Acta clinica Croatica
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Posterior cortex seizures have a complex semiologic presentation that is especially challenging in the pediatric population. Therefore, using clinical presentation in localizing ictal involvement is not sufficient in children, thus making this type of epilepsy quite under-recognized. As most of the ictal symptoms are subjective and could well be overshadowed by symptoms arising from adjacent cortices, primarily temporal and central ones, it is necessary not to overlook this large source of pharmacoresistant epilepsies. ⋯ Using direct cortical recordings in delineating the epileptogenic zone is helpful in some cases but even highly experienced epileptologists may erroneously interpret some features as arising from other localizations, especially the frontal lobe. Epilepsy surgery from the posterior quadrant is still quite rare and relatively unsuccessful, especially in non-lesional epilepsies due to elaborate mechanisms of connectivity, misleading semiology, and non-localizing EEG recordings, possibly due to insufficiency of parietal cortex synchronicity. Applying the aforementioned to the pediatric age makes it perhaps the most difficult challenge for a pediatric epileptologist.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2021
DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION IN VOJVODINA.
The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients with chronic hepatitis C and how depression and anxiety correlate with respective health-related quality of life (HRQoL) domains, sociodemographic factors, and clinico-epidemiological characteristics. This prospective study involved 150 patients with chronic hepatitis C awaiting interferon treatment for hepatitis C and 150 healthy subjects. All individuals enrolled in the study completed the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. ⋯ Unemployment was associated with a higher degree of depression and anxiety. There was no association identified between duration of the disease, route of hepatitis C virus transmission, existence of cirrhosis, and depression or anxiety. The findings of this study can assist in developing a standard protocol for the management of chronic hepatitis C that will include psychological assessment and support.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2021
VISUAL OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA TREATED WITH DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT IN ROUTINE CLINICAL PRACTICE.
The aim was to evaluate visual outcomes of the real-life usage of dexamethasone (DEX) implants in diabetic macular edema (DME) patients and evaluate the possible additional visual acuity (VA) gain with combined treatment. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of DME patients treated with DEX implants. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and mean central retinal thickness (CRT) at baseline and one year were compared. ⋯ No difference in VA gain was found between the eyes receiving monotherapy and the eyes receiving combined treatment. In conclusion, DEX implant therapy was effective in gaining vision in DME patients. No additional VA gain was achieved with combined treatment.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2021
Case ReportsDEEP SEPTIC PELVIC THROMBOPHLEBITIS - A LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION IN POSTPARTUM PERIOD.
Deep septic pelvic thrombophlebitis is a rare but potentially devastating complication in the puerperium. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment of this postpartum complication is essential. We report a case of a 23-year-old multipara, who presented with persistent high fever and abdominal pain two days after delivery. ⋯ Streptococcus pyogenes group A was cultured from cervical swab. Treatment consisted of broad spectrum antibiotic therapy and low molecular weight heparin. She was dismissed for home care symptom-free fourteen days after delivery and referred to hematologist to diagnose the possible causes of thrombophilia.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2021
PREDICTIVE FACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL PROSTHETIC REHABILITATION AFTER VASCULAR TRANSTIBIAL AMPUTATION.
Lower extremity amputation is a very common amputation and successful prosthetic rehabilitation is a desirable outcome. The aim of this study was to determine which factors affect the success of prosthetic rehabilitation after transtibial vascular amputation. The study included 61 patients who had undergone transtibial amputation (mean age, 64.2±10.4 years; 50 (82%) males). ⋯ Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictive factors of successful prosthetic rehabilitation. The model included all variables explaining up to 59.8% of variance, however, only age, absence of functional patency of the popliteal artery and compromised wound healing made significant contribution to the model. In conclusion, good general condition of the patient and sustained patency of the popliteal artery reliably led to clinical improvement and realization of full capacity of rehabilitation after below-knee amputation.