Acta medica Croatica : c̆asopis Hravatske akademije medicinskih znanosti
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Myeloid sarcoma is a rare extramedullary solid tumor consisting of immature myeloid cells and most commonly involving the bone, skin, lymph nodes, soft tissue, gastrointestinal tract and testis. Mediastinal myeloid sarcoma is very rare. There are two major types of myeloid sarcoma: granulocytic sarcoma and monoblastic sarcoma, according to immature cell type. ⋯ Myeloid sarcoma should be taken in consideration on differential diagnosis of solid tumors because making an accurate diagnosis is necessary for timely initiation of appropriate therapy. Weakly expressed or lacking clear signs of myeloid differentiation may hamper morphological diagnosis. As isolated myeloid sarcoma is a very rare entity frequently resembling lymphoma in clinical presentation, it poses a major diagnostic challenge for both morphologists and clinicians.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
[Merits of paracetamol in osteoarthritic hypertensive patients].
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) side effects can impair quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis. Due to its particular mechanism of action, paracetamol might bypass these negative effects. ⋯ Blood pressure control was unchanged in the amiodipine group across the study periods and impaired in the lisinopril/ hydrochlorothiazide group during either ibuprofen or piroxicam, but not during paracetamol. In the amlodipine +/- ibuprofen subgroup, the reduction of the average pain intensity score throughout the study was significant (chi2 = 8.250; df 3; P = 0.037). In the lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide +/- piroxicam subgroup, the assessed quality of life differed significantly (chi2 = 9.716; df 3; P = 0.018), while in the amlodipine +/- ibuprofen and amlodipine +/- piroxicam subgroups the changes were marginal (chi2 = 6.936; df 3; P = 0.072 and chi2 = 7146; df 3; P = 0.065, respectively).
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Historical Article
[Chronologic annotation on the development of allergology and clinical immunology in Croatia].
This issue of Acta Medica Croatica is dedicated to historical development and role of allergology and clinical immunology in Croatia. Also listed are the names of experts who have historically marked allergology and contributed to its development. Understanding the origin of allergies as immune phenomena occurred in Croatia simultaneously to many other European countries. ⋯ It turned out that the work of institutions and physicians, as well as cooperation with the Croatian Immunological Society and other scientific institutions during the second half of the 20th century provided solid foundation for contemporary research, design and development of allergy subspecialty centers and units at various medical institutions all over Croatia. Members of the Croatian Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology have played an important role in educating new generations of physicians and in the organization of numerous research projects, symposia, congresses and seminars. Continuous, scientific and professional work has resulted in active Society membership in the European Academy of Clinical Immunology and Allergology.
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Historical Article
[Resuscitation by direct heart massage in the history of surgery and anesthesia of Bjelovar hospital].
This historical review presents cases of direct heart massage in patients with intraoperative cardiac arrest performed at Department of Surgery, Bjelovar General Hospital. Out of five cases recorded in the 1960-1970 period, resuscitation proved successful in two patients, but one patients living normal life free from any subsequent complications. The patient critical general condition, comorbidities and anesthesiology incidents as the possible causes of cardiac arrest are discussed, and the staffing and logistic problems encountered in a small-town hospital are presented.
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Post-transplant erythrocytosis is defined as an increase in hematocrit above 55%. It occurs in 10%-15% of renal transplant recipients, most commonly from 8 to 24 months after transplantation. ⋯ The etiology is multifactorial and includes erythropoietin, renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and IGF-1 as the main factors. RAS inhibition with either ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers is efficient therapy which decreases hematocrit in 90% of patients within 2 to 6 weeks, thus decreasing the incidence of fatal complications (like pulmonary embolism and stroke).