J Formos Med Assoc
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Few studies have explored the field experiences and risk factors related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among disaster rescue workers. ⋯ Not only personality characteristics but also the task components could alter the PTSD risks in disasters. A broad realization of these risks may improve the mental outcomes of disaster rescuers.
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Treatment of severe asthma exacerbation could be challenging, especially in the initial hours of acute attack when systemic corticosteroid is yet to take effect. In spite of using inhaled agents, the role of non-invasive ventilation (NIV), including Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP), had been addressed recently. ⋯ BiPAP seemed efficient in improving respiratory rate and oxygenation in our study. It does not seem to cause additional irritation regarding that HR was not increased in BiPAP group compared with non-BiPAP group. Overall, BiPAP ventilation is safe and efficient in treating children with severe asthma attack.
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Increased abdominal pressure is common in obese patients and predisposes them to gastroesophageal regurgitation (GER). To drain GER and prevent aspiration, nasogastric (NG) tubes are frequently inserted in obese patients undergoing general anesthesia. However, whether gastric drainage actually decreases the occurrence of GER remains to be elucidated. ⋯ Fifteen patients undergoing elective gynecologic laparoscopy were enrolled in this study. Thirteen patients (86%) developed GER while in the LPT position. With the high occurrence of GER, pre-inserted NG tubes under general anesthesia are not likely to be protective in obese patients.
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Review Case Reports
Triple-negative breast cancer with calcified metastases of hepatic, portal vein and inferior vena cava: Report of a case and review of the literature.
Breast cancer frequently metastasizes to the liver and this usually bears a poor prognosis. Complete calcifications of hepatic, portal vein and inferior vena cava (IVC) metastases from breast cancer after systemic chemotherapy is extremely rare and to our knowledge, has never been reported. It is important for physicians to recognize the pattern and the formation of calcified liver metastases because the radiographic features of calcifications may assist in differentiating the etiologies of underlying malignancies and provide prognostic significance. We here presented such a case of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) with calcified liver, portal vein and IVC metastases, and reviewed the literature.