scholarly journals Meningitis, Meningoencephalitis and Encephalitis in Bern: an observational study of 258 patients

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.

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.


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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 94 (1117) ◽  
pp. 20201041
Author(s):  
Keerti Sitani ◽  
Rahul V Parghane ◽  
Sanjay Talole ◽  
Sandip Basu

Objectives: Assessment of long-term outcome and toxicity of indigenous 177Lu-DOTATATE PRRT in patients of metastatic/advanced NETs in a large tertiary-care PRRT setting. Methods: A total of 468 metastatic/advanced NET patients (wide range of primary sites including CUP-NETs), who underwent at least two cycles of 177Lu-DOTATATE PRRT with available follow-up information, were included and analysed retrospectively in this study. In-house labelling of DOTATATE with 177Lu (direct route produced) was carried out in the hospital radiopharmacy and treatment administered in cycles (dose: 5.55 to 7.4 GBq per patient), at 10–12 weeks interval. The assessment of long-term outcome was undertaken under three broad headings: (a) Therapeutic response, (b) Survival outcome and (c) Toxicity assessment. The median point estimate with 95% CI for progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated by Kaplan–Meier method. Prognostic covariates for association with PFS and OS was investigated by Cox proportional hazards model (univariate and multivariate Hazard Ratios) and with disease control rate (DCR) by Chi-square test, with significant P value defined as <0.05. Results: Long-term outcome (follow-up ranging from 4 to 97.6 months; median period:46 months following first 177Lu-DOTATATE PRRT) results showed, (i) on symptomatic response evaluation scale, complete response (CR) in 214 patients (45.7%), partial response (PR) in 108 (23.1%), stable disease (SD) in 118 (25.2%), progressive disease (PD) in 28 (6%). (ii) Biochemical response evaluation showed CR in 52 (12%), PR in 172 (40%), SD in 161 (38%), and PD in 42 patients (10%). (iii) Molecular imaging response (by PERCIST criteria) showed CR in 29 (6%), PR in 116 (25%), SD in 267 (57%) and PD in 56 (12%) patients. (iv) On RECIST 1.1 criteria, CR was observed in 14 patients (3%), PR in 126 patients (27%), SD in 282 patients (60%) and PD in 46 patients (10%). The median PFS and OS were not reached at a median follow-up of 46 months. Observed PFS and OS at 7 years were 71.1% 95% CI (62.4–79.7%) and 79.4% 95% CI (71.4–86.9%) respectively. PFS was dependent on previous history of chemotherapy, baseline 68Ga-DOTATATE and 18F-FDG uptake, site of primary tumour, total cumulative dose and number of PRRT cycles on univariate analysis, whereas multivariate analysis showed significant association for previous history of chemotherapy, baseline 68Ga-DOTATATE and 18F-FDG uptake and number of PRRT cycles. The OS was dependent on baseline 68Ga-DOTATATE uptake, site of primary tumour, presence of bony metastatic disease, total cumulative dose and number of PRRT cycles on univariate analysis, whereas multivariate analysis showed significant association for bony metastatic disease and number of PRRT cycles. Transient haematological toxicity of Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 was found in 8 (1.7%), 1 (0.2%) and one patient (0.2%), respectively. Nephrotoxicity of Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, and Grade 4 were seen in 16 (3.5%), 3 (0.6%), 2 (0.4%) and one patient (0.2%), respectively. On a separate sub-analysis of 322 NET patients with progressive disease at the initiation point of PRRT, overall response rates (CR + PR + SD) were 93.5%, 88.5%, 89.1 and 87.9% on symptomatic, biochemical, RECIST 1.1 and PERCIST criteria and PFS and OS at 7 years 68.3% and 79.2%, respectively. Conclusions: The present results demonstrate that 177Lu-DOTATATE PRRT improved symptoms and biochemical markers substantially in most of the NET patients, with disease stabilisation on both anatomical and molecular imaging in majority and response in a sizeable fraction. Additionally, the therapeutic protocol with lesser dose per cycle (mean 5.92 GBq/cycle) and prolonged duration (over 5 cycles and 1.5 years) in a metastatic NET setting proved equally efficacious (with superior PFS and OS rates) and relatively better tolerated with minimal toxicity. Advances in knowledge: The present work critically examines the long-term results, survival outcome and toxicity profile of the indigenous 177Lu-DOTATATE (produced through direct neutron activation of enriched 176Lu) in metastatic progressive NETs across a wide range of primary sites and malignancies. Such long-term outcome data establishes the favourable impact of PRRT in a wide patient base and also the therapeutic efficacy of the product.


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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 175 (6) ◽  
pp. 499-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bettina Winzeler ◽  
Nica Jeanloz ◽  
Nicole Nigro ◽  
Isabelle Suter-Widmer ◽  
Philipp Schuetz ◽  
...  

Background Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte abnormality in hospitalized patients and given its impact on mortality and morbidity, a relevant medical condition. Nevertheless, little is known about factors influencing long-term outcome. Methods This is a prospective observational 12-month follow-up study of patients with profound hyponatremia (≤125 mmol/L) admitted to the emergency department of two tertiary care centers between 2011 and 2013. We analyzed the predictive value of clinical and laboratory parameters regarding the following outcomes: 1-year mortality, rehospitalization and recurrent profound hyponatremia. Results Median (IQR) initial serum sodium (s-sodium) level of 281 included patients was 120 mmol/L (116–123). During the follow-up period, 58 (20.6%) patients died. The majority (56.2%) were rehospitalized at least once. Recurrent hyponatremia was observed in 42.7%, being profound in 16%. Underlying comorbidities, assessed by the Charlson Comorbidity Index, predicted 1-year mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25–1.64, P < 0.001). Furthermore, ‘s-sodium level at admission’ (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01–1.29, P = 0.036) and ‘correction of hyponatremia’ defined as s-sodium ≥135 mmol/L at discharge were associated with mortality (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.23–0.94, P = 0.034). Mortality rate fell with decreasing baseline s-sodium levels and was lower in the hyponatremia category ≤120 mmol/L vs >120 mmol/L (14.8% and 27.8%, P < 0.01). Patients with s-sodium level ≤120 mmol/L were more likely to have drug-induced hyponatremia, whereas hypervolemic hyponatremia was more common in patients with s-sodium >120 mmol/L. Conclusion Hyponatremia is associated with a substantial 1-year mortality, recurrence and rehospitalization rate. The positive correlation of s-sodium and mortality emphasizes the importance of the underlying disease, which determines the outcome besides hyponatremia itself.


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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 515-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Darcy ◽  
Neeta Vachharajani ◽  
Tracy Zhang ◽  
Naganathan Mani ◽  
Seung Kwon Kim ◽  
...  

Introduction Functional arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the best vascular access for end-stage renal disease patients. AVF maturation is variable and many require additional interventions to achieve functionality. Long-term benefits of such interventions are unclear. Using a protocol for AVF planning, creation, maturation evaluation and performing interventions based on objective findings along with maintaining a database on follow-up is necessary to evaluate this question. The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term outcome of newly constructed AVFs using a protocol-based approach in a tertiary care academic center. Methods This is an observational study. Long-term outcomes of consecutive AVFs placed over a 5-year period using a protocol for creation, maturation evaluation and interventions based on objective findings were analyzed using a prospectively maintained clinical database. Results Functioning AVFs were achieved in 86.5% (n = 296) of 342 patients. Primary and secondary patency of 372 AVF procedures at 12, 24 and 60 months were 42.8%, 31.6% and 20.8%; and 81.8%, 77.6% and 71.7%, respectively. Functional patency at 12, 24 and 60 months were 95.1%, 88.7%, and 85.2%, respectively. Long-term function was similar for AVFs maturing with ≤4 interventions and without interventions. AVFs maturing with 2-4 interventions needed significantly more interventions to maintain long-term functional patency (p = 0.003). Conclusions Piggyback straight-line on-lay technique (pSLOT) improves early outcome providing opportunity to identify other problems contributing to non-maturation. A large number of AVFs needing planned interventions to mature provide good long-term function. Establishing process of care guidelines for creation and follow-up has a potential to improve AVF outcome.


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.


2002 ◽  
Vol 126 (6) ◽  
pp. 628-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcella R. Bothwell ◽  
Jay F. Piccirillo ◽  
Rodney P. Lusk ◽  
Brock D. Ridenour

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether functional endoscopic sinus (FES) surgery performed in children with chronic rhinosinusitis alters facial growth. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a retrospective age-matched cohort outcome study performed at a tertiary care hospital. RESULTS: Sixty-seven children participated. There were 46 boys and 21 girls, and the mean age was 3.1 years at presentation and 13.2 years at follow-up. There were 46 children who underwent FES surgery and 21 children who did not undergo FES surgery. Quantitative anthropomorphic analysis was performed using 12 standard facial measurements. A facial plastic expert performed qualitative facial analysis. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses showed no statistical significance in facial growth between children who underwent FES surgery and those who did not undergo FES surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, there was no evidence that FES surgery affected facial growth. SIGNIFICANCE: These results will aid physicians when discussing with parents the risks of FES surgery.


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.


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