Irish journal of medical science
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Nasal septum deviation/concha bullosa (DNS)/(CB) are known to be predisposing factors in the pathophysiology of acute rhinosinusitis (ARS). However, the effects of surgical treatment of these pathologies on ARS have not been adequately investigated. ⋯ The present study determined that successful surgeries performed in patients with DNS/CB resulted in a significant decrease in the average annual number of examinations performed for ARS, number of AB prescriptions, and prescription, examination, and total health system costs. With these results, it seems beneficial to direct patients to surgery within the framework of the health policies of countries to reduce the frequency and financial burden of ARS in DNS/CB patients.
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Review Case Reports
Nitrous oxide-induced myeloneuropathy: an emerging public health issue.
Increasing use of nitrous oxide as a recreational drug has been reported among young adults in western countries over the past decade. We present two cases of young males presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) of a large urban university hospital in Dublin with progressive neurological dysfunction related to nitrous oxide use. We review the pathophysiology, clinical features and treatment of nitrous oxide neurotoxicity. It is important that clinicians are aware of this evolving public health issue and are able to recognize the clinical features of this rare presentation, which may become more common in Irish EDs and GP surgeries as nitrous oxide abuse becomes more prevalent.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
How does treadmill training contribute to botulinum toxin application plus routine physical therapy in ambulatory children with spastic bilateral cerebral palsy? A randomized controlled trial.
In spite of treadmill training and multilevel botulinum toxin (BoNT-A) injection being the two most commonly used treatment methods in pediatric rehabilitation management, there was no study investigating the effect of treadmill training after BoNT-A injection in children with cerebral palsy (CP). ⋯ Treadmill training in addition to routine physical therapy after BoNT-A injection is beneficial for hip muscle strength, ankle selective motor control, walking quality, and functional mobility in the short term.
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Brolucizumab is a novel humanised, single-chain, variable fragment inhibitor of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A for the treatment of neurovascular age-related macular degeneration. Brolucizumab gained US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency approval following the Phase III HAWK (NCT02307682) and HARRIER (NCT02434328) trials which compared brolucizumab with aflibercept, presenting a tolerable safety and favourable efficacy profile. The mean change (least squares [LS] mean ± standard error) in best-corrected visual acuity letters from baseline to week 96 in the HAWK trial was 5.9 ± 0.78 for brolucizumab (6 mg) versus 5.3 ± 0.78 for aflibercept, and in the HARRIER trial, 6.1 ± 0.73 (6 mg) for brolucizumab (6 mg) and 6.6 ± 0.73 for aflibercept. ⋯ Findings from trials and real-world data indicate there may be pre-defining risk factors that predispose patients to IOI following brolucizumab treatment. With a thorough understanding of IOI classification and best practice management, ophthalmologists can use brolucizumab confidently and, should a case arise, they should act quickly to prevent vision loss. Herein, we provide information and guidance to support clinical decision-making related to brolucizumab use.
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Review Case Reports
Iatrogenic adrenaline induced mid-ventricular Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a case-based review.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is regarded as an acute and often reversible cardiac syndrome characterised by apical ballooning of the left ventricle that occurs in the absence of coronary artery obstruction and myocarditis. The underlying pathophysiology remains largely unknown, but the most widely accepted theory is catecholamine toxicity. ⋯ This report describes the first documented case of a patient who developed MVTCM after receiving a dose of intravenous adrenaline. This case provides further evidence to support the notion that catecholamine toxicity is implicated in the pathogenesis of TCM.