Urogenital melioidosis: a review of clinical presentations, characteristic and outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Melioidosis is endemic to the tropical regions, in particular Thailand and Northern Australia. Any organ can be affected by melioidosis. Involvement of the urogenital system is common in Northern Australia, but is less common in other regions. This study assesses the characteristics of melioidosis affecting the urogenital system treated in a tertiary referral centre in Brunei Darussalam. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients treated for melioidosis of the urogenital system were identified and retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: There were 9 patients with 11 episodes of urogenital infections treated over 13 years. The median age at diagnosis was 38 years old (range 29 - 63) with men predominantly affected. The major risk factor was underlying diabetes mellitus (n=9), including three patients diagnosed at the time of diagnosis of melioidosis. The median glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was 12.8% (range 6.4 to 16.6%). One patient's risk factor was only moderate alcohol consumption. Common symptoms included; fever, lethargy, rigor and anorexia. Dysuria was reported by two patients. The median duration of symptoms before presentation was 7 days (range 2 to 21 days) and the median number of sites involved were 3 (range of 2 to 6). Urogenital involvement included prostate (n=6), kidney (n=8), seminal vesicles (n=1) and testis (n=1). Radiological imaging showed that large prostate abscesses (>4.5cm) were common, and in some patients, the kidney abscess had the 'honeycomb' previously described as typical for melioidosis liver abscess. All patients were successfully treated for melioidosis and at a median follow up of 34 months (range 1 - 97), there was one death from complications of diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: Urogenital melioidosis only accounted for a small proportion of all melioidosis involvement, with prostate and kidney most commonly affected. Concomitant involvement of other sites were common. The major risk factor was poorly controlled diabetes mellitus.

Discrepancy in reporting among specialist registrars and the role of a paediatric neuroradiologist in reporting paediatric CT head examinations.

AIM: To evaluate the discrepancy rate among specialist registrars (SPR) to assess whether seniority had a bearing on the discrepancy rate. To investigate which were the commonly missed abnormalities and the consequences for teaching purposes. To investigate the role of a specialist consultant neuroradiologist in reporting paediatric head computed tomography examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out over a 9-month period at the regional paediatric hospital during which time 270 CT head examinations were reported. Reporting in the department is carried out by one of the five general paediatric radiologists (GR) and also a specialist paediatric neuroradiologist (NR). The NR was considered the reference standard, who corroborated in areas of discrepancy with a second senior NR for this study. Of the 270 examinations, 260 were reported by the paediatric NR, 160 were reported by the SPR, GR, and NR, and 51 were reported by an SPR and the NR. In addition, four were reported by the GR and the NR, 45 by the NR only, seven by the GR only, and three cases were reported by the GR and an SPR. The discrepancy rates were calculated for GR versus NR, and SPR versus NR. All the discrepancies were re-evaluated by a second senior NR and confirmed in all cases. The reports of the SPR were further scrutinized. The trainees of training years 1-3 were considered junior and 4-5 were considered senior. RESULTS: There was a discrepancy in 26/164 cases (15.9%) reported by the GR and NR. There was a discrepancy in 59/211 cases (28%) reported by an SPR and NR. The chi-squared test (two-sided) showed a significant difference (p=0.005) between the two groups. There was a discrepancy in 36/118 cases (30.5%) reported by the junior SPR and NR. There was a discrepancy in 23/93 cases (24.7%) reported by a senior SPR and NR. The chi-squared test (two-sided) showed a non-significant difference (p=0.353) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The performance of the SPR was considered to be significantly different than the GR in this study. The year of training did not have a statistically significant bearing on the discrepancy rates. This study has been useful in guiding SPR with regards to paediatric CT head examination reporting. The NR played an important role, particularly in picking up subtle fractures and congenital abnormalities, which were missed by both the SPR and GR.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with anxiety and depression in fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a complex problem in which symptoms of anxiety and depression feature prominently. Low levels of vitamin D have been frequently reported in fibromyalgia, but no relationship was demonstrated with anxiety and depression. Seventy-five Caucasian patients who fulfilled the ACR criteria for fibromyalgia had serum vitamin D levels measured and completed the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS). Deficient levels of vitamin D was found in 13.3% of the patients, while 56.0% had insufficient levels and 30.7% had normal levels. Patients with vitamin D deficiency (<25 nmol/l) had higher HADS [median, IQR, 31.0 (23.8-36.8] than patients with insufficient levels [25-50 nmol/l; HADS 22.5 (17.0-26.0)] or than patients with normal levels [50 nmol/l or greater; HADS 23.5 (19.0-27.5); Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA on ranks p<0.05]. There was no relationship with global measures of disease impact or musculoskeletal symptoms. Vitamin D deficiency is common in fibromyalgia and occurs more frequently in patients with anxiety and depression. The nature and direction of the causal relationship remains unclear, but there are definite implications for long-term bone health.

Transient Osteoporosis of the Hip: A Case Report.

Transient osteoporosis of the hip (TOH) is a benign, selflimiting condition characterised by acute onset groin pain in adults. Early diagnosis is important to differentiate it from progressive conditions such as osteonecrosis. We report on a middle-aged male who presented with right groin pain without any prior trauma. The diagnosis of transient osteoporosis of hip was confirmed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and he was successfully treated with a course of Alendronate sodium, anti-inflammatory analgesics and a period of non-weight bearing ambulation.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis with reno-colic fistula: A rare complication of urinary tract infection.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common presentations in general practice and, in most instances, occurs in a single episode and is easily treated with a course of anti-microbial therapy. In the case of recurrent urinary tract infections, it is important to consider evaluation for any underlying causes. We report the case of a 32 year old female who had recurrent UTIs; this was a case of recurrent UTI secondary to xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis from renal stones with resultant reno-colic fistula formation.

Choledochal cyst in pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: Biliary diseases during pregnancy are not uncommon and are frequently due to cholelithiasis. Choledochal cyst during pregnancy is rare. The management of biliary pathologies during pregnancy poses a challenge as the window of opportunity to carry out any interventions with minimal risk is small. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a lady who was diagnosed with a large type I choledochal cyst during the second trimester of pregnancy. Due to increasing symptoms and recurrent cholangitis, she was managed with antibiotics and surgical resection. She remained well and delivered a healthy baby boy. CONCLUSION: Clinicians need to consider choledochal cyst as a differential in pregnant patients presenting with upper abdominal fullness.

Attitude change as a motivational factor in producing behavior change related to implementing primary nursing.

This study examined the relationship between nurses' improved attitudes toward the feasibility of primary nursing within the Veterans Administration setting and resultant behaviors directed at implementing primary nursing. Festinger's cognitive dissonance theory served as an explanatory model for observed outcomes. Improved attitudes motivated participants to engage in predicted behaviors. Findings implied that effective training is maximized in situations in which correspondence exists between the source of the behavioral deficiency and educational activities designed to remedy the deficiency.