Hydrogen peroxide-enhanced three-dimensional endoanal ultrasonography and endoanal magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating perianal fistulas: agreement and patient preference

OBJECTIVES: To determine agreement between hydrogen peroxide-enhanced three-dimensional endoanal ultrasonography (3D HPUS) and endoanal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in preoperative assessment of perianal fistulas, and to assess patient preference with regard to these techniques. METHODS: Forty patients (31 males, aged 21-70 years) with symptoms of a perianal fistula and a visible external opening underwent preoperative 3D HPUS and endoanal MRI. The results were assessed separately by experienced observers. Fistulas were described according to the following characteristics: classification of the primary fistula tract according to Parks, location of the internal opening, presence of secondary tracts and fluid collections. Patients were asked to score the amount of discomfort experienced during both procedures and express their preference for either method. RESULTS: The median time interval between 3D HPUS and endoanal MRI was 14 days (range, 0-91 days). The methods agreed in 88% (35/40, kappa = 0.45) for the primary fistula tract, in 90% (36/40, kappa = 0.83) for the location of the internal opening, in 78% (31/40, kappa = 0.62) for secondary tracts, and in 88% (35/40, kappa = 0.63) for fluid collections. Both methods were associated with similar discomfort, and there was no patient preference for one procedure over the other. CONCLUSIONS: 3D HPUS and endoanal MRI are equally adequate for the evaluation of perianal fistulas. Both methods are associated with similar discomfort and patients have no preference for either procedure.     

Androgenic anabolic steroid use and severe hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction: a case study

The data of the present case demonstrate that the abuse of androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) may lead to serious health effects. Although most clinical attention is usually directed towards peripheral side effects, the most serious central side effect, hypothalamic-pituitary-dysfunction, is often overlooked in severe cases. Although this latter central side-effect usually recovers spontaneously when AAS intake is discontinued, the present case shows that spontaneous recovery does not always take place. We suggest that hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction should always be considered in the differential diagnosis in athletes seen with typical presentation of anabolic steroid use. In order to regain normal hypothalamic-pituitary function, supraphysiological doses of 200 microg LH-RH should be considered when the physiological challenge test with LH-RH (50 microg) fails to show an acceptable response.     

Acute dysphasia: often there is a readily treatable cause

Three patients, one woman aged 45 years and two men aged 40 and 62 years, presented with acute dysphagia due to oesophageal obstruction by a piece of food. In the woman symptoms of oesophageal perforation developed after the piece of food was removed by rigid endoscopy; she recovered after treatment with a stent, antibiotics and acid inhibitors. The younger man had a stricture of the oesophagus that was dilated. The older man had a Barrett's oesophagus and also oesophagcal adenocarcinoma; he was free of symptoms three years after resection of the oesophagus and the creation of a tubular stomach. In adults, 60% of acute oesophageal obstructions are caused by food impaction, which is associated with a high incidence of secondary pathologic findings in the oesophagus (75-97%). Evaluation of the oesophagus by flexible endoscopy contributes to an adequate diagnosis. Moreover, it can be used to treat the cause of the obstruction. If dilation therapy is started early after detecting a benign stricture in the oesophagus, it reduces the likelihood of recurrence. The detection of early-stage oesophageal malignancies may improve the prognosis of patients with this disorder.     

Another case of West Nile fever in the Netherlands: a man with encephalitis following a trip to Canada

Shortly after his return to the Netherlands from a trip to Ontario, a part of Canada where infection with West-Nile virus has been reported, a 69-year-old man became increasingly confused and generally unwell, accompanied by fever. The clinical picture was compatible with viral encephalitis and this was supported by EEG findings and the results of the cerebrospinal-fluid examination. MRI of the brain did not contribute to the diagnosis. The patient was treated with aciclovir because herpes simplex encephalitis was suspected, and he recovered from his illness within a few days. The EEG normalised as well. The most important remaining symptom was diminished short-term memory function. After the patient was discharged, rising antibody titres against West-Nile virus were found in two consecutive sera; there were no antibodies to other encephalitis-causing viruses (such as Q fever virus and St. Louis encephalitis virus). This case report concerns the second imported case of West-Nile fever in the Netherlands and the first one with encephalitis.     

Hepatic VLDL production in ob/ob mice is not stimulated by massive de novo lipogenesis but is less sensitive to the suppressive effects of insulin

Type 2 diabetes in humans is associated with increased de novo lipogenesis (DNL), increased fatty acid (FA) fluxes, decreased FA oxidation, and hepatic steatosis. In this condition, VLDL production is increased and resistant to suppressive effects of insulin. The relationships between hepatic FA metabolism, steatosis, and VLDL production are incompletely understood. We investigated VLDL-triglyceride and -apolipoprotein (apo)-B production in relation to DNL and insulin sensitivity in female ob/ob mice. Hepatic triglyceride (5-fold) and cholesteryl ester (15-fold) contents were increased in ob/ob mice compared with lean controls. Hepatic DNL was increased approximately 10-fold in ob/ob mice, whereas hepatic cholesterol synthesis was not affected. Basal rates of hepatic VLDL-triglyceride and -apoB100 production were similar between the groups. Hyperinsulinemic clamping reduced VLDL-triglyceride and -apoB100 production rates by approximately 60% and approximately 75%, respectively, in lean mice but only by approximately 20% and approximately 20%, respectively, in ob/ob mice. No differences in hepatic expression of genes encoding apoB and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein were found. Hepatic expression and protein phosphorylation of insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate isoforms were reduced in ob/ob mice. Thus, strongly induced hepatic DNL is not associated with increased VLDL production in ob/ob mice, possibly related to differential hepatic zonation of apoB synthesis (periportal) and lipid accumulation (perivenous) and/or relatively low rates of cholesterogenesis. Insulin is unable to effectively suppress VLDL-triglyceride production in ob/ob mice, presumably because of impaired insulin signaling.     

The incidence of injuries in elite junior figure skaters

BACKGROUND: There has been rapid growth in the technical and physiologic demands made on skaters who perform more and more difficult jumps, spins, lifts, throws, and free skating movements. PURPOSE: To investigate the frequency of injuries and overuse syndromes in elite junior skaters. STUDY DESIGN: Questionnaire. METHODS: During four consecutive Junior World Figure Skating Championships and the Croatia Cup, we interviewed 236 female and 233 male skaters by questionnaire to determine the frequency of injuries and overuse syndromes. RESULTS: Fifty-nine of the female skaters (25%) and 65 of the male skaters (27.9%) reported sustaining acute injuries; 101 female (42.8%) and 106 male (45.5%) skaters reported overuse syndromes. Low back pain was reported by 19 female and 23 male skaters. The most frequent acute injury was ankle sprain. In singles female skaters, the most frequent overuse injury was stress fracture (19.8%), followed by jumper's knee (14.9%). In singles male skaters, jumper's knee (16.1%) was the most frequent injury, followed by Osgood-Schlatter disease (14.2%). More than 50% of injuries in young singles figure skaters involved overuse syndromes. Pairs skaters and ice dance skaters had a higher risk of acute injury than overuse syndrome because of falls from lifts and throw jumps. CONCLUSIONS: Programs to improve postural alignment, flexibility, and strength, especially during the asynchronous period of bone and soft tissue development, should be instituted to prevent and reduce overuse syndromes.     

Cognitive dysfunction after minor surgery in the elderly

BACKGROUND: Major surgery is frequently associated with postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in elderly patients. Type of surgery and hospitalization may be important prognostic factors. The aims of the study were to find the incidence and risk factors for POCD in elderly patients undergoing minor surgery. METHODS: We enrolled 372 patients aged greater than 60 years scheduled for minor surgery under general anesthesia. According to local practice, patients were allocated to either in- (199) or out-patient (173) care. Cognitive function was assessed using neuropsychological testing preoperatively and 7 days and 3 months postoperatively. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction was defined using Z-score analysis. RESULTS: At 7 days, the incidence (confidence interval) of POCD in patients undergoing minor surgery was 6.8% (4.3-10.1). At 3 months the incidence of POCD was 6.6% (4.1-10.0). Logistic regression analysis identified the following significant risk factors: age greater than 70 years (odds ratio [OR]: 3.8 [1.7-8.7], P = 0.01) and in- vs. out-patient surgery (OR: 2.8 [1.2-6.3], P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our finding of less cognitive dysfunction in the first postoperative week in elderly patients undergoing minor surgery on an out-patient basis supports a strategy of avoiding hospitalization of older patients when possible.     

Evaluating a model of caregiving for people with psychosis

Background: The caregiving experience has been conceptualised as distress or satisfaction attributed to various factors in the carer's external and internal world. Aims: The aim of this study was to test how such factors relate to one another in the framework of a ‘stress-coping’ model using data from a group of carers of people with psychosis. Method: Standard univariate analyses and graphical modelling techniques were applied to baseline and follow-up interview data available from a clinical trial of a support package offered to 77 carers in contact with a community psychiatric service. Results: Results at baseline were consistent with a stress-coping model. Carer distress was most strongly associated with coping. In turn, coping was associated with two sets of factors – one related to appraisal and caregiving difficulty, the other to social support. Using a small sample of longitudinal data (n = 38), most individual measures were predictable from baseline. However, there was again a strong association between carer distress and current coping. Support from confidants assumed an important relationship to effective coping. The level of effective coping increased over time while caregiving difficulty decreased, but carer appraisal and distress did not change. Conclusions: The findings provide some support for an interactive, stress-coping model of caregiving in psychosis. Effective coping in caregivers may improve with support from confidants. Carer distress may not change while caregiving continues. Accepted: 8 October 2002 Correspondence to Professor E. Kuipers     

An exploratory randomised controlled trial of a support programme for carers of patients with a psychosis

BACKGROUND: Despite an acknowledgement of the impact of serious mental disorders on informal caregivers, we still know little about how to best help them. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a two-phased carers' intervention comprising family sessions followed by relatives' groups. This intervention was designed to be of 'intermediate' intensity, that is,one lying between brief educational programmes and long-term family psychoeducational treatments. METHODS: An exploratory randomised controlled trial was conducted comparing the experimental support programme with 'standard' care. All carers of patients with a psychotic disorder from a defined population were approached. Outcome measures were based on a 'stress-appraisal-coping' model of caregiving. RESULTS: Despite concerted attempts to engage carers, only 42% participated in the study. The carers' programme did not offer any significant advantage on any of the outcome measures: psychological morbidity, negative appraisal, coping or social support. The severity of caregiving difficulties decreased over the study period for the group as a whole. CONCLUSIONS: There is still uncertainty about the most effective interventions for carers. Meeting 'needs' may not improve caregiver distress.     

Ruling out clinically suspected pulmonary embolism by assessment of clinical probability and D-dimer levels: a management study

D-dimer test combined with clinical probability assessment has been proposed as the first step in the diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). In a prospective management study we investigated the safety and efficiency of excluding PE by a normal D-dimer combined with a low or moderate clinical probability. Of the 202 study patients this combination ruled out PE in 64 (32%) patients. The 3-month thromboembolic risk in these patients was 0% (95% CI, 0.0-5.6%). The prevalence of PE in the entire cohort was 29% (59 patients), whereas in the low, moderate and high clinical probability groups this was 25%, 26% and 50%, respectively. We conclude that ruling out suspected PE by a normal D-dimer combined with a low or moderate clinical probability appears to be a safe and efficient strategy. The accuracy of the clinical probability assessment is modest.