Clinical medicine (London, England)
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The clinical false negative rate of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for SARS-CoV-2 on a single upper respiratory tract sample was calculated using convalescent antibody testing as a comparator. The sensitivity in symptomatic individuals was 86.2% (25/29). ⋯ The clinical false negative rate of a single RT-PCR on an upper respiratory tract sample of 14% in symptomatic patients is reassuring when compared to early reports. This report supports a strategy of combining repeat swabbing, use of acute and convalescent antibody testing and CT thorax for COVID-19 diagnosis.
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The investigation and management of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency: A retrospective cohort study.
Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) is associated with significant gastrointestinal symptoms, but is readily treated by pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). We reviewed our current practice and examined the factors that predict repeating a positive faecal elastase-1 (FE1; <200 μg/g), the repeat FE1 being normal, initiation of PERT and clinical response to treatment. A single-centre retrospective cohort study was conducted. ⋯ Patients with a confirmatory low FE1, abnormal pancreatic imaging or abnormal nutrition blood tests were more likely to be started on PERT (all p<0.05). Patients with abnormal pancreatic imaging were 10 times more likely to respond to PERT (odds ratio 10.70; 95% confidence interval 1.62-70.70; p=0.01). Augmenting clinical judgement with pancreatic imaging and repeat FE1 testing could improve the rate of PERT prescription and inform the approach to non-response, particularly in cases where there is diagnostic doubt.
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We present a rare case of delayed diagnosis of mitral stenosis, initially presenting with hoarseness in her voice due to left recurrent laryngeal nerve (LRLN) compression. A 60-year-old woman presented to the otorhinolaryngology department following complaints of progressive hoarseness in voice over a 6-month period. There was dysphonia but no additional evidence of a cranial nerve IX or X palsy on examination, with subsequent flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopy demonstrating left vocal cord palsy. ⋯ Common causes of Ortner's syndrome include mitral stenosis with left atrium compression of the LRLN, but it can occur due to other causes including pulmonary hypertension or aortic aneurysm compression, among others. There are few data at present to conclude that regression of left atrial enlargement and pulmonary arterial hypertension with symptoms are associated with Ortner's syndrome. Therefore, it remains pertinent for clinicians to be aware of clinical features linked to mitral stenosis including its more uncommon presentations, such as in our case, as earlier intervention may improve prognosis.