Oman medical journal
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Oman medical journal · Nov 2014
Case ReportsFirst presentation of a case of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis with spontaneous pneumothorax.
Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare disease of unknown origin. It is characterized by the presence of small calculi within the alveolar spaces, and has various clinical manifestations. Some patients may be asymptomatic for a long period of time with subsequent occurrence of dyspnea, dry cough, chest pain, and eventually, respiratory failure. ⋯ Following treatment of pneumothorax after chest tube placement, the pulmonary function revealed normal indices, and chest radiograph demonstrated diffuse confluence of dense micronodular infiltrate. High-resolution computerized tomography scan showed diffuse ground glass attenuation and calcifications along the interlobular septa and subpleural regions. Transbronchial lung biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of PAM.
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Oman medical journal · May 2014
The Effect of Vitamin B12 Infusion on Prevention of Nitrous Oxide-induced Homocysteine Increase: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial.
Nitrous oxide is a common inhalation anesthetic agent in general anesthesia. While it is widely accepted as a safe anesthetic agent, evidence suggests exposure to this gas, leads to hyperhomocysteinemia. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of single-dose intravenous infusions of vitamin B12, before and after the induction of nitrous oxide anesthesia on homocysteine levels after the surgery. ⋯ Nitrous oxide causes hyperhomocysteinemia after general anesthesia. Since vitamin B12 infusion is a safe and inexpensive method to decrease homocysteine levels in these patients, it may be recommended for patients undergoing nitrous oxide anesthesia to be used before induction of anesthesia.
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Oman medical journal · Apr 2010
Diagnostic Value of Electrocardiographic T Wave Inversion in Lead aVL in Diagnosing Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Chronic Stable Angina.
The clinical value of T wave inversion in lead aVL in diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the correlation between aVL T wave inversion and CAD in patients with chronic stable angina. ⋯ This study provides new information relating to T wave inversion in lead aVL to mid segment LAD lesions. Implication of this simple finding may help in bedside diagnosis of CAD typically mid LAD lesions. However, further studies are needed to corroborate this finding.
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Oman medical journal · Nov 2012
Pediatric basic and advanced life support: an update on practice and education.
This review aims to summarize the major changes in the 2010 Heart and Stroke foundation of Canada (HSFC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) Pediatric Basic and Advanced Life Support Guidelines. The Guidelines were based on the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation's (ILCOR) comprehensive, evidence-based review of the resuscitation literature. ⋯ Chest Compressions first; modification to the appropriate depth of compression (at least 1/3 of the anterior-posterior depth of the chest wall or about 4 cm in infants and 5 cm in children); end-tidal CO(2) monitoring (in intubated patients) to assess the quality of chest compressions and optimize cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and titrating Fi0O2 once "Return of Spontaneous Circulation" (ROSC) is achieved to maintain an oxygen saturation between 94-99%. Overall, pediatricians, family and community physicians who may care for acutely ill children should be aware of these updated guidelines in order to provide the best possible care to their patients.
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The aim of this study was to analyze the lumbar puncture of all suspected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for suspected meningitis. ⋯ Based on the fact that only 7% of the 395 CSF studies were abnormal, we conclude that better clinical judgment and diagnostic criteria are warranted, before laying out guidelines for lumbar puncture to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Besides fever and convulsions as indicators for CSF studies clinical parameters such as irritability, lethargy and sick looking appearance are better indicators.