Presse Med
-
Primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA) is characterized by the association of localized abdominal pain with guarding. Depending on its localization, it may simulate acute appendicitis or diverticular sigmoiditis. Symptoms correspond to necrosis of the epiploic appendix due the torsion and vascular occlusion of the main epiploic pedicle. ⋯ PEA is a rare disease. It often occurs in mildly overweight adult men (around 35 years of age). The combination of acute abdomen with localized abdominal guarding and no evidence of fever or inflammation is the typical presentation. Surgical exploration (laparoscopy) can be avoided for diagnosis if helical CT shows a localized fatty zone situated outside the colon wall with a high attenuating dot point that corresponds to central necrosis of the epiploic appendix.
-
Given that viruses may not have adapted to human-to-human transmission during their initial emergence in humans, they may thus be easier to control; accordingly, early detection by surveillance of unusual outbreaks is essential. Our healthcare systems are very vulnerable to viruses with a particular tropism for hospital personnel. International collaboration by teams of epidemiologists as well as virologists was the key to success against SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). ⋯ It was thus possible to isolate cases before they became contagious. SARS provided a good "dress rehearsal" and educated the public authorities about the issues of infectious pandemics. The specific types of new epidemics cannot be predicted but they are inevitable.
-
To analyze patients' assessment of quality of care in our intensive care unit. ⋯ Nearly half of the respondents underwent painful procedures, primarily endotracheal suctioning. One third did not know why they had been in the ICU. To improve the quality of intensive care, it is essential to make the nursing and medical teams aware of these findings.