Boletín de la Asociación Médica de Puerto Rico
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The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the trends in the use of blood products in our hospital during the last six years. We selected for the study packed red cells and platelet products since they are the most frequently used, on a unit per unit basis they represent a larger component of the transfusion service budget and finally are the most frequent units involved in transfusion reactions. ⋯ We have been able to define distinct changes in the trends of blood product utilization in our institution.
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Five myofascial pain syndromes, some mimicking more serious diseases, have been presented. They were diagnosed as and treated for: headache, shoulder bursitis, lumbar herniated disc with radiculopathy, angina pectoris and appendicitis. An understanding of these pain problems, produced from trigger points in muscles and ligaments, is important in order to differentiate myofascial pain syndromes from more dangerous diseases and to avoid unnecessary and expensive diagnostic procedures.
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The knowledge about rheumatic diseases in Latin American children is scanty. The features of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (J. R. ⋯ A. among children in the Caribbean are similar to other previously published series in U. S. A. and Europe.
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Two unrelated females with the syndrome of distichiasis-lymphedema are presented. In both families, the autosomal dominant nature of the syndrome was evident, with multiple affected males and females. In the prepubertal period this disease may be confused with Turner or Noonan syndromes. ⋯ Ptosis, pterygium colli, lymphedema, cleft palate and a low posterior hairline can confuse the phenotype. A history of corneal irritation, photophobia and a need to self-pluck eyelashes may be the clue to the diagnosis. Close follow-up for associated complications, counseling and support to these families may be our contributions as clinicians in ameliorating the burden this disease brings.