Postgraduate medical journal
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Review Case Reports
Adult Still's disease and respiratory failure in a 74 year old woman.
A case of adult onset Still's disease in an elderly woman, that was associated with severe respiratory failure and multiorgan dysfunction, is reported. Histopathology was confirmed on open lung biopsy.
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To examine the current attitudes towards the prevention of venous thromboembolism among a cohort of surgeons. ⋯ This study confirms that Welsh surgeons conform to standard methods, but also highlights some uncertainties that are present in current surgical practice. Those who responded all routinely used prophylaxis, the timing of which was variable. The main risk factors identified when considering prophylaxis were previous history of deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism, hypercoagulability, and the presence of malignancy. Suggestions for future practice are made.
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Chronic subdural haematoma is predominantly a disease of the elderly. It usually follows a minor trauma. ⋯ Neurological state at the time of diagnosis is the most important prognostic factor. Morbidity and mortality is higher in the elderly but outcome is good in patients who undergo neurosurgical intervention.
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In 1993, the British Thoracic Society (BTS) issued guidelines for the management of spontaneous pneumothorax. The aim of this study was to determine the level of adherence to and awareness of these guidelines at a London teaching hospital. A retrospective case note audit of 59 episodes of acute spontaneous pneumothorax was performed. ⋯ A follow up questionnaire survey suggested a lack of familiarity with the guidelines. These findings indicate that current management of spontaneous pneumothorax deviates from the BTS guidelines in a number of potentially important respects. Attention should be directed to improving awareness of and access to clinical guidelines.