Irish journal of medical science
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Lemierre's syndrome is a rare disease that results in an oropharyngeal infection, which precipitates an internal jugular vein thrombosis and metastatic infection. Fusobacterium necrophorum is an anaerobic Gram-negative bacillus and has been identified as the causative agent. ⋯ Infection of heart valves can produce many of the signs and symptoms associated with Lemierre's syndrome. We describe the diagnosis, investigation and optimal management of this rare disorder.
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There have been reports of thalidomide-affected people suffering a deterioration in their disability over time [1, 2]. This study assessed changes in disabilities among thalidomide-affected people in the Irish population. ⋯ There is a need to continually review the physical, psychological and social needs of thalidomide survivors in order to ensure optimum care is made available.
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Dementia patients in Ireland live 8 years on average after diagnosis and health policy aims to ensure patients are cared for in the home for as long as possible. ⋯ Dementia carers form an important yet understated patient group who present unique challenges for general practitioners in Ireland.
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Patients undergoing major breast surgery have an almost negligible need for blood transfusions. However, type and screen requests are still routinely performed. This represents an inefficient utilization of resources and unnecessary workload for laboratory staff. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether pre-operative blood typing is justified in patients undergoing surgical procedures with an intermediate transfusion probability. ⋯ The need for routine group and hold blood requests is not justified for patients undergoing elective breast surgery and represents a waste of clinical resources. A more targeted approach will not only reduce the demand on blood products but also reduce the associated costs to blood transfusion services.
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We describe a 90-year-old woman with right upper limb monoparesis secondary to varicella zoster virus infection as a result of extensive inflammatory involvement of the entire brachial plexus at root level. To our knowledge, this is the first report of entire brachial plexus involvement in a living patient of such advanced age. Despite a delay in presentation and thus initiation of treatment, a favourable clinical response was observed.