Gabapentin can be added to the list of first-line medications for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury patients. It is a promising new agent and offers advantages over currently available treatments.

Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis has an important role in the clinical assessment of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). However, arterial puncture or insertion of an arterial catheter has many drawbacks. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether venous blood gas (VBG) values of pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO 2 ) and oxygen (PO 2 ), bicarbonate (HCO 3 ), and oxygen saturation (SO 2 ) can reliably predict ABG levels in patients with AECOPD. One hundred and thirty-two patients with a prior diagnosis of COPD presenting with acute exacerbation according to AECOPD criteria were included in this prospective study. AECOPD is defined as a recent increase in cough, wheezing, the volume and purulence of sputum or shortness of breath necessitating a change in regular medication, including corticosteroids or antibiotics. ABG samples were taken immediately after venous sampling, and both were analyzed. Linear regression analysis was performed and equations were established for the estimation of arterial values. The Pearson correlation coefficients for pH, PCO 2 , HCO 3 , PO 2 , and SO 2 were 0.934, 0.908, 0.927, 0.252, and 0.296, respectively. There was a significant correlation between ABG and VBG values of pH, PCO 2 , and HCO 3 ( p < 0.001). Linear regression equations for the estimation of pH, PCO 2 , and HCO 3 were as follows: arterial pH = 1.004 × venous pH; arterial PCO 2 = 0.873 × venous PCO 2 ; and arterial HCO 3 = 0.951 × venous HCO 3 . VBG analysis can reliably predict the ABG values of pH, PCO 2 and HCO 3 in patients with AECOPD. blood gas; arterial; venous; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Sevoflurane does not prevent the increase in IOP after intubation without muscle relaxants. LMA does not increase IOP in children after sevoflurane induction.

In patients with cervicobrachialgic symptoms and without established discopathy, during the examination of sagittal magnetic resonance images, vertebral artery loop formation should be kept in mind, and in suspected cases, the vertebral artery should be visualized using three-dimensional time of flight magnetic resonance angiography. Vertebral artery-nerve root relation should also be demonstrated using the multiplanar reformatting method from time of flight images. A conservative course of treatment has a favorable outcome.

Intrathecal isobaric ropivacaine 0.5% 15 mg plus morphine 150 micro g provides sufficient anaesthesia for Caesarean delivery. The ropivacaine-morphine combination resulted in shorter motor block, similar sensory and postoperative analgesia.