Medicine
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Review Case Reports
Approach to the patient with pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis: A case report and a review of the literature.
Pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLO) is very rare, but it can cause severe vertebral compression fractures with disabling back pain. Although it is a rare, PLO must be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with low back pain during or after pregnancy. ⋯ Early diagnosis and treatment of calcium and vitamin D, as well as the efficacy of PLO intervention monitoring and evaluation are critical for the success of treatment.
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Review Case Reports
Acute pancreatitis as an initial manifestation of parathyroid carcinoma: A case report and literature review.
Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare endocrine malignancy. Acute pancreatitis as an initial manifestation of parathyroid carcinoma has been rarely reported. ⋯ Acute pancreatitis accompanied with hypercalcemia should always raise the suspicion of PHPT. The spicule sign, which always suggests the infiltrating pattern growth of tumor, was neglected at first and was observed during a second review of the ultrasound images postoperatively. This specific feature may be predictive for the preoperative diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma or at least suspicion of malignancy.
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To evaluate the clinical efficacy of prophylactic temporary balloon occlusion of the abdominal aorta in patients with placenta previa accretism during cesarean section. ⋯ Prophylactic abdominal aorta balloon occlusion (ABO) was relatively safe in the treatment of patients with placenta previa accretism. This approach could represent a key aspect in a multidisciplinary algorithm in reducing hemorrhage in abnormal placentation.
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The primary setting of palliative care has shifted from inpatient care to patients' residences. Family caregiving is essential for patients with life-limiting illnesses to receive palliative care at home, however little information is available regarding potential interventions to achieve palliative homecare for those without sufficient support from family members in various settings, including disasters. ⋯ Health care providers and community health workers may need to take a pro-active approach to communicating with family members to draw informal support to enable patients' end-of-life management according to their values and preferences. This is a lesson which may be applicable to broader healthcare settings beyond cancer, or disaster contexts, considering that population ageing and social isolation may continue to advance worldwide.
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Observational Study
Relevance of urinary S100B protein levels as a short-term prognostic biomarker in asphyxiated infants treated with hypothermia.
The initial diagnosis of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is based on nervous system clinical manifestations. The use of biomarkers to monitor brain injury and evaluate neuroprotective effects allows early intervention and treatment. This study was designed to determine the short-term prognostic significance of urinary S100B calcium-binding protein (S100B) in asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia. ⋯ There were no significant differences in S100B levels between patients with normal and abnormal electroencephalography results. Urinary S100B measured in the first days of life can predict neonatal death and short-term prognosis in asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia. The method is convenient, noninvasive, and has a higher sensitivity and specificity than measurement of serum S100B or NSE.