Irish journal of medical science
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Surgical site infection (SSI) is a major cause of morbidity, resulting in significant healthcare and economic implications. The ability to predict patients at high risk of SSI may enable targeted follow-up and management. This study sought to examine the relationship between the CRP/albumin ratio in the prediction of SSI in patients undergoing emergency major abdominal surgery. ⋯ Though CRP and albumin have merit in isolation in preoperative identification of patients at risk of SSI, CRP/albumin ratio is a useful postoperatively adjunct in predicting SSI postoperatively at 24 and 48hrs postoperatively.
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Asthma is the commonest chronic condition in childhood but mortality from asthma during childhood is a rare occurrence. No national review into asthma deaths in children in Ireland has been performed to date. ⋯ Our data suggests that most patients present in extremis and have little warning signs of severity of the attack. Better education on recognition of symptoms and initiation of action plans is required.
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system characterized by demyelination, inflammation, gliosis, and axonal loss. Nowadays, increasing scientific reports have focused on neurodegenerative processes and structural changes of the disease underlying pathogenesis. ⋯ The findings showed that quantitative assessments based on stereological method on brain MRIs facilitate clarifying neuropathology of the disease. Also, it can be helpful as a simple index for following up the clinical situation and assessing therapeutic efficiency in MS patients. It may provide a precise treatment approach and justification of symptoms in patients with MS.
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Adipose tissue is producing adipokines that play different roles in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. ⋯ Leptin concentrations were inversely proportional to LVMI and PWV in patients with BMI < 25 kg/m2.
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Laparoscopic transperitoneal and retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy have largely replaced open adrenal surgery, particularly in benign disease. Laparoscopic surgery results in less post-operative pain, fewer surgical site complications and reduced length of hospital stay. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the characteristics of patients and evolution of surgical technique in adrenal surgery at Cork University Hospital over a 12-year period. ⋯ Adrenalectomy is a safe procedure and in our setting was primarily performed for pheochromocytoma and non-functioning adenomas. Minimally invasive adrenalectomy has become the standard of care internationally and is associated with fewer complications, shorter hospital stay and a low conversion rate.