European journal of cancer care
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Little has been published on the use of imaging in palliative care. This paper discusses the use of 'in-house' ultrasound at the bedside in a specialist palliative care unit. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the potential uses of bedside ultrasound in the hospice population with consideration of length of stay and cost. ⋯ All scans were done on the day of admission. This paper provides an anecdotal experience in improving clinical care and convenience to patients and offers a potential tool for future evaluation as a bedside aid to clinical management. The results indicate a potential for a reduction in length of inpatient stay.
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Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) · Nov 2009
Case ReportsMediastinitis and mediastinitis-like symptoms associated with mal-positioning of a Port-A catheter.
Mediastinitis is a life-threatening condition and would appear to have been rarely reported as arising as a central-venous catheter-associated complication. Here we report on one cancer patient featuring a Port-A catheter tip positioned within the innominate vein, who developed mediastinitis and mediastinitis-like symptoms subsequent to chemotherapeutic-agent infusion through this catheter. The relevant literature pertaining to this condition was reviewed, and the possible pathophysiology of the condition was discussed.