Carcinoid syndrome and carcinoid crisis secondary to a metastatic carcinoid tumour of the lung: a therapeutic challenge

We describe a 53-year-old male patient, with a known history of metastatic carcinoid tumour of the lung, who developed a variety of symptoms of the carcinoid syndrome and subsequently a carcinoid crisis. Although bronchial carcinoid tumours are very rarely associated with symptoms of the carcinoid syndrome, a subset may develop a severe hypersecretory syndrome and exhibit an aggressive behaviour. In cases with excessive tumour load and difficult-to-control hypersecretory syndrome, management by a specialized multidisciplinary team using evidence-based regimens is mandatory to deal with the life-threatening carcinoid crisis, to improve patients' outcome and quality of life.     

Confronting bioterrorism: Epidemiologic,clinical, and preventive aspects of smallpox

The worldwide eradication of smallpox, a major achievement in public health, is currently threatened by the risk of bioterrorism. The debate on the destruction of the Variola virus in the two reference laboratories of the World Health Organization has dramatically switched to the preservation of the remaining virus after the September 2001 terrorist events in the U.S. along with the intentional release of Bacillus anthracis in the U.S. The risk of intentional release of Variola virus constitutes a minimal, yet possible risk. A smallpox epidemic could have a devastating impact due to its elevated morbidity and mortality that would inflict in non-immune human population, in addition to the ensuing panic and social unrest. Therefore, the development of national preparedness and response plans along with the availability of smallpox vaccine to be used in the post-exposure phase represent a fundamental part of the preventive efforts to cope with bioterrorism. Reestablishing a preventive vaccination program was recently recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). However, the vaccine currently available has historically been associated with serious adverse reactions, even death. Thus, this recommendation has not been universally accepted. To counter an epidemic of smallpox, medical personnel in the frontline need to be prepared with updated smallpox information to identify, diagnose, isolate, and treat cases if a bioterrorist attack should occur. Herein we present an indepth review for health care personnel with relevant epidemiologic, clinical, and preventive information on smallpox.     

Fibromyalgia: a clinical challenge

Abstract. The syndrome of fibromyalgia includes an unusually large and heterogeneous number of symptoms apart from the core features of generalized pain and widespread tenderness. Widespread tenderness is the only objective criterion. There is no evidence that fibromyalgia is a disease of the muscles or a rheumatic syndrome. The experience from an Australian epidemic of fibromyalgia indicates that there is an important psychosomatic component in the pathogenesis. Probably, fibromyalgia is not a disease entity; rather, the symptoms reflect difficulties in coping with various types of environmental stress. Secondary to this, sleep disturbances, fatigue, a low level of physical activity and poor physcial fitness may develop, rendering the patients susceptible to muscle pain and tenderness elicited by sleep disturbances. A vicious circle may be responsible for the chronicity of the syndrome. Identification of environmental factors and early intervention should be given a high priority.     

Osteomyelitis: a current challenge

Over the last 30 years, the pathogenesis of osteomyelitis has almost been totally elucidated, and many factors responsible for the persistence of this infection have been identified. Numerous antimicrobial agents with distinct spectrums of action, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics have been used in its treatment. Surgical techniques, including muscle grafts, the Ilizarov technique, and antibiotic bone cements, have been applied. However, bone infections are still a challenge. Despite the importance of isolation and identification of microorganisms to determine the antimicrobial treatment of bone infections, there are few systematic national studies about the etiological profile of these diseases. This article describes the current knowledge of osteomyelitis and summarizes published national data based on the experience of different Orthopedic and Traumatology Services. In general, S. aureus was described as an important etiological agent; however, the difference in design of national studies makes a comparison between the prevalence of bone infection, the associated risk factors, and the different therapeutic approaches difficult. In conclusion, effort is necessary in order to stimulate systematic national studies in different Orthopedics and Traumatology Services to obtain a better consensus on preventive measures and therapies of bone infections.     

Aging: a challenge to science, society, and the individual

The author presents a summary of the nature of the scientific, social, and individual challenges and some of the successes and failures in meeting them. Also presented are some optimistic and perhaps "futuristic" predictions of whether our responses to these challenges will be successful two or three decades from now.