Internal medicine
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Objective Coronary plaques with low attenuation on computed tomography (CT) angiography may indicate vulnerable plaques. However, plaque CT attenuation is reported to be significantly affected by intracoronary attenuation. Recently, the diluted-contrast injection protocol was established to facilitate more uniform intracoronary attenuation than can be achieved with the generally used body-weight-adjusted protocol. ⋯ Although no significant difference was noted in conventional quantitative IVUS parameters (e.g. plaque burden), the T1 with lowest plaque CT attenuation had the highest percentage lipid area by IB-IVUS [75.1% (T1), 57.8% (T2), and 50.8% (T3), respectively, p<0.01]. Furthermore, the plaque CT attenuation had a significant negative correlation with the percentage lipid area (r=-0.59, p<0.01). Conclusion CT angiography-based plaque characterization using a diluted-contrast injection protocol may aid in the quantitative detection of lipid-rich plaque.
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Objective Ceftriaxone (CTRX) is a widely used antibiotic because of its long plasma half-life and good tissue transmission. Many of the reported studies on CTRX-associated pseudolithiasis were performed in children. Although some studies have been published in adults, there are no studies limited to elderly people. ⋯ A propensity analysis determined that the frequency of pseudolithiasis was increased in patients treated with >19 g total CTRX compared with those who received ≤19 g in total (OR 4.06, 95% CI 1.45-11.32, p=0.008). Conclusion The incidence rate of CTRX-induced pseudolithiasis is high in elderly people, and the CTRX dose and CTRX treatment duration are significant risk factors for pseudolithiasis. A total dose of >19 g increases the likelihood of pseudolithiasis formation in elderly people treated with CTRX.
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Hypoglycemia should be avoided when treating patients with diabetes. Repaglinide is an insulin secretagogue with a low hypoglycemic risk because of its rapid- and short-acting effects. ⋯ We herein report an elderly patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus and severe renal insufficiency who received repaglinide and hypoglycemia three days after starting clopidogrel. The concomitant use of repaglinide and clopidogrel can lead to hypoglycemia, especially in patients with severe renal insufficiency.
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Objective Maoto is a traditional Japanese Kampo formula used to treat influenza. However, clinical evidence for maoto has been limited to small-scale studies of its effect in alleviating symptoms. The present study evaluated whether or not the addition of maoto to a neuraminidase inhibitor was associated with a reduction in hospitalization following influenza. ⋯ The difference between these treatment groups was nonsignificant (common odds ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.74 to 1.22; p=0.695). Conclusion The addition of maoto to a neuraminidase inhibitor was not associated with a decrease in hospitalization among nonelderly patients with influenza. Further research is necessary to clarify the indication and efficacy of maoto.
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Objective Computed tomography (CT) can be used for visualizing acute intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs) as distinct hyperdense areas and cerebral edema as perihematomal low-density areas (LDAs). We observed a perihematomal LDA on CT, which appeared to be part of a hemorrhage on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in acute ICH. We named this "CT perihematomal rim" and evaluated its characteristics and clinical significance. ⋯ Conclusion CT perihematomal rims were observed in 29% of the patients with acute ICH. A perihematomal LDA (>7.5 mm) in acute ICH cases should be considered a CT perihematomal rim. Clinicians should be aware that the ICH volume on CT may be underestimated by 30%.