STUDY DESIGN:: A retrospective comparative study. OBJECTIVE:: The purpose of this study is to assess radiological features of intravertebral cleft (IVC) in non-acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) patients, and analyze the existence of intravertebral cleft impact on outcomes of PKP. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA:: The IVC sign is regarded ...

BACKGROUND: Pancreatitis is the most feared complication of endoscopic papillectomy (EP). Prevention by pancreatic duct stenting following EP has been advocated but not proven by a randomized trial. The purpose of the present retrospective review is to compare a period of systematic stenting with the period before in which stents ...

BACKGROUND: We sought to examine the prevalence and progression rate of intermediate saphenous vein graft (SVG) lesions in the Stenting Of Saphenous vein grafts (SOS) trial. METHODS: The baseline and follow-up angiograms of 80 patients participating in the SOS trial were analyzed to determine the prevalence of intermediate (30-60% angiographic ...

We evaluated whether stent-assisted thrombectomy (SAT) is safer or more clinically beneficial than aggressive mechanical clot disruption (AMCD) for patients with acute intracranial artery occlusion. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 72 patients (33 with SAT and 39 with AMCD) who underwent intra-arterial thrombolysis for acute intracranial artery occlusions. ...

The widespread prevalence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is well documented. Its acute and chronic manifestations, including the post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), inflict a heavy personal and socioeconomic burden on society. Conventional anticoagulation treatment regimens have been widely used in the treatment of acute DVT, with many patients developing significant long-term ...

Our own experience and a thorough literature review suggest that interferon α (IFNα) should be reconsidered for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia patients. Most likely, the success of such treatment depends on the achievement of high serum levels of IFNα for several months, which can be obtained by using ...

INTRODUCTION: The Fast Assessment of Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack to Prevent Early Recurrence trial raised concern that loading doses of clopidogrel may increase hemorrhagic complications. We investigated if similar rates of hemorrhage occur in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) of varying severity. METHODS: Patients meeting inclusion criteria were ...

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal photochemotherapy has been used successfully to treat severe steroid-refractory acute and chronic GVHD since the late 1990s. OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal photopheresis in patients with acute graft versus host disease. We also assess whether ECP may play a role in the prevention ...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of the actions carried out by the Intoxications Working Group (IWG) of Spanish Society of Pediatric Emergencies in the management of acute pediatric intoxications in Spain, specifically the publishing of a Handbook in 2004 or the creation ...

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Over the last few decades, epidemiologic studies from the West have shown changing trends in etiology and clinical outcomes in patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleed (NVUGIB). There are limited data from India on the current status of NVUGIB. The aim of this study therefore was to ...

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the incremental value of plasma biomarkers to traditional clinical variables for risk stratification of 30-day and one-year mortality in acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Through an international collaborative network, individual patient data on 5306 patients hospitalized for ADHF were collected. The ...

Aims: Tryton side branch (SB) reverse culotte stenting has been employed for the treatment of left main (LM) stem bifurcations in patients at high risk for bypass surgery. The aim of this study was to assess acute angiographic results and six-month clinical outcome after implantation of the Tryton stent in ...

OBJECTIVES:: To analyze rate of postoperative infection and nonunion following tibial fractures in patients treated for acute compartment syndrome (ACS) using 1) one-incision vs. 2) two-incision fasciotomy technique DESIGN:: Retrospective SETTING:: Level-I trauma center PATIENTS:: Review of all adult tibial fractures operatively treated (n=2756) over 12-year period identified 175 patients ...

QUESTION Is a restrictive transfusion strategy more effective and safer than a liberal transfusion strategy in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding? METHODS DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00414713. ALLOCATION Concealed.* BLINDING Unblinded.* FOLLOW-UP PERIOD 45 days. SETTING Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain. PATIENTS ...

To analyze the outcome of urgent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) performed within less than six hours in patients with crescendo transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke in progression. From January 1998 to December 2008, 58 urgent CEAs were done for acute neurological ischemic events - 46 patients with crescendo TIA and ...

OBJECTIVES: The exact time of initiation of total enteral nutrition (TEN) in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and its influence on the disease outcome are not well known. METHODS: An analysis of 197 cases with predicted SAP allocated to: group A (n = 97), early TEN (started within the first 48 ...

AIMS: After initial catheter ablation, repeat procedures could be necessary. This study evaluates the efficacy of the magnetic navigation system (MNS) in repeat catheter ablation as compared with manual conventional techniques (MANs).METHODS AND RESULTS: The results of 163 repeat ablation procedures were analysed. Ablations were performed either using MNS (n ...

Statin treatment was shown to be associated with improved outcomes in several inflammatory conditions. We wanted to evaluate the effects of statin therapy on the course and outcome of acute pancreatitis (AP). A prospective cohort study included patients with acute pancreatitis divided into two groups according to statin use prior ...

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with short-term mortality in acute stroke. METHODS: This retrospective study included 255 patients with acute cerebral infarction who presented within 24 hours of symptom onset. A hemogram from peripheral venous blood samples ...

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of hypothermia as a neuroprotectant has yet to be demonstrated in acute ischemic stroke. We conducted a phase I pilot study to assess the feasibility and safety of performing intravascular hypothermia after definitive intra-arterial reperfusion therapy (IAT). METHODS: ReCCLAIM (Reperfusion and Cooling in Cerebral Acute Ischemia) is ...

Introduction: We report a rare case of acute postoperative Staphylococcus schleiferi endophthalmitis following an uneventful cataract extraction.
Methods: An 83-year-old woman underwent uneventful phacoemulsification without receiving the usual intracameral cefuroxime solution due to cephalosporin intolerance. Two days postoperatively, she presented with acute ocular pain and blurred vision in the operated eye. ...

Our aim was to investigate the efficacy of continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) in treating severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). A literature search was performed using PubMed (1992-present), and all studies investigating the efficacy of CVVH in treating SAP were included. Four comparative studies and seven case series comprising a total of ...

Intrathecal therapy with cytarabine is widely used in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia. We report the first case of accidental intrathecal cytarabine overdose in an adult patient. Overdose of intrathecal chemotherapy has been reported to cause severe neurological damage including seizures, coma and death. Methotrexate levels can help guide ...

BackgroundThrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy have been used to treat postoperative main portal vein and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis.PurposeTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of balloon angioplasty and/or stent placement without thrombolysis or thrombectomy for treating such thromboses.Material and MethodsFourteen patients with postoperative main portal vein or superior mesenteric vein thrombosis ...

INTRODUCTION: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) as a weaning facilitating strategy in predominantly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mechanically ventilated patients is associated with reduced ventilator associated pneumonia, total duration of mechanical ventilation, length of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay and mortality. However, this benefit after planned extubation in patients ...

BACKGROUND: Extreme leukocytosis, generally defined as a white blood cell (WBC) count of more than 100 × 109 /L consisting largely of blast cells, especially when accompanied by clinical signs and symptoms of leukostasis or hyperviscosity, often predicts a poor clinical outcome in patients with acute leukemia. In this study, we aimed ...

To evaluate the correlation between acute hydrocephalus after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and functional outcome 1 year after the event. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiological information on consecutive adult patients admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of acute SAH between 1 January 2002 and 1 January 2008. Patients ...

Abstract Staab, Janet E., Beth A. Beidleman, Stephen R. Muza, Charles S. Fulco, Paul B. Rock, and Allen Cymerman. Efficacy of residence at moderate versus low altitude on reducing acute mountain sickness in men following rapid ascent to 4300 m. High Alt Med Biol 14:13-18, 2013.-To determine if residence at moderate ...

Acute pancreatitis is a severe clinical conditio that causes significant mortality in patients. Since we do not have at the moment effective causal treatment research on the use of pro tease inhibitors can produce tangible benefits. In view of the growing number of cases and high mortality in severe AP ...

BACKGROUND: Arthritogenic alphaviruses, including Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), are responsible for acute fever and arthralgia, but can also lead to chronic symptoms. In 2006, a Chikungunya outbreak occurred in La Réunion Island, during which we constituted a prospective cohort of viremic patients (n = 180) and defined the clinical and biological features of ...

We conducted this study to identify the clinical features and risk factors for atypical acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN). Thirty-five cases of atypical APSGN treated at Srinagarind Hospital during 2002-2009 were compared with 27 typical cases. The clinical symptoms, anti-streptococcal antibody titers, and laboratory data at the first hospital visit were ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The association between hypertension (HTN) and stroke recurrence is unclear, but may be influenced by different subtypes of stroke. This study aims to explore whether HTN contributes to the recurrence of certain subtypes of ischemic stroke (IS). METHODS: Data from the China National Stroke Registry was examined ...

BACKGROUND:: The promising results of the Solitaire Flow Restoration (FR) With the Intention for Thrombectomy (SWIFT) trial recently led toFood and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of theSolitaire FR stent retriever device for recanalization of cerebral vessels in patients with acute ischemic stroke. OBJECTIVE:: To report the early postmarket experience with ...

BACKGROUND: Mechanical thrombectomy devices have recently been developed and approved for recanalization of intracranial arterial occlusion. Here, we investigated the feasibility of combined stent-assisted and clot aspiration mechanical thrombectomy for effective recanalization of acute carotid terminus occlusion (CTO). METHODS: Ten consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to CTO who ...

To suggest infliximab (IFX) is effective for acute severe ulcerative colitis, from real-life clinical practice. All patients receiving IFX for the treatment of acute severe ulcerative colitis in a single centre were included. Data were extracted from clinical records in order to assess response to IFX therapy. The primary endpoint ...

BACKGROUND: To our knowledge no randomized toxicity studies have been conducted to compare myeloablative conditioning (MAC) and reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). DESIGN AND METHODS: Adult patients ≤60 years of age with myeloid leukemia were randomly assigned (1:1) to treatment with RIC (n=18) or MAC ...

BACKGROUND& AIMS: Sepsis is an important complication and cause of morbidity and mortality in acute pancreatitis (AP). The source of sepsis may be infected pancreatic and peripancreatic collections and/or necrosis or extrapancreatic including infections in the blood stream or respiratory and urinary tracts. We studied the implications of the source ...

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate operative and long-term results of valve-sparing aortic root surgery in acute type A dissection. The repair consisted of selective replacement of all dissected and pathological sinuses. METHODS: Forty-six patients (mean age 62 ± 14; range 29-88 years, 3 with Marfan syndrome), ...

IMPORTANCE The widespread use of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PVC7), developed to combat invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae infections, has the potential to influence the prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns of pathogens associated with orbital complications from acute sinusitis. Given the significant morbidity that may result from inadequate treatment of orbital ...

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) in the early prediction of severity and mortality in AP. METHODS: The medical records of all patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) admitted to our institution between January 2008 and ...

Acute calcium deposits are characterized by acute pain and a radiographic finding of amorphous calcification. A prospective, observational study was carried out on 30 consecutive patients undergoing conservative treatment for acute calcium deposits of the hand and wrist. Thirteen patients presented with acute calcific peritendinitis (Group A), and the other ...

AIMS: Early recanalization of the occluded cerebral artery is substantial for clinical improvement in acute ischemic stroke (IS) patients. The rate of achieved recanalizations using IVT is low. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of bridging full-dose intravenous-intraarterial (IV-IA) thrombolysis to IVT alone in ...

 INTRODUCTION: Optimal cryoballoon ablation parameters for pulmonary vein (PV) isolation remain to be defined. We conducted a randomized preclinical trial to compare 2- versus 4-minute ablation lesions and assess the safety of active (forced) cryoballoon deflation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-two dogs underwent PV isolation with a second-generation 23 mm cryoballoon ...

To investigate the effects of early enteral nutrition (EEN) on the immune function and clinical outcome of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Patients were randomly allocated to receive EEN or delayed enteral nutrition (DEN). Enteral nutrition was started within 48 h after admission in EEN group, whereas from the ...

OBJECTIVES: Previous investigators have reported a grave prognosis for iatrogenic acute aortic dissection (iAADA), but such studies are limited by their small sample sizes. The purpose of the current study was to analyse the clinical characteristics, current management and surgical outcomes in a large number of iAADA patients identified through ...

PURPOSE: To compare postoperative dosimetry and acute toxicity of new 0.5-mm (125)I seeds in 20-gauge (20G) diameter prostate brachytherapy (PB) needles with standard 0.8-mm seeds in 18G needles. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Postoperative dosimetry was performed on 100 consecutive PB patients treated with ThinSeeds in 20G needles and compared with 100 ...

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the analgesic efficacy and safety of intravenous, single-dose paracetamol versus dexketoprofen versus morphine in patients presenting with mechanical low back pain (LBP) to the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This randomised double-blind study compared the efficacy of intravenous 1 gm paracetamol, ...

BACKGROUND: Clinical outcome and surgical success rate of open surgical reconstruction for acute symptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion up to 1 week after stroke onset were analyzed to determine a cutoff time, after which risk exceeds clinical benefit. METHODS: From November 1997 to March 2007, a total of 5369 ...

BACKGROUND: Acute perforated peptic ulcer is a leading cause of generalized peritonitis and its management has continued to be a challenging task in our environment. OBJECTIVE: There is a paucity of published reports on acute perforated peptic ulcers in our environment. This study was conducted to evaluate the different pattern ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Congo-Brazzaville adopted artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in 2006. Artesunate-amodiaquine (AS + AQ) and artemether-lumefantrine are the first-line and second-line anti-malarial drugs to treat uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, respectively. The baseline efficacy of AS + AQ was evaluated from February to August 2005 in patients living in Brazzaville, the ...