Post-traumatic tension faecopneumothorax in a young male: case report

Diaphragmatic rupture due to trauma is both well recognised and uncommon. The difficulties in diagnosing traumatic diaphragmatic rupture at the first admission are the most common causes of latent morbidity and mortality. Herniation of the abdominal viscera is the most common sequel with strangulation and perforation the most serious complication. This case outlines the delayed presentation of diaphragmatic rupture and herniation presenting as an acute tension faecopneumothorax. We review the relevant literature, with particular emphasis on the difficulties in diagnosis at presentation.     

Ultrasound imaging of the rabbit peroneal nerve

Ultrasound imaging of peripheral nerves is increasingly used in the clinic for a wide range of applications. Although yet unapplied for experimental neuroscience, it also has potential value in this research area. This study explores the feasibility, possibilities and limitations of this technique in rabbits, with special focus on peripheral nerve regeneration after trauma. The peroneal nerve of 25 New Zealand White rabbits was imaged at varying time intervals after a crush lesion. The ultrasonic appearance of the nerve was determined, and recordings were validated with in vivo anatomy. Nerve swelling at the lesion site was estimated from ultrasound images and compared with anatomical parameters. The peroneal nerve could reliably be identified in all animals, and its course and anatomical variations agreed perfectly with anatomy. Nerve diameters from ultrasound were related to in vivo diameters (p < 0.001, R(2) = 77%), although the prediction interval was rather wide. Nerve thickenings could be visualized and preliminary results indicate that ultrasound can differentiate between neuroma formation and external nerve thickening. The value of the technique for experimental neuroscience is discussed. We conclude that ultrasound imaging of the rabbit peroneal nerve is feasible and that it is a promising tool for different research areas within the field of experimental neuroscience.     

Working capacity and quality of life after undergoing an ileostomy

The purpose of this paper is to describe the life situation, the frequency of sick-listing and the work situation of people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease who have undergone an ileostomy. The survey which was undertaken in Sweden included 53 people between the ages of 17 and 65 who had had their ileostomy for between 6 months and 25 years. Personal interviews were carried out and information about the operation and complications was acquired from the medical records. Half of the respondents felt themselves handicapped to some extent. Despite this, most of them did not consider their daily activities to be adversely affected by the sickness/ileostomy. There were, however, individual variations depending on the sickness, how well the ileostomy worked and other factors affecting the individual's situation. Twenty-two had been off sick once or several times during the previous 2 years; nine of them had been sick-listed over a longer period. Most of them stated that their working capacity had not been affected by the operation/sickness, while 10 of them had some form of disability pension or part-time work. A positive reaction noted was that when the sickness no longer steered one's life, it became easier to plan both work and leisure time.