Mayo Clinic proceedings
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · Feb 2002
Surgical pathology of carcinoid heart disease: a study of 139 valves from 75 patients spanning 20 years.
To quantitate the pathologic features of carcinoid plaques in a relatively large number of surgical specimens from a single institution. ⋯ Among patients undergoing valvular surgery for carcinoid heart disease, tricuspid and pulmonary valves represented 92% of the excised valves (128/ 139). Although numerous cellular and extracellular features were common to the carcinoid plaques, variability in their relative expression produced appreciable differences in the histologic appearance among the plaques.
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Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy, is a regional, posttraumatic, neuropathic pain problem that most often affects 1 or more limbs. Like most medical conditions, early diagnosis and treatment increase the likelihood of a successful outcome. Accordingly, patients with clinical signs and symptoms of CRPS after an injury should be referred immediately to a physician with expertise in evaluating and treating this condition. ⋯ Patients with moderate to severe pain and/or sympathetic dysfunction require regional anesthetic blockade to participate in physical therapy. A small percentage of patients develop refractory, chronic pain and require long-term multidisciplinary treatment, including physical therapy, psychological support, and pain-relieving measures. Pain-relieving measures include medications, sympathetic/somatic blockade, spinal cord stimulation, and spinal analgesia.
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Acquired von Willebrand disease (AvWD) is a relatively rare acquired bleeding disorder that usually occurs in elderly patients, in whom its recognition may be delayed. Patients usually present predominantly with mucocutaneous bleeding, with no previous history of bleeding abnormalities and no clinically meaningful family history. Various underlying diseases have been associated with AvWD, most commonly hematoproliferative disorders, including monoclonal gammopathies, lymphoproliferative disorders, and myeloproliferative disorders. ⋯ Successful treatment of the associated illness can reverse the clinical and laboratory manifestations. Intravenous immunoglobulins have also shown some efficacy in the management of AvWD, especially cases associated with monoclonal gammopathies. Awareness of AvWD is essential for diagnosis and appropriate management.
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · Feb 2002
Outcomes after withholding anticoagulation from patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism and negative computed tomographic findings: a cohort study.
To determine the outcome of withholding anticoagulation from patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism in whom computed tomographic (CT) findings are interpreted as negative for pulmonary embolism. ⋯ The incidence of (1) overall deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism or (2) fatal pulmonary embolism among patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism, negative CT results, and no other evidence of venous thromboembolism is low. Withholding anticoagulation in these patients appears to be safe.