MR imaging of the acutely injured patient with cervical traction

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the patient with acute cervical injury is important because of the potential prognostic significance of the appearance of the spinal cord at the time of injury. However, cervical traction may involve equipment incompatible with the magnetic environment, and transferring the patient to the imaging table may make it difficult to maintain traction. The authors describe a simple, inexpensive, and reliable method for providing cervical traction within the magnet room.     

Type IX Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. A new variant with pathognomonic radiographic features

The authors describe 7 male patients from two unrelated families who presented with what appears to be a heretofore undiagnosed X-linked variant of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Unlike the eight previously reported types, this variant is manifested by specific skeletal abnormalities, including occipital exostoses, widening and bowing of multiple long bones at tendinous and ligamentous insertion sites, and deformed clavicles. Major clinical complications include genitourinary problems, chronic diarrhea with malabsorption, and/or syncopal episodes. Laboratory tests suggest that this variant may represent the true lysyl-oxidase-deficient form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.     

Acne-associated spondylarthropathy: radiographic features

Experience with six patients with severe acne and associated axial and peripheral arthritis is described. Four of the patients had a dermatologic triad of severe acne, hidradenitis suppurativa, and dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, the so-called follicular occlusion triad. All were black men with episodic peripheral arthropathy and low back pain. One had inflammatory bowel disease. Rheumatoid factor and HLA-B27 were absent in five patients who had these determinations. An erosive and proliferative arthritis of the axial and appendicular skeleton is described. The radiographic findings were indistinguishable from those of the seronegative spondylarthropathies. We found no previous reports in the radiologic literature describing this articulocutaneous entity.     

Baby boomer pharmacists: ageing and projections of retirement

Objective To identify ageing and retirement patterns of the pharmacy workforce since 1986 and the implications of those changes for future workforce planning. Method Australian Bureau of Statistics census data from 1986 to 2001 were used to examine ageing of the pharmacy workforce and attrition of pharmacists aged 50 years and over. The number of pharmacists to retire was projected over the next 20 years. Key findings The Australian pharmacy workforce has aged significantly since 1986 (P < 0.01). Forty‐one per cent of pharmacists practising in 2001 are predicted to retire by 2026. Baby boomer pharmacists were more likely to work long hours (49+ per week) in 2001 than in 1986, and than generation X pharmacists in 2001. The proportion of women in pharmacy has increased from 39% in 1986 to over 50% in 2001. Women are still more likely to work part‐time than males, although they are less likely to do so than they were in 1986. Conversely, the proportion of male pharmacists working part‐time is rising. Conclusions With baby boomer and older cohorts currently making up 65% of the pharmacy workforce, their retirement will place increased pressure on a profession already facing severe shortages. The growing proportion of female pharmacists and their generally lower workforce participation mean the potential for continued pharmacy shortages.