Przegla̧d lekarski
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Clinical Trial
[Clinical observations concerning piracetam treatment of patients after craniocerebral injury].
Piracetam (Nootropil) is a cytoprotective to brain tissue and improving cerebral blood flow medicine. In the Department of Neurotraumatology we investigated results of piracetam treatment in a group of 100 succeeding patients admitted between 1995-96 due to craniocerebral injury. High doses (24-30 g per day) of this medicine have a positive effect on final result of treatment, when treatment is initiated immediately after the injury and described conditions are abided. We also showed usefulness of piracetam treatment in posthospital management.
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During the past 10 years, we have treated 11 patients who were admitted with acute respiratory failure due to goiter. Multinodular goiter was examined in four patients, one patient suffered from Graves disease and six patients had malignant thyroid lesions. Four patients required emergency intubation and in two cases we performed tracheostomy because of significant narrowing of trachea lumen. ⋯ The goiters with progress of trachea compression symptoms should be operated in elective surgery to avoid sudden life-threatening complications like severe dyspnea. When the hoarseness is present the possibility of malignant goiter is particularly high. In our opinion patients with suspected respiratory failure should be referred to the centres with special interest in thyroid surgery.
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The abnormal closure of the neural tube results in defects of the nervous system development, which are referred to as dysraphism. Considering successive steps of the development of the human foetus, it can be estimated that spinal cord malformations arise from pathologies of early foetal development between 17th and 28th day gestational age. This time period comprises a development of the neural plate and subsequently neural tube. ⋯ Central canal pathologies constitute another form of spinal cord malformations presenting as hydromyelia. Abnormal closure of the neural tube may affect development of the vertebral column and spinal cord along their entire length or only at a certain portion. Malformations are seen most frequently in the lumbo-sacral and then cervical regions.
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Principles of the population-based mammography screening for breast cancer have been presented. Methodology, results and limitations of this method have been discussed.
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The objective of the study was to describe epidemiological and clinical data regarding acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in an urban area of North Italy. 95 consecutive adult patients admitted to Milan and Turin Poisons Control Centres (PCC) for CO poisoning between October 1993 and March 1995 were enrolled into the study. Epidemiological and medical parameters were recorded in a standardised collection data sheet, which included age, sex, circumstances of poisoning, severity grading (0-3), blood HbCO level upon admission. ⋯ Carbon monoxide exposure represents a significant cause of severe but potentially preventable accidental poisoning. The study indicates the need for public education campaigns aimed to warn people against the silent killer at home, and to promote preventive measures. The clinical course of CO poisoning is often severe. A standardised collection data system, to record all the cases of acute CO intoxication in Emergency Departments, can help evaluate the real incidence and clinical significance of this poisoning.