No abstract

A prospective investigation was undertaken in adults to assess the specificity and sensitivity of fever (greater than 38 degrees C) and leucocytosis (greater than 10 000/microliters) for the diagnosis of infection after operations with cardiopulmonary bypass. A log-linear model analysis of a multiway frequency table was used for statistical evaluation. The model parameters were separately evaluated for 2 periods: the early one until the 6th day, the late period from the 7th postoperative day until discharge. Seven out of 115 patients suffered infections during their hospital stay: Bacteremia occurred in 3, pneumonia in 2, and deep sternal wound infection in 2 patients, and a superficial wound infection in one. No significant interactions between fever, leucocytosis and/or infection were found in the first period, except an inverse relation between fever and elevated WBC (p = 0.0197). After the 6th postoperative day the model parameters did show significant interactions, fever and leucocytosis being more frequent in infected patients. However, the specificity was low: only 15% of the patients with fever or elevated WBC had an infection. The risk of in-hospital infection was significantly higher after a long duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (p = 0.009), and after transfusion of more than 2500 ml of blood on the day of operation (p = 0.001).

Over the last few decades, the number of lumbar interbody fusion surgeries performed has been constantly increasing, with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) being one of the most common surgical techniques. Due to easy accessibility, patients frequently use YouTube to obtain information on health-related issues. Consequently, online video platforms may be a valuable tool for patient education. The aim of this study was to assess the quality, reliability, and comprehensiveness of online videos on TLIF. We screened 180 videos on YouTube, yielding a total of 30 videos that met the inclusion criteria. These videos were evaluated using Global Quality Scale, DISCERN reliability tool, and JAMA Benchmark Score, and assessed in regard to their comprehensiveness and coverage of relevant aspects. At the time of rating, the videos had between 9188 and 1,530,408 views and between 0 and 3344 likes. The median rater assessment for all videos was “moderate quality”. GQS and subjective grades showed a moderate to strong statistically significant association with views and likes. Considering this association of GQS and subjective grade with views and likes, these criteria could be used by laypersons to identify good-quality content. Nevertheless, there is an urgent need for peer-reviewed content that covers all of the relevant aspects.

The article presents the case of a 37-year-old patient with acute leukemia. Four days before the appearance of acute symptoms, the patient manifested unspecific prodromes, with headache, coughing, and tiredness. Within 18 hours, he then presented the complete picture of acute leukemia, with multiple brain hemorrhages, diffused leukemic infiltration of all organs, and the typical alterations in blood picture. Eighteen hours after the first specific symptoms, the patient died of therapy-resistant cerebral pressure.

The anatomical viewpoints of nervus IX and its surrounding structures are explained. The authors report on one case of symptomatology of glossopharyngeal neuralgia combined with cardiac arrests. Finally, pathogenesis and surgical treatment of glossopharyngeal neuralgia are discussed.