Dyspnea as the predominant manifestation of bilateral phrenic neuropathy

Phrenic neuropathy associated with brachial neuritis has been well described; however, bilateral phrenic neuropathy with minimal or no involvement of the brachial plexus has not. We review the clinical features, as well as the results of radiographic studies, pulmonary function tests, and electrodiagnostic studies, of 3 patients in whom dyspnea was the presenting manifestation of bilateral phrenic neuropathy. All 3 patients had acute-onset dyspnea, which led to consideration of a pulmonary or cardiac etiology. Phrenic nerve conduction studies showed bilateral axonal degeneration of the phrenic nerves. Diaphragmatic paralysis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute-onset dyspnea. Dyspnea increases typically when the patient lies down, and paradoxical respiration may be present. Neck, shoulder, or upper limb pain may occur at onset. Inspiratory pressures may be reduced, but a comparison of the forced vital capacity when the patient is standing and supine is more specific for diaphragmatic weakness. Phrenic nerve conduction studies and diaphragmatic electromyography may provide evidence of bilateral involvement. Subclinical evidence of brachial plexus involvement may be present. The prognosis for patients with bilateral phrenic neuropathy may be more favorable than reported previously.     

Trends in the surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in a tertiary hospital

Background

To assess current treatment trends and perioperative outcomes of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) in a tertiary institution.

Methods

We prospectively collected a database of all patients undergoing TURP and PVP for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) at a tertiary hospital between January 2011 and December 2013. Patient characteristics such as length of stay, readmission, anticoagulation status, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and need for blood transfusion were recorded and analysed.

Results

In total, 560 cases were included: 204 (36.4%) underwent TURP and 356 (63.6%) PVP. Patients undergoing PVP had higher ASA scores (P < 0.001) and were more frequently on continuing anticoagulant therapy (P < 0.001). With regards to non‐aspirin/asasantin coagulation therapy, 61 (17.1%) patients underwent PVP with their anticoagulants continued while no patients who received TURP continued anticoagulation. Blood transfusion percentages were similar at 1.0% for TURP and 1.7% for PVP but readmission proportions were higher after PVP (32 patients, 9.0%) compared to TURP (10 patients, 4.9%). These differences were attenuated when excluding patients continuing anticoagulation during the procedure.

Conclusion

At our institution, the use of PVP has been increasing on a year‐by‐year basis. The results of the current study demonstrated that PVP is safe in patients with increased anaesthetic risk or on active anticoagulation when compared to traditional TURP. While this makes PVP an attractive alternative to TURP in high‐risk anticoagulated patients, these patients may have complex post‐discharge issues that should be addressed during the informed consent process.     

Changes in intention to donate blood under a hypothetical condition of reduced confidentiality

Lawsuits related to transfusion-associated human immunodeficiency virus infections have increasingly resulted in requests for the release of confidential information about volunteer blood donors. Concern that loss of confidentiality might change blood donor behavior led to a survey of donors at collection sites within an American Red Cross Blood Services Region. Of the 361 respondents, 50.3 percent (181) indicated reduced intent to provide accurate medical and personal history information under conditions of reduced confidentiality. Ten percent (34) indicated that they were not sure whether they would or would not donate blood in the future under this condition. The results indicate that the possibility of release of donors' medical and personal information may have a negative effect on the safety and adequacy of the nation's volunteer blood supply.     

Biological markers of intellectual disability in tuberous sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Intellectual disability (ID) is highly prevalent in tuberous sclerosis (TS). Putative neurobiological risk factors include indices of cortical tuber (CT) load and epilepsy. We have used univariate and multivariate analyses, including both CT and epilepsy measures as predictors, in an attempt to clarify the pattern of cross-sectional associations between these variables and ID in TS. METHOD: Forty-eight children, adolescents and young adults with TS were identified through regional specialist clinics. All subjects underwent thorough history taking and examination, and had brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The number and regional distribution of CTs was recorded. Subjects were assigned to one of nine ordered intellectual quotient (IQ) categories (range 130) using age-appropriate tests of intelligence. RESULTS: On univariate analyses, ID was significantly associated with both a history of infantile spasm (IS) (Z=-2.49, p=0.01) and total CT count (Spearman's rho=-0.30, p=0.04). When controlling for total CT count, the presence of CTs in frontal (regression coefficient=-2.43, p=0.02) and temporal (regression coefficient=-1.60, p=0.02) lobes was significantly associated with ID. In multivariate analyses the association between IS and ID was rendered insignificant by the inclusion of the presence of CTs in temporal and frontal lobes, both of which remained associated (p=0.05 and p=0.06 respectively) with ID. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of CTs in specific brain regions as opposed to a history of IS was associated with ID in TS. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to previous work in TS, and the neural basis of intelligence.     

Prognostic value of DNA flow cytometry in thymomas and thymic carcinomas

Thymomas are the most common anterior mediastinal masses. Malignant potential and prognosis are unrelated to histologic appearance. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) flow cytometry is of prognostic significance in a variety of tumors. We reviewed the records of 35 patients who on pathologic examination had a thymoma or thymic carcinoma. Flow cytometric studies, including DNA indices (ploidy) and S phase fraction, were done on paraffin block specimens from 31 patients. We believe this is the first report of DNA flow cytometric studies in thymic pathology. Mean survival was 63.5 +/- 13.3 months for patients with benign thymomas, 10.5 +/- 4.6 months for patients with malignant thymomas, and 19.3 +/- 4.1 months for patients with thymic carcinomas. Patients with benign thymomas lived significantly longer than those with malignant thymomas (P = .001) and thymic carcinomas (P = .03). DNA flow cytometry demonstrated four aneuploid tumors (two benign thymomas and two malignant thymomas). All thymic carcinomas were diploid. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups. The mean S phase fraction was 15.22% for benign thymomas, 11.15% for malignant thymomas, and 14.31% for thymic carcinomas. No statistically significant difference was found among the groups. We conclude that flow cytometry is not a useful guide to malignant potential or prognosis in thymomas and thymic carcinomas.     

Impact of California's licensed nurse-patient ratios on unit-level nurse staffing and patient outcomes

This article presents the first analysis of the impact of mandated minimum-staffing ratios on nursing hours of care and skill mix in adult medical and surgical and definitive-observation units in a convenience sample of 68 acute hospitals participating in the California Nursing Outcomes Coalition project. Findings, stratified by unit type and hospital size, reveal expected changes as hospitals made observable efforts toward regulatory compliance. These data cannot affirm compliance with ratios per shift, per unit, at all times; however, they give evidence of overall compliance. Assessment of the impacts of the mandated ratios on two common indicators of patient care quality, the incidence of patient falls and the prevalence of pressure ulcers, did not reveal significant changes despite research linking nurse staffing with these measures. These findings contribute to understanding unit level impacts of regulatory staffing mandates and the preliminary effect of this legislation on core quality of care indicators.     

Pharmacokinetics of moxalactam in subjects with various degrees of renal dysfunction.

We have examined the pharmacokinetics of moxalactam (LY127935) in 36 subjects with various degrees of renal dysfunction. Creatinine clearance (Ccr)/1.73 m2 ranged from zero to 135.8 ml/min. After a 1-g administration of moxalactam intravenously, the volume of distribution was 20.6 /+- 9.5 liters (0.28 liter/kg), and the mean half-life ranged from 3.1 h for subjects with Ccr greater than 65 ml/min to 19.3 h for subjects with Ccr less than 10 ml/min. The moxalactam clearance was closely correlated to Ccr (r = 0.93, P less than 0.0001) and excretion of antibiotic was 73.6 +/- 13% in normal subjects. Renal clearance accounted for 90% of moxalactam clearance in the normal subjects. A dosage schedule for administering moxalactam to patients with various degrees of renal dysfunction is provided.