Boletín de la Asociación Médica de Puerto Rico
-
Tortuosity of the cervical segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) can hinder navigation intravascular devices for treating intracranial aneurysms and even complex ICA access techniques can fail. Variations in the course of the internal carotid artery are known as coiling, kinking or tortuosity of the vessel. ⋯ A potential alternative is the reconstruction of these anatomic anomalies of the carotid artery using neuro-interventional methods. We present a practical review of the literature.
-
Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis is an uncommon disease of unknown etiology characterized by the proliferation of abnormal smooth muscle cells in the lungs, leading to parenchymal destruction and progressive respiratory failure. The natural history of this disease remains poorly understood, primarily seen in women of childbearing age. The diagnosis can be difficult because symptoms are nonspecific and very similar to other respiratory diseases like asthma, emphysema and bronchitis. ⋯ The recent advances in genetic and molecular research provide new hope to discover the intricate mechanism of disease and evaluate new therapies. Internists, primary care physicians and pulmonologists should be aware of this condition in order to avoid delay in the diagnosis and institute appropriate therapy. The clinical features, pathophysiology, molecular genetics and medical treatment will be reviewed.
-
Comparative Study
Comparison of the appropriate use of antibiotics based on clinical guidelines between physicians in-training versus practicing physicians.
The inappropriate antibiotic can lead to serious negative effects on health. This has been the cause of emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria and the need of surveillance of antibiotics in the inpatient setting. An adequate knowledge on which and when prescribing antibiotics is essential to avoid these issues. ⋯ One of our questions was related to the treatment of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) positive Escherichia coli (E. coli) and more than 50% of the surveyed failed to answer the question correctly. Conditions as viral respiratory tract infections and community acquired pneumonia had the higher correctly answered questions among the groups. Our questionnaire demonstrates that guidelines have to reach the education among the general physician population to decrease the overuse of inadequate antibiotics, and education should be strengthen on those internal medicine physicians that have already completed formal training.