Lifting the curse

Adenomyosis is a condition most women have never heard of. Yet it can cause severe menstrual cramping and heavy bleeding.     

Restless legs syndrome associated with diminished cardiopulmonary compliance and lumbar spinal stenosis--a motor concomitant of "Vesper's curse"

Lumbosacral and associated leg pain and paresthesias arousing patients from a sound sleep, or Vesper's curse, has been previously reported. An increase in right atrial filling pressure reflected in elevated paraspinal venous volumes within the reduced confines of a stenotic lumbar spine has been cited as the cause of this syndrome. Six cases of concomitant nocturnal calf cramps and fasciculations associated with the night pain and paresthesias are reported. In all cases a reduction in cardiopulmonary compliance was noted, with clinical and electromyographic evidence of paraspinal and lower extremity fasciculations increasing at night. Symptoms were relieved by assuming an erect or semi-reclining sleep position. In five of the six reported cases of lumbar spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis was also present. The motor equivalent of Vesper's curse was evaluated by electromography, evoked potentials, CAT scan, and myelography. The multiple factors involved in the pathomechanics and pathophysiology of lumbar radiculopathy, and spinal stenosis and the role of the paravertebral plexus of veins are reviewed as they relate to the genesis of the restless legs syndrome.     

Too much of a good thing: the curse of overfeeding

Enteral nutrition (EN) gives a legacy of under nutrition in intensive care patients but few appreciate that parenteral nutrition (PN) carries the other risk of overfeeding if used injudiciously. Over-feeding presents a significant metabolic stress but tight glycaemic control is now masking the traditional warning signs and does not on its own negate the need to give patients the right amount at the right time.