Quality of life and voice following endoscopic resection or radiotherapy for early glottic cancer

Objectives: To assess whether proposed voice and quality of life (QoL) outcome measures were likely to be acceptable to patients previously treated for early glottic cancer by either radiotherapy or endoscopic resection, as well as looking for differences in QoL and voice between treatments. Design: Questionnaire‐based cohort study. Setting: Secondary care, three centres. Participants: All patients treated for T1a or in situ glottic carcinoma between 1997 and 2003. Fifty‐three patients were identified; those who had undergone salvage surgery or radiotherapy were excluded. A proportion refused to participate or could not be contacted and two patients had died of unrelated causes. Thirty‐six patients completed the trial with 18 from each treatment arm. Main outcome measures: Quality of voice as assessed by three questionnaires, Voice Handicap Index (VHI), Vocal Performance Questionnaire (VPQ), Voice Symptom Score (VoiSS) and perceptual analysis of voice by Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia and Strained (GRBAS) assessment of vocal recordings. Quality of life as assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW‐QoL), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) questionnaire. Results: All patients included in the trial were able to complete the questionnaires; however, 19% required assistance of some kind. GRBAS assessment showed no difference between groups for any criteria. All QoL questionnaires gave equivalent good scores. All of the voice questionnaires showed no statistical difference between groups except for the emotional subscale of the VoiSS which showed a significantly better score for the radiotherapy arm (P = 0.04). Conclusion: All outcome measures were applicable and acceptable to the patient group. Overall QoL and voice appears similar despite treatment arm, apart from the emotional subscale of the VoiSS. A randomized controlled trial is required to further assess this question.     

聚焦超声治疗慢性宫颈炎500例临床分析

目的 探讨聚焦超声治疗宫颈炎的临床疗效.方法 收治慢性宫颈炎700例,分为聚焦超声治疗组(超生治疗组)500例,微波治疗对照组200例.观察其临床症状、体征及疗效.结果 超声治疗组中、重度宫颈炎的疗效明显高于微波对照组,差异有显著意义(P＜0.05);两种方法治疗后,宫颈修复过程中阴道排液、出血等并发症的发生率,超声治疗组明显低于微波对照组,差异有显著意义(P＜0.05).结论 聚焦超声治疗宫颈炎疗效确切,副作用及并发症少,是目前治疗宫颈炎的一种有效方法.     

Recommendations for the topical treatment of psoriasis

Several topical treatments are available for patients with psoriasis. Although individualization of the treatment remains important, there is a need for treatment recommendations to identify the best treatment out of the available treatments and to help with improvement in treatment compliance. In this communication we give our views on the assessment of severity of psoriasis. We provide recommendations for selection of treatments, reconciling the clearance phase and the long‐term management. Finally, we provide recommendations for the treatment of particular localizations: the scalp and psoriasis at sensitive sites.     

努力提高严重多发伤的基础研究和临床救治水平

目的:探讨提高严重多发伤的基础研究和临床救治水平。方法:结合我们的有关研究和参加抢救的临床救治体会,并引用国内外公开发表的相关论文及著作进行分析研究。结果:善于应用现有的先进科技手段,提高严重多发伤的基础研究和临床救治水平。降低伤残率和死亡率。结论:严重多发伤具有脏器损伤率高、出血性休克率高、感染率高、MODS发生率高、死亡率高等“五高”特点,所以其诊治的复杂性、紧迫性远远超过其他许多疾病。因此努力提高我国严重多发伤的基础研究及诊断和救治水平已是当务之急。     

急性缺血性卒中大血管闭塞性质的判断与取栓方式和材料的选择

血管内机械取栓是治疗大血管闭塞性急性缺血性卒中的有效治疗方法。应结合病史、发
病形式及影像学检查等综合判断病变性质；依据病变性质并参考手术路径，个性化选择支架取栓、
抽吸取栓、球囊/支架血管成形术、动脉溶栓任一种或多种方法联合取栓；并依据手术方式选择手
术材料，以快速高效地完成手术。     

Successful treatment of periungual warts using photodynamic therapy: a pilot study

AIM: The aim of this pilot study was an investigation on photodynamic therapy (PDT) whether it is a good alternative for treating periungual and subungual warts of the hands. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty patients (mean age: 30.5 years) with a total of 40 periungual and subungual warts were treated with PDT. A photosensitizer, 20%delta-aminolevulinic acid was applied on the warts. After a mean incubation time of 4.6 h (SD: 1.2), the warts were irradiated with the VersaLight for 5-30 min (15.2 +/- 4.3 min). RESULTS: After a mean of 4.5 treatments a mean clearance of 100% was achieved in 90% of the patients. One patient (5%) showed a clearance of 50% and another showed no improvement. The subungual or periungual location of the wart had no influence on the number of treatments or end result (P > 0.05). There were two recurrences during the mean follow-up period of 5.9 months (SD: 7.6). Besides mainly pain and hyperpigmentation, most treatments had no side-effects. CONCLUSION: PDT can offer a good alternative for treating periungual warts of the hands. Larger studies are indicated.     

Recommendations for the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease and other disorders associated with dementia: EFNS guideline

The aim of this international guideline on dementia was to present a peer-reviewed evidence-based statement for the guidance of practice for clinical neurologists, geriatricians, psychiatrists, and other specialist physicians responsible for the care of patients with dementia. It covers major aspects of diagnostic evaluation and treatment, with particular emphasis on the type of patient often referred to the specialist physician. The main focus is Alzheimer's disease, but many of the recommendations apply to dementia disorders in general. The task force working group considered and classified evidence from original research reports, meta-analysis, and systematic reviews, published before January 2006. The evidence was classified and consensus recommendations graded according to the EFNS guidance. Where there was a lack of evidence, but clear consensus, good practice points were provided. The recommendations for clinical diagnosis, blood tests, neuroimaging, electroencephalography (EEG), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, genetic testing, tissue biopsy, disclosure of diagnosis, treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and counselling and support for caregivers were all revised when compared with the previous EFNS guideline. New recommendations were added for the treatment of vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies, for monitoring treatment, for treatment of behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia, and for legal issues. The specialist physician plays an important role together with primary care physicians in the multidisciplinary dementia teams, which have been established throughout Europe. This guideline may contribute to the definition of the role of the specialist physician in providing dementia health care.