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Hintergrund: Die okulären Manifestationsformen einer Syphilis haben chamäleonartige Charakteristik und können von einer Bindehautreizung bis hin zur Panuveitis, sowie Neuroparalyse reichen. Nach Angaben des RKI wurde 2019 mit 7.889 ein Höchststand an Neuinfektionen erreicht, was [zum vollständigen Text gelangen Sie über die oben angegebene URL]

Background Peanut allergy has a rising prevalence in high-income countries, affecting 0.5%-1.4% of children. This study aimed to better understand peanut anaphylaxis in comparison to anaphylaxis to other food triggers in European children and adolescents. Methods Data was sourced from the European Anaphylaxis Registry via an online questionnaire, after in-depth review of food-induced anaphylaxis cases in a tertiary paediatric allergy centre. Results 3514 cases of food anaphylaxis were reported between July 2007 - March 2018, 56% in patients younger than 18 years. Peanut anaphylaxis was recorded in 459 children and adolescents (85% of all peanut anaphylaxis cases). Previous reactions (42% vs. 38%; p = .001), asthma comorbidity (47% vs. 35%; p < .001), relevant cofactors (29% vs. 22%; p = .004) and biphasic reactions (10% vs. 4%; p = .001) were more commonly reported in peanut anaphylaxis. Most cases were labelled as severe anaphylaxis (Ring&Messmer grade III 65% vs. 56% and grade IV 1.1% vs. 0.9%; p = .001). Self-administration of intramuscular adrenaline was low (17% vs. 15%), professional adrenaline administration was higher in non-peanut food anaphylaxis (34% vs. 26%; p = .003). Hospitalization was higher for peanut anaphylaxis (67% vs. 54%; p = .004). Conclusions The European Anaphylaxis Registry data confirmed peanut as one of the major causes of severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reactions in European children, with some characteristic features e.g., presence of asthma comorbidity and increased rate of biphasic reactions. Usage of intramuscular adrenaline as first-line treatment is low and needs to be improved. The Registry, designed as the largest database on anaphylaxis, allows continuous assessment of this condition.

Food allergens are frequent causes of anaphylaxis. In particular in children and adolescents they are the most frequent elicitors of severe allergic reactions, and in adults food allergens rank third behind insect venom and drugs. Since July 2006 severe allergic reactions from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are collected in the anaphylaxis registry. Currently 78 hospitals and private practises are connected. From July 2006 until February 2009 1,156 severe allergic reactions were registered. Among children and adolescents (n = 187, age range from 3 months to 17 years) food allergens were the most frequent triggers, comprising 58% of cases. In the adult group (n = 968, 18 - 85 years) food allergens were in the third position (16.3%) behind insect venom and drugs. In children legumes (31%) and in particular peanuts were frequently responsible food allergens, followed by tree nuts (25%) with hazelnut being the most frequent elicitor. In adults fruits (13.4%) most often induced severe food-dependent anaphylaxis, but also animal products (12.2%); among these most frequently crustaceans and molluscs. Cofactors were often suspected in food-dependent anaphylaxis, namely in 39% of the adult group and in 14% of the pediatric group. In adults drugs (22%) and physical activity (10%) were reported to be the most frequent cofactors, in children physical activity was suspected in 8.7% and drugs in 2.6%. Concomitant diseases like atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, or allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were reported in 78% of children and adolescents and in 67% of the adults. In conclusion, food-induced anaphylaxis, its cofactors and concomitant diseases are age-dependent. The data offers to identify risk factors of anaphylaxis.

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS Three years ago, a now 26-year-old woman with secondary amenorrhoea was found to have a prolactinoma which was treated with bromocriptine. However, because of side effects and psychosocial problems she took the drug only irregularly. There were no neurological symptoms and the visual fields were normal. Her weight was 97 kg and her height 168 cm. INVESTIGATIONS Without treatment the serum prolactin concentration was 6978 microU/ml, while other endocrine parameters were unremarkable. Cranial computed tomography showed a suprasellar adenoma (craniocaudal diameter 1.0 cm). TREATMENT AND COURSE Renewed treatment with bromocriptine (5 mg three times daily) brought prolactin concentration to within normal limits, but then rose again to at least 52,600 microU/ml when the patient took the drug irregularly, and the tumour grew to 2.8 cm. As the obesity (her weight now 120 kg) made neurosurgical intervention very risky a treatment trial with long-acting bromocriptine preparation (50 mg bromocriptine every 28 days intramuscularly), was undertaken. Serum prolactin concentration, measured at the end of the 28-day period, rapidly fell (6470 microU/ml after 3 months). Radiological examination indicated significant tumour shrinkage ( < 1.0 cm after 2 years). CONCLUSION Repeated intramuscular administration of bromocriptine was an effective, well tolerated alternative (but not yet licensed in Germany) to oral dopamine agonists in the treatment of macroprolactinoma.

A 17-year-old girl from Turkey had for 6 years been suffering from right-sided upper abdominal symptoms not usually related to food intake. Treatment of suspected gastritis remained ineffective. Laboratory tests were unremarkable, except for an accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (12/30 mm), eosinophilia (6.4%) and albumin concentration of 52.6 g/l. Upper abdominal sonography revealed a cyst, about 10 cm in diameter, in the right liver lobe. Computed tomography showed the 8 x 8.5 cm cyst which was septated at its caudal portion and compressed the vena cava for 5.6 cm. The antibody titre against echinococcus antigen was 1:3200. At laparotomy the echinococcal cyst was found to have extended to the left adrenal gland, renal fat capsule and left part of the diaphragm. There was a pressure necrosis on the right lateral aspect of the vena cava. The affected parts were resected and the patient quickly recovered. Postoperative treatment consisted of the administration of mebendazole (1.5 g daily) for 18 months. The patient had come from an area where echinococcal infection is endemic. The disease could have been quickly and easily diagnosed and cured if sonography had been undertaken early, sparing the patient major surgery.

UNLABELLED HISTORY AND FINDINGS ON EXAMINATION: A 62-year-old man complaining of increasingly painful swelling in both breasts over the previous 6 months was admitted to hospital because an endocrine tumour or paraneoplasia was suspected. Unmarried and childless he had always been well except for mild diabetes treated with glibenclamide. On examination both breasts were enlarged with easily palpable glandular tissue; the testes were small and atrophic. Hair growth and distribution were normal. LABORATORY TESTS Serum testosterone concentration was low (1.3 ng/ml), while luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones (27.3 mU/ml and 95 mU/ml, respectively) were raised. Chromosome analysis revealed 45,X/46,XY/47,XYY mosaicism without evidence of structural aberrations. Mammography showed true gynecomastia without signs of malignancy. TREATMENT AND COURSE Hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism having been diagnosed the patient was given substitution treatment with 250 mg testosterone, 250 mg i.m. every 3 weeks. The concentrations of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones became normal and the gynecomastia regressed over the subsequent 6 months. CONCLUSION Mosaicism of the sex chromosomes should be considered in the differential diagnosis of late-onset hypogonadism, even in phenotypically unremarkable men.

A 56-year-old woman of short stature (148 cm) was medically examined after applying for a disability pension on account of chronic back-pain. She gave a history of primary amenorrhoea (not examined further), slowly increasing deafness, type IIb diabetes mellitus, hyperlipoproteinaemia, hypothyroidism and osteoporosis. Physical examination showed hypoplasia of both breasts, shield chest and slight webbing of the neck. Ultrasonography of the thyroid revealed late stage of Hashimoto thyroiditis. Vaginal ultrasonography confirmed absence of uterus and adnexae. All these findings were compatible with the diagnosis of Turner's syndrome, which was confirmed by chromosomal examination of 50 analysable metaphases showing chromosomal mosaic 45,X/46,X, i(Xq), as well as two cells with 47 chromosomes, two with isochromosomes for the long arm of the X-chromosome. Treatment consisted of administration of L-thyroxin (75 micrograms/d) and oestrogen. There was no follow-up.

Subacute bacterial endocarditis is frequently associated with extracardiac manifestations and renal failure. Clinical variety of endocarditis manifestation is wide and has the potential to mimic vasculitis. Whereas Streptococcus bovis is often isolated and associated with colonic tumors, Neisseriaceae are rarely found. An association of subacute bacterial endocarditis and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies has been described. We report on a 62-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital with acute oliguric renal failure and a nonpruritic purpural rush without fever. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody diagnostic revealed perinuclear staining with a titre of 1 : 512 and antiproteinase-3 specificity. Immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis without extracapillary proliferation was diagnosed in renal biopsy. Finally, blood cultures became positive for Streptococcus bovis and Neisseria flava. Echocardiography showed mobile vegetations on tricuspid valve. Under treatment with penicillin G and gentamicin, skin efflorescences and renal function recovered, but vegetations increased. A colonic tumor could be excluded, a disastrous dental status may have been a predisposal factor. When classical findings of subacute bacterial endocarditis are less clear, the presence of renal failure and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in absence of fever may lead to misdiagnosis and deleterious immunosuppressive therapy. Neisseria subflava, an upper respiratory tract commensal, may cause subacute bacterial endocarditis without typical symptoms.

BACKGROUND Aim of this study was to evaluate morphologic criteria for diagnosis of locally recurrent head and neck tumors in helical CT. METHODS Retrospective study, 44 examinations with radiologically abnormal findings were re-read by two radiologists; findings were analysed and correlated with histological diagnosis and clinical findings. RESULTS 25 cases of local tumor recurrence were confirmed histologically. The accuracy of helical-CT in our preselected examinations for a local tumor recurrence was 93.5 %, the specificity 83.3 %. But 13/44 cases showed radiologically equivocal findings, among them 6 tumor recurrences. The most common characteristics of the 25 proven tumor recurrences were: contrast medium enhancement (96 %), increased volume in comparison to previous examination (92 %), inhomogenity (72 %); however contrast medium-enhancement and increasing volume were also seen in 68.4 % and 63.1 % of the benign changes. CONCLUSION Contrast medium enhancement and increasing volume are criteria with a high sensitivity but low specifity in predicting a local tumor recurrence in head and neck cancer.

We evaluated different techniques of contrast-enhanced phase-inversion ultrasound to visualize renal perfusion in native kidneys and kidney transplants.Contrast-enhanced phase inversion ultrasound with different levels of mechanical index and frame rate was performed in 20 kidneys of 13 healthy volunteers. In addition, five dysfunctioning kidneys of patients with chronic renal failure, five functionally intact kidney transplants, three kidney transplants with compensated renal failure, and two kidney transplants with acute rejection were studied. Analysis using a software algorithm for time-resolved perfusion imaging was compared to single-image analysis performed by three independent radiologists.Optimal depiction of renal perfusion was achieved only by using a mechanical index, which was high enough to destroy the microbubbles of the contrast agent (burst imaging) combined with a low frame rate (0.5 images/second). Renal cortex and medulla showed a homogeneous enhancement in kidneys of healthy volunteers and functionally intact renal transplants. Dysfunctioning kidneys of patients with chronic renal failure as well as kidney transplants with compensated renal failure or acute rejection showed a significantly reduced level of enhancement. Computer-assisted time-resolved perfusion analysis was not superior to single-image analysis.Renal perfusion patterns of normal and abnormal tissue can be visualized using contrast-enhanced phase-inversion ultrasound imaging.