Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to D E Manthey.
This article covers the diagnosis and management of renal colic. New imaging modalities will be reviewed using evidence-based medicine. The disposition of the patient with renal colic will be addressed. Additionally, special groups with nephrolithiasis will be discussed.
Methotrexate is a chemotherapy antimetabolite, folic acid antagonist, that inhibits the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase resulting in decreased levels of tetrahydrofolate in the cells. This in turn blocks synthesis of thymidylate, a nucleotide necessary for DNA synthesis. It is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Toxicity from overdose can affect multiple organ systems including bone marrow, liver, intestinal tract, kidneys, lungs, skin, and blood vessels, resulting in death in severe cases. Methotrexate is widely used to treat neoplastic disease, dermatologic disorders (psoriasis), and rheumatologic disorders (severe rheumatoid arthritis). As its indications for use increase, more accidental overdoses can be expected. We present the treatment and clinical course of one such case, that of a 2-year-old who accidentally took her grandmother's arthritis pills. Her initial serum level was 10 times greater than that needed to cause toxicity. She was treated with gastric lavage, activated charcoal, leucovorin rescue, and ICU admission. Her clinical course was unremarkable, and the only evidence of toxicity was a mild elevation in a liver-associated enzyme that resolved without any clinical sequela. Leucovorin at a dose equal to or greater than the possible ingestion should be given as soon as possible in methotrexate overdoses.
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STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of ultrasound and radiography in detecting foreign bodies in soft-tissue models closely duplicating puncture-wound trauma and hand anatomy. METHODS: In this randomized, blinded descriptive study, two radiologists independently evaluated 120 chicken thighs for foreign bodies with the use of standard two-view radiography and 7.5-MHz transducer ultrasonography. All chicken thighs were manipulated with hemostats to ensure uniform tissue damage. In 60 thighs, one foreign body had been inserted (10 each: gravel, metal, glass, cactus spine, wood, and plastic). RESULTS: The sensitivity of ultrasound in detecting gravel was 40%, that for metal was 45%, that for glass was 50%, that for cactus spine was 30%, that for wood was 50%, and that for plastic was 40%. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and false-negative and false-positive rates for ultrasound were 43%, 70%, 50%, and 30%, respectively. No individual foreign body had an ultrasound detection rate of 50%. Radiography detected foreign bodies generally considered radiopaque (gravel, glass, metal) 98% of the time, but it never detected bodies considered radiolucent (wood, plastic, cactus spine). The false-negative and false-positive rates for radiography were 50% and 1.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound detection of foreign bodies by skilled operators in this animal model revealed poor sensitivity and specificity. Radiographic detection was highly sensitive for foreign bodies considered radiopaque. Our data suggest that ultrasound should not be relied on to rule out the possibility of a retained foreign body in the distal extremities.
A thorough understanding of the underlying diseases and of the halo pin traction device will allow for appropriate treatment of complications. Consultation or referral to the neurosurgeon is advised to prevent serious sequelae. The following points should be remembered: 1. Pins should only be tightened during the first 24-hour period after application. 2. Pin infection is treated by local wound care in most cases. 3. CT scan cannot completely exclude the presence of an abscess secondary to artifact, but MRI may be compatible with the newer devices. 4. Pin penetration of the inner table of the skull requires admission. 5. Any suspected loss of alignment or reduction of the cervical spine requires C-spine immobilization. 5. Nasotracheal or fiberoptic intubation or emergent cricothyroidotomy should be used if orotracheal intubation proves difficult due to the device. 7. The anterior portion of the vest is removable for cardiopulmonary resuscitation without compromising the stability of the device.
Tension hydrothorax is rare, with few cases reported in the literature dating back to the late 1960s. We report a case of tension hydrothorax in a patient with a ventriculopleural shunt who improved dramatically after thoracentesis. The discussion includes a brief review of ventriculopleural shunts and pleural physiology.