Irish journal of medical science
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Review Case Reports
Renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma without obvious local progress in 10 years: a case report and literature review.
Epithelioid angiomyolipoma (eAMLoma) is an uncommon renal mesenchymal tumor with malignant potential. It is composed of tumor cells arranged in an epithelioid manner. Differential diagnosis from renal cell carcinoma is often challenging because of its epithelioid morphology. ⋯ The tumor was positive for Desmin, Hmb45, and Sma. We recommend surgical treatment and a follow-up regimen similar to that for renal carcinoma. There was no recurrence and metastases after 1-year follow-up.
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Patients undergoing major breast surgery have an almost negligible need for blood transfusions. However, type and screen requests are still routinely performed. This represents an inefficient utilization of resources and unnecessary workload for laboratory staff. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether pre-operative blood typing is justified in patients undergoing surgical procedures with an intermediate transfusion probability. ⋯ The need for routine group and hold blood requests is not justified for patients undergoing elective breast surgery and represents a waste of clinical resources. A more targeted approach will not only reduce the demand on blood products but also reduce the associated costs to blood transfusion services.
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Traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of death and disability among young people. However outcomes from traumatic brain injury can be improved by use of parameters such as intracranial pressure monitoring (ICP) to guide treatment, early surgical intervention and management of these patients in a neurosurgical centre. ⋯ Irish patients with severe head injury do not currently receive care in accordance with international evidence-based guidelines.
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There have been reports of thalidomide-affected people suffering a deterioration in their disability over time [1, 2]. This study assessed changes in disabilities among thalidomide-affected people in the Irish population. ⋯ There is a need to continually review the physical, psychological and social needs of thalidomide survivors in order to ensure optimum care is made available.
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Lemierre's syndrome is a rare disease that results in an oropharyngeal infection, which precipitates an internal jugular vein thrombosis and metastatic infection. Fusobacterium necrophorum is an anaerobic Gram-negative bacillus and has been identified as the causative agent. ⋯ Infection of heart valves can produce many of the signs and symptoms associated with Lemierre's syndrome. We describe the diagnosis, investigation and optimal management of this rare disorder.