Acta medica Scandinavica
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Acta medica Scandinavica · Jan 1980
Case ReportsSpontaneous pneumothorax as first symptom in bronchial carcinoma.
Pneumothorax is a rare manifestation of lung cancer. It has been reported to date in a total of about 25 patients. We describe two patients with spontaneous pneumothorax as the first sign of a bronchial carcinoma.
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This retrospective study compares number and type of self-poisonings admitted to the intensive care units (ICU) at Sahlgren's Hospital, Gothenburg, during 1972 and 1976. The total number of patients requiring intensive care was unchanged, but a change in the pattern of self-poisoning was seen. In 1976 the number of patients requiring intensive care following acute alcohol intoxication had increased, whereas the number of barbiturate and methaqualone poisonings decreased. ⋯ Also, fewer complications were seen, and the death rate among ICU-treated patients decreased. In the Gothenburg area barbiturates accounted for one half of all deaths due to self-poisoning and tricyclic antidepressants for one fifth. Any expected decrease in intensive care as a result of fewer barbiturate and methaqualone poisonings was obscured by an increase in severe alcohol intoxication.
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Acta medica Scandinavica · Jan 1979
Emergency room resuscitation of patients with cardiac arrest outside hospital. Outcome and immediate prognosis in 319 patients.
Resuscitation was attempted in 319 patients brought to hospital with cardiac arrest during a 5-year period. Primary successful results were achieved in 50 patients (15.7%). Twelve patients were long-term survivors (3.4%), 10 of whom had normal brain function, whereas 2 had mild cerebral dysfunction. To improve prognostication in patients with initially successful resuscitation, Bayes' theorem was applied using 4 clinical findings after 24 hours' treatment: reactions to painful stimuli, pupillary size, light reactions and BP, Bayes' theorem as well as coma depth after 24 hours gave valuable information regarding individual prognosis.
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Acta medica Scandinavica · Jan 1979
Case ReportsThe diagnostic challenge of left atrial myxoma. Importance of echocardiographic screening.
Left atrial myxomas are extremely difficult to diagnose since their variable manifestations mimic a host of clinical entities more commonly seen, e.g. mitral stenosis, endocarditis, rheumatic fever, cardiomyopathy or mesenchymosis. At the same time, early diagnosis followed by prompt surgical removal are mandatory to prevent mutilating or lethal complications of the tumor. ⋯ We present the case histories, diagnostic procedures and surgical findings, consolidating the unique role of echocardiography in detecting left atrial myxomas. We propose the use of echocardiography as a screening examination for atrial myxomas in the following settings: suspected mitral obstructive disease, suspected endocarditis with negative blood cultures, peripheral embolism or thrombosis in young patients, unexplained cardiac failure and mesenchymosis with uncharacteristic presentation.
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Clinical and haematological data on 14 patients (8 women and 6 men) with alcohol-induced haemolytic anaemia and mild to moderate liver injury are presented. Nine of the patients were obvious drinkers, while 5 were socially well adjusted individuals in whom alcohol dependence was not suspected on admission to hospital. ⋯ The majority of the patients, however, did not fit into any of the syndromes proposed in the literature. Indeed, the validity of both Zieve's syndrome and the "transient stomatocytosis with hemolysis" syndrome is questioned.