1/34. Internal orbital fractures in the pediatric age group: characterization and management.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the specific characteristics and management of internal orbital fractures in the pediatric population. DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-four pediatric patients between the ages of 1 and 18 years with internal orbital ("blowout") fractures. methods: Records of pediatric patients presenting with internal orbital fractures over a 5-year period were reviewed, including detailed preoperative and postoperative evaluations, surgical management, and medical management. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ocular motility restriction, enophthalmos, nausea and vomiting, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Floor fractures were by far the most common fracture type (71%). Eleven of 34 patients required surgical intervention for ocular motility restriction. Eight were trapdoor-type fractures with soft-tissue incarceration; five had nausea and vomiting. Early surgical intervention (<2 weeks) resulted in a more complete return of ocular motility compared with the late intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: Trapdoor-type fractures, usually involving the orbital floor, are common in the pediatric age group. These fractures may be small with minimal soft-tissue incarceration, making the findings on computed tomography scans quite subtle at times. Marked motility restriction and nausea/vomiting should alert the physician to the possibility of a trapdoor-type fracture and the need for prompt surgical intervention.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/34. zollinger-ellison syndrome. Clinical presentation in 261 patients.We prospectively evaluated the initial presenting symptoms in 261 patients with zollinger-ellison syndrome (ZES) over a 25-year period. Twenty-two percent of the patients had multiple endocrine neoplasia-type 1 (men-1) with ZES. Mean age at onset was 41.1 /- 0.7 years, with men-1 patients presenting at a younger age than those with sporadic ZES (p < 0.0001). Three percent of the patients had onset of the disease < age 20 years, and 7% > 60 years. A mean delay to diagnosis of 5.2 /- 0.4 years occurred in all patients. A shorter duration of symptoms was noted in female patients and in patients with liver metastases. abdominal pain and diarrhea were the most common symptoms, present in 75% and 73% of patients, respectively. heartburn and weight loss, which were uncommonly reported in early series, were present in 44% and 17% of patients, respectively. Gastrointestinal bleeding was the initial presentation in a quarter of the patients. patients rarely presented with only 1 symptom (11%); pain and diarrhea was the most frequent combination, occurring in 55% of patients. An important presenting sign that should suggest ZES is prominent gastric body folds, which were noted on endoscopy in 94% of patients; however, esophageal stricture and duodenal or pyloric scarring, reported in numerous case reports, were noted in only 4%-10%. patients with men-1 presented less frequently with pain and bleeding and more frequently with nephrolithiasis. Comparing the clinical presentation before the introduction of histamine H2-receptor antagonists (pre-1980, n = 36), after the introduction of histamine H2-receptor antagonists (1981-1989, n = 118), and after the introduction of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (> 1990, n = 106) demonstrates no change in age of onset; delay in diagnosis; frequency of pain, diarrhea, weight loss; or frequency of complications of severe peptic disease (bleeding, perforations, esophageal strictures, pyloric scarring). Since the introduction of histamine H2-receptor antagonists, fewer patients had a previous history of gastric acid-reducing surgery or total gastrectomy. Only 1 patient evaluated after 1980 had a total gastrectomy, and this was done in 1977. The location of the primary tumor in general had a minimal effect on the clinical presentation, causing no effect on the age at presentation, delay in diagnosis, frequency of nephrolithiasis, or severity of disease (strictures, perforations, peptic ulcers, pyloric scarring). Disease extent had a minimal effect on symptoms, with only bleeding being more frequent in patients with localized disease. patients with advanced disease presented at a later age and with a shorter disease history (p = 0.001), were less likely to have men-1 (p = 0.0087), and tended to have diarrhea more frequently (p = 0.079). A correct diagnosis of ZES was made by the referring physician initially in only 3% of the patients. The most common misdiagnosis made were idiopathic peptic ulcer disease (71%), idiopathic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (7%), and chronic idiopathic diarrhea (7%). Other less common misdiagnosis were crohn disease (2%) and various diarrhea diseases (celiac sprue [3%], irritable bowel syndrome [3%], infectious diarrhea [2%], and lactose intolerance [1%]). Other medical disorders were present in 55% of all patients; patients with sporadic disease had fewer other medical disorders than patients with men-1 (45% versus 90%, p < 0.00001). hyperparathyroidism and a previous history of kidney stones were significantly more frequent in patients with men-1 than in those with sporadic ZES. Pulmonary disorders and other malignancies were also more common in patients with men-1. These results demonstrate that abdominal pain, diarrhea, and heartburn are the most common presenting symptoms in ZES and that heartburn and diarrhea are more common than previously reported. The presence of weight loss especially with abdominal pain, diarrhea, or heartburn is an important clue suggesting the presence of gastrinoma. The presence of prominent gastric body folds, a clinical sign that has not been appreciated, is another important clue to the diagnosis of ZES. patients with men-1 presented at an earlier age; however, in general, the initial symptoms were similar to patients without men-1. gastrinoma extent and location have minimal effects on the clinical presentation. overall, neither the introduction of successful antisecretory therapy nor widespread publication about ZES, attempting to increase awareness, has shortened the delay in diagnosis or reduced the incidence of patients presenting with peptic complications. The introduction of successful antisecretory therapy, however, has dramatically decreased the rate of surgery in controlling the acid secretion and likely led to patients presenting with less severe symptoms and fewer complications. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/34. Toxicity of over-the-counter cough and cold medications.Over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medications are marketed widely for relief of common cold symptoms, and yet studies have failed to demonstrate a benefit of these medications for young children. In addition, OTC medications can be associated with significant morbidity and even mortality in both acute overdoses and when administered in correct doses for chronic periods of time. physicians often do not inquire about OTC medication use, and parents (or other caregivers) often do not perceive OTCs as medications. We present 3 cases of adverse outcomes over a 13-month period-including 1 death-as a result of OTC cough and cold medication use. We explore the toxicities of OTC cough and cold medications, discuss mechanisms of dosing errors, and suggest why physicians should be more vigilant in specifically inquiring about OTCs when evaluating an ill child.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/34. A case study of neurosis secondary to trauma in an eight-year-old girl. Comments on the tendency for psychogenic illness to become chronic.This case study deals with an eight-year-old girl who developed persistent abdominal pain and vomiting for which no physiological cause could be discovered. After two months of unsuccessful treatment for her illness, the girl was referred for a psychiatric consultation. During the psychiatric interview, the psychogenic nature of the girl's illness became readily apparent, as did the nature of the conflict which had produced it. The tendency is strong for psychogenic illness, such as this, to become chronic without psychiatric treatment. Many physicians are reluctant to apply clinically basic psychiatric techniques to the treatment of physical illness. A suggestion is made that closer collaboration between psychiatry and other medical specialties could be of great value in preventive medicine.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/34. A severe case of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome with liver dysfunction and malnutrition.ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a potentially fatal condition associated with the use of ovulation-inducing drugs. We describe a 28-year-old woman who presented with ascites, oliguria and vomiting. Over 2 weeks, the combination of intractable vomiting, intravenous rehydration, paracentesis, hypercatabolism and proteinuria led to severe hypoalbuminaemia with gross oedema and progressively worsening liver function. The patient's albumin dropped to 9 g/l with liver function abnormalities peaking at: alanine aminotransferase, 462 IU/l; alkaline phosphatase, 706 IU/l; bilirubin, 26 micromol/l; and prothrombin time, 19 s. The judicious use of paracentesis and commencement of total parenteral nutrition coincided with a rapid clinical improvement. One month after discharge, the patient was asymptomatic with normal liver function. This case demonstrates the severity of malnutrition and liver dysfunction that can occur with severe OHSS. Increasing use of in-vitro fertilization techniques makes it mandatory for clinicians to be aware of the clinical features, complications and treatment of this condition, and we would suggest that patients with severe OHSS should be jointly managed by physicians and obstetricians.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/34. cardiac tamponade complicating postpericardiotomy syndrome.We present 2 children who developed postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) and the rare complication of cardiac tamponade after cardiac surgery, each requiring life-saving pericardiocentesis in the emergency department (ED). Each child presented with vomiting as a chief complaint, an initial sign that has not been reported previously. As the frequency of orthotopic heart transplants and other cardiac surgeries among children increases, it is likely that ED physicians will encounter PPS and cardiac tamponade with greater frequency, and it is imperative that it be recognized promptly and treated appropriately. We review PPS, cardiac tamponade, and the proper performance of a pericardiocentesis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/34. Infestation of the human intestine by the millipede, Nopoiulus kochii.Specimens of the millipede, Nopoiulus kochii (Gervais) were seen in faeces and vomit of a 14-year-old boy residing in Oltu, Erzurum, turkey. The patient complained of a burning sensation in his throat and stomach-ache. physical examination revealed no pathological findings, and how the patient became infected was unknown. Anti-parasitic drugs (niclosamide, albendazole), which he had been taking intermittently for 2 years by the prescription of a physician, had not resolved the problem.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/34. Posterior urethral valves presenting as abdominal distension and undifferentiated shock in a neonate: the role of screening emergency physician-directed bedside ultrasound.We present a case of shock in a 7-week-old neonate with obstructive uropathy secondary to posterior urethral valves (PUV). The antenatal ultrasound and the 2-week maintenance visit were unremarkable. A screening emergency physician directed bedside ultrasound (SEPUS) served to rapidly establish the diagnosis, initiate appropriate management, and facilitate early relief of urinary obstruction. We discuss the potential role of SEPUS in a critically ill neonate and briefly review the management of PUV.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/34. Late postpartum eclampsia as an obstetric complication seen in the ED.Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy associated with hypertension and proteinuria. Preeclampsia may be associated with grand mal seizures and is termed eclampsia. Historically, eclampsia occurring more than 48 hours after delivery, known as late postpartum eclampsia, was thought to be uncommon; however, recent evidence suggests that its incidence is increasing. In addition, the presentation of late postpartum preeclampsia-eclampsia may differ from that occurring during the pregnancy. This contributes to difficulty in diagnosing late postpartum preeclampsia-eclampsia in an emergency department setting. We report 2 cases of late postpartum eclampsia presenting 8 days after delivery, which highlight the unique features of this disorder and discuss some of the difficulties in managing these patients. Greater awareness and knowledge of this disorder by ED physicians should improve outcomes in these potentially life-threatening cases.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/34. Unusual presentation of thyrotoxicosis--a case report and review of literature.BACKGROUND: The majority of patients with thyrotoxicosis are readily diagnosed clinically. It must be accepted however that not every patient presents with the characteristic picture. thyrotoxicosis occasionally presents in an unknown or atypical fashion in which the diagnosis may not be obvious. CASE REPORT: A 45-year-old woman presented with choreoathetoid movements of the right upper limb, persistent vomiting and generalized body weakness. Over the next few weeks, the clinical picture slowly evolved to give the characteristic symptoms and signs of thyrotoxicosis, which were not evident at presentation. thyroid function tests revealed elevated serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine as well as low thyroid stimulating hormone concentrations, confirming the diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates unusual initial presenting features of thyrotoxicosis, which long preceded the development of the characteristic and more common manifestations. This led to a delay in the diagnosis. awareness of these atypical presentations will further assist the physician to make a timely and cost effective diagnosis of this condition.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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