Medicinski pregled
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Cauda equina syvndrome from lumbar disc herniation accounts for up to 2-3% of all disc herniations. The aim of this study was to investigate whether recovery of bladder function after surgery depends on preoperative duration of desease. ⋯ After accurate diagnosis and adequate operative treatment, postoperative results of cauda equina syndrome due to lumbar disc herniation appear satisfactory regardless of the timing of surgery.
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Goodpasture's syndrome is a rare, autoimmune disease characterized by pulmonary hemorrhage, glomerulonephritis and production of anti-GBM (glomerular basement membrane) antibodies. The etiology of this syndrome is still unknown. Goodpasture's syndrome usually starts with pulmonary hemorrhage, which is followed by symptoms of kidney disease. Laboratory findings often include: anemia, microhematuria, proteinuria, increased levels of urea and creatinine and anti-GBM antibodies. Diagnosis of this syndrome can be established by presence of pulmonary hemorrhage, pulmonary radiography, kidney biopsy and positive result of circulating anti-GBM antibodies. Treatment of this syndrome should be initiated as soon as possible using a combination of corticosteroids, cytostatics and plasmapheresis. ⋯ The most important thing in regard to Goodpasture's syndrome is quick diagnosis. Because of that, if patients report any kind of pulmonary hemorrhage, this syndrome must be considered At that point of time, kidney function is usually not irreversibly damaged. The second important thing in Goodpasture's syndrome is that treatment must be very aggressive using a combination of immunosuppressives and plasmapheresis. This is the only chance for these patients to avoid hemodialysis or death.
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Blood vessel injuries during arthroscopic knee surgeries are unusual and rare and comprise less than 1% of all arthroscopic complications. Between 1990 and 2004, at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Institute of Surgery, Novi Sad, 2100 arthroscopic knee surgeries were carried out. Only one case of false aneurysm of the geniculate lateral inferior artery was reported. ⋯ Only four injuries, that is false aneurysms of the exterior knee artery after knee arthroscopy, have been described so far. The possibility for this injury to occur lies in the fact the artery lies over and is parallel with the lateral knee joint line, at the very entrance of the anterolateral arthroscopic port. Since the latter is the most often used arthroscopic port to access the knee, the above injury is possible, but it does not minifest clinically. This complication is easily diagnosed by a pulsating tumefaction in the area of arthroscopic port and is confirmed by angiography. These rare blood vessel injuries, do not affect the usage of anterolateral arthroscopic procedure. If the injury does exist,, revision of the wound and artery ligature should be carried out, which does not affect the final treatment results.
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Neuropathic pain in cancer patients requires a focused clinical evaluation based on knowledge of common neuropathic pain syndromes. ⋯ Treatment of neuropathic pain remains a challenge for clinicians, because there is no accepted algorithm for analgesic treatment of neuropathic pain. Pharmacotherapy is considered to be the first line therapy. Opioids combined with non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs are warranted. If patient is relatively unresponsive to an opioid, a trial with adjuvant analgesics might be considered. Tricyclic antidepressants might be selected for patients with continuous dysesthesia, and anticonvulsants might be used if the pain is predominanty lancinating or paroxysmal. The complexity of neuropathic syndromes and underlying etiologic mechanisms warrant clinical trials to determine appropriate treatment.
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There are two isomers of ketamine: S(+) ketamine and R(-) ketamine. Effects of this drug are mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), opioid and muscarinic receptors. ⋯ Combination of ketamine and midazolam can be very useful and safe for sedation and pain relief in intensive care patients, especially during ventilator management. Ketamine may be the anesthetic of choice for painful procedures in intensive care units.