Infections

2019 ◽  
pp. 995-1002
Author(s):  
Scott D. Oates

Because of their exposed nature during human activities, infections of the hand are common. The anatomy of the hand and fingers also lends itself to unique types of infections that do not occur in other areas of the body, such as paronychia, felons, and fungal infections. Because of these unique types of infections, early surgical intervention is often necessary to prevent long-term functional sequelae. This requires healthcare providers to be knowledgeable of the signs and symptoms of these distinct infections in order to effectively treat these patients. This chapter describes many common hand infections and their treatment options.

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 195-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme Jones ◽  
Elena Panova

Rheumatoid arthritis is a leading musculoskeletal cause of disability in Western society. Therapeutic options have expanded rapidly with the advent of biological agents as treatment options. One of these, tocilizumab, targets the interleukin-6 receptor and has been approved since the late 2000s in many jurisdictions. This approval was based on 6–12 month trials. It is now appropriate to look at longer-term studies and what new insights they have provided into this agent. Data are based largely on observational studies with their well-known limitations as well as some further randomized trials and provide a number of important observations regarding both efficacy and safety. In conclusion, the longer-term data suggest tocilizumab efficacy increases over time for both signs and symptoms and radiographic change. It is also corticosteroid sparing. The safety data are consistent with the shorter-term trials and are largely reassuring but some questions still remain over cardiovascular safety and cancer risk.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Ashwag Yagoub Aloyouny

Introduction. Palatine tonsils are part of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, located in the oropharyngeal region. Although these tissues protect the body from foreign intruders, they are more prone to infections due to their anatomical structure and location. For instance, the differential diagnosis of a white lesion on the palatine tonsil can range from benign to malignant lesions. Oral lymphoepithelial cysts commonly arise as painless, yellowish nodules on the floor of the mouth and the ventral or lateral surface of the tongue. Case Presentation. This paper presents a rare case of an unusual site of a lymphoepithelial cyst (LEC) in the oral cavity. The lesion was located in the tonsil of a 20-year-old woman with a chief complaint of a painless, white lump in the back of the mouth for nine months. Discussion. The differential diagnosis of a white lesion on the palatine tonsil is caused by several factors, such as bacterial, viral, and fungal infections; trauma; stones; cysts; abscess; or cancer. In this case, both the clinical presentation and extra- and intraoral examinations were highly associated with LEC. Oral LEC etiopathogenesis is uncertain, and several theories have been proposed to discuss the causes of LEC. In addition, oral LEC could be monitored without surgical intervention if the nodule is asymptomatic. Conclusion. We emphasize the importance of a thorough clinical examination of oral and oropharyngeal lesions, which are usually neglected.


1990 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. 568-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claude Liguory ◽  
Jean Francois Lefebvre ◽  
Gary C Vitale

Endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts was attempted in 17 patients over an eight year period. There were nine cysts located in the head of the pancreas, six in the body and two in the tail. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed in all cases and the pancreatic duct satisfactorily opacified in 16 of the 17 patients. This study identified a communication with the pancreatic duct in seven cases. There were two cases in which multiple cysts were present; in each, one cyst was drained endoscopically and the others surgically. Endoscopic drainage of the cyst was immediately possible in 16 of 17 cases (94%). Late follow-up (mean 26 months) documented cyst disappearance in 11 cases (69%). None of the five patients with persistent cysts has required secondary surgical intervention, and the cysts are asymptomatic and stable or decreasing in size by serial scanning. There was one case (6%) in which a pseudocyst recurred following initial resolution. There were two complications (12%) requiring surgical intervention: gastrointestinal perforation with peritonitis in one patient and hemorrhage at the cyst margin from an arterial bleeder in another. There were no deaths at 30 days, but in one case a recurrent acute necrotizing pancrearitis occurred 36 days following endoscopic drainage and the patient died. This death was felt to be unrelated to the endoscopic procedure. In conclusion, internal drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts by endoscopic means can be proposed as an alternative to surgical drainage when the cyst can be identified as bulging into the stomach or duodenum. Immediate drainage is usually effective with a minimal long term recurrence rate.


2012 ◽  
Vol 117 (6) ◽  
pp. 1197-1204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Baptist Freimann ◽  
Christian Sprung

Object Overdrainage of CSF remains an unsolved problem in shunt therapy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate treatment options on overdrainage-related events enabled by the new generation of adjustable gravity-assisted valves. Methods The authors retrospectively studied the clinical course of 250 consecutive adult patients with various etiologies of hydrocephalus after shunt insertion for different signs and symptoms of overdrainage. Primary and secondary overdrainage were differentiated. The authors correlated the incidence of overdrainage with etiology of hydrocephalus, opening valve pressure, and patient parameters such as weight and size. Depending on the severity of overdrainage, they elevated the opening pressure, and follow-up was performed until overdrainage was resolved. Results The authors found 39 cases (15.6%) involving overdrainage-related problems—23 primary and 16 secondary overdrainage. The median follow-up period in these 39 patients was 2.1 years. There was no correlation between the incidence of overdrainage and any of the following factors: sex, age, size, or weight of the patients. There was also no statistical significance among the different etiologies of hydrocephalus, with the exception of congenital hydrocephalus. All of the “complications” could be resolved by readjusting the opening pressure of the valve in one or multiple steps, avoiding further operations. Conclusions Modern adjustable and gravity-assisted valves enable surgeons to set the opening pressure relatively low to avoid underdrainage without significantly raising the incidence of overdrainage and to treat overdrainage-related clinical and radiological complications without surgical intervention.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett A. Braly ◽  
David Lunardini ◽  
Chris Cornett ◽  
William F. Donaldson

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a degenerative process which may result in clinical signs and symptoms which require surgical intervention. Many treatment options have been proposed with various degrees of technical difficulty and technique sensitive benefits. We review laminoplasty as a motion-sparing posterior decompressive method. Current literature supports the use of laminoplasty for indicated decompression. We also decribe our surgical technique for an open-door, or “hinged”, laminoplasty.


Author(s):  
Xiwei Fan ◽  
Xiaoxin Wu ◽  
Ross Crawford ◽  
Yin Xiao ◽  
Indira Prasadam

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a long-term condition that causes joint pain and reduced movement. Notably, the same pathways governing cell growth, death, and differentiation during the growth and development of the body are also common drivers of OA. The osteochondral interface is a vital structure located between hyaline cartilage and subchondral bone. It plays a critical role in maintaining the physical and biological function, conveying joint mechanical stress, maintaining chondral microenvironment, as well as crosstalk and substance exchange through the osteochondral unit. In this review, we summarized the progress in research concerning the area of osteochondral junction, including its pathophysiological changes, molecular interactions, and signaling pathways that are related to the ultrastructure change. Multiple potential treatment options were also discussed in this review. A thorough understanding of these biological changes and molecular mechanisms in the pathologic process will advance our understanding of OA progression, and inform the development of effective therapeutics targeting OA.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-84
Author(s):  
Marlynda Happy Nurmalita Sari ◽  
Dina Dewi Anggraini

Background: The prevalence of anemia in adolescent girls in Indonesia is still high at 57.1%. As a result of anemia is adolescent learning achievement can decrease, work productivity decreases and body immunity decreases so that the body is easily infected. Long-term effects of anemia in adolescent girls can occur complications of pregnancy and even the risk of maternal and perinatal death. Purpose of this studi is provide counseling and early detection of anemia to Midwifery students as an effort to make them aware in preventing and overcoming anemia. Methods: The target of this activity is 132 students of the Blora Midwifery Diploma Program. This activity is carried out by providing information or knowledge in the form of counseling to students about anemia and followed by history and physical examination. Only students who showed signs and symptoms of anemia who were tested for HB levels were 30 students. Results: Early detection of 30 students there were 53.3% who were not anemic and 46.7% were anemic. Most of the students' menstruation period is 6-7 days which is 73.3%. While the results of counseling some students already understand about anemia. Conclusion: Of the 132 students only 30 showed signs and symptoms of anemia. Hb examination results are almost the same between respondents who are anemic and not anemic. It is hoped that the results of community service activities can be used as an illustration of the incidence of anemia in Midwifery students so that efforts can be made to prevent and manage anemia. Provide motivation and awareness to students to consume nutritious and iron-containing foods or to consume extra blood tablets.


1974 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Ezra A. Amsterdam ◽  
James L. Hughes ◽  
Richard R. Miller ◽  
Albert Iben ◽  
Edward Hurley ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 2333794X2110424
Author(s):  
Kimiya Amjadi

The potential long-term impacts of natural or man-made disasters on children and adolescents have been the subject of numerous scientific research studies over the past decades. Since the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, it has become even more important to continue these investigations in order to address the special needs of our youth. While the virus itself appears to cause less pathology in them compared to adults, the effects go beyond the disease itself. The pandemic has caused extremely high levels of stress for both the children and their families. As a result, special attention has to be given to the possible long-term impacts on their growth and development. It is very important for physicians and other healthcare providers to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress and monitor for physical and mental health inequities, and to be able to provide support when help is needed. Identifying culturally effective solutions and reaching out to community based organizations or partners for resources and programs with which families identify is an important part of this healing provision. Mind-body therapies and practices such as meditation, visualization, breathing exercises, Movazeneh®, and Tamarkoz® are effective complementary therapies that can be utilized in pediatrics and help children and adolescents learn self-care skills that they could apply throughout their lives. Health providers should become educated in these safe and noninvasive techniques themselves, and consider them as possible therapeutic approaches for the treatment of stress in their pediatric patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (18) ◽  
pp. 4208
Author(s):  
Fatma Kilinc ◽  
Bedjan Behmanesh ◽  
Volker Seifert ◽  
Gerhard Marquardt

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) after complete and sufficient division of the transverse ligament really exists. Another goal was to analyze the underlying reasons for recurrent CTS operated on in our department. Over an observation period of eleven years, 156 patients underwent surgical intervention due to CTS. The records of each patient were analyzed with respect to baseline data (age, gender, affected hand), as were clinical signs and symptoms pre- and postoperatively. To assess long-term results, standardized telephone interviews were performed using a structured questionnaire in which the patients were questioned about persisting symptoms, if any. Of the 156 patients, 128 underwent first surgical intervention due to CTS in our department. In long-term follow-up, two-thirds of these patients had no symptoms at all; one-third of the patients described mild persisting numbness. None of the patients experienced a recurrence of CTS. The 28 patients who received their first operation outside of our department were operated on for recurrent CTS. The cause of recurrence was incomplete division of the distal part of the transverse carpal ligament in all cases. The results suggest that recurrent CTS after complete and sufficient division of the transverse ligament is very unlikely.


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