Irish journal of medical science
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Elderly patients are at increased risk of developing acute kidney injury (AKI) following major surgery and rapid diagnosis is essential. ⋯ Plasma NGAL levels seem to represent an early and reliable marker for AKI in elderly patients undergoing laparotomic surgery with the potential to allow early diagnosis and prevent further renal deterioration. Further confirmatory studies are warranted.
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The coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected all aspects of life, including the routine follow-up of patients with chronic illnesses. In this study, we aim to share our experience of telemedicine in our pediatric endocrinology clinic during the pandemic. ⋯ The advantages and disadvantages of telemedicine were discussed and consequently, we propose that telemedicine can be utilized to maintain and continue the care of children with endocrine disorders during and even after the pandemic. Further studies are needed to standardize this method for general use.
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Tokyo guidelines (TG13/18) are used for the severity assessment of acute cholangitis (AC). Lactate is a clinical marker of tissue hypoxia and disease severity, independent from blood pressure. ⋯ The blood lactate level is associated with the severity of AC. In addition to TG13/18 guidelines, blood lactate level can be a useful biomarker in the severity grading of AC.
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Acute sigmoid volvulus (ASV) represents a small but significant portion of cases of large bowel obstruction, especially in the elderly and co-morbid. Given the characteristics of the patient cohort most commonly affected, a non-operative/conservative approach is often undertaken but is associated with a high rate of recurrence. ⋯ There is a high recurrence rate following non-operative management of acute sigmoid volvulus and consequently, a cumulative increase in the attendant significant morbidity and mortality with subsequent episodes. Given the relatively low complication rate of definitive surgery, even in those patients perceived to be high risk, we contend that all patients should be considered for early surgery to prevent the likely recurrence of sigmoid volvulus.
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Callispheres® microspheres (CSM) are the first drug-eluting bead (DEB) product developed in China; meanwhile, DEB-transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with CSM is effective and safe in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. However, the data regarding the role of irinotecan-eluting beads-TACE (DEBIRI-TACE) using CSM for colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) treatment is limited. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of DEBIRI-TACE using CSM in the patients with unresectable CRLM. ⋯ DEBIRI-TACE with CSM achieves high treatment response, acceptable survival benefits, and good toleration in unresectable CRLM treatment.