SMJ // August 1988, Volume 81 - Issue 8
Editorial
WHAT WE CAN DO TODAY
Primary Article
Acute Viral Hepatitis in American Soldiers in Korea
ABSTRACT: To evaluate acute viral hepatitis in American troops stationed in South Korea, we retrospectively reviewed the hospital charts and laboratory records of patients who had a discharge diagnosis of hepatitis from January through September 1984. We then prospectively evaluated patients hospitalized because of acute hepatitis from Oct 1, 1984…
Primary Article
Delta Hepatitis: First Two Cases Identified in Kansas City
ABSTRACT: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) was identified in 1977 and has since been found to be a worldwide disease. Prevalence in North America is highest among drug abusers. We present two IV drug abusers from the city hospital in Kansas City as the first two cases identified in the city,…
Primary Article
Diaphragmatic Rupture Due to Blunt Trauma Morbidity and Mortality in 42 Cases
ABSTRACT: We present an analysis of 42 cases of acute rupture of the diaphragm by blunt trauma. There were 31 men (74%) and 11 women (26%); the mean age was 32.8 years ± 2.4 SEM. At admission, hypovolemic shock was present in 45% of the cases, pelvic fracture in 36%,…
Primary Article
Traumatic Rupture of the Thoracic Aorta
ABSTRACT: Between 1968 and 1981, 25 patients with acute traumatic rupture of the aorta were treated at the University of Virginia. Twenty-two of these patients (88%) had serious concomitant injuries. The aortic tear was just distal to the left subclavian artery in 19 patients (76%), and at other sites in…
Primary Article
Suppurative Thrombophlebitis: A New Look at a Continuing Problem
ABSTRACT: Despite knowledge of its existence and despite precautionary measures, suppurative thrombophlebitis remains a significant problem in critical care, with a reported incidence of approximately 4% and associated mortality as high as 83%. In a retrospective study, we identified additional risk factors such as emergency department or field placement of…
Primary Article
Diverticillitis: Management Patterns in a Community Hospital
ABSTRACT: I retrospectively reviewed a series of 402 patients treated for diverticulitis at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland. Patients were identified as medical or surgical, depending upon the service to which they were admitted. Patients aged 50 years or younger comprised 17.4% of the entire series and had…
Primary Article
Treatment of Otitis Media With Cefuroxime Axetil
ABSTRACT: Cefuroxime axetil and cefaclor were compared for efficacy in the treatment of acute otitis media with effusion. Sixty-four pediatric outpatients had tympanocentesis for culture, and then were randomized to a ten-day course of treatment with cefuroxime axetil or cefaclor. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were isolated from 25 (39%)…
Primary Article
Inflammatory Breast Disease: Mammographic Spectrum
ABSTRACT: We reviewed 27 biopsy-proven cases of inflammatory disease of the breast. Mammographic features of acute and chronic breast inflammation and abscess included focal increased density (68%), a spiculated mass (56%), skin thickening (48%), skin retraction (28%), and microcalcification (8%). We found considerable similarity between inflammation and malignancy.
Primary Article
Intramural Duodenal Hematoma in Children Reappraisal of Current Management
ABSTRACT: In children, intramural duodenal hematomas resulting from blunt abdominal trauma are generally managed nonoperatively with nasogastric suction and parenteral nutrition. Experience with three cases in which this form of treatment failed caused us to reappraise its benefits and results. Consequently, we now recommend surgical evacuation of intramural duodenal hematomas…
Primary Article
Influence of Cross-Education Training in Postoperative Hand Therapy
ABSTRACT: Early studies have shown an effect of cross-education training in normal volunteers and in patients with neuromuscular disorders. In this prospective study, I evaluated application of this principle after upper extremity surgery and immobilization. A detailed therapy program to the contralateral unoperated extremity was initiated in one half of…
Primary Article
Intrathoracic Lymphadenopathy in Postprimary Tuberculosis
ABSTRACT: In the past, hilar or mediastinal lymphadenopathy was considered by many to be a feature of only the primary or first infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and to exclude the diagnosis of reactivation or postprimary tuberculosis. In a series of 56 adult patients with documented postprimary disease due to M…
Primary Article
Diagnostic Variability in Suspected Pulmonary Embolism
ABSTRACT: Over a 12-month period, we observed adult patients with suspected pulmonary embolism referred for lung scanning to determine variability in the diagnostic process. Among 269 studies, 157 lung scans were judged necessary by predetermined criteria. Ninety-three of these 157 patients had inconclusive results (low probability, intermediate probability, or indeterminate)….
Primary Article
Pulmonary Complications of Percutaneous Nephrostomy and Kidney Stone Extraction
ABSTRACT: Percutaneous nephrostomy and percutaneous removal of kidney stones are widely used procedures that obviate the need for open urologic surgery in many patients. In six patients who had percutaneous renal manipulation, pulmonary complications of varying severity developed, including urinothorax, pneumothorax, hemorrhage, pleural effusion, pneumonia, and atelectasis. Patients having percutaneous…
Primary Article
Cranial Nerve Injuries After Carotid Artery Endarterectomy
ABSTRACT: We present a seven-year experience with cranial nerve injuries due to carotid artery endarterectomy. A total of 433 carotid endarterectomies were done on 355 patients by senior surgical residents, with a staff surgeon assisting. Thirteen cranial nerve injuries were identified, five of which were permanent. Knowledge of the anatomic…
Primary Article
Neovascularity in Venous Extension of Renal Cell Carcinoma: CT and Arteriographic Evaluation
ABSTRACT: Renal cell carcinoma with venous extension can be evaluated preoperatively using computerized tomography, venography, arteriography, sonography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The spectrum of venous involvement ranges from bland thrombus to tumor with neovascularity. With CT imaging, bland thrombus or tumor thrombus without vivid neovascularity will show a central area…
Primary Article
Efficacy of Histamine H1 and H2 Receptor Blockers in the Anesthetic Management During Operation for Hydatid Cysts of Liver and Lungs
ABSTRACT: We studied the effects of preoperative administration of histamine (H1 and H2) receptor blockers on hemodynamic changes in two groups of patients having operation for hydatid cyst. Patients in group 1 received no antihistaminics, whereas those in group 2 were pretreated with both H1 (diphenhydramine) and H2 (cimetidine) receptor…
Review Article
Cardiomyopathies of Infancy
ABSTRACT: Cardiomyopathies in infancy constitute an ill-defined group of conditions. Recently, however, a number of specific disorders of metabolism and mitochondrial abnormalities have been described. Idiopathic or primary cardiomyopathies remain poorly defined. Endocardial fibroelastosis, the most prominent member in this group, probably represents a reaction of the endocardium to various…
Current Concepts
Parkinsons Disease: Recent Advances in Therapy
Article
Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals
Edward J. Huth, M.D., Annals of Internal Medicine; Kathleen King, M.R.C.Path., The Medical Journal of Australia; Stephen P. Lock, M.D., British Medical Journal; George D. Lundberg; M.D., Journal of the American Medical Association; Ian Munro, M.B., The Lancet; Magne Nylenna, M.D., Tidsskrift for Dm Norske Laegeforening; Roy Rada, M.D., Index…
Medical Education
A Guide to Psychiatric Case Presentations
Acknowledgement
BOOKS RECEIVED
Article
Virgil SydenStricker: Special Reference to Niacin Deficiency Encephalopathy
ABSTRACT: Virgil Sydenstricker was a member of a notable American family which included authoress Pearl S. Buck and the eminent epidemiologist Edgar Sydenstricker. Dr. Sydenstrickers contributions in the fields of hematology and nutritional disease are legion. His landmark work in sickle cell anemia characterized a definite symptom complex with specific…
