Articles: patients.
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To determine if 3 objective criteria - pulse oximetry, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) testing, and age - could be used to predict which children hospitalized with bronchiolitis will have brief (<36 hour) hospitalizations and therefore be potential candidates for admission to short-stay observation units. ⋯ Pulse oximetry, RSV testing and age do not predict which children will have brief hospitalizations and are appropriate candidates for admission to short-stay observation units.
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Mental nerve neuropathy (MNN) or "numb chin syndrome" is a rare neurologic symptom most often associated with malignancy. Patients typically develop paresthesia or numbness localized to the chin and lower lip and will often seek care at their local emergency department. ⋯ We report a case of MNN associated with a metastatic lesion in the mandible. The purpose of this article is to highlight the importance of recognizing MNN, a potentially life-threatening symptom of metastatic carcinoma, and enable clinicians to properly diagnose MNN, which may mimic other conditions that affect the mandible.
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Controlled substance abuse has increased at an alarming rate. However, available evidence suggests a wide variance in the use of controlled substances, as documented by different medical specialties, medical boards, advocacy groups, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The primary objective of controlled substance guidelines by American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) is to provide guidance for the use of controlled substances for the treatment of chronic pain. ⋯ It is expected that a provider will establish a plan of care on a case-by-case basis, taking into account an individual patient's medical condition, personal needs, and preferences, and the physician's experience. Based on an individual patient's needs, controlled substance prescribing and treatment different from that outlined here may be warranted. These guidelines do not represent "standard of care."
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It is estimated that over 50% of approximately 4 million interventional procedures performed annually in the United States are performed utilizing fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopy offers validity to interventional techniques by providing precise localization of anatomic target areas and facilitating accurate delivery of injectate. Exposure to ionizing radiation is an unavoidable consequence while performing fluoroscopic procedures. ⋯ Results of this study showed an average exposure per patient of 8.9 -/+ 0.4 seconds and per procedure of 4.9 -/+ 0.11 seconds. Scatter radiation exposure was higher outside the lead aprons compared to inside the lead aprons. Scatter radiation exposure at groin level was similar with or without lead shielding from the table to the floor.
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To evaluate radiation exposure to the spinal interventionalist performing lumbar discography. A prospective study on four spinal interventionalists who performed 106 consecutive lumbar discograms (levels) on 37 patients with low back pain. Radiation exposure was monitored with the assistance of a radiological technologist (RT) who allocated four (4) dosimetry badges to all spinal interventionalists performing Discograms on consecutive patients being referred for evaluation of possible discogenic pain. ⋯ The mean/cumulative exposure per procedure was 3.66(-/+0.915)/390(-/+9.750) mREM at the "ring" badge, 2.35(-/+0.635)/251(-/+6.275) mREM at the "outside apron" badge, 1.49(-/+0.373)/159(-/+3.975) mREM at the "glasses" badge. A statistically significant higher radiation exposure was found on discograms at the L5/S1 level compared to the L4/5 and L3/4 levels. Our study illustrates that radiation exposure to the spinal interventionalist performing lumbar discography is well within safety limits.