http://repub.eur.nl/res/aut/9055/ List of Publications en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png http://repub.eur.nl http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/19734/ 2010-05-01T00:00:00Z Cold intolerance is a well-known phenomenon that develops in the first months after hand injury and generally does not decrease over time. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence and severity of cold intolerance after hand fracture in 129 patients using the Cold Intolerance Symptom Severity (CISS) questionnaire. Patients with nerve and/or vascular injuries were excluded. The response rate was 59%. The mean CISS score was 23. Pathological cold intolerance, defined as a CISS score over 30, was experienced by 38% of the patients. Cold intolerance is common after hand fractures and can be severely disabling in some patients. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/25050/ 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z Purpose: Posttraumatic cold intolerance (CI) is a frequent and important sequel after peripheral nerve injury. In this study, it is hypothesized that altered rewarming patterns after peripheral nerve injury are related to the degree of posttraumatic CI. This hypothesis is tested by quantitatively comparing rewarming patterns of the digits in controls and in median or ulnar nerve injury patients and by investigating relationships between rewarming patterns, sensory recovery, and CI. Methods: Twelve median or ulnar nerve injury patients with a follow-up of 4 to 76 months after nerve repair and 13 control subjects had isolated cold stress testing of the hands. Video thermography was used to analyze and compare rewarming patterns of the injured and uninjured digits after cold stress testing. Temperature curves were analyzed by calculating the Q value as an indicator of heat transfer (temperature added during the first 10 minutes after start of active rewarming) and the maximum slope. Results: Test-retest reliability was 0.64 and 0.79, respectively, for the Q value and maximum slope. High Q values and maximum slopes were interpreted as the presence of active rewarming. Patients with return of active rewarming had better sensory recovery and lower Blond McIndoe Cold Intolerance Severity Scale (CISS) scores. Better sensory recovery was correlated with lower CISS scores. Conclusions: Test-retest reliability of cold stress testing was good, and we found a difference in rewarming patterns between nerve injury patients and controls. The presence of active rewarming in the nerve injury patients was related to sensory recovery and fewer complaints of posttraumatic CI. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/29469/ 2008-09-09T00:00:00Z Cold intolerance is a serious long-term problem after injury to the ulnar and median nerves, and its pathophysiology is unclear. We investigated the use of infrared thermography for the analysis of thermoregulation after injury to peripheral nerves. Four patients with injuries to the ulnar nerve and four with injuries to the median nerve (4-12 years after injury) immersed their hands in water at 15C for 5 minutes, after which infrared pictures were taken at intervals of 2-4 minutes. The areas supplied by the injured nerves could be identified easily in the patients with symptoms of cold intolerance. At baseline temperature distribution of the hand was symmetrical, but after testing the injured side warmed up much slower. We concluded that the infrared profile of the temperature of the hand after immersion in cold water is helpful to assess thermoregulation after injury to peripheral nerves. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/15023/ 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z Background: Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Therefore, the need for a good diagnostic tool to predict intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and progression to ACS is paramount. Bladder pressure (BP) has been used for several years for intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) measurement but has the disadvantage that it is not a continuous measurement. In this study, a single-lumen central venous catheter (CVC) is placed through the abdominal wall into the abdominal cavity to continuously and directly monitor the intra-abdominal pressure (CDIAP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of CDIAP to measure BP as a representative of the true IAP. Methods: Both BP and CDIAP were prospectively recorded on a variety of surgical patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from March 2003 up to December 2004. At the end of the surgical procedure, the CVC was placed through the abdominal wall and connected to a pressure transducer. In addition, the BP was measured through the urine drainage port after clamping the catheter and filling the bladder with 50 ml of 0.9% saline. At least three paired measurements (BP and CDIAP) were performed for at least one day on the ICU in a standardized manner at preset time intervals on each patient. The paired measurements were compared using the Bland-Altman (B-A) method. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. Results: Over a period of 22 months (March 2003 until December 2004), 125 paired measurements of both BP and CDIAP were recorded on 25 patients. The mean age was 72.4 ± 6.6 years. Eighteen patients underwent central vascular surgery, and seven patients with peritonitis received laparotomy. The mean CDIAP was 11.4 ± 4.8 (range 2-30) mmHg, and the BP was 12.9 ± 5.3 (range 3-37) mmHg. The mean difference between CDIAP and BP was 1.6 ± 2.7 mmHg. There was an acceptable level of agreement (intraclass correlation 0.82) between IAP measured by BP and IAP measured via CDIAP. Conclusion: Continuous direct intra-abdominal pressure measurement proved that the BP measurement approach of Kron is representative of the IAP. CDIAP measurement is accurate and makes it easier for the nursing staff to be informed of the IAP. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/37110/ 2007-08-01T00:00:00Z This study describes the predictors for cold intolerance and the relationship to sensory recovery after median and ulnar nerve injuries. The study population consisted of 107 patients 2 to 10 years after median, ulnar or combined median and ulnar nerve injuries. Patients were asked to fill out the Cold Intolerance Severity Score (CISS) questionnaire and sensory recovery was measured using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. Fifty-six percent of the patients with a single nerve injury and 70% with a combined nerve injury suffered abnormal cold intolerance. Patients with no return of sensation had dramatically higher CISS-scores than patients with normal sensory recovery. Females had higher CISS scores post-injury than males. Cold intolerance did not diminish over the years. Patients with higher CISS scores needed more time to return to their work. Age, additional arterial injury, site or type of the injury and dominance of the hand were not found to have a significant influence on cold intolerance. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/7353/ 2004-11-24T00:00:00Z In chapter 1 the author provide a general introduction on median and ulnar nerve injuries. Furthermore the aims for this thesis, entitled median and ulnar nerve injuries: prognosis and predictors for clinical outcome, are defi ned. Chapter 2 comprises an investigation into the overall functional outcome of median and ulnar nerve injuries. 313 wrist and forearm nerve injuries operated upon between 1980 and 1997 were reviewed in relation to complications, return to work, sensor and motor recovery. Twentyone percent (21%) of the study-population achieved ‘good’ sensory recovery. ‘Good’ motor recovery occurred in forty-nine percent. Motor recovery, progress of sensory reinnervation and number of severed structures were related to the type of injury. Time between laceration of the nerve and the first sign of sensory reinnervation seemed to be a good predictor for fi nal motor recovery. A probability of a 24% of work loss, after a mean follow-up of 17.7 months, was found. Poor sensory and motor recovery were associated with work disability. Level of injury, type of work, number of complications and hand-therapy were found to influence return to work. This study was used to define further aims for the thesis.