AIM: To systematically review these minimally invasive approaches to infected pancreatic necrosis. METHODS: We used the MEDLINE database to investigate studies between 1996 and 2010 with greater than 10 patients that ...AIM: To systematically review these minimally invasive approaches to infected pancreatic necrosis. METHODS: We used the MEDLINE database to investigate studies between 1996 and 2010 with greater than 10 patients that examined these techniques. Using a combination of Boolean operators, reports were retrieved addressing percutaneous therapy (341 studies), endoscopic necrosectomy (574 studies), laparoscopic necrosectomy via a transperitoneal approach (148 studies), and retroperitoneal necrosectomy (194 studies). Only cohorts with at least 10 or more patients were included. Non-English papers, letters, animal studies, duplicate series and reviews without original data were excluded, leaving a total of 27 studies for analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies with 947 patients total were examined (eight studies on percutaneous approach; ten studies on endoscopic necrosectomy; two studies on laparoscopic necrosectomy via a transperitoneal approach; five studies on retroperitoneal necrosectomy; and two studies on a combined percutaneous-retroperitoneal approach). Success rate, complications, mortality, and number of procedures were outcomes that were included in the review. We found that most published reports were retrospective in nature, and thus, susceptible to selection and publication bias. Few reports examined these techniques in a comparative, prospective manner. CONCLUSION: Each minimally invasive approach though was found to be safe and feasible in multiple reports. With these new techniques, treatment of infected pancreatic necrosis remains a challenge. We advocate a multidisciplinary approach to this complex problem with treatment individualized to each patient.展开更多
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that is defi ned by relapsing and remitting episodes. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) appears to play a central role in the pat...Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that is defi ned by relapsing and remitting episodes. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) appears to play a central role in the pathophysiology of the disease. Standard therapies for inflammatory bowel disease fail to induce remission in about 30% of patients. Biological therapies have been associated with an increased incidence of infections, especially infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Thalidomide is an oral immunomodulatory agent with anti-TNF-α properties. Recent studies have suggested that thalidomide is effective in refractory luminal and fistulizing Crohn's disease. Thalidomide costimulates T lymphocytes, with greater effect on CD8+ than on CD4+ T cells, which contributes to the protective immune response to Mtb infection. We present a case of Crohn's disease with gastric, ileal, colon and rectum involvement as well as steroid dependency, which progressed with loss of response to infliximabafter three years of therapy. The thorax computed tomography scan demonstrated a pulmonary nodule suspected to be Mtb infection. The patient was started on thalidomide therapy and exhibited an excellent response.展开更多
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is an unexpected death of infants under one year old. SIDS is the most common cause of death for infants after the first month of birth, commonly between two and four months. MEMS...Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is an unexpected death of infants under one year old. SIDS is the most common cause of death for infants after the first month of birth, commonly between two and four months. MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology can be very useful to help us to avoid this horrible tragedy. In the present work, using a MEMS technology, an intelligent pacifier is designed to alarm any unusual changes in breathing during sleeping. A PZT (Piezoelectric) sensor is utilized to detect the force generated by breathing and convert it to a measurable voltage and alarm the risky breathing during infant's sleeping. This voltage can subsequently drive some simple alarm and make parents aware of hazard.展开更多
Skeletal tuberculosis developing after trauma is a rare occurrence. We report a rare case of posttraumatic tubercular osteomyelitis of mid-tarsal bone of the right foot. Patient was treated with regular dressing and a...Skeletal tuberculosis developing after trauma is a rare occurrence. We report a rare case of posttraumatic tubercular osteomyelitis of mid-tarsal bone of the right foot. Patient was treated with regular dressing and anti-tubercular drugs. Posttraumatic skeletal tuberculosis should be considered in patient with non-healing ulcer.展开更多
文摘AIM: To systematically review these minimally invasive approaches to infected pancreatic necrosis. METHODS: We used the MEDLINE database to investigate studies between 1996 and 2010 with greater than 10 patients that examined these techniques. Using a combination of Boolean operators, reports were retrieved addressing percutaneous therapy (341 studies), endoscopic necrosectomy (574 studies), laparoscopic necrosectomy via a transperitoneal approach (148 studies), and retroperitoneal necrosectomy (194 studies). Only cohorts with at least 10 or more patients were included. Non-English papers, letters, animal studies, duplicate series and reviews without original data were excluded, leaving a total of 27 studies for analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies with 947 patients total were examined (eight studies on percutaneous approach; ten studies on endoscopic necrosectomy; two studies on laparoscopic necrosectomy via a transperitoneal approach; five studies on retroperitoneal necrosectomy; and two studies on a combined percutaneous-retroperitoneal approach). Success rate, complications, mortality, and number of procedures were outcomes that were included in the review. We found that most published reports were retrospective in nature, and thus, susceptible to selection and publication bias. Few reports examined these techniques in a comparative, prospective manner. CONCLUSION: Each minimally invasive approach though was found to be safe and feasible in multiple reports. With these new techniques, treatment of infected pancreatic necrosis remains a challenge. We advocate a multidisciplinary approach to this complex problem with treatment individualized to each patient.
文摘Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that is defi ned by relapsing and remitting episodes. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) appears to play a central role in the pathophysiology of the disease. Standard therapies for inflammatory bowel disease fail to induce remission in about 30% of patients. Biological therapies have been associated with an increased incidence of infections, especially infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Thalidomide is an oral immunomodulatory agent with anti-TNF-α properties. Recent studies have suggested that thalidomide is effective in refractory luminal and fistulizing Crohn's disease. Thalidomide costimulates T lymphocytes, with greater effect on CD8+ than on CD4+ T cells, which contributes to the protective immune response to Mtb infection. We present a case of Crohn's disease with gastric, ileal, colon and rectum involvement as well as steroid dependency, which progressed with loss of response to infliximabafter three years of therapy. The thorax computed tomography scan demonstrated a pulmonary nodule suspected to be Mtb infection. The patient was started on thalidomide therapy and exhibited an excellent response.
文摘Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is an unexpected death of infants under one year old. SIDS is the most common cause of death for infants after the first month of birth, commonly between two and four months. MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology can be very useful to help us to avoid this horrible tragedy. In the present work, using a MEMS technology, an intelligent pacifier is designed to alarm any unusual changes in breathing during sleeping. A PZT (Piezoelectric) sensor is utilized to detect the force generated by breathing and convert it to a measurable voltage and alarm the risky breathing during infant's sleeping. This voltage can subsequently drive some simple alarm and make parents aware of hazard.
文摘Skeletal tuberculosis developing after trauma is a rare occurrence. We report a rare case of posttraumatic tubercular osteomyelitis of mid-tarsal bone of the right foot. Patient was treated with regular dressing and anti-tubercular drugs. Posttraumatic skeletal tuberculosis should be considered in patient with non-healing ulcer.