Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Jan 2022
Cough syncope as a cause of motor vehicle crash: fatal distraction?
Coughing is a rare cause of syncope that can contribute to motor vehicle crashes. The precise pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the syncope are unclear. ⋯ Cough as a cause of syncope should be a diagnosis of exclusion and used with great caution as a medico-legal defence. A suggested criterion for confirmation of cough syncope is recommended.
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Internal medicine journal · Jan 2022
Varicella Zoster Virus: An under-recognised cause of central nervous system infections?
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes infections of the central nervous system (CNS) manifesting as meningitis or encephalitis. It is not commonly tested in CNS infections when compared with enterovirus (EV) and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings of viral CNS infections are thought to be comparable. ⋯ VZV CNS infection cannot be predicted by syndrome. CSF findings are markedly different from EV but like HSV-1 and 2. VZV should be routinely tested with HSV-1 and 2 when viral CNS infection is suspected.
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Internal medicine journal · Jan 2022
Effect of donor age on adult unrelated donor haemopoietic cell transplant outcome: the Australian experience.
Results have been varied regarding the effect of donor age on the outcome of unrelated donor haemopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). ⋯ The conclusion from this study was that donor age (up to 59 years) did not influence post-transplant outcome among adult unrelated donor HCT performed in Australia for haematologic malignancies.
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Internal medicine journal · Jan 2022
Native renal biopsy: outcomes with a 4-h observation period in low-risk outpatients.
Current practice guidelines recommend that 'low-risk' outpatients undergoing percutaneous native renal biopsy (PRB) are observed for 6-8 h to identify post-biopsy complications. We performed a retrospective review of 225 PRB procedures in low-risk outpatients who were observed for a 4-h period to determine the safety with regard to complication rate and timing. ⋯ The two undetected complications presented more than 72 h after the procedure. This suggests that a 4-h observation period may be safe and adequate in identifying the majority of patients who will experience significant complications in the first 24 h, with a potential saving of time and resources.