Issue - Southern Medical Association

Editorial

Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infection An Overlooked Entity

ABSTRACTA single fresh stool sample was obtained from each of 99 foreign seamen evaluated for abdominal symptoms. One or more pathogenic parasitic infections were diagnosed in 38 of them.

Primary Article

ABSTRACTThis retrospective review of 33 consecutive patients with cancer of the pancreas was undertaken to investigate epidemiologic factors, presenting symptoms, diagnostic methods, site and extent of cancer, treatment approaches, and survival data. The most frequent presenting complaint, reported by 23 patients (70%), was abdominal pain. Diagnosis was established by radiography…

Primary Article

Complex Maxillofacial Fractures Management and Surgical Procedures

ABSTRACTComplex maxillofacial fractures may be defined as combined, mixed, or unclassified. Adequate diagnostic technics must be used with the formulation of a plan for general management and sequential maxillofacial surgery. The basic principle of building from the stable mandible to the first superior stable bone must be adhered to. Exploration…

Primary Article

Alcohol Abuse Its Implications in Trauma Care

ABSTRACTAlcohol abuse is the single most important aggravating factor in trauma and the severity of injuries sustained therefrom. The role of alcohol in fatal vehicular crashes is well recognized but is equally great or greater in falls, choking, drowning, burns, and assaults. Since the problem drinker is implicated in most…

Primary Article

Preoperative Hair Removal A Random Prospective Study of Shaving Versus Clipping

ABSTRACTWe report the results of a random, prospective study of electrical clipping versus routine razor shaving in the removal of hair immediately before operation. Two hundred patients having elective inguinal herniorrhaphy according to strict protocol were included in this study. Unsatisfactory skin preparation, as evidenced by gross cuts made in…

Primary Article

Interval Cholecystectomy An Appraisal

ABSTRACTInterval cholecystectomy (IC), the removal of a diseased gallbladder after drainage for acute infection, is considered an appropriate procedure in suitable patients. While increased technical problems can be expected, other potentially serious complications are frequently overlooked. This review, prompted by difficulties during IC, compares multiple parameters (eg, technical difficulties, morbidity,…

Primary Article

Human Tympanic Membrane Homograft

ABSTRACTA study of 20 human tympanic membrane homograft transplantations is presented. The criterion for success—a safe, dry ear—was met in 85% of the cases. Results suggest that homograft replacement should continue to be considered when conventional tympanoplasty fails.

Primary Article

Elevated Cerebrospinal Fluid Prolactin Concentration in Women With Pseudotumor Cerebri

ABSTRACTWhen comparing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) prolactin concentration in women having pseudotumor cerebri with men and women having other neurologic disorders, we found a significant increase in CSF prolactin in those subjects with pseudotumor cerebri. This finding suggests an active role for prolactin in CSF production and an etiologic role for…

Primary Article

Septic Shock and the Obstetrician/Gynecologist

ABSTRACTSeptic shock continues to be a serious problem with a mortality ranging from 11% to 82%, depending upon the cause, the time of diagnosis, and the type of treatment. The condition is seen in pregnant patients with postabortal or postpartal endometritis, chorioamnionitis, and pyelonephritis. In gynecology patients it is seen…

Primary Article

Correction

Primary Article

Chronic Traumatic Trigeminal Neuralgia

ABSTRACTAtypical facial pain or neuralgia and lower-half headache are confusing terms and should be discarded. Recurrent unilateral, throbbing, frontal headaches should be referred to as facial migraine. Patients whose trigeminal branches have been subjected to repeated surgical procedures and who have relentless unilateral face-jaw pain should be classified as having…

Primary Article

Rhinitis Medicamentosa The Forgotten Factor in Nasal Obstruction

ABSTRACTRebound nasal mucosal edema may follow the use of topical nasal vasoconstrictors for even a short time. The physician seeing a patient with nasal stuffiness should always ask about the usage of these substances. Management of patients with rhinitis medicamentosa includes making the diagnosis, reversing the mucosal changes, patient education,…

Primary Article

How Helpful is the Radioallergosorbent Test in the Diagnosis of Allergic Disease?

ABSTRACTWe compared the results of clinical history, skin testing, and radioallergosorbent test (RAST) scores on 274 patients seen in an allergy clinic, using nine different allergens, namely ragweed, oak, Bermuda grass, redtop, Timothy, Alternaria, cat hair, house dust, and dust mite. More than 90% of patients who reported clinical allergy…

Primary Article

Effects of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs on Renal Function in the Elderly

ABSTRACTThe effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on estimated creatinine clearance (ECC) was studied in a large ambulatory elderly population. ECC of participants using eight different NSAIDs and that of a control group using no drugs were compared. With one exception, ECCs of subjects using NSAIDs were lower than those…

Primary Article

Fractures of the Femoral Shaft A Prospective Study of Closed Intramedullary Nailing, Modified Open Intramedullary Nailing, and Cast-bracing

ABSTRACTOne hundred twelve consecutive fractures of the femoral diaphysis were treated in a prospective study at Grady Memorial Hospital, a designated trauma center, during the three-year period 1978 through 1980. Fifty of these were treated by closed intramedullary nailing; all united. Of the rest, 20 were treated by modified open…

Primary Article

Effect of Asphyxia on Theophylline Clearance in Newborns

ABSTRACTThe effect of asphyxia on theophylline clearance was studied in 30 newborns who were matched for gestational age, postnatal age, and the presence or absence of asphyxia. Asphyxiated newborns cleared theophylline at approximately half the rate of nonasphyxiated newborns. We found that, in order to achieve a steady-state plasma concentration…

Primary Article

Hydrocarbon Poisoning in Children

ABSTRACTHydrocarbons remain a significant cause of childhood poisoning. Aspiration of hydrocarbons into the lung causing a chemical pneumonitis is the most prominent feature of this poisoning. The symptoms of respiratory compromise occur shortly after the poisoning and may become more severe during the first 48 hours. Therapy is supportive, and…

Review Article

Transient Heart Disease in the Newborn

Current Concepts

Nutritional Considerations in the Critically Ill

Article

Educating Primary Physicians in Emergency Surgical Procedures

ABSTRACTWhile federal agencies explore ways to encourage physicians to enter primary care practice in underserved areas, they largely avoid the question of how well current training programs prepare physicians for that role. No systematic study has been made of skills in emergency procedures that may be needed in areas where…