Efficacy of CT scanning in a group of 174 patients with orthopedic and musculoskeletal problems

One hundred and seventy-four patients with orthopedic and musculoskeletal problems received computed tomography (CT) scans between January 1979 and July 1980. There were 34 trauma patients, 35 patients with known or suspected primary tumors, 20 patients with metastases, 18 patients with suspected spinal stenosis, 25 patients with disc problems, five patients with infections, 13 children with congenital anomalies, and 24 patients with miscellaneous problems. The CT scans proved useful in all the pediatric cases, 97% of the trauma patients, and in the majority of patients with tumors. It appears that absolute indications for CT scanning in orthopedic patients include acute trauma to the spine, pelvis, hip, and shoulder girdles as well as in children with congenital spinal anomalies. Relative indications include determining the extent of the tumor and also aiding in the correct approach for biopsying a lesion.     

Radiographic evaluation of the complications of long bone allografts

Purpose To study the long-term results of long bone allografts in patients with benign and malignant bone tumors.Material and Methods Forty patients for whom full clinical and radiological information was held were investigated in order to assess the overall incidence of complications including fractures, nonunion, hardware problems, infections, and bone resorption.Results There were four deaths; four more patients had distant metastases and one patient had a recurrent chondrosarcoma. Seventeen patients (42%) had either no complications (nine patients) or only minor ones (eight patients). Eleven patients (27%) sustained fractures of either their allograft (eight patients) or of their hardware (three patients). Hardware problems occurred in nine patients (22.5%), six of whom had serious problems requiring revision. The majority of the fractures and hardware problems occurred in younger male patients (82%). Infection occurred in five patients (12.5%), two of whom required revision, while two cases were superficial. Dissolution of the allograft occurred in 12 patients (30%), 7 of whom required removal of the allograft. Ten of these 12 patients were female.Conclusion The long-term survival of long bone allografts is not as good as generally reported if an adequate follow-up time period is used. Most of the fractures and hardware problems occurred in the younger active male patient, whose activities should probably be curtailed. Resorption of the allograft is another serious complication which appears to occur mainly in female patients and could possibly be controlled by chemotherapy.     

Information needs of naval primary care providers and patients at sea

OBJECTIVE: To optimally practice medicine, and to live healthy lives, providers and patients need convenient access to authoritative information. The goal of this study was to determine the information needs of naval primary care providers and patients at sea to aid development of a digital health sciences library for naval primary care providers and patients. METHOD: A literature-based needs assessment was conducted from articles identified using MEDLINE searching and U.S. Navy health care information sources. Recurring medical problems/diseases/topics were identified and categorized. RESULTS: Eighty-one articles and books were reviewed and abstracted, representing a broad base of naval medicine. Twenty-one medical and surgical theme areas and 125 medical problems/diseases/topics were recurrently identified. CONCLUSIONS: The common naval medical problems identified are nearly identical to the common medical problems in the general population, have changed little from the 18th century, and were consistent with first-hand information from naval primary care providers.     

Radiation safety precautions in the management of the hospitalized (131)I therapy patient

OBJECTIVES: The patient who has been dosed with therapeutic activities of (131)I for thyroid carcinoma poses a unique set of problems for nuclear medicine technologists in their efforts to reduce personnel exposure and control contamination spread. It is the objective of this article to: (a) review practical radiation safety concerns associated with hospitalized (131)I therapy patients; (b) propose preventative measures that can be taken to minimize potential exposure and contamination problems; and (c) review pertinent federal regulations that apply to patients containing therapeutic levels of radionuclides.     

Magnetic resonance imaging: When is one sequence sufficient?

We have studied 100 patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in eight well-defined clinical problems. The relative values of the clinical details and the initial imaging sequence in reaching the final MR diagnoses were assessed. For each patient, two radiologists independently predicted the likely radiological findings from the clinical details. They then assessed the radiological appearances shown by the initial imaging sequence (which was chosen according to the clinical problem). Lastly, they made a final interpretation using all the available information. Prediction of likely radiological abnormalities from the clinical details proved unreliable. However, the radiological assessment of the initial imaging sequence was reliable for clinical problems related to the pituitary fossa, posterior fossa, internal auditory meatus and for suspected multiple sclerosis. In these patient groups additional sequences might be reserved for those with equivocal findings. Conversely, assessment of the initial imaging sequence proved unreliable compared with the full radiological assessment for clinical problems in the lumbar spine, the axilla and the knee. This study has led us to reduce the number of sequences performed for some clinical problems, with a commensurate increase in the throughput of patients.     

Immediate assessment and management of acute medical emergencies

The pre-hospital management of acute medical emergencies can be difficult. Critically ill patients must be evaluated quickly and accurately to ensure that immediately life-threatening problems are identified and treated. Figure 1 and Box 2 provide a structured method for rapid assessment in the pre-hospital phase. Although the majority of medically unwell patients will not require an aggressive resuscitation phase during the primary survey, the use of the structured approach in all patients will ensure that 'time critical' pre-hospital medical emergencies are identified. This approach also emphasizes that once immediately correctable problems have been treated, the priority is transfer the patient to the nearest resuscitation facility.     

An analysis of gynecological problems presenting to an evacuation hospital during Operation Desert Storm.

Very little data are available to commanders regarding gynecological problems encountered by a large female population in a combat zone for extended periods of time. The 312th Evacuation Hospital supported Operation Desert Storm, treating over 12,000 patients. Of these, 577 were treated by the gynecological service. Only six patients with nonobstetrical conditions required evacuation out of theater; the remainder returned to duty. Five of these had pre-existing conditions. There were 49 cases of pregnancy. Excluding pregnancy, the gynecological problems observed were predictable, manageable in theater, and resulted in minimal loss of manpower.     

The in situ saphenous vein bypass graft: radiologic aspects

The use of the in situ saphenous vein for bypassing arterial occlusions in the lower extremities appears to have a higher patency rate than other bypass procedures but presents unique technical problems, such as lysing valves and occluding venous tributaries. Forty-four patients undergoing in situ bypasses had preoperative arteriograms. Special attention was paid to the small runoff vessels around the ankle, which are not suitable for reversed bypass procedures but may be adequate for in situ bypasses. Eight patients also had preoperative saphenous venograms, which revealed surgically important abnormalities in six cases. Postoperative arteriograms obtained within 2 weeks in 10 patients and within 2-12 months in 15 patients revealed persistent arteriovenous fistulas in four patients, stenoses in nine, occlusions in five, and progressive disease in the nonbypassed arteries in five patients. Early recognition of these problems led to 11 surgical repairs; nine repairs used the interventional radiologic procedures of balloon angioplasty, transcatheter embolization, and catheter thrombolysis. In this group of 44 patients, five patients died with patent bypasses and three patients required amputation despite functioning bypasses. Only four amputations were attributed to bypass failure. This low figure may be due to the close cooperation of the vascular surgeons and the vascular radiologists in dealing with these complicated cases.     

Esophageal radionuclide transit tests. Potential false-positive results

Esophageal radionuclide transit testing is a sensitive technique for assessing esophageal clearance. Experience with the technique in 150 patients has led to an awareness of several pitfalls which might lead to false-positive results. Potential problems may be grouped into technical factors, clinical aspects, and misinterpretations. Examples of these are presented and techniques to minimize such problems are discussed.     

Importance of daily rounds by the radiologist after interventional procedures of the abdomen and chest

A prospective study was performed to evaluate the clinical utility of daily rounds by the radiologist for patients with indwelling catheters in the chest and abdomen, placed during interventional radiologic procedures. The 7-week evaluation included documentation of the number of patients seen, time spent with each per day, number of problems identified, management of these problems, and consultations for new cases generated by interaction with other staff. During the 268 visits to 37 patients, 59 catheter-related problems were identified; 17 (29%) required further intervention in the radiology department, and 42 (71%) were managed at the patient's bedside. Of the patients who were followed up, 22 (59%) had some catheter-related problem identified during their hospital stay. Daily rounds by the radiologist are an essential component of patient care after catheter-related interventional procedures and should be made by those who perform and understand the procedures.     

Physical and psychosocial support requirements of 1,500 patients starting radiotherapy

Background

The need for psychosocial support in cancer patients is estimated in the literature at 14–50?%. At the Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, approximately 3,000 patients are seen annually. Due to limited staff resources, highly distressed patients need to be selected for focused support. A multidisciplinary screening questionnaire covering physical, social and psychological problems and needs was successfully implemented in clinical routine. We present the results of a representative sample of 1,500 heterogeneous cancer patients before beginning radiotherapy.

Patients and methods

The prevalence rates of physical, social and psychological problems and needs were evaluated. Independent risk factors for critical psychological distress were analyzed in a multivariate logistic regression model, in order to identify vulnerable subgroups for focused psychosocial support.

Results

Critical psychological distress was found in 22?% of the overall cohort, of whom only 26?% reported a need for psychological information. Clinically relevant pain was suffered by 31?%. Patients’ most frequent complaints were weakness, sleeping difficulties and exhaustion. Consequently, 40?% were impaired in activities and 35?% reported a requirement for support in daily life. A need for further information was expressed by 37?% of patients. Significant risk factors for critical psychological distress included pain, functional status, support requirements and patient-reported symptoms. Differences in tumor type, metastases and sociodemographic variables had no impact on critical psychological distress.

Conclusion

Approximately one third of all patients beginning radiotherapy have physical, social and psychological problems and should receive focused psychosocial support. Multivariate analysis reveals that patients with impaired “physical integrity” are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing critical psychological distress.     

Care of the mentally ill offender. A model service

Caring for mentally ill offenders has been a contentious issue in almost all parts of the world. In some countries such as New South Wales in Australia, a humane approach has gradually evolved over the years. This paper describes a successful service delivery model for forensic patients in a metropolitan psychiatric hospital in Sydney. Issues relating to selection criteria, problems associated with caring for the mentally ill offender in a general psychiatric hospital environment and the integration of the forensic patients with civilian psychiatric patients are discussed.     

重度烧伤患者的心理护理

目的:针对重度烧伤患者在烧伤治疗过程中出现的不同心理问题进行分析,为消除各种不良的心理反应做好心理护理.方法:注意观察患者在烧伤治疗过程中不同时期的不同心理反应,积极采取相应的心理护理对策.结果:通过对患者的细致耐心的工作,使其消除了不良的心理反应,能积极配合治疗,对未来充满了信心.结论:经临床实践证实,对重度烧伤患者进行相应的心理护理,对治疗和康复具有十分重要的意义.     

Unexpected subdiaphragmatic findings on CT of the chest in septic patients after cardiac surgery

AIM: to draw the attention to upper abdominal abnormalities, which may be revealed incidentally in patients referred for a chest computed tomography (CT) after cardiac surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed prospectively and retrospectively the CT results of all patients referred for a chest CT, with suspected sternal infection or for other reasons, after cardiac surgery, to assess possible upper abdominal disease as visualized on lower cuts of the chest CT with abdominal windows. RESULTS: Out of a total of 205 patients in the study 39 (19%) had unexpected abdominal abnormalities. The organs involved in decreasing order of frequency were the spleen (n = 18), gallbladder (n = 15), pancreas (n = 9), kidneys (n = 6) and bowel (n = 3). Many patients had involvement of more than one organ. The lesions were mainly ischaemic and/or infectious in origin. These findings led to interventional procedures in 13 (33%) of the patients with a good outcome. CONCLUSIONS: We found a relatively high prevalence of abdominal abnormalities on CT of the chest in patients referred with suspected thoracic problems after cardiac surgery. Major findings on CT led to changes in the management of these patients. We recommend therefore viewing lung bases with abdominal windows as well as adding sections through the upper abdomen in patients who are referred for a chest CT after cardiac surgery with suspected thoracic problems.     

Athletes on Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

In brief We performed a retrospective review to determine the efficacy of the clinic we established to diminish health problems among athletes who used or were considering using anabolic-androgenic steroids. The clinic evaluated 18 patients by standard questionnaire, history, physical exam, and laboratory tests. Intervention included counseling, explaining any evident steroid-health connections to the patient, medical referral, and treatment of detectable problems. The patients who had considered steroid use remained steroid-free, and the patients who had follow-up visits minimized their steroid use and exhibited fewer health problems.     

Usefulness of computed tomography in pre-surgical evaluation of maxillo-facial pathology with rapid prototyping and surgical pre-planning by virtual reality

PURPOSE: To validate a protocol for creating virtual models to be used in the construction of solid prototypes useful for the planning-simulation of maxillo-facial surgery, in particular for very complex anatomic and pathologic problems. To optimize communications between the radiology, engineering and surgical laboratories. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We studied 16 patients with different clinical problems of the maxillo-facial district. Exams were performed with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and single slice computed tomography (SDCT) with axial scans and collimation of 0.5-2 mm, and reconstruction interval of 1 mm. Subsequently we performed 2D multiplanar reconstructions and 3D volume-rendering reconstructions. We exported the DICOM images to the engineering laboratory, to recognize and isolate the bony structures by software. With these data the solid prototypes were generated using stereolitography. To date, surgery has been preformed on 12 patients after simulation of the procedure on the stereolithographyc model. RESULTS: The solid prototypes constructed in the difficult cases were sufficiently detailed despite problems related to the artefacts generated by dental fillings an d prostheses. In the remaining cases the MPR/3D images were sufficiently detailed for surgical planning. The surgical results were excellent in all patients who underwent surgery, and the surgeons were satisfied with the improvement in quality and the reduction in time required for the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: MDCT enables rapid prototyping using solid replication, which was very helpful in maxillo-facial surgery, despite problems related to artifacts due to dental fillings and prosthesis within the acquisition field; solutions for this problem are work in progress. The protocol used for communication between the different laboratories was valid and reproducible.     

Surgical intervention of intestinal malrotations in paediatric patients without other congenital anatomical abnormalities: overview from a single center

The subject of malrotation in infants and children without other congenital anatomical abnormalities is reviewed from the perspective of experience with 97 patients operated in 11 years. Fifty-five patients were younger than 6 weeks at operation. They often presented with bilious vomiting, in contrast to older children who presented with non-bilious vomiting or feeding problems. Patients younger than 6 weeks were operated more often acutely than older patients. Volvulus was more common in infants younger than 6 weeks. Two patients with a resulting short bowel syndrome died. In 73 of the surviving 95 (76.8%) children their symptoms disappeared. In the children younger than 6 weeks persisting abdominal problems were significantly less frequent than in older children. In the children presenting with proven gastro-esophageal reflux disease before the malrotation operation, abdominal problems persisted significantly more often. Although there remains considerable controversy over how older children without signs of vascular problems should be managed, failure to respond to radiographic evidence of malrotation could be considered malpractice if volvulus was to occur subsequently. For this reason, every patient with a radiological proven malrotation merits diagnostic laparoscopy.     

Characteristics of repeat users of an inpatient psychiatry service at a large military tertiary care hospital

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify clinical and demographic variables that correlated with readmission to a large tertiary care military psychiatric inpatient service located in the Washington, DC area. METHODS: Data from 983 consecutive inpatient admissions (comprised of 814 individual patients) over a 13-month period (July 1999-July 2000) were abstracted from medical records for retrospective analysis. Repeat users were defined as those individuals receiving two or more inpatient admissions to Walter Reed Army Medical Center during the study period. Statistical comparisons were made between repeat and single admission groups to identify variables predictive of rehospitalization. RESULTS: Of 814 individual patients under study, 117 (14%) were identified as repeat users. A history of childhood psychiatric problems, previous psychiatric hospitalization, current or past substance abuse, legal problems, and presence of a psychotic or nonbipolar mood disorder were associated with readmission after controlling for active duty status. Current comorbid substance use or personality disorder diagnoses were not predictive. Having at least one child was protective against readmission. The 117 repeat users accounted for 3,838 (37%) of the total 10,393 hospital bed-days during the study period. Logistic regression analysis of all variables correlated with readmission demonstrated statistical significance for past psychiatric hospitalization and age of onset of psychiatric problems before age 18 when active duty status, age, and gender variables were included in the equation. CONCLUSIONS: This study is one of the largest to investigate predictors of rehospitalization in a population that enjoys universal "free" access to comprehensive mental health care services and other benefits of employment. This retrospective analysis documented three important facts: That there seem to be only minor differences between military and civilians with respect to variables associated with psychiatric rehospitalization, that a relatively small proportion of patients accounted for a disproportionately large number of inpatient bed-days, and that an unexpectedly high proportion of active duty patients admitted to this study site reported childhood psychiatric problems and psychiatric hospitalizations before their first hospitalization at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.