Postgraduate medical journal
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In less than ideal situations wounds have to be closed without extensive cleaning using sterile adhesive strips (Steristrips). This prospective analyses the efficiency of this technique and compares it to the more conventional approach. ⋯ This technique, while contradicting the "sacred tenets" of wound closure, is a cheap, quick, and effective alternative to routine closure of traumatic wounds in a casualty department.
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A rare case of intramuscular lipomatosis of the tongue with intramuscular invasion in a 42 year old man is presented. The literature is reviewed and the clinical features, pathology, and treatment are discussed briefly.
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An 80 year old man, who relied on a home based meals-on-wheels service was admitted to hospital with non-specific symptoms, but had clinical and biochemical evidence of scurvy. Subsequently, all new admissions (n=37) to the department over a three week period were assessed for evidence of undernutrition. ⋯ The commonest symptom associated with vitamin C deficiency was anorexia, but overall, there was a paucity of clinical signs associated with vitamin C deficiency. The possible associations of vitamin C deficiency in the elderly are discussed.
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The following article is intended to provide a review of the current state of enteral feeding; a rapidly changing and developing field. It covers the type of feed, the routes of access, and the problems that can occur with enteral feeding.
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Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVM) are rare pulmonary vascular anomalies. Although most patients are asymptomatic, PAVMs can cause dyspnoea from right-to-left shunt. Because of paradoxical emboli, various central nervous system complications have been described including stroke and brain abscess. ⋯ Contrast echocardiography is useful for diagnosis and monitoring after treatment. Most patients should be treated. Therapeutic options include angiographic embolisation with metal coil or balloon occlusion and surgical excision.