bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinicolaboratory profile of 33 Arabs with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: al-Attia H M 
Published: December 2008

Summary
A clinical and laboratory survey of systemic lupus erythematosus was conducted in 33 Arab patients in the UAE. Arthropathy (91%) followed by renal involvement (54%) and haematological disorders (45.5%) were the major clinical manifestations. Discoid rash (3%) was the least common. Apart from headaches, other neuropsychiatric symptoms were uncommon or not encountered. A number of distinctive clinical subsets of lupus was also observed. An unusually high prevalence of dsDNA antibodies was detected in the study (97%), compared with a prevalence of 89.5% of ANF. There was a relative paucity of anti-Ro (18.5%), La (7.5%) and RNP (11%) antibodies, but a high rate of anti-Sm(33%). The occurrence of the latter in patients with central nervous system and renal disease was insignificant. C3-Hypocomplementaemia occurred in 38.5% of the patients and a positive VDRL and Coomb’s test in 9% and 24%, respectively. This study provides additional information on the characterization of systemic lupus erythematosus in various populations.
A patient with Graves' disease, thrombocytopenia and chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Szeto C C , Chow C C , Ko G T C , Li K Y , Yeung V T F , Cockram C S 
Published: December 2008

Summary
A 22-year-old Chinese man, a HBsAg carrier, presented with relapse of thyrotoxic Graves' disease complicated by thrombocytopenia and hepatitis. Platelet count and liver enzymes gradually improved following successful treatment of the thyrotoxicosis with radioactive iodine. Possible pathogenetic links and therapeutic implications are discussed.
Diffuse histoplasmosis in a patient with sarcoidosis
Authors: Badesha P S , Saklayen M G , Hillman N 
Published: December 2008

Summary
A case is presented of a woman with a long history of sarcoidosis who developed diffuse histoplasmosis. Although association between these two entities has been described before, there are only a few case reports of histoplasmosis among sarcoid patients. Diagnosis was finally established by bone marrow biopsy which saved the patient's life.
Paget's disease of bone
Authors: Ooi C G , Fraser W D 
Published: December 2008

SummaryPaget's disease of bone is a relatively common condition in the UK affecting up to 5% of the population over the age of 55 years with particularly high prevalence in the North West of England. The majority of those affected are asymptomatic. Its precise cause remains unknown, and until recently, choice of treatment of this sometimes painful and debilitating disease has been limited. In this article, we review various aspects of this disease, concentrating particularly on recent advances in our understanding of its aetiology and its treatment.
Does erythropoietin accelerate malignant transformation in multiple myeloma?
Authors: Olujohungbe A , Handa S , Holmes J 
Published: December 2008

Summary
Growth factors or humoral agents can support haemopoiesis in various bone marrow disorders. They have the ability to act on multiple cell lineages and in myeloid cells, and the potential to act on the neoplastic equivalent of normal cells. Anaemia is a common feature of multiple myeloma seen in at least two-thirds of patients at presentation. Erythropoietin is increasingly being used with variable effect for the treatment of this anaemia, especially in cases associated with renal failure and in patients in whom blood transfusion may be undesirable or contraindicated. We describe a patient treated with recombinant erythropoietin who developed fulminating malignant transformation. The demonstration of erythropoietin receptors on a human myeloma cell line and the occurrence of the rare complication of plasma cell leukaemia in our patient stresses the need for caution and invites detailed clinical and laboratory studies before its general use.
Carcinoid tumours
Authors: Janmohamed S , Bloom S R 
Published: December 2008

SummaryThe use of long-acting and potent somatostatin analogues is a major advance in the management of carcinoid tumours. In addition to providing effective symptom relief in malignant carcinoid syndrome, octreotide can also be used for diagnostic purposes. Despite its expense, octreotide is the current agent of choice for the treatment of this condition while analogues with different receptor specificities and pharmacokinetics hold promise for the future. Gastric carcinoids have aroused interest because of their experimental association with chronic hypergastrinaemia, a condition now commonplace because of the widespread use of H2-blockers and proton-pump inhibitors. This subject is reviewed. The slow evolution of many tumours demands prolonged follow-up and the active use of a variety of palliative interventions. These include measures such as hepatic and cardiac surgery, which might be deemed inappropriate for patients with other types of metastatic malignancy. Interferons may have a role when first-line treatments have failed. Chemotherapy is, generally, of limited value.
Boerhaave's syndrome
Authors: Janjua K J 
Published: December 2008

SummaryBoerhaave's syndrome or spontaneous oesophageal perforation, is a potentially lethal and frequently elusive medical condition which presents not only a diagnostic but also a therapeutic challenge. It is insufficiently considered in diagnostic hypotheses, yet may be confirmed or excluded by simple methods such as an erect chest film and a contrast study of the oesophagus. Errors in diagnosis are usually caused by unawareness of its varied and atypical presentations or failure to consider its possibility in acute cardiothoracic and upper gastrointestinal conditions. Early aggressive surgical intervention in the form of open and wide mediastinal and chest drainage, with or without oesophageal repair, resection or exclusion, offers the patient the best chance of survival against this otherwise invariably fatal event. Nonoperative therapy consisting of antibiotics, nil oral regimen, nasogastric tube suction, pleural drainage, H2 receptor blockers and either a feeding enterostomy or total parenteral nutrition, may also be appropriate in selected patients. It is probable that the condition is more common than is generally supposed. All clinicians need to be aware of this lethal disease, its frequently unusual presentations and the importance of early diagnosis.
A six-year follow-up study of smoking habits and microvascular complications in young adults with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Sinha R N , Patrick A W , Richardson L , Wallymahmed M , MacFarlane I A 
Published: December 2008

Summary
One hundred insulin-dependent diabetic patients (age &lt; 45 years, 53 smokers) were followed for six years. The age, duration of diabetes and mean glycated haemoglobin levels, were comparable between the smokers and non-smokers. Microvascular complications (retinopathy and increased urine albumin excretion) were commoner and more severe in the smoking group at six years, particularly in heavy smokers. Of the 45 original smokers reviewed at six years, 12 (27%) had stopped, six of whom had developed microvascular complications. Only two of the ‘heavy’ initial smokers, likely to be at most risk, had stopped smoking, and three original non-smokers had started smoking.
Delayed cyanide poisoning following acetonitrile ingestion
Authors: Mueller M , Borland C 
Published: December 2008

SummaryAcetonitrile (methyl cyanide) is a common industrial organic solvent but is a rare cause of poisoning. We report the first recorded UK case. Acetonitrile is slowly converted to cyanide, resulting in delayed toxicity. We describe a case of deliberate self-poisoning by a 39-year-old woman resulting in cyanide poisoning 11 hours later which was successfully treated by repeated boluses of sodium nitrite and thiosulphate. The half-life of conversion of acetonitrile was 40 hours and harmful blood cyanide levels persisted for over 24 hours after ingestion. Departments treating or advising in cases of poisoning need to be aware of the delayed toxicity of acetonitrile. Monitoring in an intensive care unit of cases of acetonitrile poisoning should continue for 24–48 hours.
The Mirizzi syndrome
Authors: Pemberton M , Wells A D 
Published: December 2008

Summary
The Mirizzi syndrome is an unusual presentation of gallstones which occurs when a gallstone becomes impacted in either Hartmann's pouch of the gallbladder or the cystic duct, causing obstruction of the common hepatic duct by extrinsic compression. The diagnosis of this syndrome is of importance because surgery in its presence is associated with an increased incidence of bile duct injury. The pathology, clinical presentation and management of this syndrome are discussed, and several illustrative case reports presented.
Minimising delays to thrombolysis in patients developing acute myocardial infarction in hospital
Authors: Mumford A D , Banning A P 
Published: December 2008

Summary
We investigated the clinical features and management of 50 patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction from the community and 50 patients presenting with cardiac symptoms who developed an infarct after being admitted to a general medical ward for observation. Nineteen of the 50 patients initially admitted to non-specialist wards were found retrospectively to have sustained an infarct prior to hospital admission. Of the remaining 31 admission in this group, 24 developed symptoms within 24 hours of admission, 26 presented with chest pain, while 21 had evidence of acute coronary ischaemia on the admission electrocardiograph. Of the 26 patients who presented with chest pain, 20 were treated with aspirin, 13 with intravenous nitrate and four with heparin. Median delay from onset of symptoms to thrombolysis with in-hospital patients was 120 minutes and for community patients 287 minutes. Interestingly, the greatest component of this delay in both groups was the time taken for patients to decide to seek assistance after developing acute symptoms. Patients at high risk of developing acute myocardial infarction within 24 hours of hospital admission may be identified by a history of chest pain and electrocardiographic evidence of acute coronary ischaemia at admission. Such patients may experience suboptimal treatment and delays to thrombolysis if admitted to nonspecialist wards, but this may be reduced by admitting all ‘high risk’ patients directly to a high dependency cardiac ward for the first 24 hours after presentation.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug associated diaphragm disease
Authors: McGonigal A , Moffat D F , Lindop G B M , Gilchrist W J 
Published: December 2008

Summary
We present a case of anaemia and intestinal obstruction in a 78-year-old woman taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs who was found to have diaphragm disease at laparotomy.
Elevated levels of serum creatine kinase induced by hyponatraemia
Authors: Goldenberg I , Jonas M , Thaler M , Grossman E 
Published: December 2008

Summary
Elevated serum creatine kinase levels are one of the major criteria for the diagnosis of myocardial injury. Noncardiac causes such as muscular and brain damage may also be associated with elevated serum creatine kinase levels. Hyponatremia may induce increased serum creatine kinase in association with rhabdomyolysis or with hypothyroidism. A patient is described where three episodes of hyponatraemia not associated with rhabdomyolysis or hypothyroidism induced transient elevations of serum creatine kinase levels. The association between hyponatraemia and elevated creatine kinase levels should be emphasized to prevent erroneous diagnosis of myocardial injury.
Spontaneous pneumoperitoneum and other nonsurgical causes of intraperitoneal free gas
Authors: Williams N M A , Watkin D F L 
Published: December 2008

Summary
Intraperitoneal free gas seen radiologically as air under the diaphragm nearly always indicates a perforated abdominal viscus that requires surgical intervention. Rarely, however, the presence of a pneumoperitoneum may not indicate an intra-abdominal perforation and thus may not require laparotomy. Such a situation is termed spontaneous or nonsurgical pneumoperitoneum. In this review, we explore the aetiological mechanisms and the pathophysiology of the appearance of intra-abdominal free gas. An appreciation of the condition and its likely aetiological factors should improve awareness and possibly reduce the imperative to perform an emergency laparotomy on an otherwise well patient with an unexplained pneumoperitoneum.
Basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Lear J T , Smith A G 
Published: December 2008

Summary
Basal cell carcinoma is the commonest malignancy in Caucasians with incidence rates of 300 per 100,000 reported in the USA. Rates are increasing at over 10% per year leading to a lifetime risk of 30%. Although mortality is low, the disease is responsible for considerable morbidity and places a substantial burden on health service provision in the UK. Furthermore, lesions may recur and patients often develop multiple tumours giving major implications for treatment and follow-up. Four main types of basal cell carcinoma are seen: nodulo-ulcerative; pigmented; morpheaform and superficial. Diagnosis is by histological evaluation although many tumours have a characteristic clinical appearance. The differential diagnosis is large. Identified risk factors include male gender, skin type 1, red/blonde hair and increasing age. Patients with basal cell carcinoma are more likely to develop malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma but it is still unclear whether there is a link with internal malignancy. The main treatment modalities are surgery and radiotherapy. Each has advantages and disadvantages. The choice of treatment depends on many factors. Principles of treatment include identification of high-risk patients to enable early detection, complete removal of the lesion, and careful follow-up to detect recurrence or new lesions. Approximately 10% of tumours recur, depending on site, size and treatment modality. Metastatic basal cell carcinoma and the association of ultraviolet radiation to basal cell carcinoma risk are reviewed.
Management options for solitary thyroid nodules in an endemic goitrous area
Authors: Sarda A K , Gupta A , Jain P K , Prasad S 
Published: December 2008

SummaryAn analysis of management of 546 cases of solitary thyroid nodules in an endemic area is presented. None of the evaluating procedures could effectively isolate benign from malignant disease. Of 508 cases considered clinically to be benign, 42 harboured malignancy on histological examination whereas of the 38 cases suspected clinically to be malignant, 21 were histologically benign. 131I-Thyroid scanning also lacked sensitivity in identifying malignant nodules since the prevalence of malignancy in cases which were ‘cold’ (44/316) was not significantly different from that amongst the ‘uniform’ cases (15/142). Fine-needle aspiration cytology, although the most sensitive and specific evaluating modality, did not decrease the number of operations for solitary thyroid nodules nor did it increase the incidence of malignancy amongst the operated cases, because of its limitations in differentiating benign from malignant follicular neoplasms. The conditions under which surgery was advocated are described.
Microbiologically proven bacterial infections in AIDS
Authors: Kirkpatrick B L , Glover S C , Reeves D S , MacGowan A P 
Published: December 2008

SummaryWe have reviewed the incidence, type and site of microbiologically proven bacterial infection occurring in 52 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who presented to Southmead Hospital, Bristol between 1990 and 1994. A total of 30 (58%) patients had significant bacterial isolates. The majority of infections were community acquired. Overall, more infections were caused by Gram-negative organisms but Gram-positive organisms predominated in bacteraemia. Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAI) caused infection in the largest number of patients, followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas sp, and Campylobacter sp. When individual episodes of infection were considered, after MAI, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas sp were the organisms most frequently isolated; often these same organisms caused recurrent chest infection. Bacterial infections in AIDS patients are common and although they generally respond well to antimicrobial chemotherapy there is a high recurrence rate, particularly in the respiratory tract, which is the commonest site of infection.
Regression of cardiac involvement by malignant melanoma following lomustine chemotherapy
Authors: Carpenter M R , Vassallo M , Peat I M , Scriven A J I 
Published: December 2008

Summary
Cardiac involvement by malignant melanoma is usually a premorbid event. We present a case of presumed cardiac involvement by malignant melanoma with regression following chemotherapy as demonstrated by transoesophageal echocardiography.
Mesenteric revascularisation for acute-on-chronic intestinal ischaemia
Authors: Holdsworth R J , Raza Z , Naidu S , McCollum P T 
Published: December 2008

Summary
Eleven patients (eight women) underwent urgent revascularisation for acute-on-chronic mesenteric ischaemia. Four patients had dual vessel and seven single vessel reconstructions. Two patients underwent simultaneous bowel resection and one patient has had three separate grafts to the superior mesenteric artery. There were two peri-operative deaths and three have died in the late follow-up period after 18, 24 and 36 months. The remainder have survived for between five and 63 months. Revascularisation for acute-on-chronic mesenteric ischaemia has been shown to be technically possible and of substantial benefit to patients who would otherwise be treated as terminal cases.
Localised carcinoma of the prostate: a paradigm of uncertainty
Authors: Sandhu S S , Kaisary A V 
Published: December 2008

Summary
The incidence and prevalence of prostate cancer is increasing. A number of aetiological factors including age, race, family history and diet have been implicated. The majority of patients present with disease which is amenable only to palliation. Digital rectal examination, serum prostate-specific antigen and transrectal ultrasound can lead to a prostatic biopsy. Transrectal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, bone scan and a chest X-ray are used for staging. The management of localised cancer is shrouded in uncertainty. Three options exist, watchful waiting, radiotherapy, and radical total prostatectomy. The published data are inadequate for a valid comparison of these, and none has been shown to offer an advantage. Surgery, and to a lesser degree radiotherapy, have a significant morbidity. It is hoped that through better understanding our management of this disease will improve.
Soft tissue tumours
Authors: Hayes A J , Thomas J M 
Published: December 2008

Summary
Any soft tissue swelling beneath the deep fascia should be considered a sarcoma until proven otherwise. As the most important factor in the primary treatment of these cancers is the adequacy of the primary surgical resection, it is vital to diagnose these malignant tumours pre-operatively.
The modern treatment of soft tissue sarcomas may involve all modalities, but the most important aspect of treatment of a primary localised sarcoma is wide excisional surgery preserving limb function. Radiotherapy is a vital adjunct in high-grade tumours, or in tumours whose resectability is limited either by size or anatomical proximity to vital structures. Apart from a few chemosensitive sarcomas, the role of chemotherapy is limited to treatment of metastatic disease where documented response rates are no greater than 30%. As 50% of patients with high-grade sarcomas will die from metastatic disease, improvements in survival rates will only come from improvements in response to systemic therapy. No controlled trials have shown any survival benefit for adjuvant chemotherapy, although a recent meta-analysis of published data has shown a trend to increased survival at two years. Multicentre randomised trials are ongoing.
The prognosis of these lesions is highly variable, but is intimately related to the anatomical site (i.e., resectability), and also the grade and size of the tumour.
Improving management of duodenal ulcer disease
Authors: Bateson M C , Diffey B L 
Published: December 2008

Summary
Audit of treatment of duodenal ulcer disease has allowed management to improve and keep abreast of rapid advances in care. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori was assessed by 14C urea breath test one to two months after anti-Helicobacter therapy. The old triple therapy regime of bismuth, tetracycline and metronidazole for two weeks was found to be toxic and of low effectiveness (82%). Regimes with lansoprazole for one month and antibiotics for one week gave 90–98% success rates. The best success has been with regimes containing both clarithromycin and a nitro-imidazole. There was complete success in 98% of 109 patients given quadruple therapy with lansoprazole 30 mg daily for one month plus tetracycline 500 mg twice daily, clarithromycin 250 mg twice daily and metronidazole 400 mg twice daily for one week.
The views of medical students and junior doctors on pre-graduate clinical teaching
Authors: Ward B , Moody G , Mayberry J F 
Published: December 2008

Summary
A total of 277 third and fourth year medical students and 304 house officers and senior house officers were asked to prioritise the content and methods of clinical teaching. Response rates were poor, but similar to that in market surveys. Bedside teaching and medical clerking were considered the most valuable methods of teaching and training in practical procedures such as venepunctures and urinary catheterisation was seen as valuable. The design of new curricula in medical education will need to accommodate the views of its clients.
Large airway obstruction by a chronic dissecting aortic aneurysm in the Marfan syndrome
Authors: Hargreaves M R , Gilbert T J , Pillai R , Hart G 
Published: December 2008

Summary
We describe a patient with the Marfan syndrome who presented with an acute aortic dissection. She underwent composite graft replacement of the aortic root. She returned two years later with dyspnoea and stridor due to tracheal compression by a large chronic dissection of the thoracic aorta. Marfan patients are at risk of chronic dissection involving the remaining distal aorta and require regular noninvasive assessment following surgery.
Cerebellar degeneration following neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Authors: Lal V , Sardana V , Thussu A , Sawhney I M S , Prabhakar S 
Published: December 2008

Summary
A 55-year-old woman with a history of bipolar affective disorder developed hyperpyrexia, rigidity and depressed consciousness (neuroleptic malignant syndrome) after commencing neuroleptic therapy. On regaining consciousness, she was mute and had signs suggesting pancerebellar involvement. Hyperpyrexia, which is a cardinal feature of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, may have caused cerebellar damage. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome needs both early recognition and prompt treatment to obviate devastating complications.
Perforated diverticulitis following extra-abdominal surgery
Authors: Gaya A M , Chisholm E M , Scott H J , Donaldson D R 
Published: December 2008

Summary
The peritonitis of perforated diverticular disease is a life-threatening condition. We report three cases where it occurred following unrelated extra-abdominal surgery and where surgical intervention proved to be the correct course of management. All cases were treated with a Hartmann's procedure; this is probably the safest option for purulent peritonitis in patients who are a high operative risk and have recently undergone major surgery.