Irish journal of medical science
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Comment Letter Comparative Study
Pregnancy and perinatal outcomes after assisted reproduction: a comparative study.
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Review Case Reports
Severe abdominal injuries sustained in an adult wearing a pelvic seatbelt: a case report and review of the literature.
In automobile accidents, the "seatbelt syndrome" (SBS) consists of a constellation of injuries, predominantly involving thoraco-lumbar vertebral fractures and intraabdominal organ injury. A recent amendment to Irish legislation has made the wearing of seatbelts mandatory for all rear seated passengers in an effort to protect children. Whilst rear seatbelts result in a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality following road traffic accidents (RTA), we present a case in which the rear lap seatbelt caused severe abdominal injuries. It is evident that the current rear seat lapbelt system is an inferior design associated with a significant morbidity and mortality when compared to three-point harness system and consideration should be given to replacing them in all motor vehicles.
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A 29-year-old man was admitted with a 7-day history of progressive non-specific abdominal pain that progressed to small bowel obstruction following ingestion of a 20-pence coin 4-months previously. Colonoscopic retrieval was unsuccessful. A subsequent laparotomy revealed a chronically inflamed thickened terminal ileum with mesenteric fat encroachment necessitating a right hemicolectomy. Histopathological analysis confirmed Crohn's disease with impaction of the 20-pence coin in a distal terminal ileum stricture near the ileo-caecal valve. ⋯ This case describes a rare presentation of Crohn's disease and highlights the need to consider underlying gastrointestinal pathology in patients presenting with a deteriorating clinical condition in the presence of an incidental foreign body.
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Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema are rare complications of acute asthma. If pneumomediastinum occurs it can cause compression on major vessels in the mediastinum and neck and can lead to low blood pressure along with chest pain and other life-threatening complications. Therefore, knowledge of this condition and its proper management are very important for doctors. ⋯ The authors report on a case of pneumomediastinum and surgical emphysema and discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of this condition. In this report a 20 year-old girl presented to A and E department of Mayo General Hospital with an acute exacerbation of asthma complicated by pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema.
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Comparative Study
A comparison of suicide rates between older adults in Ireland and the UK: 1975-2005.
In recent years suicide among older adults has been increasing internationally. The suicide rate among older adults in Ireland is no exception. ⋯ The increased consumption of alcohol in Ireland compared to the UK as well as a higher prevalence of depression among older people in Ireland may account for the observed difference. Findings have implications for suicide prevention in Ireland.