An unusual case of multiple self-inflicted punctures to the precordium.

Sewing needles, albeit a rare case of penetrating cardiac injury, are potentially life-threatening. We report a case of successful intra-cardiac needle removal from a 32 year old who inserted multiple needles into the chest and abdomen.

Use of a geographic information system to map cases of measles in real-time during an outbreak in Dublin, Ireland, 2011.

In 2011, there was a large measles outbreak in Dublin. Nationally 285 cases were notified to the end of December 2011, and 250 (88%) were located in the Dublin region. After the first case was notified in week 6, numbers gradually increased, with 25 notified in June and a peak of 53 cases in August. Following public health intervention including a measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination campaign, no cases were reported in the Dublin region in December 2011. Most cases (82%) were children aged between 6 months and 14 years, and 46 cases (18%) were under 12 months-old. This is the first outbreak in Dublin to utilise a geographic information system for plotting measles cases on a digital map in real time. This approach, in combination with the analysis of case notifications, assisted the department of public health in demonstrating the extent of the outbreak. The digital mapping documented the evolution of two distinct clusters of 87 (35%) cases. These measles cases were infected with genotype D4-Manchester recently associated with large outbreaks across Europe. The two clusters occurred in socio-economically disadvantaged areas and were attributable to inadequate measles vaccination coverage due in part to the interruption of a school-based MMR2 vaccination programme.

A lacticin 3147 enriched food ingredient reduces Streptococcus mutans isolated from the human oral cavity in saliva.

AIMS: To isolate and characterise Streptococcus mutans from Irish saliva samples and to assess their sensitivity to a food-grade preparation of the lantibiotic, lacticin 3147, produced by Lactococcus lactis DPC3147. METHODS AND RESULTS: Saliva samples collected from children with varying oral health status were screened on Mitis Salivarius agar for the presence of pathogenic streptococci. Following selective plating, 16S rDNA sequencing and Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE), 15 distinct strains of Strep. mutans were identified. These were grouped according to their relative sensitivity to lacticin 3147 which ranged from 0.78 to 6.25%; relative to a sensitive indicator strain, Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis HP. Inhibition of indicator Strep. mutans strains from sensitive, intermediate and tolerant groupings were assessed in microtitre plate assays with increasing concentrations of lacticin 3147. The concentration of lacticin 3147 required to give 50% growth inhibition correlated with their relative sensitivities (as assayed by well diffusion methodology) and ranged from 1280 to 5120 AU ml(-1). Concentrated preparations of lacticin 3147 caused a rapid killing of Strep. mutans strains in broth. Moreover, in human saliva deliberately spiked with Strep. mutans, the pathogen was eliminated (initial inoculum of 10(5)) in the presence of 40,000 AU ml(-1) of lacticin 3147. Furthermore, a food-grade lacticin 3147 spray dried powder ingredient was assessed for the inhibition of Strep. mutans in human saliva, spiked with a strain of intermediate sensitivity, resulting in up to a 4-log reduction in counts after 20 min. CONCLUSION: A food grade preparation of lacticin 3147 was effective in the inhibition of oral Strep. mutans. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The inhibition of oral streptococci by food grade preparations of lacticin 3147 may offer novel opportunities for the development of lacticin 3147 as an anti-cariogenic agent particularly in the area of functional foods for the improvement of oral health.

Granulomatous peritonitis in hydatid disease.

We report a rare case of persisting granulomatous inflammation within the peritoneal cavity due to previous leakage from a liver hydatid cyst, with the granulomata bearing hooklets originating from protosolices of Echinococcus granulosus. The patient was treated with a full three-month course of albendazole. We believe this represents a rare case of 'pseudotuberculous peritonitis'.

Cleidocranial dysplasia: radiological appearances on dental panoramic radiography.

OBJECTIVE: To report the effectiveness of dental panoramic radiography in identifying features pathognomonic for cleidocranial dysplasia. METHODS: Panoramic radiographs of nine male Caucasian patients with cleidocranial dysplasia are analysed. RESULTS: In addition to the established dental complications of failure of eruption of the permanent dentition and multiple supernumerary teeth, morphological abnormalities of the maxilla and mandible, particularly in the ascending ramus and coronoid process were present. CONCLUSION: Dental panoramic radiography is a valuable adjunct in confirming the diagnosis of cleidocranial dysplasia.

Using research to find the effects of process-oriented educational assessment in critical care nursing practice.

This 1-year study was undertaken in the southeast of England to investigate whether a process-oriented educational assessment procedure was sustainable, following research in a sample of five critical care environments. Data were derived from clinical practice supervisors and students in each of two consecutive post-registration cohorts, selected from the following areas: intensive and coronary care units; neonatal nursing; medical-surgical units; operating theatres; and accident and emergency departments. The existing measure and then a modified assessment measure for resuscitation ability, were used to evaluate the effect of educational assessment in clinical settings. Data were collected using questionnaires with cohort 1 before and cohort 2 after introduction of an assessment grid developed by the course team based on data from focus group discussions during the clinical supervisors' workshops. The findings indicated that the descriptors of levels of attainment generated by the students and supervisors were in accord with Benner's descriptors (this had increased by phase 2 of the research). Students and supervisors considered that the assessment process increased their critical thinking abilities, but that finding time for supervision and assessment was difficult. Future work will focus on the development of a generic grid with criteria that can be used to guide assessment of any practice experience.

Small bowel tumors: an overview.

Tumors of the small bowel, both benign and malignant, are relatively uncommon and often present a diagnostic challenge as their symptoms are often vague. This review article outlines the incidence, presentation, diagnosis, and management of small bowel tumors.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for complicated gallstone disease.

After performing selectively 25 laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) to determine the place of LC in the management of complicated gallstones, all patients presenting with gallstones were evaluated by the authors for LC. Eighty-six consecutive patients were evaluated and 84 were studied. Follow-up in every case exceeded 6 months. In three of 10 patients with acute cholecystitis, LC was not possible; each had a history longer than 48 h and all had gangrene of the gallbladder. In four patients with empyema, LC was successful, but operative cholangiography failed. Operative cholangiography was successful in 76 of the remaining 77. Of eight patients suspected of having stones in the CBD, cholangiography excluded stones in six and confirmed them in two. Cholangiography identified three other patients with totally unsuspected CBD stones. Of the five patients with CBD stones, four had them flushed to the duodenum at LC following transcystic balloon dilatation of the papilla and one had a post-op. ERCP. Of four patients with acute pancreatitis, three had LC in the same admission. LC was possible in all three patients with morbid obesity. We conclude that with experience, LC is possible for complicated gallstones. In acute cholecystitis, the probability of success is higher with earlier operative intervention. Operative cholangiography is essential. It not only identifies unsuspected CBD stones but also allows LC without ERCP in those with suspected CBD stones and with modification it allows treatment of those stones.

Survival following non-penetrating trauma of the great cardiac vein.

A 62 year old female who survived cardiac tamponade due to an isolated tear to the great cardiac vein in a motor vehicle accident is presented. It is believed that this is the first report of such an isolated blunt cardiac injury.

The management of choledocholithiasis during laparoscopic cholecystectomy by sphincter dilatation--initial experience in ten cases.

The intra-operative management of associated common bile duct calculus during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in ten patients is outlined. The techniques employed to remove these calculi are described. The role of such techniques in the management of common bile duct stone is discussed.

Ovarian actinomycosis presenting as acute peritonitis.

A patient with acute peritonitis due to ovarian actinomycosis and the association of this disease with the intrauterine contraceptive device is discussed. Because adequate treatment requires prolonged antibiotics the diagnosis should be sure. Unfortunately if antibiotics are given pre-operatively culture is usually unsuccessful and thus careful examination of all removed material is essential. As many of these women are of child bearing age surgical intervention should aim to preserve fertility wherever possible.

PIP: Upon admission to Box Hill Hospital in Victoria, Australia, a 38-year old woman was pale and febrile (328.6 degrees Celsius) and had a pulse of 88 beats/minute. She had had midabdominal pain for 1 week and severe lower abdominal pain for 2 days. Her menses were heavy. Other than pain during examination, rectal and vaginal examinations were normal. She had considerable neutrophilia (leukocyte count = 21.2 x 1 billion). The X-ray revealed free fluid. Ultrasonography indicated an IUD which she had had for 10 years, a mass with small cystic areas near the right ovary, and fluid in the rectouterine pouch. The physicians suspected peritonitis and administered iv broad spectrum antibiotics (1 mg ampicillin, 80 mg gentamicin, and 500 mg metronidazole) every 8 hours. They did a laparotomy. An abscess containing much green pus, the necrotic right ovary, and the appendix, which appeared normal and later shown not to be infected, occupied the right iliac fossa. The tubes were fine. The surgeons removed the appendix and right ovary. They washed out the abdomen with saline and inserted a drain to the right iliac fossa. The woman improved immediately so the physicians stopped antibiotics 3 days after surgery. Histological tests revealed actinomycosis caused by fast-growing aerobic bacteria which is known to cause necrosis, fibrosis, and suppuration. During recovery, the physicians removed the IUD and performed dilation and curettage. Actinomyces normally just dwell in the mouth and intestines, but, in this case, probably migrated up the IUD tail after spreading from the bowel to the perineum to the vagina. The physicians suspected that the presence of Mycoplasma hominis provided the mucosal breach needed to permit actinomyces' invasion. Physicians should consider actinomycosis in acute abdominal sepsis cases with a longterm use of an IUD. They can treat it with antibiotics since Actinomyces tend to be sensitive to broad spectrum antibiotics.