Irish journal of medical science
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Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an increasingly prevalent and potentially fatal disease with considerable implications if not recognized early and treated promptly. Several disease features contribute to a higher risk profile and adverse outcomes in affected patients. ⋯ Elderly males are inordinately affected by scalp SCC compared to females. Those living further from care exhibited larger tumours at presentation. Data from this study characterize features of SCC of the scalp and provide evidence to suggest that rural isolation may act as a mediator of high-risk presentation and larger tumour size.
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Type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. Use of aspirin has been shown to be of benefit for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes; benefits in primary prevention have not been clearly proven. ⋯ A significant number of people with type 2 diabetes who should have been prescribed aspirin for secondary prevention were not receiving it at the time of study assessment. In contrast, a substantial proportion who did not meet criteria for aspirin use was prescribed it for primary prevention.
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Early cardiac death is more common in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) than in healthy adults, but the exact cause is unknown. ⋯ This study suggests visually undetectable myocardial involvement due to chronic systemic inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease. Cardiac MRI can help assess and monitor cardiac involvement in patients with CD.
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Appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors (ANETs) are the most common in the appendix, detected in histopathological appendectomy specimens, which are resected for acute appendicitis. If tumor detection does not show signs of metastatic disease or obvious features of carcinoid syndrome, preoperative diagnosis remains a challenge. However, the treatment and follow-up algorithm change over time. In our study, we aimed to present 10 years of diagnostic and management experience. ⋯ In addition, ANETs are rare and largely detected by chance; therefore, precise examination of routine appendectomy specimens is essential for diagnosis. Accurate tumor staging, in light of new algorithms, has an important place in follow-up and treatment management.