The Medical journal of Malaysia
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Melioidosis is an important cause of sepsis in the tropics, is caused by an environmental saprophyte--B. pseudomallei. It affects mainly adults with underlying predisposing condition such as diabetes. The range of symptoms varies from benign and localized abscesses, to severe community-acquired pneumonia to acute fulminating septicaemia with multiple abscesses often leading to death. ⋯ Ceftazidime is the treatment of choice for severe melioidosis, but the response is slow. Maintenance or eradication therapy for a prolonged period is necessary to prevent relapse and recurrence. Monitoring IgG antibody levels may be useful as a guideline to determine the duration of eradication therapy.
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Case Reports
Central retinal artery occlusion and ophthalmoplegia following spinal surgery in the prone position.
A 14 year old boy underwent a 7 hour long spinal surgery for scoliosis in the prone position. In the immediate postoperative period, he developed right proptosis, periorbital swelling, chemosis and total ophthalmoplegia. ⋯ A rare manifestation of both vein and artery occlusion was possible in this patient as a result of external ocular compression due to a prolonged period in the prone position. This report highlights the importance of being aware of the possible complications of external ocular compression in non-ocular surgery.
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Patients with isolated severe head injury with diffuse axonal injury and without any surgical lesion may be treated safely without cerebral resuscitation and intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. Seventy two patients were divided into three groups of patients receiving treatment based on ICP-CPP-targeted, or conservative methods either with or without ventilation support. ⋯ There were higher risk of mortality (p < 0.001), worse GCS improvement upon discharge (p < 0.001) and longer ICU stays (p = 0.016) in ICP group compared to Intubation group. There were no significant statistical differences of GOS at 3rd and 6th months between all three groups.