Acute pyogenic iliopsoas abscess in children in Nepal

We describe a prospective study of twenty-four cases of acute pyogenic abscess of the iliopsoas in children treated conservatively and operatively. Eight patients were managed conservatively with antibiotics alone while sixteen others were managed operatively by open drainage. All made a complete recovery.     

糖尿病并发细菌性肝脓肿临床特点及诊治探讨

目的总结糖尿病并发细菌性肝脓肿(diabetes companied with pyogenic hepatic abscess,DPHA)的临床特点及诊治经验。方法1990年～2003年我院收治的17例糖尿病并发细菌性肝脓肿及同期收治的29例非糖尿病并发细菌性肝脓肿(nondiabetes companied with pyogenic hepatic abscess,NDPHA)临床诊断及治疗的相关资料进行回顾性对比分析。结果DPHA多见于中年人,以男性多见。其表现有发热(多为高热)、寒战、右上腹疼痛或不适、乏力纳差、肝区叩痛、肝脏肿大;NDPHA组的症状较DPHA组多见且明显;DPHA的的诱因及伴随疾病依次为肺炎23.5%、胆道疾病11.8%、泌尿系感染5.9%;而ND-PHA依次为胆道疾病41.4%、肺炎13.8%,另外DPHA组及NDPHA组中分别有52.9%及41.4%患者未找到明显诱因;DPHA组中76.5%患者脓肿位于右肝,58.8%为单个脓肿;而NDPHA组中79.3%位于右肝,86.2%为单个脓肿;DPHA组采用保守治疗(仅用抗生素治疗)、经皮穿刺引流、外科手术分别为70.6%、23.5%、5.9%,总有效率94.1%;而NDPHA组中上述3种疗法分别为44.8%、24.1%、31%;手术治疗者中脓肿平均直径10.3cm(9.5～12.8cm)。结论糖尿病合并细菌性肝脓肿症状多不典型,且多无明确诱因,治疗应早期、足疗程,方案个体化。     

糖尿病并发细菌性肝脓肿临床特点及诊治探讨

目的：总结糖尿病并发细菌性肝脓肿（diabetes companied with pyogenic hepatic abscess,DPHA）的临床特点及诊治经验.方法：1990年～2003年我院收治的17例糖尿病并发细菌性肝脓肿及同期收治的29例非糖尿病并发细菌性肝脓肿（nondiabetes companied with pyogenic hepatic abscess,NDPHA）临床诊断及治疗的相关资料进行回顾性对比分析.结果：DPHA多见于中年人,以男性多见.其表现有发热（多为高热）、寒战、右上腹疼痛或不适、乏力纳差、肝区叩痛、肝脏肿大;NDPHA组的症状较DPHA组多见且明显;DPHA的的诱因及伴随疾病依次为肺炎23.5%、胆道疾病11.8%、泌尿系感染5.9%;而ND-PHA依次为胆道疾病41.4%、肺炎13.8%,另外DPHA组及NDPHA组中分别有52.9%及41.4%患者未找到明显诱因;DPHA组中76.5%患者脓肿位于右肝,58.8%为单个脓肿;而NDPHA组中79.3%位于右肝,86.2%为单个脓肿;DPHA组采用保守治疗（仅用抗生素治疗）、经皮穿刺引流、外科手术分别为：70.6%、23.5%、5.9%,总有效率94.1%;而NDPHA组中上述3种疗法分别为44.8%、24.1%、31%;手术治疗者中脓肿平均直径10.3 cm（9.5～12.8 cm）.结论：糖尿病合并细菌性肝脓肿症状多不典型,且多无明确诱因,治疗应早期、足疗程,方案个体化.     

糖尿病并发细菌性肝脓肿的临床特点及诊治探讨

目的总结糖尿病并发细菌性肝脓肿（diabetes companied with pyogenic hepatic abscess，DPHA）的临床特点及诊治经验。方法回顾性调查自1997年至2006年天津医科大学总医院消化科收治的16例DPHA和同期收治的16例非糖尿病并发细菌性肝脓肿（NDPHA）患者的临床资料并进行对比分析。结果DPHA组症状不典刑者、合并胆系感染、合并胸腔积液或右下肺炎、出现贫血的比例、平均血ALP值和平均住院日都分别高于NDPHA组，而痊愈率低于NDPHA。上述指标两组间均具有有统计学差异（P〈0．05）。DPHA组细菌培养阳性6例，均为肺炎克雷伯菌，NDPHA组培养阳性5例，包括3株肺炎克雷伯菌、1株埃希氏大肠杆菌和1株假单胞菌。结论糖尿病合并细菌性肝脓肿症状多不典型而病情更重，肺炎克雷伯菌感染多见。治疗宜及时采取个体化和综合措施，必要时应早期外科处理。     

Prognostic nutritional index as outcome predictor in patients with iliopsoas abscess

Cases with iliopsoas abscess (IPA) in a single hospital-based cases were reviewed and compared with clinical profiles of published hospital-based IPA series. To verify usefulness of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) used to predict outcome and severity of IPA, this study was performed. This study consists of 2 parts: Study 1 – Case review of IPA series in a single hospital: 7 cases with IPA treated in a single hospital in sequential 5 years were collected (series 1) and their clinical profiles compared. Study 2 – Review of hospital-based literature: A search of the PubMed database from 1990 to the present was performed, using the Boolean expression ([Psoas OR iliopsoas] AND [abscess] AND [hospital-based]). Two hospital-based case series were collected. The clinical profiles of 2 series were compared with series 1 to draw predictive factors of outcome and deciding treatment modality, medical or surgical. Study 1 – Analyzing 7 IPA cases, average age was 76.7 years old (varying from 64 to 91) and the lifesaving rate was 86%. PNI < 45, calculated with serum albumin (Alb) and total lymphocyte count, and larger cumulative abscess volume (CAV) measured by computed tomography seem outcome predictors. Study 2 – Analyzing 2 hospital-based IPA series (series 2 and 3), series 2 reviewed isolated IPA cases without any comorbidities and series 3 reviewed IPA cases with cardiovascular disorders. Among 3 series including ours, series 1 showed oldest case and longer length of hospitalization. Series 3 showed the highest mortality among 3 because it collected IPA with cardiovascular comorbidities. PNI seems predictors of outcome and disease activity in patients with IPA and might indicate treated with surgical intervention.     

Gas-containing brain abscess: Etiology,clinical characteristics,and outcome

Gas-containing brain abscess remains a life-threatening disease that requires immediate diagnostic and therapeutic intervention. The aim of this study is to report on a series of gas-containing brain abscess and discuss its pathological mechanism and therapeutic consideration. This study included 11 patients with gas-containing brain abscess at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan during a 27-year period. The predisposing factors to infection included hematogenous spread in five patients, contiguous infection in one patient, and abnormal fistulous communication due to head injury in four patients. In one patient, the predisposing factor might be contiguous infection from frontal sinusitis or abnormal fistulous communication due to previous sinus surgery. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common causative pathogen that was isolated from the gas-containing abscess not related to skull base defect. Among these 11 patients, six underwent excision and five accepted aspiration for the surgical treatment of abscess. In the five patients who underwent aspiration, two required repeated craniotomy to excise the recurrent abscess and repair the abnormal fistulous communication through the skull base. When encountered with a gas-containing abscess in patients with an impaired host defense mechanism, K. pneumoniae infection should be suspected, and further attention should be paid to discovering if other metastatic septic abscesses exist. For patients with a history of basilar skull fracture or surgery involving the skull base, craniotomy is indicated to excise the abscess and repair the potential fistulous communication through the cranium. Aspiration may be a reasonable alternative to treat deep-seated lesions, lesions in an eloquent area, patients with severe concomitant medical disease, or patients without a history of basilar skull fracture or surgery involving the skull base. Prompt diagnosis, appropriate antibiotic use, and meticulous surgical treatment are the only way to obtain a favorable outcome.     

Acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura in infants: associated factors, clinical features, treatment and long-term outcome

The natural course of acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in infants is poorly described in the literature. A retrospective study of 17 consecutive patients <1 yr of age admitted and treated for acute ITP between 1996 and 2005 was conducted. We investigated their demographics, vaccination history, clinical features, laboratory examinations, response to treatment and long-term outcome. There were 11 male and six female infants. Their ages ranged from 24 d to 12 months with a median of 3 months. All infants presented with petechiae and/or ecchymoses. Fourteen cases had platelet counts below 20 x 10(9)/L at the time of admission. They all had good response to a single course of treatment (14/17) or multiple courses of treatment (3/17). None had progressed into chronic ITP. Seven infants had a causal relationship with immunization, five associated with hepatitis B, one diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus, one diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis-inactivated poliovirus vaccine-conjugated Haemophilus influenza vaccines. These seven infants responded to treatment within 3-9 d after therapy with intravenous immunoglobulin, high-dose methylprednisolone or oral steroids. Re-boosters with vaccines revealed no recurrence of the disease in all of these seven patients. The study suggests that further immunization is not contraindicated in infants experiencing acute ITP associated with vaccines.     

Acute lupus myocarditis: clinical features and outcome of an oriental case series

Symptomatic myocarditis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is uncommon. We describe the clinical characteristics, management and outcomes of 11 SLE patients without any atherosclerotic risk factors, who presented with acute lupus myocarditis (ALM). All patients were female, 46% Chinese with mean age of 27 +/- 10 years at diagnosis of SLE. ALM was one of the initial manifestations of SLE in eight (73%) patients. The median duration from onset ALM to initiation of treatment was two weeks (range: 0.3-8). All had clinical feature of left ventricle dysfunction. The most common electrocardiographic feature was nonspecific ST/T wave changes (91%). Common echocardiographic findings included segmental wall motion abnormalities (81%) and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (81%). Median SLE disease activity index at presentation was 16 (range: 4-30). All patients received high dose corticosteroids and 64% received intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide. There were two deaths (18%) from infections. The remaining nine survivors had no recurrence of ALM nor suffer any SLE-related damage (median SLICC damage score of 0), up to a median follow-up of four years (range: 2.5-10.1). Repeat echocardiography after six months or later showed normal LVEF in eight patients (89%). Early immunosuppressive therapy in ALM, with high dose corticosteroids and pulse intravenous cyclophosphamide, results in good cardiac outcome.     

Acute lung injury in leptospirosis: clinical and laboratory features, outcome, and factors associated with mortality.

Forty-two consecutive patients with leptospirosis and acute lung injury who were mechanically ventilated were analyzed in a prospective cohort study. Nineteen patients (45%) survived, and 23 (55%) died. Multivariate analysis revealed that 3 variables were independently associated with mortality: hemodynamic disturbance (odds ratio [OR], 6.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9-38.8; P=. 047), serum creatinine level >265.2 micromol/L (OR, 10.6; 95% CI, 0. 9-123.7; P =.026), and serum potassium level >4.0 mmol/L (OR, 19.9; 95% CI, 1.2-342.8; P=.009). These observations can be used to identify factors associated with mortality early in the course of severe respiratory failure in leptospirosis.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma in older adults: clinical features, treatments, and survival

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical features, treatments, stages, and survival in older adults with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). DESIGN: A consecutive case study with retrospective medical record review. SETTING: University hospital (tertiary referral center) in Korea. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred sixty‐two participants with HCC diagnosed between May 1, 2003, and December 31, 2006. MEASUREMENTS: Clinical characteristics, treatments, four staging systems for HCC, and survival in older (≥65, n=113) and younger (<65, n=149) people with HCC. RESULTS: The older HCC group were less likely to have hepatitis B virus infection and diffuse tumors and had more comorbidities, poorer performance status, smaller tumor area, and multinodular disease. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to Child‐Pugh‐Turcotte score, Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, Child class, alpha‐fetoprotein levels, and tumor stage at diagnosis. Approximately 88% of subjects were treated regardless of age, but resection was performed less frequently in the older participants. Older participants with HCC had overall survival and liver‐related mortality similar to those of the younger participants, although they had poorer performance, greater comorbidity, and less likelihood of receiving surgery than the younger patients. CONCLUSION: This study supports the effectiveness and safety of nonsurgical treatment for older adults with HCC. Further study is needed to elucidate the reasons for similar prognoses in the older adults in spite of the greater burdens of comorbidities and poorer performance status.     

Hepatolithiasis and the syndrome of recurrent pyogenic cholangitis: clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features

Primary hepatothiasis (HL) and recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC) are two terms describing the different aspects of the same disease, with HL emphasizing the pathologic changes and RPC emphasizing the clinical presentation and suppurative inflammation. It is predominantly a disease of the Far East. In the 1960s, it was the third most common cause of emergency abdominal surgery at a university hospital in Hong Kong. Thereafter, its incidence has decreased considerably, possibly due to improved standards of living and Westernized diet. Clinically, patients may present acutely with recurrent bacterial cholangitis and its possible complications, such as liver abscess and septicemic shock, or with chronic complications, such as cholangiocarcinoma. Pathologically, it is characterized by pigmented calcium bilirubinate stones within dilated intrahepatic bile ducts featuring chronic inflammation, mural fibrosis, and proliferation of peribiliary glands, without extrahepatic biliary obstruction. Episodes of suppurative inflammation cumulate in sclerosing cholangitis of peripheral ducts and parenchymal fibrosis resulting from collapse and scarring. Mass-forming inflammatory pseudotumor and neoplasms like intraductal papillary neoplasms and cholangiocarcinoma are increasingly recognized complications. Modern imaging techniques allow definitive diagnosis, accurate assessment for treatment planning, and detection of complications. A multidisciplinary team approach (interventional endoscopist, interventional radiologist, hepatobiliary surgeon, and intensivists) is important for optimal patient outcome.     

Classical pituitary apoplexy: clinical features, management and outcome

OBJECTIVE: The term classical pituitary apoplexy describes a clinical syndrome characterized by sudden headache, vomiting, visual impairment and meningismus caused by the rapid enlargement of a pituitary adenoma usually due to haemorrhagic infarction of the tumour. Most published reports looking at the clinical features and management of pituitary apoplexy have not differentiated between patients with clinical and subclinical apoplexy, the latter diagnosed at surgery. Furthermore, little is reported on the clinical outcome, in particular visual and endocrinological, and the role of radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to observe not only the clinical presentation but also the possible predisposing events, investigations, management, clinical outcome as well as the role of radiotherapy in patients presenting with classical pituitary apoplexy. PATIENTS AND DESIGN: In a retrospective analysis 1985-96, the medical records of 21 male and 14 female patients (mean age 49.8 years, range 30-74) with classical pituitary apoplexy were reviewed. This represents all patients seen with this condition over the stated period. MEASUREMENTS: In all patients, pre- and post- operative measurements were made of FT4, FT3, TSH, PRL, LH, FSH, cortisol (0900 h), GH, oestradiol (females) and testosterone (males). Pituitary imaging was by computerized tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or both. RESULTS: Patients were followed for up to 11 years (mean 6.3 years: range 0.5-11). Headache (97%) was the commonest presenting symptom, followed by nausea (80%) and a reduction of visual fields (71%). Hypertension, defined as a systolic > 160 mmHg and/or a diastolic > 90 mmHg, was seen in 26% of patients. MRI correctly identified pituitary haemorrhage in 88% (n = 7), but CT scanning identified haemorrhage in only 21% (n = 6). By immunostaining criteria, null-cell adenomas were the most common tumour type (61%). Transsphenoidal surgery resulted in improvement in visual acuity in 86%. Complete restoration of visual acuity occurred in all patients operated on within 8 days but only in 46% of patients operated on after this time (9-34 days). Long-term steroid or thyroid hormone replacement was necessary in 58% and 45% of patients, respectively. Of the male patients, 43% required testosterone replacement, and long-term desmopressin therapy was required in 6%. Only two patients (6%) with tumour recurrence after transsphenoidal surgery for the initial apoplectic event, subsequently required radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: In classical pituitary apoplexy, headache is the commonest presenting symptom and hypertension may be an important predisposing factor. MRI is the imaging method of choice. Transsphenoidal surgery is safe and effective. It is indicated if there are associated abnormalities of visual acuity or visual fields because, when performed within 8 days, it resulted in significantly greater improvement in visual acuity and fields than if surgery was performed after this time. Radiotherapy is not indicated immediately as the risk of tumour recurrence is small, but careful follow-up initially with annual imaging is indicated in this group.     

Blastomycosis in Africa: clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment

Four cases of blastomycosis seen in two acute care hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe, are described. All patients had symptoms of at least 2 months' duration before presentation, and all had radiographic evidence of pulmonary consolidation. Three patients had confirmed bone involvement, and two had chronic discharging sinuses. The features of blastomycosis in Africa are reviewed, and problems of diagnosis and treatment are discussed. It is concluded that blastomycosis in Africa may often be misdiagnosed as tuberculosis or pyogenic infection in the absence of adequate facilities for mycologic investigation.     

Severe hyperthyroidism: aetiology,clinical features and treatment outcome

Background Severe hyperthyroidism (SH) is a serious medical disorder that can compromise life. There have not been systematic studies in which SH has been evaluated in detail. Here, our aims were: (1) to analyse both clinical and analytical features and outcome in patients with SH and (2) to compare these data with those found in more usual forms of hyperthyroidism. Patients and methods All patients diagnosed of SH (free thyroxine, FT4 > 100 pmol/l, NR: 11–23) seen in our endocrinology clinic in the last 15 years were studied and compared with a sample of patients with mild (mH; FT4, 23–50 pmol/l) and moderate (MH; FT4, 51–100 pmol/l) hyperthyroidism. Aetiology, clinical analytical and imaging data at diagnosis, therapeutic response and outcome were registered. Results A total of 107 patients with overt hyperthyroidism (81 females, mean age ± SD 46·9 ± 16·1 years) were evaluated. We studied a historic group with SH (n = 21; 14 females, 40·9 ± 17·2 years) and, as a comparator group, we analyszed the data of 86 hyperthyroid patients (67 females, 48·4 ± 15·5·6 years, NS) comparable in age and gender. The comparator group was classified in MH (n = 37, 26 females, 47·2 ± 16·6 years) and mH (n = 49, 41 females, 49·4 ± 14·8 years). In comparison with mH group, SH patients were significantly (P < 0·05) younger and showed a greater proportion of first episode of thyroid hyperfunction (P < 0·05). Graves’ disease was the main aetiology in the three groups, but patients with SH showed the highest titre of TSH‐receptor antibodies (TRAb) (P < 0·001). Heart rate and size of goitre were higher in SH group than in mH and MH groups (P < 0·01). Atrial fibrillation was more frequently reported in SH group than in MH and mH groups (15·8%vs. 5·4% and 0%, respectively, P < 0·05). Results from logistic regression analysis showed that younger age [OR 0·958 (95% CI, 0·923–0·995), P = 0·026], presence of asthenia [OR 4·35 (1·48–12·78), P = 0·008] and higher heart rate [OR 1·03 (1·01–1·06), P = 0·013] were independent clinical variables associated to SH. SH patients showed similar biochemical parameters in comparison with mH group, except for increased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P < 0·01) and calcium (P < 0·05) levels, and decreased serum cholesterol (P < 0·05) and albumin (P < 0·05) concentrations. Logistic regression analysis showed that only AST [OR 1·07 (1·02–1·11), P = 0·005] was an independent biochemical variable associated to SH. No differences in the type of therapy, cure rate and time in achieving cure were found in SH subjects in relation to patients with milder forms of hyperthyroidism. FT4 was the only independent predictor of cure [OR 0·98 (CI 95%, 0·97–0·99), P < 0·05]. Conclusions Graves’ disease is the most common aetiology in patients with SH. This type of hyperthyroidism is usually de novo and is accompanied by more clinical signs, symptoms, and analytical derangements, as well as higher titres of TRAb at diagnosis than milder forms of hyperthyroidism. The present data are not able to show differences in treatment modality, time to achieve cure, and remission rate among patients with mild, moderate and severe hyperthyroidism.