Articles: treatment.
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To propose endoscopic treatment as an effective initial alternative for patients with a trapped fourth ventricle. ⋯ Endoscopic treatment of the trapped fourth ventricle is effective in most cases. In view of the higher-than-expected revision rate with fourth ventricular shunts and an equivalent complication rate, endoscopic treatment is a reasonable initial treatment option for patients with a trapped fourth ventricle.
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A case of hyponatraemia associated with subarachnoid haemorrhage is presented. The provisional diagnosis of an inappropriate antidiuresis was made and treatment with fluid restriction was instituted. However the patient continued to deteriorate as the diuresis continued and the hyponatraemia worsened, resulting in hypovolaema. ⋯ Cerebral salt wasting syndrome is an important and under-recognised cause of hyponatraemia in neurosurgical patients, particularly in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. It is essential to differentiate it from the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion to avoid complications of hypovolaemia and reduced cerebral perfusion as illustrated by this case. Brain natriuretic peptide may be responsible for this syndrome although this requires further investigation.
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Comparative Study
Tuberculosis chemotherapy and sputum conversion among HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative patients in south-eastern Uganda.
To investigate if there is a difference in response to tuberculosis treatment between HIV seronegative and HIV seropositive patients following two months of intensive phase tuberculosis treatment. ⋯ This study demonstrates that HIV-seropositive status is not a principal factor in delaying sputum conversion among patients receiving intensive phase tuberculosis treatment.
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The "pop-out" technique is a method of levonorgestrel implant removal that uses digital pressure to direct implants through a small skin incision. This technique was developed, theoretically, to cause less bruising and patient discomfort by avoiding the use of instruments. The pop-out technique is the primary method used for levonorgestrel implant removal in the Magee-Womens Hospital resident clinic. ⋯ Only 0.7% (7/1,008) of levonorgestrel implants were fragmented during removal. This review shows that the "pop-out" method is a reasonable alternative to other proposed methods of primary implant removal. The difference in the level of expertise of the attending physician may significantly influence removal time when training clinicians in levonorgestrel implant removal.
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OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Brain stem and cerebellar edema rarely have been described as the principal manifestation of hypertensive encephalopathy. In addition, secondary hydrocephalus has been described in only a few cases in the literature. We present an unusual case of posterior fossa swelling and hydrocephalus resulting from hypertensive encephalopathy. ⋯ Subsequent neuroradiological studies revealed decreased posterior fossa edema as well as marked improvement in the hydrocephalus. Hypertensive encephalopathy can present principally in the posterior fossa and can give rise to obstructive hydrocephalus. Invasive treatment of the hydrocephalus is not necessarily required in this clinical setting because reduction of the blood pressure may result in rapid improvement of the hydrocephalus.