Medicine
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Case Reports
Endovascular therapy for acute basilar artery occlusion caused by vertebral artery dissection: Case report.
The best endovascular therapy revascularization strategies for acute ischemic stroke caused by vertebral artery dissection (VAD) are unclear. We describes a case of basilar artery (BA) occlusion caused by extracranial VAD, in which we used a stent-retriever to achieve thrombectomy in the BA through the contralateral vertebral artery (VA). ⋯ When extracranial VAD complicated with BA occlusion, choosing the clean-road path to perform a BA thrombectomy may be a fast and effective treatment strategy.
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Case Reports
Exercise-based pulmonary rehabilitation for a post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis patient: A case report.
Pulmonary fibrosis is an infamous sequela of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia leading to long-lasting respiratory problems and activity limitations. Pulmonary rehabilitation is beneficial to improve the symptoms of lung fibrosis. We experienced a post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis patient who received a structured exercise-based pulmonary rehabilitation program. ⋯ Exercise-based pulmonary rehabilitation will help the post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis patients. This case suggested the importance of pulmonary rehabilitation program to the post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis patient.
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Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when gastric contents flow back into the esophagus and produce symptoms. Recurrent wheezing affects the quality of life for the patient and family. The association of gastroesophageal reflux with recurrent wheezing is suggested by different studies. ⋯ After 2 months treatment with proton pump inhibitors, the Boix Ochoa score was still positive in 15 patients (21.13%). Recurrent wheezing is a solid reason for evaluating the presence of gastroesophageal reflux by 24-hour continuous esophageal pH-metry. Adequate treatment of gastroesophageal reflux solves also the recurrent wheezing in the majority of patients.
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As one of the most challenging procedures in colorectal surgery, Hartmann reversal (HR) carries a burden of morbidity and mortality. We report our experience and compare open and laparoscopic HR. Between December 2012 and January 2020, 30 patients who underwent Hartmann reversal were reviewed. ⋯ No anastomosis leakage was reported. HR is an operation that can be performed safely in well-selected patients. Minimally invasive techniques, such as LHR, is an attractive option resulting in shorter operation time, less blood loss, less pain, and shorter hospital stay.
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Observational Study
The texture of collagen in the microenvironments of Merkel cell carcinoma.
Solid tumors typically contain high levels of fibrillar collagen. The increased stromal collagen deposition usually promotes cancer progression since biochemical and biophysical cues from tumor-associated collagen fibers stimulate neoplastic cells. Few studies have investigated the relationship between Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and the extracellular matrix (ECM), but there are no works evaluating collagen. ⋯ Profound changes in collagen fibers present in the stroma accompanying primary MCC may contribute to the aggressive behavior of this tumor. Our results indicate that whatever MCC histological subtype, size or anatomical location, MCC promotes the same type of ECM for its development. As an outlook, therapies using ECM macromolecules or fibroblasts (the architects of ECM remodeling) as target could be useful in the treatment of MCC.