Prevalence of zygomatic air cell defect in adults--a retrospective panoramic radiographic analysis

Objectives

This research involved retrospectively evaluating panoramic radiographs of patients from India with the intention of assessing the prevalence of Zygomatic Air Cell Defect (ZACD) and establishing its dominant location and type.

Methods

Seven thousand seven hundred and fifty-five panoramic radiographs of routine outpatients aged between 19 and 91 years were concomitantly evaluated by four investigators for estimating the prevalence and characteristics of the Zygomatic Air Cell Defect.

Results

The prevalence of ZACD was noted to be 1.82%, with male preponderance. Unilateralality and multilocular appearance of ZACD were the dominant patterns observed.

Conclusion

The frequency of ZACD amongst Indian population is in harmony with most of the similar studies conducted on various geographic populations.     

Prevalence and characteristics of paratracheal air cysts and their association with emphysema in a general population

Background

To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of paratracheal air cysts and their association with emphysema and gender in a general population using low-dose computed tomography scanning of the chest.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively enrolled a total of 924 patients (584 women, 340 men; mean age, 59.73 years; range, 37–89 years) who had received low-dose computed tomography scanning for health examination during the period January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010. Computed tomographic images were evaluated for the presence of paratracheal air cysts. If paratracheal air cysts were identified, the lungs were reconstructed as a three-dimensional model on a commercial workstation. An emphysema index, an objective quantification of the extent of emphysematous changes on CT imaging, was defined as the percentage area of lung with attenuation values below −950 Hounsfield units.

Results

A total of 60 patients with paratracheal air cysts were included in this study (estimated prevalence, 6.5%; 12 men, 48 women; mean age, 59.85; range 45–89 years). Emphysema index differed significantly between genders (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of paratracheal air cysts in men was significantly lower than that in women (P = 0.005); however, the emphysema index in patients of both genders showed no evidence of emphysema. The majority (95%) of paratracheal air cysts were at the level of the seventh cervical to the second thoracic vertebrae.

Conclusion

The presence of paratracheal air cysts is a common condition in general populations and should not be misdiagnosed as abnormal paratracheal free air. Paratracheal air cysts are more common in woman than in man. In our study, there is no patient with paratracheal air cysts has CT evidence of emphysema.     

基于ABC分析法的军队某门诊部2018年药品使用情况分析

 

目的 通过基于ABC分析法调查与分析某门诊部2018年药品使用情况,为该门诊部合理用药提供参考依据。方法 选取该门诊部卫生信息系统2018年全部药品出库数据,采用ABC分析法对药品销售金额与品种数进行统计分析,并重点对A类药品进行用药分析。结果 2018年A类药品61种,占总品种数的16.14%,占总销售金额74.27%;B类药品68种,占总品种数的17.99%,占总销售金额16.47%;C类药品249种,占总品种数的65.87%,占总销售金额9.26%。其中A类药品主要集中在中成药、心血管系统用药两大类药物,两类药物品种数累计百分比为50.82%,销售金额累计百分比为61.82%,品种数与销售金额占比均超过50%。中成药中主要治疗药物销售金额累计百分比为23.44%,辅助用药销售金额累计百分比76.56%。心血管系统用药品种数共10种,其中抗高血压类药物有6种。结论 该门诊部心血管系统用药基本合理,中成药辅助用药的使用存在不合理之处,亟待解决,以促进合理用药。

     

Prevalence of incidental Bochdalek's hernia in a large adult population.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of adult Bochdalek's hernia in a large patient population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all abdominal CT scans obtained at our hospital in 1998. Patients in our study were identified through a keyword search of our database for "Bochdalek," "hernia," and "diaphragm." The individual patient studies identified were reviewed in a soft-copy format. We noted the location and side of the body on which the diaphragmatic hernia arose and the contents of the sac. We also performed a chart review for each patient included in the study, noting the patient's sex, age, and symptoms. RESULTS: Incidental Bochdalek's hernia was diagnosed in 22 patients (17 women, five men), which represents an incidence of 0.17% based on 13,138 abdominal CT reports we reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 66.6 years. None of the patients were symptomatic. Sixty-eight percent of the hernias were on the right side of the body, 18% were on the left side, and 14% were bilateral. Seventy-three percent contained only fat or omentum, whereas 27% had solid or enteric organ involvement including the spleen, small intestine, or large intestine. CONCLUSION: Bochdalek's hernia is not rare, and the incidence of Bochdalek's hernias that contain enteric tract is higher than previously reported. This incidence likely represents a conservative estimate because some Bochdalek's hernias may have been overlooked or unreported.     

Sports injuries in women: a one-year prospective follow-up study at an outpatient sports clinic.

A one-year prospective follow-up study of all patients visiting Tampere Research Station of Sports Medicine (TRSSM) was carried out in order to determine the specific features of women's sports injuries compared to those of men. During this period 334 women (31%) and 745 men (69%) visited the station. Women were significantly younger than men and the ten most usual sports events causing the injury differed from those of men. In women acute dislocations, contusions, and fractures were significantly less common in men, while women had more frequent stress-related sports injuries. In both sexes the most common sites of trouble were knee, ankle, and lower back, but in women as opposed to men, the metatarsal area, the toes, and the sole were among the ten most usual sites of the injury. Fourteen women (4%) and 49 men (6%) required operative treatment of the injury. The knee was the most common site of operation in both sexes, in women significantly more frequently than in men.     

Comparison of home and clinic well-baby visits in a military population

Patient satisfaction is an indicator of quality of care received. Home-visit programs are associated with increased satisfaction and equivalent clinical outcomes but increased cost, compared with clinic visits. We hypothesized that home visits for routine well-child care would also be associated with increased satisfaction and equivalent outcomes. One thousand infants born at Tripler Army Medical Center were identified, and 630 were enrolled. Army and Air Force dependents received 2-week clinic visits. Navy and Marine Corps dependents were offered home visits. At 4 to 6 weeks, families completed a questionnaire. Maternal satisfaction and quality of anticipatory guidance were higher in the home-visit group. Clinical outcomes were equal. Home visits for routine well-child care are valid and are associated with greater maternal satisfaction, better anticipatory guidance, and equivalent clinical outcomes.     

Prevalence of the sickle cell trait in an athletic West African population

The prevalence of the sickle cell trait in a school for elite young athletes in Cameroon, West Africa, was examined in order to evaluate whether the choice of an athletic career was influenced by its presence. The presence of hemoglobin AS was found in 27 of the 145 students attending the school (18.6%). Since the frequency of the sickle cell trait in the general Cameroonian population is 17.3%, we conclude that its presence is not a determinant factor involved in the choice of a professional sportive activity.     

Knee injuries in athletes. Review of exertion injuries and retrospective study of outpatient sports clinic material

About one third of all sports injuries admitted to outpatient sports clinics concern knees. The incidence of different knee disorders in an outpatient sports clinic material and a review of the literature concerning the wide and problematic area of knee exertion injuries in athletes is presented. Exertion injury is defined as non-traumatic pain syndrome in the musculoskeletal system, including typical stress injuries and pain syndromes associated with physical activity but also has other important aetiological factors. 2762 athletes were admitted to the Turku Sports Medical Research Unit's outpatient sports clinic from 1976 to 1983 and 886 (32%) of them, 697 male and 189 female athletes, had suffered knee disorders. Football (soccer) [20.8%], long-distance running (13.1%), volleyball (11.6%), orienteering (7.6%) and ice-hockey (7.2%) had the highest incidence and the most common knee disorders were patellar apicitis (20.4%), Osgood-Schlatter's disease (10.1%), patellar chondropathy (10.0%), ligamentous sprains (9.0%) and meniscus tears (6.9%). The mean age of all athletes with knee disorders was 20.8 years. On an average each complaint caused 2.16 appointments. Careful evaluation of malalignments predisposing the athlete to exertion injury is necessary in the treatment of knee disorders and to avoid the recurrence of the exertion injury due to some biomechanical reason. The authors emphasise the importance of careful clinical examination. Although our review does not include detailed information about injuries originating in a single trauma, it is important to pick up the cases of ligamentous tears early so they can be appropriately repaired. Diagnostic and operative arthroscopy adds a new method in avoiding diagnostic errors and in shortening the postoperative rehabilitation.     

Scapula winging in a sports injury clinic.

Scapula winging is an uncommon condition but one which may be underdiagnosed. Four patients with scapula winging referred to a sports injury clinic are presented. None of the patients was aware of any trauma and a traction injury to the long thoracic nerve is proposed as the aetiology of this condition. These case reports emphasize the importance of excluding winging of the scapula in patients who present to sports injury clinics with shoulder pain.     

Patient and provider population dynamics analysis in a large dental organization: a tool for management

Health care managers are faced with difficult decisions on a daily basis. Some of those issues involve productivity. Statistical analyses of patient and provider population dynamics offer an important tool with which to base decisions. In this study, two representative clinics out of seven were selected. The patient and provider populations were subjected to the means square successive difference test and a linear regression test. The results differed from management perceptions. Provider decision processes in clinic A were more efficient than those in clinic B. There was no relationship between provider presence and the patient population in both clinics. The patient populations in both clinics displayed random arrivals. Specific recommendations to management from the results of this study include: billeting decisions, appointing process decisions, emergency policies, and the need for a focused marketing plan. There are many useful tools with which to study population dynamics. This is one example.     

儿童脂肪母细胞瘤的临床及影像学特征分析

目的 探讨脂肪母细胞瘤的临床表现、影像学特征及预后.方法 对27例脂肪母细胞瘤患儿的临床资料、CT及MRI表现和随访结果进行分析.16例进行CT检查,11例进行MRI检查.男13例,女14例;年龄范围为1月～4岁3个月,平均1岁6个月.结果 在CT及MRI上,全部肿块含有不均匀脂肪样密度或信号,瘤体中有间隔,部分病例含结节状或团块状软组织密度影.增强扫描瘤体有不均匀强化.与局限型相比,弥漫型肿块较大、边界不清、复发率高.结论 脂肪母细胞瘤患儿的临床及影像学表现有一定特征性,CT、MRI检查有助于脂肪母细胞瘤诊断、术前评估及预后的判断.     

The microscopic (optical and SEM) examination of dental calculus deposits (DCD). Potential interest in forensic anthropology of a bio-archaeological method

This article describes the potential interest in forensic anthropology of the microscopic analysis of dental calculus deposits (DCD), a calcified residue frequently found on the surface of teeth. Its sampling and analysis seem straightforward and relatively reproducible. Samples came from archaeological material (KHB-1 Ra’s al-Khabbah and RH-5 Ra′s al-Hamra, two Prehistoric graveyards located in the Sultanate of Oman, dated between the 5th and 4th millennium B.C.; Montenzio Vecchia, an Etruscan-Celtic necropolis from the north of Italy, dated between the 5th and 3rd century B.C.; body rests of Agnès Sorel, French royal mistress died in 1450 A.D.; skeleton of Pierre Hazard, French royal notary from the 15th century A.D.). Samples were studies by direct optical microscope (OM) or scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Many cytological, histological and elemental analyses were possible, producing precious data for the identification of these remains, the reconstitution of their alimentation and occupational habits, and propositions for manner of death.