| Achilles tendon reflex in accidental hypothermia and hypothermic myxoedema. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 4121692 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The photomotogram (P.M.G.) of the Achilles tendon reflex was studied in 26 patients with hypothermia (rectal temperature 33.3 degrees C or less), 10 of whom also had myxoedema (serum protein bound iodine 2.8 mug/100 ml or less). No reflex could be elicited in eight (31%) of these patients, including three of those with myxoedema. Hypothermia increases both the contraction and the relaxation times of the reflex, the relaxation phase being particularly prolonged in those with myxoedema. In those patients from whom the reflex was elicited the ratio of the contraction time to the "half-relaxation time" in the P.M.G. was less than unity in six of the seven with myxoedema, and considerably greater than unity in eight of the 11 (73%) who were euthyroid. Thus, analysis of the Achilles tendon reflex P.M.G. correctly predicted the thyroid status in 14 of the 18 hypothermic patients in whom the Achilles tendon reflex was present (78%). The wider use of this rapid test of thyroid function would allow a more rational use of thyroid hormones in hypothermic patients and so lead to a better assessment of their value. |
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Authors:
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D Maclean; D R Taig; D Emslie-Smith |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: British medical journal Volume: 2 ISSN: 0007-1447 ISO Abbreviation: Br Med J Publication Date: 1973 Apr |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 1973-06-25 Completed Date: 1973-06-25 Revised Date: 2012-05-09 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0372673 Medline TA: Br Med J Country: ENGLAND |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 87-90 Citation Subset: AIM; IM |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Achilles Tendon
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physiopathology* Aged Child Female Humans Hypothermia / physiopathology* Hypothyroidism / physiopathology Male Middle Aged Muscle Contraction Myxedema / diagnosis, physiopathology* Reflex, Stretch* Thyroid Function Tests Thyroid Hormones / therapeutic use Time Factors |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Thyroid Hormones |
| Comments/Corrections | |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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