Summary Background The incidence of superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) in the general adult population remains unknown. Objectives To assess the annual diagnosis rate of symptomatic, objectively confirmed lower limb SVT, associated or not with concomitant deep vein thrombosis and/or symptomatic pulmonary embolism. Methods/patients We conducted, from November 14, 2011, to November 13, 2012, a multicenter, community‐based study in the Saint‐Etienne urban area, France, representing a population of 265 687 adult residents (according to the 2009 census). All 248 general practitioners located within the area were asked to refer any patient with clinically suspected lower limb acute SVT to a vascular physician for systematic compression ultrasonography. All 28 vascular physicians located within the area participated in the study. The annual diagnosis rate, with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI), was calculated as the number of patients with symptomatic, objectively confirmed SVT divided by the number of person‐years at risk defined by population data of the area. All venous thromboembolic events were validated by an independent central adjudication committee. Results Overall, 171 patients with symptomatic, confirmed SVT were reported. The annual diagnosis rate was 0.64% (95% CI, 0.55%–0.74%), was higher in women, and increased with advancing age regardless of gender. Concomitant deep vein thrombosis (20 proximal) was observed in 42 patients (24.6% [95% CI, 18.3%–31.7%]), and concomitant symptomatic pulmonary embolism was observed in eight patients (4.7% [95% CI, 2.0%–9.0%]). Conclusions This first community‐based study showed that symptomatic SVT with confirmed diagnosis is a relatively common disease frequently associated with thromboembolic events in the deep venous system.

Data from the literature and this study are not in favor of the use of bicarbonate in the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis with pH values between 6.90 and 7.10.

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A hospice and palliative care (PC) bed was created in 2006, located within a quiet area of our intensive care unit, in order to admit terminally ill patients sent to the emergency department (ED) for end-of-life care. We retrospectively analyze the records of the 342 terminally ill patients sent to the ED from 2007 to 2011. Among them, 176 (51.5%) were admitted to our hospice and PC bed, where 114 died. Besides, 99 (28.9%) of them died on stretchers in the ED. Our intervention led to a significant decrease in the number of terminally ill patients dying on stretchers in the ED. It also allowed both patients and families to have access to a more suitable environment.

We report on a case of anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptor antibody encephalitis, and review cases and series previously published in the literature. Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptor antibody encephalitis usually occurs in young female patients with no past medical history, in whom an ovarian teratoma is often detected. They subacutely develop predominantly psychiatric symptoms, followed by severe neurological disorders requiring transfer to the intensive care unit and prolonged ventilatory support. Complete or substantial recovery depends on early diagnosis, removal of the teratoma and immunotherapy. Our purpose is to focus intensivists' attention on this potentially lethal disorder, which should always be considered in young women admitted to the intensive care unit with characteristic neuropsychiatric disorders.