scholarly journals Fifteen-minute consultation: Obvious and not-so-obvious mediastinal masses

2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (6) ◽  
pp. 298-303
Author(s):  
Katherine Green ◽  
Sam Behjati ◽  
Danny Cheng

ObjectivesTo present a structured approach to the management of a child with a mediastinal mass presenting to the emergency department. To raise awareness of presenting features of less-obvious mediastinal masses and to encourage consideration of mediastinal masses in differential diagnoses.MethodsReview of the relevant literature and review of London Paediatric Cancer Network supportive guidelines and subsequent description of the approach to a child presenting with features suggestive of a mediastinal mass.ConclusionsA systematic approach to history taking, clinical examination and investigation of a child presenting with a mediastinal mass will assist in the safe and timely management of children presenting when they are critically unwell. Anticipation of potential management complications and early transfer for ongoing management will improve patient outcomes and minimise morbidity.

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-98
Author(s):  
Brian A Bruckner ◽  
Matthias Loebe

Patients undergoing re-operative cardiac surgical procedures present a great challenge with regard to obtaining hemostasis in the surgical field. Adhesions are ever-present and these patients are often on oral anti-coagulants and platelet inhibitors. As part of a well-planned surgical intervention, a systematic approach to hemostasis should be employed to decrease blood transfusion requirement and improve patient outcomes. Topical hemostatic agents can be a great help to the surgeon in achieving surgical field hemostasis and are increasingly being employed. Our approach, to these difficult patients, includes the systematic and planned use of AristaAH, which is a novel hemostatic agent whose use has proven safe and efficacious in our patient population.


2017 ◽  
Vol 102 (6) ◽  
pp. 304-309
Author(s):  
Alison Salt ◽  
Jenefer Sargent

ObjectiveTo present a structured approach for an outpatient consultation for a child with developmental disability who may have an ocular or visual disorder.MethodReview of relevant literature and description of the approach to ocular and visual assessment which could be used by any paediatrician.ConclusionA systematic approach to history, observation and examination of a child with a developmental disability will assist in identifying a possible visual problem. A structured referral letter will ensure that the child will receive the most appropriate assessment to clarify the problem and appropriate management in the eye clinic.


Author(s):  
Sheri Palejwala ◽  
Jonnae Barry ◽  
Crystal Rodriguez ◽  
Chandni Parikh ◽  
Stephen Goldstein ◽  
...  

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e041743
Author(s):  
Christina Østervang ◽  
Annmarie Touborg Lassen ◽  
Charlotte Myhre Jensen ◽  
Elisabeth Coyne ◽  
Karin Brochstedt Dieperink

IntroductionThe development of acute symptoms or changes in diseases led to feelings of fear and vulnerability and the need for health professional support. Therefore, the care provided in the acute medical and surgical areas of the emergency department (ED) is highly important as it influences the confidence of patients and families in managing everyday life after discharge. There is an increase in short-episode (<24 hours) hospital admissions, related to demographic changes and a focus on outpatient care. Clear discharge information and inclusion in treatment decisions increase the patient’s and family’s ability to understand and manage health needs after discharge, reduces the risk of readmission. This study aims to identify the needs for ED care and develop a solution to improve outcomes of patients discharged within 24 hours of admission.Methods and analysisThe study comprises the three phases of a participatory design (PD). Phase 1 aims to understand and identify patient and family needs when discharged within 24 hours of admission. A qualitative observational study will be conducted in two different EDs, followed by 20 joint interviews with patients and their families. Four focus group interviews with healthcare professionals will provide understanding of the short pathways. Findings from phase 1 will inform phase 2, which aims to develop a solution to improve patient outcomes. Three workshops gathering relevant stakeholders are arranged in the design plus development of a solution with specific outcomes. The solution will be implemented and tested in phase 3. Here we report the study protocol of phase 1 and 2.Ethics and disseminationThe study is registered with the Danish Data Protection Agency (19/22672). Approval of the project has been granted by the Regional Committees on Health Research Ethics for Southern Denmark (S-20192000–111). Findings will be published in suitable international journals and disseminated through conferences.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i12-i42
Author(s):  
C Abbott ◽  
K Bishop ◽  
F Hill ◽  
C Finlow ◽  
R Maraj

Abstract Introduction In September 2017 our frailty service was started within our medium sized DGH in North Wales. Working with our management team we secured a significant clinical resource including: We describe how resources, setting and staffing develop over a 2 year period in order to create a service which meets the needs of the local population. Method The service has been in a constant state of development since it has been in operation, utilising a PDSA model with regular meetings of clinical and managerial staff to analyse performance. Results With each new PDSA cycle the amount of patients reviewed has increased. With the move to AMU we increased the monthly number of patients reviewed from 29 to 172 patients reviewed, 97 of which were discharged directly from the unit. Conclusion Using QI methodology our Frailty Service has improved dramatically since its inception. We will continue to analyse how we work to improve patient outcomes and cost effectiveness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 481-508
Author(s):  
Robert P. Carlyon ◽  
Tobias Goehring

AbstractCochlear implants (CIs) are the world’s most successful sensory prosthesis and have been the subject of intense research and development in recent decades. We critically review the progress in CI research, and its success in improving patient outcomes, from the turn of the century to the present day. The review focuses on the processing, stimulation, and audiological methods that have been used to try to improve speech perception by human CI listeners, and on fundamental new insights in the response of the auditory system to electrical stimulation. The introduction of directional microphones and of new noise reduction and pre-processing algorithms has produced robust and sometimes substantial improvements. Novel speech-processing algorithms, the use of current-focusing methods, and individualised (patient-by-patient) deactivation of subsets of electrodes have produced more modest improvements. We argue that incremental advances have and will continue to be made, that collectively these may substantially improve patient outcomes, but that the modest size of each individual advance will require greater attention to experimental design and power. We also briefly discuss the potential and limitations of promising technologies that are currently being developed in animal models, and suggest strategies for researchers to collectively maximise the potential of CIs to improve hearing in a wide range of listening situations.


Author(s):  
Joseph A. McGuire ◽  
Heather K. Hayanga ◽  
Jeremiah W. Hayanga ◽  
Daniel Sloyer ◽  
Matthew Ellison ◽  
...  

Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a rare congenital anomaly often associated with aortic insufficiency. The exact anatomy of QAV is variable, and most cases have undergone aortic valve replacement. With the recognition that aortic valve repair achieves superior patient outcomes as compared to replacement, a systematic approach to autologous reconstruction of QAV is needed. This article reports 2 cases having successful repair utilizing geometric aortic annuloplasty rings, and describes a proposed scheme for repairing most QAV defects, based on relative leaflet and commissural characteristics. Using either tri-leaflet or bicuspid ring annuloplasty, the normal sub-commissural triangles can be remodeled into a 120° or 180° configuration, respectively, and then the leaflets can be sutured and plicated to fit annular geometry. With this approach, most quadricuspid valves potentially could undergo autologous reconstruction.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly M Poth ◽  
Pavlos Texakalidis ◽  
Nicholas M Boulis

Abstract The field of chemogenetics has rapidly expanded over the last decade, and engineered receptors are currently utilized in the lab to better understand molecular interactions in the nervous system. We propose that chemogenetic receptors can be used for far more than investigational purposes. The potential benefit of adding chemogenetic neuromodulation to the current neurosurgical toolkit is substantial. There are several conditions currently treated surgically, electrically, and pharmacologically in clinic, and this review highlights how chemogenetic neuromodulation could improve patient outcomes over current neurosurgical techniques. We aim to emphasize the need to take these techniques from bench to bedside.


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