Acta clinica Croatica
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Acta clinica Croatica · Aug 2022
THE ANATOMICAL AND MEASUREMENT STUDY OF ROSENMÜLLER FOSSA AND OROPHARYNGEAL STRUCTURES USING CONE BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY.
The objective of this study was to assess Rosenmüller fossa (RF) anatomy and neighboring structures using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). A total of 1000 patients were analyzed using CBCT. The reference points were based on the spina nasalis posterior (Snp) and basion. ⋯ RF, also described as the lateral pharyngeal recess, is a source location of nasopharyngeal carcinoma development. Its location is on the lateral pharyngeal wall posterior to the cartilaginous part of the eustachian tube, the torus tubarius. The knowledge of RF is important to diagnose and perform treatment planning of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Aug 2022
THE INCIDENCE OF COMORBID MENTAL AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONS IN PATIENTS WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.
There is a small body of research about mental and physical comorbidity in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients despite the fact that some psychiatric disorders and physical conditions are commonly comorbid with PTSD. In this study, we researched the relationship between PTSD and its mental and physical comorbidities by comparing the number of patient hospitalizations across two ten-year periods. Our sample consisted of 2761 patients with warfare PTSD hospitalized during the 20-year period (1999-2018). ⋯ Furthermore, no significant difference was found in the number of hospitalizations between the two ten-year periods for the group of PTSD patients with mental comorbidity. We argued that both mental and physical comorbidities along with PTSD are needed to induce a significantly higher level of distress in patients, resulting in a higher number of hospitalizations after a longer period of time. Patients with the most severe conditions and comorbidity have a greater need to seek help from mental health professionals as their mental and physical state deteriorates to a higher degree when not in the treatment of any kind.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Aug 2022
EFFICIENCY OF BREAST SHIELDING DEVICE IN OUT-OF-PLANE COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY IMAGING OF THE ABDOMEN - PRELIMINARY RESULTS.
The dose absorbed by sensitive breast glandular tissue in abdominal computed tomography examinations, even when the breasts are outside the primary imaging beam, is still significant. Several studies have explored using breast shielding with a protective lead sheet or a bra. Since the source of radiation in computed tomography rotates by 360° around the patient, we made a custom-tailored shielding device that wraps around the entire thorax. ⋯ Entrance surface doses were measured using thermoluminescence dosimeters placed on the skin of the breast in the control group without shielding and on the surface and below the shielding device in the group with anterior shielding and the group with the new device. As expected, according to literature data, doses measured at breast level were above the threshold that epidemiological studies determine as an increased risk of breast cancer development although they were not in the primary imaging plane. Preliminary results of our study showed that average dose reduction was 42% with conventional anterior shielding and 57% with wrapped shielding compared to the doses measured with no shielding.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Aug 2022
THE USE OF MICROBIOLOGICAL AND LABORATORY DATA IN THE CHOICE OF EMPIRICAL ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY - THE ROLE OF LOCAL ANTIBIOGRAMS.
Antibiotic therapy is indicated during acute cholecystitis. However, in the treatment of uncomplicated cholelithiasis, prophylactic use of antibiotics is controversial. Microbiological and laboratory data are the basis for the choice of antibiotic treatment. ⋯ To conclude, the administration of antibiotics in elective patients is not justified. The results of this study indicate that third-generation cephalosporin or ciprofloxacin + metronidazole should be administered in mild and moderate acute cholecystitis, and fourth-generation cephalosporin + metronidazole in severe acute cholecystitis in this local setting. The appropriate use of antibiotic agents is crucial and should be integrated into good clinical practice and standards of care.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Aug 2022
ReviewCLINICAL COURSE OF THE DISEASE AND TREATMENT OUTCOME IN PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANT LARYNGEAL TUMOR: RETROSPECTIVE FIVE-YEAR ANALYSIS.
The aim was to investigate clinical course of disease in patients with malignant laryngeal tumors with emphasis on various forms of disease recurrence (local recurrence, metastasis to regional lymph nodes, occurrence of second primary tumor). A retrospective research including 78 patients with histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of squamous cell laryngeal carcinoma was conducted. Information on cancer stage, histologic grade, type of treatment and disease recurrence was obtained from medical history. ⋯ The number of patients having not undergone oncologic therapy and remained free from disease recurrence was significantly higher than expected. Treatment outcome depends on patient age, histologic grade, radiotherapy applied, and clinical course of disease. It is necessary to define the predictive factors of various forms of disease recurrence more precisely in order to identify better treatment options for patients with malignant tumors of the larynx.