Captopril treatment in hypertensive dialysis patients

Captopril was used for treatment resistant arterial hypertension in 17 dialysis patients. Excellent blood-pressure control with diastolic blood-pressure less than 95 mmHg was obtained in 10 out of 17 patients (59%), with captopril as only drug in 8 patients. Six patients have been treated more than 6 months and 4 patients have been on the treatment for 1 year. The dosage of captopril could be kept low with maintained antihypertensive and angiotensin converting enzyme blocking effects. The acute blood-pressure lowering effect of captopril in dialysis patients was correlated to the initial plasma renin activity (p less than 0.001) but not long-term treatment, which was successful also in several low-renin patients. A few adverse reactions were encountered, e.g. urticaria and bullous exanthema, but all resolved when captopril treatment was stopped. Plasma potassium increased only from 4.8 +/- 0.1 to 5.0 +/- 0.1 mmol/l at the end of 1 month's treatment. Captopril appears to be a valuable drug for treatment of arterial hypertension in dialysis patients and offers an alternative to bilateral nephrectomy for the management of treatment resistant hypertension in these patients.     

Early endovascular treatment of ruptured cerebral aneurysms in patients in very poor neurological condition

OBJECTIVE: In patients in very poor neurological condition (World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Grade V) with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, early surgery to prevent rebleeding and to allow appropriate treatment of complications is often difficult. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether early endovascular treatment followed by aggressive proactive treatment of complications (prophylactic hypervolemic hemodilution, hypertensive treatment in the event of systemic hypotension, and appropriate treatment of intracranial hypertension) is an acceptable management strategy for these patients. METHODS: We prospectively studied 11 consecutive patients who presented with acutely ruptured aneurysms and were in very poor neurological condition after resuscitation (World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Grade V) but did not have a significant intracerebral hemorrhage. These patients received endovascular treatment with Guglielmi detachable coils (Boston Scientific/Target, Fremont, CA). Follow-up consisted of a clinical evaluation based on the Glasgow Outcome Scale. A control angiogram was obtained after 6 months in patients with favorable outcomes to evaluate the occlusion of the aneurysm. RESULTS: There were no deaths or complications directly related to the procedure. Two patients died as a consequence of increased intracranial pressure. The mean follow-up of the surviving patients was 12 months. Two patients had early rebleeding after the coiling and required further treatment. Four patients had good outcomes, two patients were moderately disabled, and three patients were severely disabled. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that early endovascular treatment of acutely ruptured cerebral aneurysms in patients evaluated as World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Grade V allows for aggressive treatment of intracranial hypertension and vasospasm. More than half of the patients had favorable outcomes. Therefore, early endovascular treatment seems to be a valuable alternative to early surgery in patients who present with a very poor clinical grade after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The results of this study are promising but must be interpreted with caution, because a small number of patients were studied.     

Outcomes in sinonasal mucosal melanoma

BACKGROUND: The present paper assesses treatment outcomes in a series of 20 patients with sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM) over 11 years. METHODS: All patients who presented to a single institution between 1991 and 2002 with a diagnosis of SNMM had their treatment reviewed and outcomes determined. RESULTS: Twenty patients presented to our institution with SNMM over the study period. No cervical node or metastatic involvement was detected at presentation. The most common site of involvement was the nasal cavity (17/20). The majority of patients received initial surgery followed by radiotherapy (15/20). At the completion of treatment 14 patients had no disease evident. The median time to failure in these patients was 12 months. Of these patients 10 relapsed, including six who had metastatic failure only. Fifteen patients died due to disease. Median overall survival was 17 months, with a 2-year overall survival of 23%. In univariate analysis, patients with advanced tumours (T3-4) had a 4.3 times greater risk of dying than patients with early tumours (T1-2). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SNMM have poor outcomes with conventional therapy. Full staging prior to treatment is recommended. Aggressive treatment carrying significant morbidity is justified only for patients with early stage disease.     

Ethics and palliative care in patients with advanced cancer

Recent research in both the biology of cancer and the treatment of patients has increased the life expectancy of cancer patients with recurrence and who have a longer survival rate. Cancer is no longer considered a lethal but a chronic disease. More patients survive, but above all there are more patients with recurrences thus increasing the need for physical or psychological treatment of patients with longer lives. The American Cancer Society reported in 1992 that in the U.S. more than 8 million people survived between 4 and 5 years. This produces both an ethical and medical challenge for treatment of cancer patients. This paper reviews the actual criteria for palliative care: treatment for pain and the ethical and psychological treatment of advanced cancer patients and their families.     

Experience in the application of iodine-diceryn in the treatment of purulent wounds]

Comparative results of treatment of 103 patients with purulent-inflammatory diseases of soft tissues are presented. In patients of a main group iodine-dicerin was applied locally and in control group generally accepted treatment was conducted. Using iodine-dicerin the results of treatment were significantly better, the stationary treatment course was two times shorter than in a control group of patients.     

Surgical treatment of liver metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer

Half of patients with colorectal cancer have liver metastasis during their illness. Surgical resection of metastases represents the only curative treatment with prolonged survival in more than 50 % of patients. The aim of liver resection is complete excision of the lesions with histological negative margins while preserving sufficient functional liver parenchyma. In patients with diffuse liver disease, the radiofrequency ablation of metastases may be associated with surgical resection. The use of portal vein remobilization and neoadjuvant chemotherapy can also increase the number of patients for curative treatment. Despite this progress, from 50 to 60 % of patients relapse after complete resection of MHCCR. Surgical treatment of recurrent aggressive and effective chemotherapy allows the prolonged survival of these patients. The modern treatment of liver metastasis of colorectal cancers can be envisaged as part of a multidisciplinary approach to increase the number of patients for curative treatment.     

Surgical policy in acute purulent pyelonephritis in patients with diabetes

Efficacy of treatment of 208 diabetic patients with acute pyelonephritis was analyzed. Surgical treatment was performed in 58 patients (43 with insulin-non-depended and 15 with insulin-depended types). All the patients were divided into 4 groups depending on forms of pyelonephritis: non-destructive (116 patients), purulent-destructive (58), calcllious (34), purulent-calculous (10). Algorithm of differential diagnosis between non-destructive and purulent-destructive forms of acute pyelonephritis in diabetic patients are presented. It is demonstrated that surgical treatment is the main method in complex therapy of purulent-destructive forms. Rational surgical policy is substantiated. In patient with diabetes and purulent pyelonephritis nephrectomy is more expediently. Nephrostomy may be used only in light forms of diabetes with local destructive forms ofapostematosic nephritis. Radical surgical policy permitted to achieve positive result of treatment in majority of patients. Lethal outcomes were seen in two-sided lesion of kidneys with apostems, and carbuncles.     

The surgical treatment of acute cholecystitis in patients in a group at increased risk

The article deals with the results of treatment of acute cholecystitis in 190 patients of the increased risk group. An urgent operation was performed on 25 patients, the others received intensive nonoperative treatment and were subjected to complex examination aimed primarily at assessing the hepatic function (ultrasonic examination with photometric determination of screen luminescent brightness, intraduodenal contact electrothermometry, plasma biochemical tests). In failure of this treatment 88 patients underwent transhepatic microcholecystomy, one-stage external-internal drainage was carried out in 43 patients. Operation was undertaken in the cold period in 104 patients; chloroform with procaine hydrochloride was administered through a catheter in 15 patients to dissolve gallstones.     

尿IL-17水平检测对评估IgA肾病病情和治疗疗效的价值

也页目的：探讨尿白细胞介素-17（IL-17）检测对评估IgA肾病（IgAN）病情严重程度和治疗疗效中的价值。方法：应用酶联免疫吸附法（ ELISA）检测79例原发性IgAN患者治疗前后的尿IL-17水平,分析患者治疗前尿IL-17水平与临床指标、牛津病理分型[系膜细胞增生（ M）、内皮细胞增生（ E）、节段硬化或黏连（ S）和肾小管萎缩/间质纤维化（ T）]的相关性;比较不同治疗方案下患者治疗前后尿IL-17水平的变化以及与疾病转归的关系。结果：IgAN患者治疗前尿IL-17的水平较正常对照显著升高并且与尿中性粒细胞明胶酶相关脂质运载蛋白（ NGAL）的水平和24 h尿蛋白呈正相关、与eGFR呈负相关。根据牛津病理分型,E1组患者的尿IL-17水平显著高于E0组,T1组和T2组患者的尿IL-17水平分别显著高于T0组,M0组与M1组、S0组与S1组、T1组与T2组的尿IL-17水平差异均无统计学意义。治疗6个月后,在单用血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂（ ACEI）治疗的患者中治疗显效组的尿IL-17水平较治疗前显著下降,而治疗无效组的尿IL-17水平较治疗前无显著下降;ACEI联合糖皮质激素治疗的患者中治疗有效组和无效组在治疗后的尿IL-17水平较治疗前均显著下降。结论：尿IL-17水平在评估IgAN患者的病情和疗效预判方面具有潜在的临床实用价值。     

胸部创伤患者手术救治效果的影响因素研究

目的探讨胸部创伤患者手术救治效果的影响因素。方法对江苏省常熟市第二人民医院2010年1月至2013年4月期间收治的250例胸部创伤患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析，采用Logistic回归分析法评估各因素对胸部创伤患者手术救治疗效的影响情况。结果手术救治后，共20例死亡（8％），经单因素筛选及多因素分析后，年龄〉60岁、格拉斯哥昏迷评分（glasgow coma scale，GCS）〈12、失血性休克、肺部感染、腹腔脏器损伤、多器官功能障碍综合征等是胸部创伤患者手术救治后发生死亡的独立危险因素（P〈0．05）。结论年龄、昏迷程度及严重并发症状与胸部创伤患者手术救治后死亡有关，应有针对性地制定治疗方案，才能保证患者生命安全。     

Long-term, low-dose azithromycin treatment reduces the incidence but increases macrolide resistance in Staphylococcus aureus in Danish CF patients

BACKGROUND: Since 2001, long-term, low-dose azithromycin treatment has been used for CF patients chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the Copenhagen CF centre. Our study investigates changes in incidence of colonization with Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis and changes in macrolide sensitivity in these microorganisms during azithromycin treatment. METHODS: CF patients treated continuously with azithromycin for at least 3 months were included. Results of microbiological examination, including phage typing results of S. aureus, obtained during treatment were compared to results obtained 2 years before treatment. RESULTS: 70 patients (median age 29.1 years) treated for a median of 4 years (range 0.7-5.1) were included. Before treatment, 44 patients had at least one culture positive for S. aureus compared to 25 patients during treatment (p<0.01). Mean percentage of sputum samples with growth of S. aureus decreased from 12.1% (range 0-82.6%) before treatment to 6.1% (range 0-93.2) during treatment (p<0.0006). Prevalence's of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae also decreased significantly. Fifteen of 214 isolates (7%) of S. aureus were macrolide resistant before treatment, increasing to 95 of 181 isolates (52.5%) during treatment (p<0.001). Macrolide resistant strains were found in 3 of 44 S. aureus colonized patients before treatment and in 11 of 25 patients at some time during treatment (p<0.03), all belonging to different phage types. First resistant S. aureus isolate was isolated after a median treatment duration of 1.5 years (range 0.3-2.9). No MRSA were isolated. Only 1 macrolide resistant isolate of M. catarrhalis was found during treatment. No macrolide resistance was found in H. influenzae or S. pneumoniae. CONCLUSION: Long-term, low-dose treatment with azithromycin in CF patients leads to reduced prevalence of S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, and H. influenzae, but increased macrolide resistance in S. aureus. Reduction in the prevalence of S. aureus will make increasing macrolide resistance clinically insignificant in these patients.     

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone in the Treatment of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Following Kidney Transplantation

This retrospective study examined the effect of adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy on remission of recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in patients with history of kidney transplant (KT) treated at 2 transplant centers. Patients with biopsy-confirmed FSGS following KT who received Acthar Gel (Mallinckrodt ARD, Bedminster, New Jersey, United States) treatment for ≥1 month were eligible. A total of 14 patients with idiopathic FSGS were included. Acthar Gel treatment resulted in complete remission of FSGS in 3 patients and partial remission in 2 patients for a total treatment response rate of 36% (5/14) of patients. Among patients showing complete or partial remission, Acthar Gel treatment duration ranged from 6 months to 2 years and 60% (3/5 patients) had serum creatinine ≤ 2 mg/dL at the start of Acthar Gel treatment. Patient outcomes suggest Acthar Gel may be an effective and tolerable treatment for recurrent FSGS in patients with history of KT. Early initiation of Acthar Gel treatment and therapy duration of at least 6 months may be needed for optimal response to Acthar Gel in patients with history of KT and recurrent FSGS.     

老年小脑出血患者的治疗分析

【摘要】 目的 探讨老年小脑出血患者的治疗方案。方法 回顾分析32例老年小脑出血患者的临床资料,比较保守治疗与手术治疗的疗效。结果 保守治疗患者17例中14例治愈,3例死亡;手术治疗患者15例中8例治愈,6例患者留有后遗症,影响生活质量,1例死亡。结论 治疗选择需根据意识状态分级情况并结合影像学结果来决定,意识分级Ⅱ级以上者建议选择保守治疗,而不论血肿大小,除非病情有恶化者;意识分级Ⅲ~Ⅳ级且血肿量≥20 mL或合并梗阻性脑积水者建议手术治疗;意识分级Ⅴ级者无论何种治疗方案预后均差,不建议手术治疗。     

肝移植围手术期肝肾综合征的综合治疗临床观察

目的探讨肝移植围手术期以特利加压素（terlipressin）为基础的综合治疗措施对改善HRS病人肾功能及提高术后生存率的作用。方法对术前16例及术后15例HRS病人采用以terlipressin为基础的综合治疗，观察治疗前后血Cr及24h尿量的变化以及术后ICU时间、感染率、急性肾衰发生率、死亡率等各项指标。结果单纯使用terlipressin治疗的病人，治疗前后的血Cr及24h尿量的变化差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；CRRT的使用能明显改善病人的临床症状；与同期行肝移植的非HRS病人相比，经综合治疗的HRS病人的ICU治疗时间较长、感染率较高（P〈0．05），但ARF的发生率及死亡率无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。结论对肝移植围手术期的HRS病人采用terlipressin结合CRRT及2剂赛尼哌诱导疗法的综合治疗可以明显改善病人的肾功能，提高生存率。     

进展期白癜风患者窄谱中波紫外线治疗前后血清抗黑素细胞抗体的变化

目的：检测白癜风患者血清抗黑素细胞IgG抗体的水平,以及窄谱中波紫外线（narrow band ultraviolet B,NB-UVB）治疗前后血清中抗黑素细胞IgG抗体的变化,探讨NB-UVB对白癜风的治疗效应及抗黑素细胞抗体的意义。方法：采用间接免疫荧光技术检测56例白癜风患者血清中抗黑素细胞IgG抗体。选择16例抗黑素细胞IgG抗体阳性的进展期患者给予窄谱中波紫外线治疗,然后再检测该抗体。结果：进展期白癜风患者血清抗黑素细胞IgG抗体阳性率显著高于稳定期患者及正常人,NB-UVB治疗后进展期白癜风患者抗黑素细胞抗体水平明显低于治疗前,差异有统计学意义。结论：白癜风患者血清中抗黑素细胞IgG抗体与疾病的活动性有一定的关系,支持白癜风与自身免疫有关。进展期白癜风患者血清中抗黑素细胞IgG抗体水平随着治疗后病情的好转而降低,表明NB-UVB治疗白癜风有明显效果。     

Foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract

The authors describe their experience of surgical treatment of 133 patients with foreign bodies in the gastro-intestinal tract under conditions of an urgent twenty-four-hour clinic. A careful clinico-rentgenological and endoscopic examination of patients with foreign bodies in the gastro-intestinal tract in the dynamics of surgical treatment give good results. Special attention was given to the treatment methods (active or actively expecting) of patients with such pathology.     

Extrawound programmed vulnosynthesis in the treatment of festering wounds

The treatment of 200 patients with granulating wound of soft tissues was analyzed. A conventional method of treatment was used in 90 patients. In the study group (110 patients) different types of adaptive-reposition devices and the method of extrawound programmed vulnosynthesis were used. This method demonstrated technical advantages compared with standard methods of treatment of festering wounds that permitted to improve the results of complex treatment.     

The management of traumatic aortic tear in the multiply-injured patient

Patients with traumatic aortic tears and severe life-threatening associated injuries require early and expeditious evaluation and treatment in order to improve survival. Diagnostic and treatment priorities, however, are not clearly established in this subset of patients. The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to help identify successful diagnostic and treatment priorities in this group of patients. Between 1979–1989 the medical records of all patients sustaining blunt chest trauma resulting in a traumatic aortic tear were reviewed. There were 11 patients with multiple injuries and this diagnosis was treated at Boston University Medical Center. Five patients had diagnostic peritoneal lavage or an exploratory laparotomy prior to a thoracotomy. Four patients had only a thoracotomy. Two patients in this series had a thoracotomy prior to treatment of suspected intraabdominal injuries. One of these two patients died. Our overall survival rate was 82%. This series suggests that the management sequence in patients with coexistent injuries should include treatment of severe associated injuries prior to treatment of the aortic injury and that initial treatment of traumatic aortic tears is appropriate if there is no evidence of severe life-threatening trauma.     

Medical treatment in carotid artery intervention

Medical treatment has a pivotal role in the treatment of patients with occlusive carotid artery disease. Large trials have provided the justification for operative treatment besides medical treatment in patients with recent significant carotid artery stenosis two decades ago. Since then, medical therapy has evolved tremendously. Next to aspirin, antiplatelet regimens acting on a different level in the modulation of platelet aggregation have made their entry. Moreover, statin therapy has been introduced. These changes among others in secondary stroke prevention, along with better understanding in life-style adjustments and perioperative medical management, have led to a decrease in stroke recurrence. Secondary prevention is therefore now the most important pillar of medical therapy. It consists of antiplatelet therapy, statins and blood pressure lowering agents in all patients. Small adjustments are recommended for those patients referred for invasive treatment. Moreover, long-term medical treatment is imperative. In this article, we summarize current evidence in literature regarding medical management in patients with previous stroke or TIA.     

中医辨证配合穴位埋线治疗肥胖症患者的疗效观察

目的:观察中医辨证配合耳针穴位埋线治疗肥胖症患者的疗效。方法:将我院116例肥胖症患者随机分为两组。对照组:患者常规性针灸治疗,治疗组采用中医辨证配合耳针穴位埋线治疗。7天为1个疗程,治疗2个疗程后对比临床效果。结果:治疗组总有效率为93.1%,对照组70.7%,疗效比较有显著性差异(P0.05)。两组患者在治疗过程中均未出现不良反应,患者的体重与体重指数对比存在较大差异性,且差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:中医辨证配合耳针穴位埋线治疗肥胖症患者疗效高于常规性针灸治疗,且治疗全面、有效,减少了并发症的发生,安全性较高。