This comprehensive reference work provides a detailed overview of shockwave therapy, a relatively new clinical specialty in modern medicine. It follows the evolution of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) from its initial stage as the gold standard for the disintegration of kidney stones to its regenerative effects in biological tissues. Starting with the basic principles of shockwave treatment, the book goes on to review its application in musculoskeletal disorders, including osteonecrosis of the hip, tendinopathy, fracture treatment, and treatment of sports related injuries. The application of ESWT in cardiovascular diseases is discussed. This includes preclinical and clinical applications for ischemic cardiovascular disease and effects on angiogenesis and anti-inflammation-molecular-cellular signaling pathways. The treatment of urinary diseases and erectile dysfunction by ESWT is elaborated. The book concludes with a discussion of future prospects of the shockwave therapy. Scholars and research fellows interested in shockwave medicine will benefit greatly from this work. It is also a useful clinical resource for nephrologists, urologists, cardiologists, and orthopedists.
The development of new technology in hearing aid devices as well as imaging techniques has improved the possibilities of meeting the patient's individual needs. This book, in which experts from around the world have contributed, comprehensively covers advances in all aspects of hearing implantation otology. Chapters review the evidence behind the current applications of the wide range of hearing implants available for different types of hearing loss. Further articles discuss the extended applications of implantation otology and let us have a glimpse into the future of hearing rehabilitation. New imaging techniques for the middle and inner ear are explored as well as innovations to improve Eustachian tube function. The publication is essential reading to otolaryngologists, audiologists and hearing rehabilitation professionals. It provides comprehensive coverage of state of the art hearing rehabilitation across the spectrum of hearing loss: as such it is a perfect tool for those who wish to develop their knowledge within the field.
Hormonal dysfunction can have a major and often complex impact on all key components of the metabolic syndrome. This book comprises state-of-the-art reviews on the subject written by recognized experts in the field of endocrinology. Each chapter covers specific manifestations associated with the metabolic syndrome in classic endocrine diseases. Compelling questions are highlighted and future directions presented. The topics covered include hypopituitarism, adrenal insufficiency, acromegaly, glucocorticoid excess, androgen excess, hypogonadism, prolactin, and thyroid and parathyroid hormone abnormalities. This book is meant to inspire subsequent research related to metabolic complications in endocrine diseases, thus enabling early detection as well as prompt and appropriate management.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains the largest cause of adult deaths from any single infectious disease, and ranks among the top 10 causes of death worldwide. When TB and war occur simultaneously, the inevitable consequences are disease, human misery, suffering, and heightened mortality. TB is, therefore, one of the most frequent and deadly diseases to complicate the special circumstances of warfare. Written by internationally acclaimed experts, this book provides a comprehensive analysis of the status of TB before, during and after WWII in the 25 belligerent countries that were chiefly involved. It summarizes the history of TB up to the present day. A special chapter on “Nazi Medicine, Tuberculosis and Genocide” examines the horrendous, inhuman Nazi ideology, which during WWII used TB as a justification for murder, and targeted the disease by eradicating millions who were afflicted by it. The final chapter summarizes the lessons learned from WWII and more recent wars and recommends anti-TB measures for future conflicts. This publication is not only of interest to TB specialists and pulmonologists but also to those interested in public health, infectious diseases, war-related issues and the history of medicine. It should also appeal to nonmedical readers like journalists and politicians.
Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent today not only among the elderly but pervasively throughout all ages of life.This is due, in part, to systemic diseases that affect vitamin D metabolism, to changes in lifestyle, such as insufficient exposure to sunlight, and to increased use of sunscreen. Apart from the obvious effects of vitamin D deficiency on skeletal metabolism, the problem is assuming even greater significance because observational and interventional studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. This book addresses a variety of important issues that have emerged from this fast-moving area of clinical medicine. The topics include assays of vitamin D and its binding protein, effects on aging and associated complications, primary and secondary states of altered parathyroid hormone secretion, vitamin D in the growing years of children and adolescents, nutritional requirements, and vitamin D as it relates to systemic disorders such as diabetes mellitus. Vitamin D in Clinical Medicine aims to offer new insights, in an evidence-based way, on important issues related to vitamin D. It is written for general practitioners and internists, as well as for endocrinologists, nutritionists, pulmonologists, cardiologists, and oncologists.
Hyperuricemia is often associated with life-style related disorders such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, which, in turn, are major causes of CKD. Improved management of hyperuricemia is thus expected to be beneficial for both the general population and CKD patients. This book presents new information on uric acid in tubular transport, early recognition of renal lesions, genetic predisposition, preeclampsia, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, high blood pressure in the young, and the relationship with vitamin D. Moreover, the relationship between AKI and uric acid, as well as the rejection of renal transplants due to hyperuricemia, are discussed. This publication will be of interest to both general practitioners and researchers working in the field of CKD. It provides new insights into renal damage caused by hyperuricemia and into prevention and treatment possibilities.
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a complex syndrome that is prevalent among hospitalized patients. In recent years, occurrence of AKI events has risen due to a growing susceptibility of fragile and elderly subjects and an increase in the use of complex procedures such as cardiovascular surgery and imaging techniques. Exposure to potentially nephrotoxic drugs, such as new chemotherapeutic agents, is also proving to be a cause of AKI. This book summarizes recent advances in various settings. A reappraisal of current definitions and staging classifications for AKI in the literature is followed by a description of new criteria for identifying patients at risk and characterizing early kidney damage by using biomarkers. Other important topics include the sequelae of AKI and AKI in special populations such as children, the elderly, and those with cancer. The effects of AKI and its consequences on healthcare expenditures are also addressed from several perspectives. AKI management requires the cooperation of different specialists to optimize outcomes. This book is thus a perfect tool not only for nephrologists, but for every specialist involved in the complicated endeavor of improving patient care.
Treatment of patients with intracranial gliomas, especially high-grade neoplasms, usually requires postoperative adjuvant therapy. Significant progress in the understanding of tumor biology, technological advances in irradiation delivery, and development of novel antitumor drugs have led to an expansion of the therapeutic arsenal in neuro-oncology. This publication provides a unique review of the various options for adjuvant therapy. Special emphasis is on current evidence-based treatment standards and guidelines, and on perspectives of further improvement in long-term outcomes. Chapters review the histopathological and molecular features of gliomas and describe basic principles and clinical results of fractionated radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, brachytherapy, use of radiosensitizers, systemic chemotherapy and antiangiogenic therapy. Particular attention is paid to treatment of pediatric patients and to physical and psychological rehabilitation and supportive care at the end of life. This book and its accompanying volumes are mainly directed at neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other clinicians treating patients with brain tumors.
This book summarizes the current state of movement disorder management and the role of surgical therapies as an alternative to medication. Following a chapter on the history of movement disorder surgery, leaders in their fields describe the pathophysiology, functional neuroanatomy, clinical presentation, and medical management of Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, and essential tremor. This is followed by chapters on the spectrum of movement disorder surgery itself, from the lesioning procedures of radiofrequency ablation, stereotactic radiosurgery, and high-frequency ultrasound to the modulatory procedures of “asleep”, image-guided deep brain stimulation (DBS) and “awake”, microelectrode-guided DBS. The final chapters focus on closed-loop DBS, drug-delivery, gene therapy, and other emerging neurosurgical therapies, highlighting long-standing experimental strategies that are reaching exciting phases of clinical translation. This volume is a valuable tool for accessing the wide spectrum of concepts that currently define this dynamic field.