Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2004
Case ReportsSevere thrombocytopenia as a complication of acute Epstein-Barr virus infection.
Severe thrombocytopenia is an extremely rare complication of acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. EBV infection usually causes hematological abnormalities, mainly atypical lymphocytosis, which is a feature of infectious mononucleosis, and uncomplicated cases often present with mild decreases in platelet counts. Our otherwise healthy, 21-year-old male Caucasian patient had thrombocytopenia and bleeding diathesis with platelet counts of 8 x 10(9)/L without other signs and symptoms of infectious mononucleosis. ⋯ Platelet counts initially rose and then fell after we stopped administrating corticosteroids. Repeated administration of methylprednisolone was followed by full recovery of the platelet count and normalization of formerly elevated transaminases. EBV infection may happen in children, adolescents and adults and this differential diagnosis should be considered in every patient presenting with acute thrombocytopenia.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2004
Clinical and epidemiological features of Lyme borreliosis in Bulgaria.
Data on disease expression and epidemiological characteristics of Lyme borreliosis in south-eastern Europe are scarce. ⋯ The results of the study show that the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of Lyme borreliosis in Bulgaria are similar to those in the majority European countries but possess some distinguishing characteristics.
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Patients who are suspected of having acute appendicitis usually undergo surgery in order to avoid life-threatening complications such as perforation and peritonitis. However, acute appendicitis is difficult to distinguish from other sources of right-sided abdominal pain. The clinical picture is almost indistinguishable from appendiceal diverticulitis, which is a rare entity and remains a difficult diagnostic problem. ⋯ Every surgeon should be aware of the possibility of diverticulitis of the appendix in the operating room, even if this does not change the operative management. As diverticula of the cecum can be found as solitary lesions, as multiple lesions confined to the right colon, or as part of a generalized disease of the entire colon, postoperative barium enema examination may be useful.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2004
Editorial Comment Comparative StudyBreast cancer patients should not live without a HER-2/neu tissue result--but how safe can they live with it?