Southern medical journal
-
Infections due to non-neoformans cryptococci are rare. We report the first case of a human infection caused by Cryptococcus uniguttulatus. ⋯ In vitro sensitivity testing showed the Cryptococcus species sensitive to amphotericin B and itraconazole. Treatment with amphotericin led to resolution of the infection.
-
The case of an elderly, emaciated female patient with recurrent lower abdominal and hip pain associated with nausea and vomiting due to an incarcerated obturator hernia is described. The presence of a Howship-Romberg sign and a tender mass on digital rectal examination in this thin, elderly woman with a small bowel obstruction led to the rapid diagnosis of an obturator hernia by computed tomography (CT). The high mortality rate associated with this most lethal of all abdominal hernias requires a high index of suspicion to facilitate rapid diagnosis and surgical intervention if the survival rate is to be improved.
-
Electrical injuries may occur from high or low voltage contact. Low voltage injuries usually occur in the home, tetany may lead to sustained contact, and dangerous cardiac disturbances often result. ⋯ Electrical injury more closely resembles a crush injury than a thermal injury and is managed accordingly. External manifestations often belie the severity of deeper wounds.
-
Southern medical journal · Dec 2000
Comparative StudyCoronary angioplasty in black and white patients: demographic characteristics and outcomes.
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is an effective means of revascularization, but differences may exist in application and outcomes for patient subgroups. Few data compare PTCA in black and white patients. ⋯ At our center, black patients have success rates, in-hospital outcomes, and long-term survival after PTCA similar to those of white patients, though event-free survival was lower in blacks.
-
Lumbar hernias occur infrequently; however, after trauma, they can present challenging problems in management. Unlike congenital or primary acquired lumbar hernias, posttraumatic lumbar hernias result from a disruption in normal anatomic boundaries and may require extensive reconstruction. We describe a case of lumbar hernia in a patient who had been crushed between two train cars, review the anatomy of the lumbar region, and identify treatment options.