1/3. Vasospasm of the nipple presenting as painful lactation.BACKGROUND: breast pain is a common complaint among lactating women. Vasospasm of the nipple should be considered in the differential diagnosis of breast pain, particularly when no other signs of infection or trauma are encountered. This report demonstrates a case of vasospasm successfully treated with nifedipine. CASE: A 26-year-old breastfeeding multipara presented with intermittent episodes of extreme pain associated with blanching of the nipple. The pain subsided upon return of normal color to the nipple. She was able to continue breastfeeding after successful treatment with nifedipine. CONCLUSION: Vasospasm of the nipple causes severe episodic breast pain and may lead to discontinuation of breastfeeding if not appropriately treated. This phenomenon is not well reported in the obstetric and gynecologic literature, although the obstetrician may be the first physician to evaluate a patient with symptoms. patients with episodic nipple pain and pallor can be successfully treated with nifedipine.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/3. vibration syndrome. Cutaneous and systemic manifestations in a jackhammer operator.vibration syndrome (VS), which typically presents as a variant of Raynaud's phenomenon, has been characterized recently as a multisystem disorder of the peripheral circulation, nerves, muscles, and joints. The sequelae of the disorder are irreversible, but most clinical evidence indicates that vibration injury is completely reversible by early intervention. Advanced VS occurred in a jackhammer operator; his condition went unrecognized for more than 11 years. The clinical findings illustrate the broad spectrum of pathologic abnormalities associated with VS and emphasize the need for increased physician awareness of this disabling condition.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/3. Nonsurgical causes of pneumoperitoneum.The radiographic manifestation of free air in the peritoneal cavity suggests serious intra-abdominal disease and the need for urgent surgical management. Yet, about 10% of all cases of pneumoperitoneum are caused by physiologic processes that do not require surgical management. We retrospectively reviewed cases of nonsurgical causes of pneumoperitoneum at the 2 teaching hospitals of a university medical center between January 1990 and December 1995. Successful management by observation and supportive care without surgical intervention was defined as the diagnostic feature of nonperforation. Failure of a laparotomy to delineate a surgical cause or to result in a reparative procedure is congruent with a nonsurgical cause of pneumoperitoneum. During this period, 8 patients (6 men and 2 women; mean age, 61 years) were identified with nonsurgical causes of pneumoperitoneum. Two patients underwent negative laparotomy, and the other 6 were successfully managed nonoperatively and discharged from the hospital. In 6 patients, a cause of the pneumoperitoneum was identified. The causes may be grouped under the following categories: postoperatively retained air, thoracic, abdominal, gynecologic, and idiopathic. In our review of the literature, 61 of 139 reported cases underwent surgical treatment without evidence of perforated viscus. To avoid unnecessary surgical procedures, both primary medicine physicians and surgeons need to recognize nonsurgical causes of pneumoperitoneum. Conservative management is warranted in the absence of symptoms and signs of peritonitis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |