Skin problems after a tsunami

BACKGROUND: On December 26, 2004, the biggest earthquake for 40 years, measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale, triggered a tsunami that pounded the coastal areas of South Asia and East Africa. The effects of the tsunami on skin conditions have not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of the tsunami on skin conditions by evaluating the skin problems of patients presenting at hospitals after the tsunami. METHODS: Between 5 and 25 January 2005, two dermatologists evaluated patients who complained of skin problems at an outpatient clinic and emergency room of a general hospital in Banda Aceh, Aceh Province, Indonesia. RESULTS: The total number of patients that presented during the study period was 235 (131 males and 104 females), and they had a total of 265 skin problems. In terms of age distribution, most subjects were in their fourth decade (23.0%), followed by the third (22.6%) and fifth decade (16.6%). The most prevalent skin problems were infections-infestations (32.5%), followed by eczemas (29.8%) and traumatic skin disorders (29.4%). In males, traumatic skin disorders were most common. The great majority of infection-infestation cases involved superficial fungal infections. Contact dermatitis accounted for three-quarters of eczema cases, and mainly involved the arms (40.0%) and legs (27.1%). The majority of traumatic skin disorders were lacerations, punctures and penetrations, and the feet (44.7%) and hands (18.8%) were most frequently affected. CONCLUSIONS: Unhygienic conditions, exposure to a hazardous environment and contact with various objects during and after the tsunami probably increased the prevalence of infections-infestations, traumatic skin disorders and contact dermatitis. To prevent these problems and associated secondary bacterial infections, health-related education and early medical management are required.     

Pesticide assessment: Protecting public health on the home turf

Pesticide regulation is examined in the context of Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s assessment of the chlorophenoxy herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) for turf. 2,4-D is the most common herbicide used to kill weeds in grass.The medical literature does not uniformly indicate harms from herbicides. However, the balance of epidemiological research suggests that 2,4-D can be persuasively linked to cancers, neurological impairment and reproductive problems. These may arise from 2,4-D itself, from breakdown products or dioxin contamination, or from a combination of chemicals.Regulators rely largely on toxicology, but experiments may not replicate exposures from 2,4-D application to lawns because environmental breakdown products (eg, 2,4-dichlorophenol) may not accumulate and selected herbicides are possibly less contaminated. Dioxins are bioaccumulative chemicals that may cause cancer, harm neurological development, impair reproduction, disrupt the endocrine system and alter immune function. No dioxin analyses were submitted to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, and the principal contaminants of 2,4-D are not among the 17 congeners covered in pesticide regulation. Independent assessment of all dioxins is needed, in tissues and in the environment.The 2,4-D assessment does not approach standards for ethics, rigour or transparency in medical research. Canada needs a stronger regulator for pesticides. Potentially toxic chemicals should not be registered when more benign solutions exist, risks are not clearly quantifiable or potential risks outweigh benefits. Until landscaping pesticides are curtailed nationally, local bylaws and Quebec’s Pesticide Code are prudent measures to protect public health. Physicians have a role in public education regarding pesticides.     

双J管临床应用及美蓝在置管术中的作用

目的探讨双J管(双J输尿管支架管)在泌尿系疾病治疗中的应用效果以及美蓝在置放术中的作用。方法对215例患者采用放置双J管作内支架和内引流治疗,近期48例术中以美蓝协助定位。结果术后留置尿管5~7d,无切口感染、尿瘘等并发症。术后1~3个月拔除双J管,随访3~6个月,肾功能、肾积水明显好转,吻合口通畅。以美蓝协助定位者无双J管上移致拔管困难。结论双J管具有内支架和内引流作用,操作简单,引流效果好,并发症少,缩短住院时间。以美蓝协助定位,值得推广应用。     

股骨颈骨折粗细双螺钉内固定生物力学研究

股骨颈骨折内固定方法繁多。本文采用一粗一细加压螺纹钉，采用先进电阻应变仪方法，对股骨颈的应力分布规律在中立、外展、内收不同位置上施加50kg荷载压力．通过电阻应变计测定一耗一细两钉所承受拉、压应力优于其它内固定形式。     

神经导航内窥镜辅助下单鼻孔入路垂体腺瘤切除

目的神经导航、内窥镜辅助下垂体腺瘤的经单鼻孔经蝶手术治疗。方法对6例经磁共振成像诊断垂体腺瘤的病人术前进行磁共振成像定位,将影像资料输入导航工作站,作术前手术计划。采用零度及45度镜经单鼻腔,在导航的动态指引下确认鞍底,于内窥镜下实施瘤实质切除。结果本组5例完全切除,1例因为瘤实质较韧而作大部分切除,术后病人的视力均得到了改善。导航预期误差1.48mm,实际误差1.8mm。结论神经导航引导下的经鼻蝶垂体腺瘤手术定位准确,内窥镜下操作对鼻腔的解剖结构影响小、组织损伤轻,病人恢复快。