Irish journal of medical science
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Planar bone scintigraphy (PBS) is a standard radiological technique to detect skeletal metastases from prostate cancer (PC), the addition of SPECT-CT to PBS improves its diagnostic accuracy. The aim of this study was to assess the additional value of targeted SPECT-CT with PBS in detecting skeletal metastasis form prostate cancer, considering resource implications in an Irish hospital setting. ⋯ SPECT-CT improves the diagnostic accuracy of PBS in detecting skeletal metastasis from PC and is superior to PBS alone in differentiating benign from malignant lesions. Notwithstanding resource implications of increased cost, specialist equipment and specialist manpower hours; we recommend the use of SPECT-CT in conjunction with PBS for targeted evaluation of suspicious bony lesions in this cohort of patients.
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This is a literature review of outcomes for patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) who require admission to the intensive care unit for mechanical ventilation. Respiratory distress is the leading cause of death in the acute phase, and occurs in about 25 % of patients. ⋯ Accurate data are limited by the fact that these studies are retrospective, often covering long periods in the past. Larger, more recent, prospective, multi-centre studies will be required.
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It has been estimated that approximately 520,000 injury presentations are made to Irish accident and emergency departments each year. Fractures account for 20 % of these injuries. Circular external fixators (frames) have been shown to be a safe and effective method of treatment for long bone fractures where internal fixation is impossible or in-advisable. We present the outcomes of all frames applied at our institution for stabilisation of acute fractures over a 20-year period. ⋯ The vast majority of lower limb fractures can be treated using 'conventional' methods. Complex fractures which are not amenable to open reduction and internal fixation or cast immobilisation can be treated in a frame with excellent results. The paucity of published reports regarding the use of frames for complex trauma reflects the under-utilisation of the technique.
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Management of axillary disease in breast cancer has evolved significantly over the last two decades with the introduction of SLNB and a trend towards less radical surgery. Data from the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011 trial proposes that not all patients with positive axillary lymph nodes require completion axillary dissection. ⋯ There has been a change in clinical practice since the publication of the Z0011 trial, illustrated by a decrease in the rate of axillary clearance in node-positive breast cancers.
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The aim of this study is to review a cohort of cases with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) in a Chinese tertiary centre and to analyze the relationship between VAIN and cervical neoplasm, the treatment of the disease, and the outcomes. ⋯ VAIN is a disease which has a close relationship with cervical neoplasia. Electrofulguration treatment with local resection is a suitable treatment with a much lower recurrence rate. For VAIN 1, observation may be a good choice especially for younger patients.