Bulletin de la Société des sciences médicales du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg
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Bull Soc Sci Med Grand Duche Luxemb · Jan 2014
Case ReportsHemifacial spasm caused by the cross-compression of the vertebral artery loop--a case-centered report of a stitched sling retraction technique.
Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is one of the neurovascular compression syndromes caused by the compression of the facial nerve outgoing from the brainstem by an artery, a vein or both. The treatment of choice of this disorder is a microvascular decompression (MVD). As initially described, MVD is a technique based on the application of the small prostheses that are placed between a cranial nerve and an imposing vessel. ⋯ Therefore, many modifications of surgical technique have been described in order to minimize the risk of complications and increase the effectiveness and permanence of the vascular transposition as the success of the MVD most of all depends on the latter. The authors of this paper describe one of the aforementioned modifications that provides a complete and permanent vascular transposition together with its advantages and limitations in the treatment of the hemifacial spasm. Moreover, many aspects of different technical approaches are widely discussed and a case-centered stitched sling retraction technique is presented.
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Bull Soc Sci Med Grand Duche Luxemb · Jan 2014
Case ReportsCase report: exertional heat stroke after moderate effort as a neurological emergency.
Exertional heat stroke can occur even after moderate efforts in persons predisposed to the condition. Consequences can be far-reaching, potentially leading to multi-organ failure and possibly death. We discuss the case of a 23-year old army recruit presenting with altered consciousness and hyperthermia after a training march. ⋯ The condition could be stabilized without recurring to molecular adsorbent recirculation system (MARS). Exertional heat stroke must be readily recognized as such for correct treatment to be initiated. A multi-disciplinary approach is urgently warranted.
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Since more than 3 decades now, music with seniors (or younger persons), either as an educational or recreational activity, but also as a therapeutically approach has progressed. Even nowadays, in the medical field, more and more studies prove its efficiency as complementary therapy with no known side-effects. ⋯ And at the end of life, music therapy has found a remarkable place for expressing or supporting strong emotional feelings. Evidence-based results on physiological and hormonal changes will also be reviewed.
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Bull Soc Sci Med Grand Duche Luxemb · Jan 2012
Impact of initial intervention on long-term neurological recovey after cardiac arrest: data from the Luxembourg "North Pole" cohort.
Prognosis after cardiac arrest is variable and difficult to predict. Early prognostic markers would facilitate the care of these patients. ⋯ Our local data confirm that early interventions have a major impact on survival of cardiac arrest patients. Efforts should concentrate on delivering rapid and high quality CPR as well as early defibrillation by AED's to every patient in cardiac arrest. Besides large scale Basic life support training, the introduction of dispatcher assisted CPR and the implementation and use of public AED's could considerably help to improve outcome in these patients.