patients become normotensive and other symptoms of excessive catecholamine-production disappear. In cases of long persisting and fixed hypertension paroxysmal crises of high blood pressure can be avoided.
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Comparative Study
Treatment of refractory intracranial hypertension in severe traumatic brain injury with repetitive hypertonic/hyperoncotic infusions.
Rapid resuscitation of clinical and experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI) with hypertonic saline (HS) has been shown to improve neurological function and decrease intracranial pressure (ICP). The purpose of the present study was to test the efficacy of administration of HS (7.5%) combined with 6% hydroxyethyl starch (molecular weight 200,000/0.60-0.66; HHES) for the treatment of intracranial hypertension refractory to standard therapy in patients with severe TBI. With approval of the Institutional Ethics Committee six consecutive patients with severe TBI (GCS < 8) between 22 and 47 years of age (mean 32) who met the inclusion criteria (therapy resistant ICP > 25 mmHg, cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) < 60 mmHg, plasma-Na+ < 150 mOsm and > 4 hours since the last HS/HHES treatment) were prospectively enrolled in the study. ⋯ Plasma sodium normalized within 30 min. HS/HES might become an interesting addition to conventional treatment maneuvers currently used for ICP therapy. It reduces otherwise therapy-resistant intracranial hypertension without negatively affecting blood pressure, blood gases and cerebral perfusion.