[The acute compartment syndrome of the arm]. / Het acute compartimentsyndroom van de arm.

Two 37-year-old men, both drug addicts, and a 32-year-old homeless woman presented themselves with a painful arm. Except for the first patient, there was a delay in diagnosing the compartment syndrome of the arm. In the first patient emergency fasciotomy led to a good functional recovery, however kidney function was lost despite proper treatment, possibly due to combined heroine use and muscle breakdown. In the second patient prolonged immobility and altered consciousness by drug use should have increased clinical suspicion. Poor arm function remained even after fasciotomy. In the third patient inadequate clinical examination delayed surgery. Major early symptoms of compartment syndrome are progressive disproportional pain and sensory loss, not relieved by analgesia. If left untreated, the ischaemic tissue damage is potentially limb and even life threatening. The acute compartment syndrome is a clinical diagnosis and a low threshold for surgical exploration and fasciotomy is advocated.

[Favorable results of conservative treatment with isosorbide dinitrate in 25 patients with fourth-degree hemorrhoids: a pilot study]. / Gunstige resultaten van conservatieve behandeling met isosorbidedinitraat van 25 patiënten met graad-4-hemorroïden; een pilotstudie.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate application of isosorbide dinitrate 1% ointment in the treatment of fourth-degree haemorrhoids. DESIGN: Prospective pilot study. METHOD: Twenty-five consecutive patients, 12 men and 13 women, with a median age of 48 years (range: 30-78), presenting in the period October 1999-December 2001 with fourth-degree haemorrhoids, were treated with isosorbide dinitrate 1% ointment. RESULTS: In 24 out of 25 patients (96%) the objective, reduction of the stangulated haemorrhoids and relief of pain, was achieved. In one patient the haemorrhoids were not reduced. This patient was cured after classic haemorrhoidectomy. Two patients interrupted the treatment because of severe headache, but after renewed instructions they continued the therapy and were cured. CONCLUSION: Isosorbide dinitrate 1% ointment gave good results in the treatment of fourth-degree haemorrhoids, with only few side effects.