German medical science : GMS e-journal
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Aims: Hospital emergency departments (ED) face an increasing number of outpatient cases. Therefore, Hannover Medical School employs general practitioners for the treatment of walk-in patients within the ED. Up to now, little has been reported on how these patients behave after treatment in the ED. ⋯ In case of similar complaints, 37 patients (41%) would visit the ED again rather than visiting the GP, whereas 36% would consult the GP first, and 11% would visit a specialist first. Conclusion: A noteworthy number of patients considered visiting the ED again with similar symptoms instead of visiting a GP in ambulatory care. Consequently our findings suggest that the ED itself plays a minor role in navigating patients' utilisation of medical treatment.
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The cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) and the cyclic vomiting syndrome in adults (CVS) are both characterized by recurrent episodes of heavy nausea, vomiting and frequently abdominal pain. Both syndromes are barely known among physicians. Literature is inconsistent concerning clinical features which enable differentiation between CVS and CHS. ⋯ Long-term follow-up is essential in order to clearly separate CHS from CVS. However, long-term follow-up of CVS and CHS cases is seldom. We provide a standard operating procedure applicable to a broad spectrum of health care facilities which addresses the major issues of CVS and CHS: awareness, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Recurrent urinary tract infections and complications after symptomatic versus antibiotic treatment: follow-up of a randomised controlled trial.
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in general practice, and are usually treated with antibiotics. Recurrent UTI often pose a serious problem for affected women. Little is known about recurrent UTI and complications when uncomplicated UTI are treated without antibiotics. With ICUTI (Immediate vs. conditional antibiotic use in uncomplicated UTI, funded by BMBF No. 01KG1105) we assessed whether initial symptomatic treatment with ibuprofen could be a treatment alternative for uncomplicated UTI. The presented analysis aims to assess the influence of initial (non-)antibiotic treatment on recurrent UTI rates and pyelonephritis after day 28 up to 6 months after trial participation. ⋯ This follow-up analysis of a trial comparing antibiotic vs. symptomatic treatment for uncomplicated UTI showed that non-antibiotic treatment has no negative impact on recurrent UTI rates or pyelonephritis after day 28 and up to six months after initial treatment. Thus, a four week follow-up in UTI trials seems adequate.
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Sellar reconstruction with intrasellar packing following endoscopic resection of pituitary macroadenomas remains a subject of clinical and radiological discussion particularly, when an intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is absent. This study was conducted to contribute our experience with sellar reconstruction after a standard endoscopic surgery of pituitary macroadenomas without intraoperative CSF leakage to the ongoing discussion between techniques with and without intrasellar packing. ⋯ There is no difference in the incidence of postoperative CSF leakage and empty sella syndrome among the various reconstructive techniques with and without intrasellar packing, irrespective of size and extension of the pituitary adenoma. Sellar reconstruction without intrasellar packing following a standard EETS is not inferior to other techniques with packing and even shows more radiological advantages, which made it our preferred technique, at least if no intraoperative CSF leakage is evident.
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Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a fulminant polyradiculoneuropathy that is acute, frequently severe and autoimmune in nature. Etiology of GBS is incompletely understood, prognosis is usually good with early detection and prompt treatment. This retrospective study was done to evaluate clinical profile, epidemiological, laboratory, and electrodiagnostic features of patients with GBS and mode of management, complications and prognostic factors. ⋯ Seasonal occurrence predominantly in winter is noted. Peak flow test may be a predictor of assessing requirement of mechanical ventilation and prognosis. Conduction block is the major abnormality noted in electrophysiological studies and proximal nerve segment assessing with Erb's point stimulation has high predictive value. IVIG treatment is more expensive but is associated with less duration of hospital stay.