Articles: acute-pain.
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Outcome quality of medical treatment depends on structure quality of the treatment facility. In the present study we tried evaluate structural parameters of outpatient treatment facilities relating to management of headache, low back pain and cancer pain. ⋯ There are considerable structural deficits in outpatient treatment facilities involved in management of patients suffering from chronic headache, chronic back pain and cancer pain. Realisation of standards according to the "Schmerztherapievereinbarung" needs organisation of an interdisciplinary network between the different specialties necessary for pain management. Interdisciplinary cooperation should be supported by the official organization of the medical self-government in Germany--the Kassenärztliche Vereinigung--which has to assure optimal conditions for outpatient treatments.
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To determine whether the addition of intravenous dexamethasone to standard emergency department (ED) migraine therapy would decrease the incidence of severe recurrent headache 24 to 48 hours after initial treatment. ⋯ Migraine recurrence is common after "successful" ED treatment. Inflammation may be a critical factor in migraine genesis. Intravenous dexamethasone decreases the incidence of severe recurrent headache after ED treatment and should be offered to patients thought to be at risk of recurrent headache.
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Angioneurotic oedema is a rare disease caused by Cl esterase inhibitor deficiency. Hereditary angioneurotic oedema includes type I (quantitative and functional) deficiency and type 11 (functional) deficiency. Its prophylactic treatment during pregnancy, based on danazol therapy if the fetus is male, may avoid acute attacks of generalized or laryngeal oedema. ⋯ Regional analgesia is indicated for labour or caesarean section to prevent pain and stress and to avoid the difficulties associated with laryngeal oedema and tracheal intubation. In the treatment of an acute attack, Cl esterase inhibitor concentrates (1500 units) may be given i.v. We present two cases, one of hereditary and one of acquired angioneurotic oedema, both presenting during pregnancy and both delivered vaginally under epidural analgesia with successful outcome.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Apr 1999
Post partum creatine phosphokinase and its muscle-brain isoenzyme elevation and transient Q-wave in a patient with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis.
A primigravida with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, New York Heart Association Classification III, developed acute chest pain with significant ST segment depression together with a new Q-wave in chest lead V6 on the electrocardiograph following delivery under lumbar epidural analgesia. An intrapartum myocardial infarct was suspected because serial creatine phosphokinase and its muscle-brain isoenzyme levels were elevated in the postpartum period. ⋯ Consequently, the elevations of creatine phosphokinase and its muscle-brain fraction alone are not diagnostic of myocardial infarction in the postpartum period. The diagnosis of myocardial infarction must be based on the clinical picture, serial electrocardiogram recording and determination of lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate amino transferase.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Apr 1999
Necrotising fasciitis and group A streptococcus toxic shock-like syndrome in pregnancy: treatment with plasmapheresis and immunoglobulin.
A 30-year-old woman at 25 weeks gestation presented to the labour ward complaining of abdominal pain and a painful bruise in her right groin. Over the course of several hours, she developed rapidly spreading necrotising fasciitis of the right thigh. She required emergency radical debridement of the thigh and caesarean delivery of a dead fetus. ⋯ Despite the development of acute renal failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome and a left hemiplegia, the patient made a remarkable recovery. She was later transferred to a plastic surgical unit for split skin-grafting. The importance of early diagnosis and aggressive treatment of GAS TS-LS is emphasized and the place of plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in this condition is discussed.