Antireflux biliary stents: Are they the solution to stent occlusions?

Endoscopic insertion of plastic or metal stents is a wellestablished treatment for malignant biliary obstruction. The major limitation of this technique is stent occlusion. Duodenobiliary reflux has been considered a key contributor to stent occlusion. The presence of plant fibers in 35% to 60% of occluded stents on confocal laser microscopy has further confirmed the presence of reflux when the stent is placed across the papilla. Antireflux stents address this problem by allowing normal antegrade flow but preventing reflux. Recent studies comparing these antireflux stents with the standard Tannenbaum stents have shown significantly prolonged patency. Although initial results are encouraging, larger randomized trials are required to establish efficacy.     

The profile and outcome of pustular psoriasis in Singapore: a report of 28 cases

Background Pustular psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis that can be divided into generalized and localized forms. The aim of this study is to describe the patient profile and outcome of pustular psoriasis seen at a tertiary referral skin center in a tropical country. Methods The records of all patients with pustular psoriasis during the 4 years from 1989 to 1993 were reviewed. Diagnostic criteria for selection included at least one episode of either generalized or localized macroscopic noninfective pustulation. Results There were 28 patients with pustular psoriasis, with an age range of 4–77 years. Nineteen patients had generalized pustular psoriasis: Von Zumbusch (seven), annular form (two), juvenile form (six), pustular psoriasis of pregnancy (one), and the localized form of generalized pustular psoriasis (three). Nine patients had localized pustular psoriasis: palmoplantar pustulosis (five) and acrodermatitis continua (four). Patients with the acute Von Zumbusch pattern had recalcitrant disease with multiple flares and significant morbidity and mortality. Patients with the annular form had a subacute onset and a chronic course. In patients with the juvenile form of generalized pustular psoriasis, two patterns could be recognized: Zumbusch form (four) and annular form (two). Despite significant morbidity, each of our young patients had a relatively benign course with no deaths and an excellent response to etretinate therapy. Our nine patients with localized pustular psoriasis all had a chronic course: the average duration of disease was 6 years for patients with palmoplantar pustulosis and 12 years for patients with acrodermatitis continua. Conclusions The pattern of pustular psoriasis seen in Singapore is similar to that reported in the Western literature. Using these categories we can provide guidelines for treatment and prognosis.     

Predictors of quality of life among patients with multiple sclerosis: an Italian cross-sectional study

The Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS) quality of life (QoL) instrument is a disease-specific, self-report questionnaire that was developed originally for US English-speaking patients. Here, the psychometric properties of the FAMS QoL questionnaire for Italian-speaking patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are evaluated and compared with the results from the original FAMS validation survey (n=377). Eighteen Italian centers and 344 patients with MS participated in the study. The overall reliability (as expressed by Cronbach's alpha value) of the FAMS score, and its subscale scores, was always over the threshold of 0.8. Patients with benign MS showed a better overall QoL compared with patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS; p=0.017), whereas patients with RRMS had a better QoL than patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS). No difference in QoL was found between patients with PPMS and those with secondary progressive MS. The Italian FAMS questionnaire is a valid measure to assess the QoL concerns of patients with MS. FAMS is also easy to administer and is well accepted by patients.     

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Asymptomatic Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis in Asian Neurorehabilitation Admissions in Singapore

Chua K, Kong KH, Chan SP. Prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic lower extremity deep venous thrombosis in Asian neurorehabilitation admissions in Singapore.

Objective

To determine the local prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic lower limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT) among neurorehabilitation admissions.

Design

A prospective observational single-center study.

Setting

Tertiary rehabilitation center affiliated to a public hospital.

Participants

A total of 419 Asian neurorehabilitation admissions with a mean of 26 days to rehabilitation.

Intervention

Admission screening protocol included quantitative D-dimer assay within 24 to 48 hours of rehabilitation admission and targeted hemiplegic/weaker lower-extremity venous duplex ultrasonography was performed if D-dimer assay level was elevated at 0.34 μg/mL or higher.

Main Outcome Measures

There were 251 (59.9%) men, and the subjects were predominantly Chinese (76.6%). Subjects had a mean age of 59±15 years. Admitting diagnoses included ischemic stroke (212), hemorrhagic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage (129), traumatic brain injury (59), and nontraumatic brain injury (19). The screening protocol included a quantitative D-dimer assay within 24 to 48 hours of rehabilitation admission, and hemiplegic/weaker lower-extremity venous duplex ultrasonography was performed if D-dimer assay level was elevated at 0.34 μg/mL or higher.

Results

Altogether, 247 (58.9%) patients had an elevated D-dimer assay, and all underwent venous duplex ultrasonography. The incidence of lower-limb DVT was 5.01% (21), including 11 proximal and 10 distal DVT. No patients had clinical pulmonary embolism. Using 247 venous duplex ultrasonography results for analyses of correlates with logistic regression analyses, no significant demographic or clinical predictive factors for DVT were found.

Conclusions

This study confirms that asymptomatic lower limb DVT is indeed uncommon in Asian neurorehabilitation admissions. Possible reasons include genetic or ethnic protective factors, early walking initiated at rehabilitation, and timing of the admission protocol (median of 14 days postevent) when the maximal thrombotic risk was on the decline.     

A left paraglossal approach for oral intubation in children scheduled for bilateral orofacial cleft reconstruction surgery – a prospective observational study

Background: Children with orofacial cleft defects are expected to have difficult airways. Conventional midline laryngoscopic approach of oral intubation can lead to iatrogenic tissue trauma. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of left paraglossal laryngoscopy as a primary technique for airway management in these children. Methods: After institutional ethical committee approval and informed consent, we enrolled 21 children with uncorrected bilateral lip and palate deformities (BL CL/P). Anesthesia was induced with halothane (0.5–4%) in 100% oxygen. After obtaining intravenous access, fentanyl 1.5 μg·kg^?1 and atracurium 0.5 mg·kg^?1 were administered. Endotracheal intubation was performed with Miller’s straight blade laryngoscope, introduced using left paraglossal approach. Difficulty of intubation was scored according to modified Intubation Difficulty Scale. Results: Data consists of 21 children (15 males and six females), mean age 1.31 ± 1.18 years and weight 9.27 ± 2.57 kg. Laryngoscopic view obtained was CL II (7[33.3%]) and CL I (14[66.6%]) respectively ( Figure 1 ). All the children could be easily intubated using left paraglossal approach, only 2/3 of them needed optimal external laryngeal manipulation to help achieving it. Though intubation could be done in the first attempt in 19 children, two infants (9½ and 11 months) required one size smaller endotracheal tube and were intubated in the second attempt using left paraglossal approach. Perioperative course was uneventful in all the children.

Figure 1 Open in figure viewer PowerPoint Distribution of Intubation Difficulty scale (IDS) Score in BL CL/P patients. n (%) IDS: 0 (intubation without difficulty), IDS: 1 (slight difficulty; OELM applied/additional intubation attempt), IDS: >5 (Moderate to Major difficulty), IDS: = α (Impossible intubation).     

Current Diagnosis and Management of Female Genital Tuberculosis

Female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) is an important cause of significant morbidity, short- and long-term sequelae especially infertility whose incidence varies from 3 to 16 % cases in India. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the etiological agent for tuberculosis. The fallopian tubes are involved in 90–100 % cases, endometrium is involved in 50–80 % cases, ovaries are involved in 20–30 % cases, and cervix is involved in 5–15 % cases of genital TB. Tuberculosis of vagina and vulva is rare (1–2 %). The diagnosis is made by detection of acid-fast bacilli on microscopy or culture on endometrial biopsy or on histopathological detection of epithelioid granuloma on biopsy. Polymerase chain reaction may be false positive and alone is not sufficient to make the diagnosis. Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy can diagnose genital tuberculosis by various findings. Treatment is by giving daily therapy of rifampicin (R), isoniazid (H), pyrazinamide (Z) and ethambutol (E) for 2 months followed by daily 4 month therapy of rifampicin (R) and isoniazid (H). Alternatively 2 months intensive phase of RHZE can be daily followed by alternate day combination phase (RH) of 4 months. Three weekly dosing throughout therapy (RHZE thrice weekly for 2 months followed by RH thrice weekly for 4 months) can be given as directly observed treatment short-course. Surgery is rarely required only as drainage of abscesses. There is a role of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in women whose fallopian tubes are damaged but endometrium is healthy. Surrogacy or adoption is needed for women whose endometrium is also damaged.