Medicine
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Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), or secondary hemophagocytic lymphocytosis (sHLH), is a rare systemic inflammatory response syndrome that is fatal. Adult patients lack clear criteria for diagnosis and treatment, primarily derived from guidelines and protocols for treating family hemophagocytic lymphocytosis and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA)-related MAS in children or from retrospective case reports. As a subtype of sHLH, MAS has a clinical presentation like sHLH, but treatment varies. Herein, we report the case of a 40-year-old female with MAS caused by a connective tissue disease. ⋯ MAS/HLH lacks clear criteria for diagnosis or treatment in adult patients and is extremely difficult to distinguish from bacterial sepsis or other systemic inflammatory response syndromes. Consequently, early diagnosis and treatment are indispensable for enhancing patient survival.
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With the increasing adoption of medial epicanthoplasty or reconstruction procedures, the number of patients undergoing reoperations is also increasing. However, the surgical techniques useful for reoperations and the potential difficulties during reoperations have not been adequately elucidated. We aimed to describe the use of our modified reverse skin-redraping technique to improve cosmetic outcomes in patients who had previously undergone epicanthal reconstruction. ⋯ The scarred round shape of the medial epicanthus during the reoperation poses difficulties, and the optimal technique to be used remains unknown. We believe that selection of an individualized restoration method that suits the purpose of surgery is important for patients who require reoperations. In this respect, we suggest that our modified reverse skin-redraping method is a suitable option for improving esthetic outcomes.
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The effect and safety of the Tubridge flow diverting device are unknown in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms after optimization of the device, improvement in the deployment of the device, and accumulation of experience of using the device. This retrospective one-center study was performed to investigate the clinical effect and safety of the Tubridge flow diverting device in the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Twenty-three patients with 33 unruptured intracranial aneurysms which were treated with the Tubridge device were retrospectively enrolled. ⋯ Twenty-three (100%) patients had clinical follow-up 6 months later, with the mRS of 0 in 21 patients, 1 in 1, and 2 in 1. Five (21.7%) patients with 11 aneurysms underwent digital subtraction angiography at 6-month follow-up, with 8 aneurysms being completely occluded (Raymond grade I) and 3 aneurysms still visible (Raymond grade III). The Tubridge flow diverter may be safe and effective in the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms with low perioperative complications and good follow-up outcomes even though multi-center and prospective clinical studies with a large size sample are still needed to validate these results.
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Immunosuppressive drugs are routinely used to treat myasthenia gravis (MG). However, current recommendations provide limited evidence to support treatment options, leading to considerable variation in practice among healthcare specialists. Hence, we present a protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) to update the evidence by comparing the efficacy and acceptability of oral immunosuppressive drugs for the treatment of MG. ⋯ In the absence of head-to-head trials comparing therapies, evidence from this NMA of available clinical trials will inform clinicians, patients, and families the risk-benefit profiles of different treatment options.
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Herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia showed an increasing incidence during past two decades. Most of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia patients suffered from pain, anxiety, and depression. Fire needle combined with cupping is becoming a popular way to relieve the pain caused by herpes zoster and decrease the incidence of post-herpetic neuralgia. In this study, we aim to investigating the efficacy and safety of fire needle combined with cupping for the treatment of acute herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). ⋯ This review will provide certain evidence to compare the efficacy and safety of combined acupuncture and cupping with guideline recommended drug or nerve block therapy for the treatment of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia. It will potentially provide more clinical suggestions and guidelines for health care professionals, policymakers, and researchers.