The British journal of clinical practice
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While playing a game of cricket, a 42-year-old man was struck on the chest by the ball. The blunt trauma precipitated a myocardial infarct in the absence of other risk factors or evidence of pre-existing coronary artery disease. Probable pathophysiological mechanisms and potential problems of immediate treatment are discussed.
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A case is reported of vestibulocochlear dysfunction following accidental dural tap during epidural anaesthesia in labour. The aetiology and the world literature are reviewed.
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Three infants with clinical features of sepsis, hypovolaemia and an acute abdomen were referred to a paediatric surgical unit. Subsequent clinical signs of diffuse macular erythema followed by desquamation and isolation of Staphylococcus aureus from nasal or umbilical swabs led to a diagnosis of staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome. Surgical intervention was not indicated.
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Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage is a challenging pathology which remains a cause of considerable mortality and morbidity. To demonstrate to general practitioners the results of surgery for this condition a retrospective study of 160 consecutive cases who had undergone aneurysmal surgery was carried out. On admission 57% of cases had a good Hunt and Hess grade (grades I and II) and 43% a poor grade (grades III, IV and V). ⋯ Fifty-five per cent of cases made a good recovery (back to normality), 15% a fair recovery (moderately disabled but independent), 15% a poor recovery (severely disabled and dependent), and 15% died. The significant poor prognostic factors were: a poor pre-operative Hunt and Hess grade, the presence of an intracerebral haematoma or angiographic spasm, evidence of rebleeding and early surgery without treatment with nimodipine. Other factors which did not reach a statistical significance include: age, presence of subarachnoid and intraventricular blood on CT, timing of surgery, history of long-standing hypertension, intraoperative rupture, and the development of hydrocephalus or delayed ischaemia.