Evaluation of the effect of erythropoietin + corticosteroid versus corticosteroid alone in methanol-induced optic nerve neuropathy

Purpose: Following methanol intoxication, optic nerve neuropathy may occur, which is currently treated by different therapeutic regimens. Erythropoietin (EPO) has recently been introduced as a good therapeutic option in methanol-induced optic neuropathy. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of EPO in improvement of the visual disturbances in methanol-intoxicated patients.

Materials and methods: In a case-control study, all patients who had referred to our toxicology centre with confirmed diagnosis of methanol toxicity were considered to be included. Of them, those who had referred with visual disturbances, survived, and their visual disturbances had not improved after haemodialysis were entered. Cases received EPO and corticosteroids while controls only received corticosteroids. They were then compared regarding their visual outcome.

Results: All five patients in the control group mentioned that after discharge, their visual acuity had improved while in the cases, three mentioned visual improvement, two mentioned their visual acuity had deteriorated after discharge, two mentioned no change in their visual acuity and three mentioned that their visual acuity had first improved but then deteriorated with a mean two-month interval period. In fundoscopic evaluations, two controls had normal fundospcopy while eight cases had abnormal fundoscopy (p?=?0.055).

Conclusions: Protective effect of EPO on methanol-induced optic nerve may be strong at the beginning of the intervention but is probably transient.     

Can we reduce morphine use in elderly,proximal femoral fracture patients using a fascia iliac block?

Proximal femoral fractures are becoming increasingly common with an ageing population. Many patients have multiple comorbidities increasing their risk of opiate complications. 40 consecutive patients presenting with a proximal femoral fracture to a trauma centre in the UK were given either a Fascia Iliaca Block (FIB) with oral analgesia or just oral analgesia to control their pre-operative pain. Numeric pain scores and morphine consumption were used as outcome measures. Patients receiving a FIB had significant reduction in their pain scores compared to patients only receiving oral pain relief. There was also a significant reduction in both the actual oral morphine taken and the renal calculated level of morphine products in the group receiving the FIB. Patients undergoing a FIB required almost 50 mg less oral morphine pre-operatively. Nerve blocks should be used routinely to help pre-operative pain in proximal femoral fracture patients and to reduce the amount of morphine products prescribed. This prevents potential opiate complications in a highly susceptible cohort of patients often suffering with impaired renal function as a co-morbidity.     

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: Should Screening Be Included in the Pre-fecal Microbiota Transplantation Evaluation?

Digestive Diseases and Sciences - Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is safe and effective for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (rCDI) and often involves terminal ileal (TI) stool...     

Comparison of the effect of endoscopic sinus surgery versus medical therapy on olfaction in nasal polyposis

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a common inflammatory condition in western countries. Nasal polyposis has different symptoms such as nasal obstruction, anterior or posterior nasal drip, reduced sense of smell, and facial pain. Medical and endoscopic treatments are the two main treatments for nasal polyposis. Our aim was to compare the efficacy of different methods on olfactory function. This is a non-randomized clinical trial study that was done on 60 patients who were divided into two groups (medical and surgical). Patients were matched based on age, history of smoking, and the severity of obstruction. The radiologist score of Lund-Mackay staging system was used to match patients in two arms of the trial based on the severity of nasal obstruction. Patients in surgery groups underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery under general anesthesia and then received Fluticasone propionate nasal spray for 8 weeks (400 mcg bd). Patients in the medical group were only prescribed with Fluticasone propionate with the same duration and same dose as mentioned. As a result of treatment protocol, both medical and surgical group experienced improvement in olfactory function but statistical analyses revealed that surgery resulted in better resolution of symptoms. Our observation revealed that combined treatment had a better effect than medical treatment in restoring olfaction in patients with nasal polyposis.