Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift
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Wien Med Wochenschr · Jan 1999
Review[Psychological treatment aspects of chronic pelvic pain in the woman].
Pelvic pain is one of the most frequent disorders in gynecological practice often without clinical evidence. There are many underlying factors which contribute to this disorder, psychological as well as somatic. In the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University Hospital Graz, the diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain patients includes a medical as well as a psychological evaluation. ⋯ Chronic pelvic pain is a complex syndrome where medical and psychological diagnostic evaluation is essential. Psychological interventions can be performed at an earlier stage, in order to prevent the pain from becoming a chronic problem. The presence of psychologists within the Gynecology Department may help to establish a multidisciplinary treatment for these patients.
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Sea-biological basic knowledge for divers is offered only in special lessons for advanced scuba divers. According to statistics, however, five per cent of the deadly diving accidents are caused by underwater organisms. This number could be reduced to a fraction, by correct behaviour during the dive and after an accident. ⋯ Conidae (cone shells), Tridocna (giant clam), octopoda (octopus), 4. Acanthaster planci (crown of thorns), Echinodea (sea urchins), Holothurioidea (sea cucumber), 5. Selachoidei (shark), Batoidei (Ray), Muraenidae (moray), Plotosidae (barbel eels), Synanciidae (stonefish), Scorpaenidae (scorpionfish), Pterois (lion fish), Sphyraena Spec. (barracuda), Balistidae (triggerfish), Ostracionidae (puffer).
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Wien Med Wochenschr · Jan 1999
Review[Value of mistletoe lectin standardized mistletoe extract for evaluating antitumor properties].
It could be shown from several experiments that carbohydrate-binding mistletoe lectins represent the pharmacologically active constituents of mistletoe extracts. On the basis of these findings, it was possible to develop an extract preparation standardized with respect to the mistletoe lectin concentration. This drug is the first mistletoe preparation that fulfills the criteria of the guidelines for the development of drugs (1) regarding its quality and stability of the active ingredients under certain storage conditions. The quality of this preparation has also been shown in several animal models to demonstrate antitumoral potencies.
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Wien Med Wochenschr · Jan 1999
[When should a patient with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) be transferred to a specialized hospital?].
The mortality rate for the advanced adult respiratory distress syndrome is still high. Nevertheless there are recent publications showing decreasing incidence and an improving survival rate. This is due to early diagnosis as well as differentiated treatment concepts. ⋯ The mortality rate was 22.3% altogether, in the group with the conventional treatment 16.0% and 32.6% in the group with ELA. As there are no generally accepted guidelines for the transfer of patients with ARDS to specialized centres, an indication for such a transfer must be established taking into consideration the individual patient history. Very early contact with the specialized centre of choice is recommended.
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The term "decompression illness (DCI)" is a disorder which arises from the presence of ectopic gas bubbles following decompression. Scuba diving poses the risk of two typically clinical syndromes: decompression sickness (DCS) and arterial gas embolism (AGE). DCS results from the formation of gas bubbles in the tissues of the body and in the blood due to rapid reduction of the environmental pressure. ⋯ Although the pathophysiological mechanisms of these two disorders are quite different, both of them lead to the same result: inert gas bubbles that may cause impairment of vital functions due to hypoxia. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of DCI is the first step of the therapy. The emergency treatment contains: basic life support, advanced life support--if necessary, horizontal positioning of the victim, administration of 100% normobaric oxygen via face mask or endotracheal tube, rehydration, rapid transportation to the nearest emergency department/hyperbaric facility for definitive treatment in order to prevent serious neurological sequelae.