J Formos Med Assoc
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Review
Radiation-induced swallowing dysfunction in patients with head and neck cancer: A literature review.
Swallowing dysfunction is a prevailing state following radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer. Following the advancement of cancer treatment in recent years, the survival rate of head and neck cancer has gradually increased. Simultaneously, patients with head and neck cancer suffer due to the long-duration and more prominent swallowing dysfunction states. ⋯ When swallowing dysfunction occurs, patients usually seek medical help and are referred for rehabilitation therapy, such as muscle strengthening and tongue resistance exercise. Furthermore, clinicians should discuss with patients how and when to place the feeding tube. Only through detailed evaluation and management can swallowing dysfunction resolve and improve the quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer following radiotherapy.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Long-term cognitive and multimodal imaging outcomes after carotid artery stenting vs intensive medication alone for severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis.
Severe carotid stenosis is associated with cognitive impairment, which may be attributed to asymptomatic microembolism and/or chronic hypoperfusion. We aim to evaluate the long-term cognitive and brain connectivity outcomes of carotid artery stenting (CAS) for asymptomatic ≥70% stenosis of the extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA). ⋯ For asymptomatic extracranial carotid steno-occlusion, successful carotid revascularization in addition to intensive medical treatment may potentially benefit cognitive reserve and connectivity strength which are partly attributed to restoration of non-critical hypoperfusion.
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Multicenter Study
Characteristics and outcomes of second cancers in patients with childhood cancer: A report from the Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group.
Patients with childhood cancer are at increased risk for the development of second cancers. ⋯ Children who develop a second cancer have an unfavorable outcome. Early detection and improved treatment for second cancers are needed.
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Case Reports
Molecular diagnosis and therapy for Plasmodium ovale infection of a returned traveler from East Africa.
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites that are mainly transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The average annual number of malaria cases was less than ten in Taiwan in the last five years. Most of the cases were caused by Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum, and were primarily diagnosed in travelers who returned from Southeast Asia and Africa. Here, we report the first case of Plasmodium ovale infection within five years that was confirmed by peripheral blood smear examination and molecular identification in a 25-year-old Asian female patient who returned from Uganda.
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Observational Study
Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors for prolonged mechanical ventilation in patients with acute stroke and brain trauma.
Neurological dysfunction is a common condition necessitating prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). We investigated the clinical features and outcomes of patients with acute neurological diseases requiring PMV. ⋯ Reduced RCC GCS score is an independent prognostic factor for weaning failure, and is associated with increased in-hospital mortality rates in patients with acute stroke and brain trauma requiring PMV.