Dtsch Arztebl Int
-
Breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP) is common among cancer patients and markedly lowers their quality of life. The treatment for BTCP episodes that is recommended in current guidelines involves extended-release formulations in combination with rapid-onset and short-acting opioids. In the past few years, several new preparations of fentanyl, an opioid with a very rapid onset, have been approved for this indication. Treating physicians need to be aware of the clinical differences between the newer fentanyl preparations and immediate-release opioids. ⋯ The newer fentanyl preparations extend the treatment options for BTCP. They relieve pain within a short time better than conventional, immediate-release oral opioids do and may therefore be very helpful for patients with suddenly arising, intense, and short-lasting BTCP episodes. Further comparative trials are urgently needed.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Urethral stricture: etiology, investigation and treatments.
Urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra due to scar tissue, which leads to obstructive voiding dysfunction with potentially serious consequences for the entire urinary tract. Its prevalence among men in industrial countries is estimated at 0.9%. It produces obstructive and irritative urinary symptoms and can ultimately impair renal function. Urethral strictures can be caused by diagnostic or therapeutic urological procedures. These procedures are being performed ever more commonly, because the population is aging; thus, urethral strictures will probably become more common as well. ⋯ Urethral strictures must be recognized and treated so that their most serious long-term complication, impaired renal function, can be prevented. The clinical utility of urethrotomy is limited by a high recurrence rate.
-
Review
Extracorporeal pulmonary support in severe pulmonary failure in adults: a treatment rediscovered.
Severe, acute respiratory failure in adults still carries a high mortality. In recent years, improved pulmonary support techniques have been used increasingly alongside conventional treatment. About 1000 such treatments are performed in Germany annually, and the number is rising rapidly. The two types of systems currently in use involve venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and extracorporeal carbon dioxide elimination. ⋯ Modern miniaturized pulmonary support systems enable protective mechanical ventilation with low tidal volumes, reduce ventilator-associated lung injury, and can improve survival rates in critically ill patients with a manageable adverse effect profile.
-
It is estimated that up to 24% of the population in Germany suffers from allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and 5% from allergic asthma. Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis is closely related to other atopic diseases. ⋯ Even though the efficacy of SIT is well documented, it is still underused. SIT should be offered as standard treatment to patients suffering from allergic rhinitis.