scholarly journals Meningitis, meningoencephalitis and encephalitis in Bern: an observational study of 258 patients

BMC Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anamaria Ungureanu ◽  
Julia van der Meer ◽  
Antonela Bicvic ◽  
Lena Abbuehl ◽  
Gabriele Chiffi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Depending on geographic location, causes of encephalitis, meningoencephalitis and meningitis vary substantially. We aimed to identify the most frequent causes, clinical presentation and long-term outcome of encephalitis, meningoencephalitis and meningitis cases treated in the Inselspital University Hospital Bern, Switzerland. Methods In this monocentric, observational study, we performed a retrospective review of clinical patient records for all patients treated within a 3-year period. Patients were contacted for a telephone follow-up interview and to fill out questionnaires, especially related to disturbances of sleep and wakefulness. Results We included 258 patients with the following conditions: encephalitis (18%), nonbacterial meningoencephalitis (42%), nonbacterial meningitis (27%) and bacterial meningoencephalitis/meningitis (13%). Herpes simplex virus (HSV) was the most common cause of encephalitis (18%); tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) was the most common cause of nonbacterial meningoencephalitis (46%), enterovirus was the most common cause of nonbacterial meningitis (21%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common cause of bacterial meningoencephalitis/meningitis (49%). Overall, 35% patients remained without a known cause. After a median time of 16 months, 162 patients participated in the follow-up interview; 56% reported suffering from neurological long-term sequelae such as fatigue and/or excessive daytime sleepiness (34%), cognitive impairment and memory deficits (22%), headache (14%) and epileptic seizures (11%). Conclusions In the Bern region, Switzerland, TBEV was the overall most frequently detected infectious cause, with a clinical manifestation of meningoencephalitis in the majority of cases. Long-term neurological sequelae, most importantly cognitive impairment, fatigue and headache, were frequently self-reported not only in encephalitis and meningoencephalitis survivors but also in viral meningitis survivors up to 40 months after acute infection.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anamaria Ungureanu ◽  
Julia Van der Meer ◽  
Antonela Bicvic ◽  
Lena S Abbuehl ◽  
Gabriele Chiffi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Depending on geographic location causes of encephalitis, meningoencephalitis and meningitis vary substantially. We aimed to identify most frequent causes, clinical presentation as well as long-term outcome of encephalitis, meningoencephalitis and meningitis cases treated in the Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Switzerland. Methods In this monocentric, observational retro- and prospective cohort study, we performed a retrospective review of clinical patient records for all patients treated during 3 years. Patients were contacted prospectively for a telephone follow-up interview and to fill out questionnaires, especially related disturbances of sleep and wakefulness. Results We included 258 patients: encephalitis (18%), non-bacterial meningoencephalitis (42%), non-bacterial meningitis (27%) and bacterial meningoencephalitis/meningitis (13%). Herpes simplex virus (HSV) was the most frequent cause of encephalitis (18%), tick borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) of non-bacterial meningoencephalitis (46%), enterovirus of non-bacterial meningitis (21%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae of bacterial meningoencephalitis/meningitis (49%). Overall, 35% patients remained without known cause. After a median time of 16 months, 162 patients participated in the follow-up interview, thereof 56% indicated to suffer from neurological long-term sequels such as fatigue and/or excessive daytime sleepiness (34%), cognitive impairment and memory deficits (22%), headache (14%) and epileptic seizures (11%). Conclusions In the largest tertiary care University hospital in Switzerland TBEV was the overall most frequently detected infectious cause, with a clinical manifestation of meningoencephalitis in the majority of cases. Long-term neurological sequels, most importantly cognitive impairment, fatigue and headache were frequently self-reported not only in encephalitis and meningoencephalitis but also viral meningitis survivors up to 40 months after the acute infection.


2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (11) ◽  
pp. 2529-2538
Author(s):  
Beatrice Drexler ◽  
Felicitas Zurbriggen ◽  
Tamara Diesch ◽  
Romaine Viollier ◽  
Joerg P. Halter ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Since the 1970s outcome of aplastic anemia (AA) patients has improved significantly due to the introduction of immunosuppressive therapy (IST) and allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation (HCT). However, patients may suffer from persistent disease, relapse, clonal evolution, graft-versus-host disease and other late effects. Here, we analyse very long-term outcome of all AA patients at our institution comparing not only survival, but also response status and complications. Methods Patient charts of all 302 AA patients treated between 1973 and 2017 at the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, were retrospectively analysed. Results First line treatment was IST in 226 (75%) and HCT in 76 (25%) patients. Overall survival at 30 years was similar in patients treated initially by HCT and IST (44% (±14%), and 40% (± 9%) respectively, with better results in more recent years. Partial and no response occurred more frequently after IST, relapse incidence after IST was 24 %, whereas non-engraftment and graft failure was documented in 15 patients (19 %) after HCT. Clonal evolution to myelodysplastic syndrome / acute myeloid leukemia was 16 % at 25 years in IST patients, 1.3 % in HCT patients, iron overload (18 versus 4 %, p = 0.002) and cardiovascular events (11 versus 1 %, p=0.011) occured significantly more often in IST than HCT treated patients. The majority of long-term survivors, 96% of those alive at 25 years, were in complete remission at last follow up, irrespective of the initial treatment modality. Conclusion Very long term survivors after AA are those with stable hematopoietic recovery.


2001 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivo Glunčić ◽  
Željka Roje ◽  
Vicko Glunčić ◽  
Kolja Poljak

The clinical management and long-term outcome in lightning survivors with subsctantial ear damage treated at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Split during the 1984–1999 period are reviewed. Results of clinical management and outcomes of lightning ear damage in 18 patients (mean age 35.3 ± 5 years) were retrospectively analyzed. On admission, all patients complained of severe pain, tinnitus and hearing impairment. Otomicroscopy revealed tympanic membrane rupture in 12 patients. The active therapeutic approach included immediate otomicroscopy, aseptic aspiration toilet, and eversion of perforation edges. In all patients, the ruptures healed well, and restitution of the hearing function was achieved. Follow-up examination performed in 1999 (13.2 ± 2.9 years later) in 11 patients (mean age 52.3 ± 6.1 years) revealed an almost identical audiogram as on discharge from the hospital, however, neuropsychological testing revealed numerous sequelae. Tympanic injury caused by lightning should be actively treated. Lightning survivors require additional psychotherapeutic treatment.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
pp. 1085-1092 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Vögelin ◽  
Lorenz Haldemann ◽  
Mihai A. Constantinescu ◽  
Ariane Gerber ◽  
Ulrich Büchler

Abstract OBJECTIVE This is a long-term outcome analysis of patients who underwent surgical treatment with a supraclavicular release for thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). METHODS All patients undergoing supraclavicular release between January 1, 1987, and December 31, 2000, at University Hospital, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland, were included in this study. Of 29 treated patients, 22 patients (24 TOS) underwent both long-term clinical follow-up (median 12.5 years, standard deviation 3.5 years, range 5–18 years) and short-term clinical follow-up (median 6.6 months, standard deviation 4.5 years, range 3–12 months). RESULTS Eleven patients (12 TOS operations) were classified as having a neurogenic cause of TOS, whereas the other 11 (12 TOS operations) were classified as having disputed TOS. Patient data, including various outcome parameters, such as pain and disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand scores, were evaluated pre- and postoperatively and at long-term follow-up by an independent examiner. The surgical supraclavicular technique is described in detail. In 21 of 24 surgical release procedures, the first rib was resected. There was a marked permanent long-term postoperative reduction of symptoms in both neurogenic and disputed TOS groups. The pain and disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand scores improved significantly after surgery, regardless of the etiology, in the short- and long-term postoperative observation periods. There were no patients with workers' compensation or litigation issues. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the successful, constant long-term relief of symptoms in carefully selected patients with neurogenic and disputed TOS using the described surgical supraclavicular release technique.


1988 ◽  
Vol 153 (6) ◽  
pp. 752-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. Kiloh ◽  
Gavin Andrews ◽  
Megan Neilson

One hundred and forty-five patients with primary depressive illness admitted to a university hospital between 1966 and 1970 were followed up an average of 15 years later. Adequate data were obtained on 133 (92%) of the 145. During the follow-up period, 7% of the 133 had suicided, 12% had remained incapacitated by illness and only 20% had remained continuously well. Patients for whom the index admission was not their first were especially likely to be readmitted during the follow-up period. Patients with endogenous depression, none of whom developed schizophrenia during the follow-up period, were more likely to need readmission than patients with an index diagnosis of neurotic depression. In all other respects the prognosis for the two types of depression was the same, with considerable morbidity evident in both.


VASA ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
. Bucek ◽  
Hudak ◽  
Schnürer ◽  
Ahmadi ◽  
Wolfram ◽  
...  

Background: We investigated the long-term clinical results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) and the influence of different parameters on the primary success rate, the rate of complications and the long-term outcome. Patients and methods: We reviewed clinical and hemodynamic follow-up data of 166 consecutive patients treated with PTA in 1987 in our department. Results: PTA improved the clinical situation in 79.4% of patients with iliac lesions and in 88.3% of patients with femoro-popliteal lesions. The clinical stage and ankle brachial index (ABI) post-interventional could be improved significantly (each P < 0,001), the same results were observed at the end of follow-up (each P < 0,001). Major complications occurred in 11 patients (6.6%). The rate of primary clinical long-term success for suprainguinal lesions was 55% and 38% after 5 and 10 years (femoro-popliteal 44% and 33%), respectively, the corresponding data for secondary clinical long-term success were 63% and 56% (60% and 55%). Older age (P = 0,017) and lower ABI pre-interventional (P = 0,019) significantly deteriorated primary clinical long-term success for suprainguinal lesions, while no factor could be identified influencing the outcome of femoro-popliteal lesions significantly. Conclusion: Besides an acceptable success rate with a low rate of severe complications, our results demonstrate favourable long-term clinical results of PTA in patients with PAOD.


Crisis ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Curran ◽  
Michael Fitzgerald ◽  
Vincent T Greene

There are few long-term follow-up studies of parasuicides incorporating face-to-face interviews. To date no study has evaluated the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity at long-term follow-up of parasuicides using diagnostic rating scales, nor has any study examined parental bonding issues in this population. We attempted a prospective follow-up of 85 parasuicide cases an average of 8½ years later. Psychiatric morbidity, social functioning, and recollections of the parenting style of their parents were assessed using the Clinical Interview Schedule, the Social Maladjustment Scale, and the Parental Bonding Instrument, respectively. Thirty-nine persons in total were interviewed, 19 of whom were well and 20 of whom had psychiatric morbidity. Five had died during the follow-up period, 3 by suicide. Migration, refusals, and untraceability were common. Parasuicide was associated with parental overprotection during childhood. Long-term outcome is poor, especially among those who engaged in repeated parasuicides.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca K. den Ottelander ◽  
Robbin de Goederen ◽  
Marie-Lise C. van Veelen ◽  
Stephanie D. C. van de Beeten ◽  
Maarten H. Lequin ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEThe authors evaluated the long-term outcome of their treatment protocol for Muenke syndrome, which includes a single craniofacial procedure.METHODSThis was a prospective observational cohort study of Muenke syndrome patients who underwent surgery for craniosynostosis within the first year of life. Symptoms and determinants of intracranial hypertension were evaluated by longitudinal monitoring of the presence of papilledema (fundoscopy), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA; with polysomnography), cerebellar tonsillar herniation (MRI studies), ventricular size (MRI and CT studies), and skull growth (occipital frontal head circumference [OFC]). Other evaluated factors included hearing, speech, and ophthalmological outcomes.RESULTSThe study included 38 patients; 36 patients underwent fronto-supraorbital advancement. The median age at last follow-up was 13.2 years (range 1.3–24.4 years). Three patients had papilledema, which was related to ophthalmological disorders in 2 patients. Three patients had mild OSA. Three patients had a Chiari I malformation, and tonsillar descent < 5 mm was present in 6 patients. Tonsillar position was unrelated to papilledema, ventricular size, or restricted skull growth. Ten patients had ventriculomegaly, and the OFC growth curve deflected in 3 patients. Twenty-two patients had hearing loss. Refraction anomalies were diagnosed in 14/15 patients measured at ≥ 8 years of age.CONCLUSIONSPatients with Muenke syndrome treated with a single fronto-supraorbital advancement in their first year of life rarely develop signs of intracranial hypertension, in accordance with the very low prevalence of its causative factors (OSA, hydrocephalus, and restricted skull growth). This illustrates that there is no need for a routine second craniofacial procedure. Patient follow-up should focus on visual assessment and speech and hearing outcomes.


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