Irish journal of medical science
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Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), with an incidence of 3%, is a common deformity. Correction of severe curvature of the deformity has attracted much investigation to achieve safe, reproducible results. We present our experience with a novel device for the correction of deformities across a spectrum of curve types, the rod link reducer. This system allows direct visualization of a mass derotation to achieve deformity correction. ⋯ The link rod system allows for excellent correction of spinal deformity and a short operative time.
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To rationalize the ordering of trauma cervical spine radiographs via the institution of electronic clinical decision support criteria. ⋯ Introduction of clinical indication criteria to the electronic ordering system for cervical spine radiographs in trauma patients reduced the total number of requests by 30.7% while increasing the proportion which were indicated to 99.2%.
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In western countries, there has been a gradual shift from Escherichia coli to Klebsiella pneumoniae as an emerging pathogen isolated from pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA). ⋯ E. coli liver abscess may preclude a worse outcome than other microbiological agents, including the development of septic shock and mortality. Aggressive management must be considered.
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Hereditary haemochromatosis is often not diagnosed until adulthood. Iron overload cardiomyopathy initially results in diastolic dysfunction and can result in arrhythmias and irreversible cardiac failure if untreated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with newly diagnosed hereditary haemochromatosis without signs of heart failure exhibit subclinical alterations of cardiac function and to determine if cardiac function improved after 1 year of venesection. ⋯ Among all measurements, radial strain, IVRT and left atrial force were shown to significantly improve following a 1-year course of venesection, suggesting that these parameters could be used to identify subclinical cardiac dysfunction in patients with iron overload secondary to hereditary haemochromatosis and to guide intensification of venesection therapy.
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Complex pelvic fractures present the orthopaedic surgeon with many challenges. 3-D printed models may provide assistance in pre-operative planning, may lead to improvements in intra-operative (i) decision making and (ii) efficiencies (time reduction, blood loss reduction, screening reduction) and may result in improvements in post-operative outcomes (fracture reduction & quality of life). The models also provide hands-on opportunities for orthopaedic trainees and patients. This may result in improvements in (i) education/training regarding the management of pelvic and acetabular fractures for orthopaedic trainees and (ii) improvements in patient consenting and overall patient satisfaction. ⋯ Whilst the authors recognize the positive subjective findings with respect to the use of 3-D printing in pelvic and acetabular trauma in our National Centre, objective findings were lacking.