To define patterns of infarction on computed tomography that are characteristic of embolism, as opposed to hemodynamically or microangiopathically induced brain lesions, a consecutive series of 60 patients with acute brain embolism were studied. Strokes were embolic in origin; that is, hemodynamic and in situ thrombotic stroke mechanisms had been excluded. Embolically active, cardiac disease was proved in 42 and was clinically evident in 13 patients. Five patients had suffered a stroke due to catheter-related embolism. Computed tomography revealed pial artery territorial infarction in 55 patients (92%). In 5, the infarction had the size or location (or both) characteristic of lacunes, although shape and lack of multiplicity raised questions about this interpretation. No patient showed a low-flow type of infarction pattern. These findings strongly support the view that (1) except for in situ thrombosis, pial artery territorial infarctions are indicative of an embolic mechanism, and (2) that the mechanism underlying lacunes is hardly, if ever, embolic.

BackgroundDuring recent years the market for homeopathic education media has increasingly diversified with old (books, seminars) and new media (video-seminars, pc-programs, homeo-wiki and internet-courses). However, little is known about homeopaths’ preferences in using educational media and their requirements of this topic.AimThis survey was designed to gain a better understanding of the usage and appraisal of educational media by homeopaths.Methods192 homeopathic practitioners (GPs and health practitioners) at a educational conference were asked to answer a standardized questionnaire covering the topics “formal education and context of work” (9 items), “homeopathic practise and usage (24 items), “utilization of educational media” (9 items) and “favoured attributes for educational media” (11 items).ResultsOut of 192 homeopaths who attended the conference, 118 completed the questionnaire (response rate 61.5%). For their continuing homeopathic education they predominantly indicated to use books (scale value from 0 = never to 2 = always: 1.72) and seminars (1.54) whereas journals (0.98) and the internet (0.65) were used less often. The most favoured attributes concerning medical education media were reliability (1.76), relevance for clinical practice (1.74) and user friendliness (1.6). Less favoured attributes were inexpensiveness (1.1), graphical material (0.92) and interactivity (0.88).ConclusionsThe survey illustrates the current situation of medical education media in homeopathy. Although there are parallels to earlier research conducted in conventional GPs, homeopaths are more likely to refer to classical media. New education tools should be designed according to these preferences.

Background: During recent years the market for homeopathic education media has increasingly diversified with old (books, seminars) and new media (video-seminars, pc-programs, homeo-wiki and internet-courses). However, little is known about homeopaths? preferences in using educational media and their requirements of this topic. Aim: This survey was designed to gain a better understanding of the usage and appraisal of educational media by homeopaths. Methods: 192 homeopathic practitioners (GPs and health practitioners) at a educational conference were asked to answer a standardized questionnaire covering the topics ?formal education and context of work? (9 items), ?homeopathic practise and usage (24 items), ?utilization of educational media? (9 items) and ?favoured attributes for educational media? (11 items). Results: Out of 192 homeopaths who attended the conference, 118 completed the questionnaire (response rate 61.5 %). For their continuing homeopathic education they predominantly indicated to use books (scale value from 0 = never to 2 = always: 1.72) and seminars (1.54) whereas journals (0.98) and the internet (0.65) were used less often. The most favoured attributes concerning medical education media were reliability (1.76), relevance for clinical practice (1.74) and user friendliness (1.6). Less favoured attributes were inexpensiveness (1.1), graphical material (0.92) and interactivity (0.88). Conclusions: The survey illustrates the current situation of medical education media in homeopathy. Although there are parallels to earlier research conducted in conventional GPs, homeopaths are more likely to refer to classical media. New education tools should be designed according to these preferences.

No abstract