Irish journal of medical science
-
Polycythaemia vera (PV) is a Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasm, typically driven by acquired JAK2 mutation and characterised by elevated red cell mass and increased risk of thrombotic events. Patients are managed with phlebotomy to maintain haematocrit (Hct) < 0.45, and patients stratified as 'high risk' for thrombosis are additionally treated with cytoreductive agents to attain this target. ⋯ We found that patients spent the majority of time in target Hct range. Findings are supportive of current management guidelines.
-
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is still difficult to diagnose. Quantitative culture of small intestine aspirate is recommended to be the gold standard. The methane and hydrogen breath tests are easily repeatable, sufficiently sensitive and highly specific for SIBO diagnosis. Our goal is to contrast the diagnostic value of the breath tests with jejunal aspiration cultures. ⋯ 35% of patients with suspected SIBO are identified using jejunal aspirate cultures. For the identification of SIBO, GBT is more specific than LBT, but has a lower sensitivity. In individuals with suspected SIBO, the breath test should be initially due to its good agreement with the jejunal aspirate culture.
-
The diagnosis of pneumothorax is usually made through clinical examination and radiography. Pulsed wave (PW) Doppler mode has not previously been used in the diagnosis of pneumothorax on chest USG. ⋯ PW Doppler is a useful tool in the diagnosis of pneumothorax. It has a high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of pneumothorax. It is also superior to both lung sliding and the barcode sign in detecting pneumothorax. The Dogan's sign can be used safely in the diagnosis of pneumothorax, together with lung sliding and the barcode sign.