Scot Med J
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The role of single pill combination therapy for stroke prevention remains to be established. We explored the perspectives of stroke survivors and healthcare professionals on single pill combination therapy for stroke prevention. ⋯ Stroke healthcare professionals and stroke survivors are most amenable to using single pill combination therapy for stable patients, although its role in this context should be evaluated in studies with risk factor targets and clinical outcomes as endpoints.
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Case Reports
Spuriously raised serum amylase in a five-year-old girl: a note of caution in paediatric blood sampling.
Capillary (finger prick) blood sampling is commonplace in paediatric practice but this method is prone to produce spurious laboratory results. ⋯ Increased awareness of the potential for salivary contamination of serum amylase in finger prick samples may prevent misdiagnoses of pancreatitis.
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We discuss the case and differential diagnoses of an elderly man who presented with bilateral facial palsy. He had injured his forehead in the garden during a fall on his face and the open wound was contaminated by soil. He then presented to the emergency department with facial weakness causing difficulty speaking. ⋯ C. tetani spores are widespread in the environment, including in the soil, and can survive hostile conditions for long periods of time. Transmission occurs when spores are introduced into the body, often through contaminated wounds. Tetanus in the United Kingdom is rare, but can prove fatal if there is a delay in recognition and treatment.
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The purpose of this study was to describe and characterise spinal fractures sustained by watercraft occupants due to splashdown of light watercraft when riding over uneven water surfaces. ⋯ Watercraft splashdown can transmit significant forces to occupants, resulting in Magerl type A vertebral fractures around the thoracolumbar junction. These injuries occur under compression. They are highly consistent in their morphology and localisation and should be excluded in individuals complaining of back pain after watercraft use. Almost all patients were from outside Malta and injuries were seasonal, providing opportunities for targeted injury prevention campaigns.