Articles: ninos.
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Carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic surgery can bring about occult perioperative cerebral infarction, advancing our understanding of the causes of severe postoperative delayed recovery. ⋯ Our results emphasize the need for vigilance regarding adverse cardiovascular and neurological events caused by carbon dioxide gas embolisms when encountering the inadvertent situation of vessels rupturing. Timely monitoring of paradoxical gas embolism by transoesophageal echocardiography is necessary and can avert the risk of severe complications. Urgent consideration should be given to stopping pneumoperitoneum and switching to laparotomy for hemostasis so that the patient can obtain the best benefit-risk ratio.
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Observational Study
Clinical and radiologic characteristics of radiologically missed miliary tuberculosis.
While chest CT provides important clue for diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis (TB), patients are occasionally missed on initial CT, which might delay the diagnosis. This study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological characteristics of radiologically missed miliary TB. Total 117 adult patients with microbiologically confirmed miliary TB in an intermediate TB-burden country were included. 'Missed miliary TB' were defined as the case in which miliary TB was not mentioned as a differential diagnosis in the initial CT reading. ⋯ Multivariable analysis revealed that only CT findings including ill-defined nodule (Odd ratios [OR], 15.64; P = .002) and miliary nodule less than 2 mm (OR, 10.08; P = .007) were independently associated with missed miliary TB. Approximately 10% of miliary TB could be missed on initial chest CT, resulting in a delayed diagnosis and treatment. Caution is required in patients with less typical CT findings showing ill-defined miliary nodules less than 2 mm showing granular appearance and follow-up CT might have a benefit.
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Myeloid neoplasms with platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRB) rearrangement usually present with eosinophilia in the peripheral blood and bone marrow. Here we report a case of systemic mastocytosis related myeloid neoplasms with basophilia and PRKG2-PDGFRB fusion gene. ⋯ Patients with increased basophilic granulocyte and/or mast cells in peripheral blood and/or bone marrow should be screened for PDGFRB abnormality and myeloid or lymphatic tumor. Patients bearing PDGFRB abnormality have a good response to imatinib.
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Clitoris swelling as the initial clinical presentation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is extremely rare. These patients may be misdiagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia or solid tumor, and the main treatment can also be delayed. ⋯ The clinical symptoms of ALL with clitoris swelling are not typical, with a high rate of misdiagnosis. When the cause of clitoris swelling is unknown, ALL should be considered. Bone marrow aspiration must be done before doing a more invasive investigation like biopsy.
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Observational Study
An elevated C-reactive protein level in an inpatient rehabilitation setting after joint replacement: To act or not to act? - that is the question.
C-reactive protein (CRP) is part of a battery of "routine bloods" performed by residents on patients when they are admitted into a rehabilitation unit. Generally, an elevated CRP is considered to be an indicator of an acute infective process. Numerous studies have indicated that the CRP peaks on the 2nd or 3rd day post total hip arthroplasty (THR) and total knee arthroplasty (TKR) and returns to normal by day 7. ⋯ These results suggest that even in uncomplicated elective joint arthroplasty, CRP's can remain elevated up to 14 days post-procedure, in the absence of an infective process. An isolated elevated CRP on admission to a rehabilitation setting should not be considered as an indicator of an infective process, but rather part of the normal post-operative inflammatory response. The elevated CRP should be monitored and only an upward trend requires further investigation and management.