Medicina
-
Review
Evidence of Age Estimation Procedures in Forensic Dentistry: Results from an Umbrella Review.
Background and objective: Age estimation is an important tool when dealing with human remains or undocumented minors. Although the skull, the skeleton or the hand-wrist are used in age estimation as maturity indicators, they often present a lack of good conditions for a correct identification or estimation. Few systematic reviews (SRs) have been recently published; therefore, this umbrella review critically assesses their level of evidence and provides a general, comprehensive view. ⋯ The SRs posited that Willems' method is more accurate and less prone to overestimation; most methods seem to be geographically sensitive; and 3D-imaging and artificial intelligence tools demonstrate high potential. Conclusions: The quality of evidence on age estimation using dental approaches was rated as low to moderate. Well-designed clinical trials and high-standard systematic reviews are essential to corroborate the accuracy of the different procedures for age estimation in forensic dentistry.
-
Background and Objectives: The increase in the incidence and diagnosis rate of breast cancer demands the optimization of resources. The aim of this study was to assess whether the supplementation of the interpectoral-pectoserratus plane block (PECS II) reduces surgery and post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) time in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective data-analysis study. ⋯ The total opioid consumption during the entire procedure (converted to morphine) was significantly lower in the Block group (16.37 mg (8-23.6)) as compared with the Control group (31.17 mg (16-46.5), p < 0.0001). No statistically significant difference was found in the PACU time, incidences of PONV, and postoperative pain. Conclusions: The interpectoral-pectoserratus plane (PECS II) block supplementation reduces surgery time, anesthesia time, and opioid consumption but not PACU time during breast cancer surgery.
-
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a self-propagating microorganism that commonly causes respiratory tract infections. It can also cause a variety of extrapulmonary symptoms with or independently of respiratory symptoms, such as skin lesions, arthralgia, myalgia, hemolysis, cardiac lesions, gastrointestinal symptoms, and central nervous system lesions, which are rare manifestations reported in approximately 0.1% of cases. In this study, we present a unique case of Mycoplasma-related abducens nerve palsy, polyarthritis, and erythema multiforme without respiratory disease. ⋯ The mechanism or pathogenesis of CNS manifestations caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae remains to be elucidated, and further investigation is needed. Hence, Mycoplasma infection is a common disease. Clinicians should be aware of the diverse manifestations, including abducens nerve palsy, of Mycoplasma infection and should consider Mycoplasma infection even in the absence of typical respiratory symptoms.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Anastomotic Leak and Perioperative Outcomes of Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Background and Objectives: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic influenced the healthcare system tremendously, as well as the number of elective surgical procedures worldwide. The aim of this study is to investigate the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on esophagectomies. Materials and Methods: The MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar bibliographical databases were systematically searched. ⋯ The 30-day readmission, and 30- and 90-day mortality were not affected either. The length of hospital stay was significantly lower in the non-pandemic period. Conclusions: The results of our study support the evidence that in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, esophageal cancer operations took place safely and effectively, similarly to the standards of the non-COVID-19 era.
-
Background and Objectives: The pathophysiology of mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD-MCI) is still not fully elucidated. It has been shown in a few studies in the literature that volume loss in the occipital, parietal and frontal cortices and atrophy in the hippocampus of PD-MCI patients can occur in the early stages of PD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between gray and white matter volumes and different neuropsychological tests and volumetric magnetic resonance imaging parameters in patients with mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD-MCI). ⋯ Results: We found that Mini Mental State Examination, Trail Making Test Part A, Clock Drawing Test, Benton Line Judgment Orientation Test and pentagon figure-copying scores were impaired in PD-MCI patients due to the decrease in brain volumes. Conclusions: Our study revealed that among PD-MCI patients, there was a more noticeable decline in White matter volume (WMV) based on volumetric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) compared to the localized loss of GMV. We think that these abnormal neuropsychological tests in PD-MCI patients can be used as pretests in the evaluation of the stage of transition to dementia.