International journal of general medicine
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Williams-Campbell syndrome, also known as bronchomalacia, is a rare disorder characterized by a deficiency of cartilage in subsegmental bronchi, leading to distal airway collapse and bronchiectasis. There have been few reports about patients affected by saccular bronchiectasis, paracicatricial emphysema, and diminished cartilage. These are all characteristic of Williams-Campbell syndrome. ⋯ Although a rare syndrome, when patients' signs and symptoms include recurrent respiratory infections, bronchiectasis, productive cough, and dyspnea, Williams-Campbell syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a semiquantitative procalcitonin kit for assessing severity of sepsis and early determination of mortality in affected patients. ⋯ Semiquantitative procalcitonin concentration testing can be helpful for early assessment of disease severity in patients with sepsis. Furthermore, it may also help in predicting early mortality in septic patients. Based on the level of semiquantitative procalcitonin measured in patients with suspected sepsis, a timely decision can be reliably made to transfer them to a tertiary hospital with an intensive care unit for optimal care.
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To assess treatment with the 5% lidocaine medicated plaster for peripheral neuropathic pain after disk herniation. ⋯ These results point to a safe and effective treatment approach with 5% lidocaine medicated plaster for localized neuropathic pain related to disk herniation. However, owing to the small sample size, further investigation in a larger-scale controlled trial is warranted.
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Simultaneous bilateral posterior fracture dislocation of the shoulders is a rare clinical presentation. There are three main etiologies described in the literature. ⋯ Investigations revealed severe vitamin D deficiency as the principal contributory factor to his injury. This is an important association because failure to recognize and treat this can result in significant morbidity in susceptible groups.