Interprofessional collaborative reasoning by residents and nurses in internal medicine: Evidence from a simulation study.

Clinical reasoning has been studied in residents or nurses, using interviews or patient-provider encounters. Despite a growing interest in interprofessional collaboration, the notion of collaborative reasoning has not been well studied in clinical settings. Our study aims at exploring resident-nurse collaborative reasoning in a simulation setting. We enrolled 14 resident-nurse teams from a general internal medicine division in a mixed methods study. Teams each managed one of four acute case scenarios, followed by a stimulated-recall session. A qualitative, inductive analysis of the transcripts identified five dimensions of collaborative reasoning: diagnostic reasoning, patient management, patient monitoring, communication with the patient, and team communication. Three investigators (two senior physicians, one nurse) assessed individual and team performances using a five-point Likert scale, and further extracted elements supporting the collaborative reasoning process. Global assessment of the resident-nurse team was not simply an average of individual performances. Qualitative results underlined the need to improve situational awareness, particularly for task overload. Team communication helped team members stay abreast of each other's thoughts and improve their efficiency. Residents and nurses differed in their reasoning processes, and awareness of this difference may contribute to improving interprofessional collaboration. Understanding collaborative reasoning can provide an additional dimension to interprofessional education.

[Two cases of cutaneous erythema following spinal cord stimulation]. / Erythème cutané provoqué par une neurostimulation cordonale postérieure: deux observations.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous complications following implantation of an electric system have been reported mainly after the implantation of pacemakers, cardiac defibrillators and morphine pumps. However, cutaneous complications following implantation of spinal cord stimulators are rarely described in the literature. Here we report two cases of cutaneous eruption at the spinal cord stimulation site, one involving foreign-body reaction to silicone in the neurostimulator electrodes or connector block and the other comprising contact dermatitis to silicone. CASE REPORTS: Case 1: A 43-year-old woman had been implanted with a spinal cord stimulator. Four months after implantation, burning sensation and cutaneous inflammatory erythema were observed in the dorsolumbar region, with reduced efficiency of stimulation. Removal of the neurostimulator led to resolution of the cutaneous symptoms. Histopathological examination of the biopsy sample showed foreign-body granuloma formation. The same symptoms subsequently recurred on the surgical scar and histopathology showed granuloma formation in response to particles of silicone present in the connector. The cutaneous eruption subsided rapidly after excision. Case 2: In a 60-year-old man implanted with a spinal cord stimulator, pruriginous reticular erythema was rapidly observed on the skin just above the neurostimulator, with papules around the erythema. Histopathology of two cutaneous biopsies showed evidence of contact dermatitis. Skin-patch tests performed with components of the neurostimulator leads proved positive to two types of silicone after 72 hours. The eruption was successfully controlled using topical corticosteroid therapy. DISCUSSION: Reports of cutaneous eruptions after spinal cord stimulation are extremely rare. Here we report two different cutaneous reactions with two different pathophysiological mechanisms, both involving silicone. The first case is original because it is the first documented case of a foreign-body reaction involving granuloma formation in response to particles of silicone present in the components of a neurostimulator. The second case concerns contact dermatitis to silicone (present in the connector block and electrode sheaths).

[Hyperkeratotic lesion of the nipple revealing cutaneous leiomyoma]. / Hyperkératose mamelonnaire révélant un léiomyome cutané

BACKGROUND: Leiomyoma of the nipple and areola is a rare benign neoplasm. We report the case of a patient with leiomyoma of the nipple presenting as a hyperkeratotic plaque. OBSERVATION: A 23-year-old patient presented with a five year history of a papillomatous, hyperkeratotic, painful plaque originating in her right nipple. Histological examination of a punch biopsy showed hyperkeratosis of the epidermis with dilatation of the lymphatic vessels within the dermis. Surgical excision revealed a proliferation of smooth muscle fibres, leading to diagnosis of leiomyoma. DISCUSSION: The clinical and histological features were initially consistent with idiopathic naevoid hyperkeratosis of areola. However, associated pain is uncommon in idiopathic lesions. This unusual feature led us to surgical excision enabling the diagnosis of leiomyoma. A hyperkeratotic lesion of the nipple may be associated with benign or malignant neoplasms, hamartoma or chronic dermatoses, or it may be idiopathic. In the present case, the hyperkeratotic lesion revealed subareolar leiomyoma. This is an uncommon clinical presentation not previously seen in medical observations, since leiomyoma usually presents as a firm, painful lump in the subareolar region.

Endocrine involvement in minor (non-H-2) graft versus host reaction in mice: dissociated effect on corticosterone and aldosterone plasma levels.

The graft vs. host reaction (GVHR) induced across a non-H-2 histocompatibility antigen barrier was shown to be a multiorgan disease with a strict time-dependent pattern of functional alterations. The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of the GVHR on corticosterone, aldosterone, corticotropin (ACTH), Na+, and K+ plasma concentrations in mice. GVHR was induced in irradiated (DBA/2 X B10.D2)F1 mice by transplantation of B10.D2 hemopoietic cells. Controls were untreated F1 mice and irradiated syngeneic (F1) cell-grafted F1 mice. Nonimmunological stimuli transiently increased ACTH and corticosterone plasma levels during the first 5 days, although the early ACTH peak was markedly reduced in GVHR mice. Circulating corticosterone levels returned to normal values thereafter in controls. ACTH returned to basal levels in all mice, even in GVHR mice in spite of their persistent high corticosteronism. The enhancing effect of GVHR on plasma aldosterone concentrations was delayed until day 30 after the cell graft. Results suggest 1) a dissociated effect of GVHR on mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid metabolism and 2) either an alteration of adrenal sensitivity to ACTH in GVHR mice or a possible mimicking of some neuroendocrine activities by the lymphocytes responsible for the onset of the disease.

Primary bone oxalosis: the roles of oxalate deposits and renal osteodystrophy.

Primary oxalosis is a rare congenital disorder. The excessive oxalate biosynthesis induces deposits in many organs, particularly in kidney and bone. The late onset of primary oxalosis is reported in a 50-year-old man. His chronic renal failure was treated by maintenance hemodialysis for 3 years. He then developed a diffuse bone disease with osteosclerosis and roentgenographic features of hyperparathyroidism. A parathyroidectomy was performed, with debatable improvement of bone lesions. Laboratory results and histologic and histomorphometric studies before and after parathyroidectomy suggest a double histopathogenetic mechanism for this bone disease: renal osteodystrophy and massive bone oxalate deposits. Such deposits may induce both a heterogeneous osteosclerosis with dense metaphyseal bands and histologic bone lesions similar to those of hyperparathyroidism. The crystalline deposits induce in the bone tissue a granulomatous macrophagic reaction. These macrophages are unable to phagocytize the crystals and may be involved in active bone resorption. Bone lesions of oxalosis occur in patients with chronic renal failure, and hyperparathyroidism has a worsening role.

Endocrine tumors of the duodenum. A study of 55 cases relative to clinicopathological features and hormone content.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Study of prognosis of duodenal endocrine tumors. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective study concerned 55 duodenal endocrine tumors discovered in biopsy or surgical specimens. Follow-up records available for 49 patients indicated that inconspicuous associated clinical manifestations were often found subsequently. Seven patients were classified as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and seven as multiple endocrine neoplasia (6 MEN I and 1 MEN II). RESULTS: Tumors were small (mean 1.28cm) and located preferentially in the first and second part of the duodenum. Fifty-four were well-differentiated and one poorly differentiated. Immunochemistry revealed 30 G-cell tumors (54.6%), 15 D-cell (27.3%), two plurihormonal (EC cell and G cell), and one GRH-cell, whereas seven could not be classified. Fifteen patients died (five in relation to their disease). Twenty-one had metastases (liver, nodes, lung), eight of whom are still alive. CONCLUSIONS: Eighty-eight percent of duodenal endocrine tumors were gastrinomas, small plurifocal tumors and somatostatinomas preferentially located in the ampullar region and diagnosed because of hematemesis or icterus. Size is an important prognostic factor in determining whether surgery is required. The prognosis is better for D- and G-cell tumors than pancreatic endocrine tumors. Duodenal endocrine tumors in multiple endocrine neoplasia have a good prognosis, but can be associated with pancreatic plurihormonal tumors and metastases.

[Hepatitis caused by quinidine. Study of a case and review of the literature]. / Hépatite due à la quinidine. Etude d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

The authors report the case of a 63 year-old woman who developed high-grade fever with chills, nausea, diarrhea, severe pain in the right hypochondrium, and jaundice after one month's treatment with 300 mg of hydroquinidine hydrochloride daily. Serum bilirubin and aminotransferases were slightly increased, while alkaline phosphatases and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase serum activities were markedly raised. Histological examination of a liver specimen obtained by the transvenous route showed numerous epithelioid granulomas with giant cell formation and eosinophils in hepatic lobules and portal tracts. Symptoms disappeared three days after withdrawal of the drug, but hepatomegaly and a mild increase in serum gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase persisted more than eighteen months. Quinidine-induced hepatitis is almost always associated with fever, and, in one-third of the cases, with a pseudo-cholangitis picture. Extrahepatic hypersensitivity manifestations are often present. Histological examination of the liver shows granulomatous or cytolytic hepatitis. Withdrawal of the drug is rapidly followed by a favorable outcome; readministration causes immediate relapse; progression to chronic liver disease has never been reported previously.

[Collagenous colitis, IgA deficiency, Basedow's disease and atrophic gastritis]. / Colite collagène, déficit en IgA, maladie de Basedow et gastrite atrophique.

In a 37-year-old woman with chronic watery diarrhea of three years duration, the diagnostic of collagenous colitis was established by optical and ultrastructural examination of rectal and colonic biopsies. No other cause of diarrhea could be found. Moreover, this patient had also selective IgA deficiency, Grave's disease and chronic atrophic gastritis of auto-immune type. Sequential treatments with loperamide, cholestyramine and antibiotics did not modified diarrhea which improved with salazosulfapyridine and betamethasone enemas. These observations suggest that collagenous colitis might be a part of the spectrum of enteropathies associated with immunoglobulin deficiencies.

[Unusual hemolytic-uremic syndrome in an adult]. / Un syndrome hémolytique et urémique inhabituel chez un adulte.

A 44-year old woman presented with haemolytic-uraemic syndrome due to predominantly arteriolar microangiopathy, with anuria lasting 48 days. The semeiology in this case was unusual: there was no anaemia and only rare schizocytes on admission, blood pressure was normal and anuria was prolonged. The severity of arteriolar thrombosis observed at renal biopsy stood in sharp contrast with the lack of arterial hypertension and the almost total recovery of renal function within three months.

[Adult-onset Still's disease after hepatitis A and B vaccination?]. / Maladie de Still de l'adulte après vaccination contre l'hépatite A et B?

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis A and B vaccination are generally very well tolerated. However, exceptional cases of arthritis and systemic diseases have been reported after hepatitis B vaccination. CASE REPORT: The authors report a case of adult Still's disease apparently triggered by hepatitis A and B vaccination. The patient was a 38-year-old woman who presented with fever, hepatitis, pneumonitis and neurologic symptoms, compatible with the diagnosis of adult Still's disease. DISCUSSION: The authors discuss the rarity of systemic diseases triggered by such vaccination, the link between hepatitis B virus and some vasculitis, and the possibility for viral bacterial infections to trigger adult Still's disease.

[Total villous atrophy, mesenteric lymph-node cavitation, splenic atrophy. An unusual form of celiac disease in adults, apropos of a new case]. / Atrophie villositaire totale, cavitation ganglionnaire mésentérique, atrophie splénique. Forme particulière de la maladie coeliaque de l'adulte, à propos d'un nouveau cas.

The authors report a new case concerning the syndrome "total villous atrophy, mesenteric lymph-node cavity formation and splenic atrophy" in a 41 year old woman. This pathologic association is characterized by: a) a clinical and biological malabsorption syndrome; b) proximal small bowel alterations as observed in coeliac disease, with, especially subtotal or total villous atrophy, abnormal enterocytic epithelium, hyperplastic crypts and lymph-plasmacytic infiltrate in the lamina propria; c) lymph node mesenteric cavity formation with an heterogeneous necrotic, sometimes liquefied, substance, without germ or parasite. Rare cortical lymphoid follicles are still persistent; 3) a splenic atrophy. A temporary improvement with gluten-diet (G.F.D.) was followed by a one-year period of total resistance. A treatment including corticotherapy was then successful and since the 14 past months her health remained satisfactory. Clinical, pathological data and the evolution about this patient are compared with those of the six published cases. The aetiology of this syndrome only observed in adults at the present time is unknown; the fact that patient's child presents with a coeliac disease, allows to authenticate, for the first time, this syndrome as a special form of adult coeliac disease.

[Duodenal somatostatinomas associated with von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis. Apropos of 2 cases]. / Somatostatinomes duodénaux et neurofibromatose de von Recklinghausen.

Somatostatinomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors; they are essentially located in the pancreas and in the duodenum. The association with a neurofibromatosis type I is especially observed when the tumor is located in the ampulla of Vater. These tumors are not associated with a "somatostatin syndrome", but often present with gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain and obstructive jaundice. The diagnosis is confirmed by immunohistochemical studies. The aim of this study is to report 2 cases of metastazing duodenal periampullary somatostatinomas associated with von Recklinghausen's disease and to discuss the prognosis of these tumors. Future genetic research are necessary as point out the familial feature of this association in one of our cases.

[Prenatal diagnosis of a placenta praevia percreta with color Doppler. A case report. Review of the literature]. / Diagnostic anténatal d'un placenta praevia percreta grâce au Doppler couleur. A propos d'un cas. Revue de la littérature.

Placenta praevia percreta, with bladder invasion, was diagnosed at 29 weeks of amenorrhoea with colour Doppler which visualized vascular bundles leaving the placenta and reaching the lower part of the bladder. These bundles were identified as including arterial elements with pulsed Doppler. The criteria for the diagnosis of placenta accreta with ultrasonography and colour Doppler have been presented in the literature. This prenatal diagnosis allowed adapted preoperative management and intensive care, however air embolism could not be avoided and the patient died at the end of the operation.

[Pheochromocytoma of the broad ligament]. / Phéochromocytome du ligament large.

The authors report a rare case where a pheochromocytoma which was not in the adrenal gland occurred in the broad ligament. A review of the literature resulted in only three published cases being found. When the symptomatology suggests that there may be a pheochromocytoma in the body one has to research where it is sited and one has to think of such a possibility if a tumour in the broad ligament is found during an operation, so that the risks of operating on these tumours can be lessened.

[Metastasis of breast cancer to a uterine leiomyoma]. / Métastase d'un cancer du sein dans un léiomyome utérin.

The authors report a case of metastasis of cancer from the breast in a uterine leiomyoma. The metastases into the body of the uterus from extragenital cancers are rare. If they occur they are usually in the myometrium where they are asymptomatic and where the diagnosis is difficult, or in the endometrium where the diagnosis can be made by biopsy after curettage. A few rare cases of metastases in uterine leiomyoma have been reported in the literature. They can be the cause of very sudden increase in size of fibroids with compression of the pelvic organs.

[Polymyositis, dermatomyositis and pregnancy: high-risk pregnancy. A further case report and review of the literature]. / Polymyosites, dermatomyosites et grossesse: grossesse à haut risque. Nouvelle observation et revue de la littérature.

The authors report a new case where polymyositis/dermatomyositis and pregnancy were associated. The polymyositis and dermatomyositis appeared in the last third of the pregnancy. A caesarean operation had to be performed for fetal distress after 37 weeks of amenorrhoea. An apparently dead small-for-dates baby was born. Progress, however, after resuscitation of the baby was good. At 20 months after delivery the polymyositis and dermatomyositis also were improved. Two and a half years later there was no recurrence. In the light of cases that have previously been reported in the literature, it has been established that on the one hand pregnancy may trigger off the condition and worsen the PM/DM and on the other hand the condition has a bad effect on the progress of the pregnancy. 50% of the babies are born dead or die in the week after delivery and 55% are born prematurely. We discuss the possibility that PM/DM is of viral origin. A confirmation of this is the presence of viral inclusion bodies on electron microscopy found in the muscle cells of the patients who have PM/DM. However, in the previous history of these patients an acute viral myositis in childhood is a troublesome factor. Pregnancy, because it involves alterations in the immune responses of the patients, may lead to a recrudescence of a "sleeping" virus and so be responsible for the appearance or aggravation of polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

[Fibrovascular polyp of the esophagus]. / Polype fibrovasculaire de l'oesophage.

A case of large intraluminal tumour located in the cervical portion of the oesophagus and removed by thoracotomy is presented. Detailed histological study was necessary, since hypervascularization and hypercellularity made it difficult to diagnose a fibrovascular polyp and to establish its histopathological prognosis. The patient has now been followed up for 7 years and remains cured. Intraluminal tumours are reviewed. Whether fibrovascular polyps should be removed surgically or endoscopically depends on their site and on their size.