J Formos Med Assoc
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Otologic and audiologic characteristics of Turner syndrome (TS) have been well documented in Caucasian-but not in Asian-populations. We report these features and possible causative factors for hearing loss in ethnic Chinese TS patients in Taiwan. ⋯ We found varying degrees of otologic and audiologic abnormalities among the TS in ethnic Chinese population. About one-half of the patients had recurrent OM, which was more likely to be associated with CHL in early life. Therefore, regular surveillance, early diagnosis, and the initiation of appropriate treatment are crucial in improving the hearing and speech in children with TS as well as in preventing short- and long-term associated complications.
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Comparative Study
Use of an intubating laryngeal mask airway on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients in a developing emergency medical service system.
An intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) is an alternative device for airway control, capable of providing effective ventilation in various situations. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of the ILMA and bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilation devices on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. ⋯ Well-trained EMTs were able to insert the ILMA and ventilate OHCA patients properly in prehospital settings, and ILMA-treated OHCA patients had better short-term outcomes than BVM-treated patients.
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Ketamine hydrochloride, commonly used as a pediatric anesthetic agent, is an N-methyl-D-aspartic (NMDA) acid receptor antagonist with rapid onset and short duration of action. It produces a cataleptic-like state where the patient is dissociated from the surrounding environment by direct action on the cortex and limbic system. It has emerged as an increasingly popular choice among young drug users, especially within dance club venues. ⋯ Cessation of ketamine abuse was the milestone of treatment, followed by the administration of mucosal protective agents, such as pentosan polysulphate or hyaluronic acid. Suprapubic pain was improved in three patients during follow-up. However, the outcome of treatment depends on the severity of the disease process, similar to that of interstitial cystitis (IC).