Irish journal of medical science
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Pelvic fractures are usually the result of high-energy trauma and may have associated soft tissue and organ damage resulting in significant morbidity and mortality in these patients. Currently, there is little data from Ireland regarding these injuries. ⋯ From our study, the typical patient profile is one of a male in his 30's involved in an RTA requiring acetabular surgery. This is in accordance with previously published international data and highlights the need for specialised units, training in this subspecialty and allocation of resources.
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Review Case Reports
Spontaneous intracranial hypotension: case reports and literature review.
The clinical syndrome of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) was first proposed in 1938 and describes a headache syndrome virtually identical to the headaches, which may follow dural puncture. Orthostatic headache, low cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure, and diffuse meningeal enhancement on post-contrast T1-weighted MRI brain studies are the major features of this increasingly recognised syndrome. We describe a case series of patients diagnosed with SIH, their treatment and outcome, and a review of the literature. We propose that this is an important cause of new daily persistent headaches, which is usually relatively easy to diagnose, and if recognised early, is eminently treatable.
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Case Reports
Mesenteric vasculitis in adults with Henoch-Schonlein purpura: a not-so-benign condition.
The gastrointestinal manifestations of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) are well characterised, but their recognition can be difficult when they occur in isolation. Furthermore, HSP can run a more serious course in adults, compared to children, in whom the disease usually occurs. ⋯ Although self-limiting in most patients, the outcome of HSP in adults can be far from benign and even fatal.
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Bisphosphonates are a class of chemical compounds used in the treatment of a variety of bone-related conditions. Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) is a well-recognised complication. C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide (CTX) estimation has been suggested as an indicator for the risk of BRONJ. It was reported that values <100 pg/ml represent a high risk of developing BRONJ following surgery and those between 100 and 150 pg/ml, a moderate risk. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the CTX test in predicting the development of BRONJ. ⋯ The CTX test was not predictive for the development of BRONJ following oral surgery.
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Platelets are involved in atherosclerosis. Mean platelet volume (MPV) could be a marker of platelet activation. We aim to determine whether MPV levels were correlated with the presence of atherosclerotic disease in carotid arteries of patients with stroke. ⋯ Our results indicate that an elevated MPV could be an easily measurable marker of severity of carotid stenosis in patients with atherothrombotic stroke.