Irish journal of medical science
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In western countries, there has been a gradual shift from Escherichia coli to Klebsiella pneumoniae as an emerging pathogen isolated from pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA). ⋯ E. coli liver abscess may preclude a worse outcome than other microbiological agents, including the development of septic shock and mortality. Aggressive management must be considered.
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Whiplash injuries result from an acceleration-deceleration injury of the cervical spine. The associated symptoms may include neck pain/stiffness; cervicogenic headaches; interscapular pain; upper limb pain, paraesthesia and weakness. Current treatment protocols recommend conservative management of low-grade whiplash. ⋯ Whiplash poses a significant societal economic burden in Ireland and was associated with prolonged symptoms including neck pain and upper limb neuropathic symptoms in this cohort. Associated low-back pain was common. Litigation was linked with presentation in all cases.
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We aimed to investigate the effects of zoledronic acid treatment on daily living activities, cognitive functions, depression, muscle strength, and performance. ⋯ Our study indicated that zoledronic acid did not affect daily living activities, depression, and muscle strength. Although we have concluded that cognitive and muscle performance may be adversely affected by zoledronic acid treatment.
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Complex pelvic fractures present the orthopaedic surgeon with many challenges. 3-D printed models may provide assistance in pre-operative planning, may lead to improvements in intra-operative (i) decision making and (ii) efficiencies (time reduction, blood loss reduction, screening reduction) and may result in improvements in post-operative outcomes (fracture reduction & quality of life). The models also provide hands-on opportunities for orthopaedic trainees and patients. This may result in improvements in (i) education/training regarding the management of pelvic and acetabular fractures for orthopaedic trainees and (ii) improvements in patient consenting and overall patient satisfaction. ⋯ Whilst the authors recognize the positive subjective findings with respect to the use of 3-D printing in pelvic and acetabular trauma in our National Centre, objective findings were lacking.
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Lipase is one of the diagnostic criteria for acute pancreatitis; however, the value of serum lipase in the early prediction and diagnosis for post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis remains controversial. ⋯ For early prediction of PEP, 3-h post-ERCP serum lipase activity is at least as good as that of amylase. For diagnosis of PEP, 24-h post-ERCP serum lipase is a much better indicator than that of amylase. Together, this study suggests that serum lipase should be given priority in the early prediction and diagnosis of PEP.