Clinical outcomes of patients undergoing a cardiac implantable electronic device implantation following a recent non-device-related infection.

BACKGROUND: Clinical outcomes of patients undergoing a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation following a recent non-device related infection are unknown. AIM: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with recent infection before CIED implantation. METHODS: Consecutive patients (N = 1237) were classified as patients with recent infection (N = 72) and without recent infection (N = 1165). A recent infection was established by reviewing medical records, including symptoms and clinical manifestations, diagnosis of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of in-hospital all-cause mortality. FINDINGS: During nearly three years of follow-up, 17 patients had CIED infection (1.4%), and the incidence of CIED infection did not significantly differ between patients with and without recent infection according to symptoms and clinical manifestations (2.8% vs 1.3%, respectively; not significant). However, patients with recent infection had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality rate compared to those without recent infection (22.2% vs 0.9%, respectively; P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, predictors of in-hospital mortality were recent infection before CIED implantation (odds ratio: 20.3; 95% confidence interval: 8.4-49.3; P < 0.001) and end-stage renal disease (4.3; 1.4-12.8; P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: A CIED implantation is feasible in patients with recent infection if the patient is afebrile and has received an adequate duration of antibiotic therapy. Participants in shared decision-making before implant should be advised that recent infection increases in-hospital mortality risk, especially in patients with a qSOFA score of ≥2.

Bundled skin antiseptic preparation for complex cardiac implantable electronic device infection: a propensity-score matching cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection, a major complication of a CIED implant procedure, can prolong hospitalization and cause mortality. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of a bundled skin antiseptic preparation for preventing infection after implantation of a complex CIED. METHODS: This study analysed 1163 consecutive patients who had received a bundled skin antiseptic preparation before CIED implantation from July 2012 to December 2017. According to the complexity of the CIED implant procedure, the patients were divided into a complex CIED group (N = 370) and a non-complex CIED group (N = 793). A complex procedure was defined as a pacemaker replacement, implantation of implantable cardioverter defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy, device upgrade, or lead revision. FINDINGS: During a mean follow-up of 2.9 ± 1.7 years, CIED infection developed in 15 patients (1.3%), and the incidence of minor and major infection was 1.1% and 0.2%, respectively. The incidence of CIED infection did not significantly differ between the complex CIED group and the non-complex CIED group (1.1% vs 1.4%, respectively; non-significant). Multivariate analysis indicated that procedural complexity was not an independent predictor of CIED infection. After 2:1 propensity score matching, the matched non-complex CIED group and the matched complex CIED group still showed no significant difference in the incidence of CIED infection. CONCLUSION: Bundled skin antiseptic preparation is an effective and widely applicable strategy for decreasing infection risk after a complex CIED implantation.

[Changes to sleep patterns in young migrants at high altitude].

Objective: To explore the relationship between the level of acclimatization and the changes to sleep architecture in migrants at high altitude. Methods: Nocturnal sleep recordings of 50 subjects aged between 18 and 25 years [mean age (20.9±2.0) years] were analyzed. Those young volunteers were divided into 3 700 m-3 m group(n=10, migrated to an altitude of 3 700 metres for 3 months), 3 700 m-1 y group(n=10, for 1 year) , 5 380 m-3 m group(n=8), 5 380 m-1 y group(n=9), and compared with a control group(n=13, at 1 400 m altitude). Results: When the migrants stayed at 5 380 m for 3 months or 1 year, the wake time increased significantly during sleep[(81.81±59.80)min vs(47.19±24.98) min, P=0.026; (77.94±25.64)min vs(47.19±24.98)min, P=0.040]. Concerning the percentage of total sleep time(TST) in each stage, participants in the 5 380 m-3 m group had a shift in sleep stage distribution with near absence of slow wave sleep(SWS) and a significant increase of N1 , but N2 and rapid eye movement(REM) did not differ. Interestingly, there were entirely concordant changes among the other 3 groups of results, decreased N2 and increased REM. Conclusions: The migrants' abilities to acclimatize themselves to plateau were varied according to the arrived altitude and the length of stay. The sleep of short- time migrants was characterized by increased N1 and decreased SWS, whereas that of well acclimatized migrants was characterized by less N2 and more REM. The efficient recovery in SWS may be an objective reference in high altitude acclimatization.

Tuberculosis of the skull mimicking multiple myeloma.

There is a resurgence of tuberculosis globally but lesions affecting the skull are rare. Cases reported are of single, focal lesions as seen on plain x-rays. We report a 34 yearold patient with tuberculosis of the skull where multiple punched out lesions are seen, mimicking that of multiple myeloma.

Cryptococcal osteomyelitis of the femur: a case report and review of literature.

Fungal osteomyelitis is a rare opportunistic infection. It exhibits some clinical and radiological similarities to several other bone pathologies. A diagnostic delay may result in significant increase in morbidity. We report a case of a 37-year-old man with underlying hypogammaglobulinaemia presented with isolated cryptococcal osteomyelitis of the femur.

Prevalence and cardiovascular disease risk differences for erectile dysfunction patients by three metabolic syndrome definitions.

There is growing evidence of a link between ED, metabolic syndrome (MS) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The study was to explore the prevalence of MS using three different definitions (World Health Organization (WHO), International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) and Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III)), and to compare the association of CVD in ED outpatients using these definitions. This study enrolled 254 participants with a mean age of 55.3 ± 0.9 years (range, 21 to 81 years) with ED as diagnosed by International Index of Erectile Function score. All participants underwent MS evaluation based on the three criteria. Differences of MS prevalence, demographical characteristics, biochemical profiles, pro-inflammatory and inflammatory markers, echocardiographic characteristics and the association with Framingham cardiac risk score (FCRS) were compared. The presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the WHO group and high waist girth in the IDF group were significant because of the necessity of respective criteria. The MS prevalence in the WHO, IDF and ATP III groups was 30.7, 34.3 and 36.6%, respectively (P = 0.367). The degrees of agreement among each definition were substantial to perfect. No significant findings in echocardiographic characteristics, biochemical, inflammatory and pro-inflammatory markers were noted. The FCRS showed borderline nonsignificant difference (17.9 ± 0.4, 16.8 ± 0.4 and 16.9 ± 0.4, P = 0.079); however, the FCRS was more closely correlated with the WHO than with the IDF and ATP III (Spearman's correlation coefficients were 0.522, 0.531 and 0.462, respectively; P = 0.021). In patients < 55 years of age and those who smoke, the Spearman's correlation in the WHO group was significantly higher than in the IDF and ATP III groups. The prevalence of the MS using different definitions in ED patients was not different. The WHO-defined MS was more closely associated with CVD.

Cryptococcal osteomyelitis of the femur: A case report and review of literature

Fungal osteomyelitis is a rare opportunistic infection. It exhibits some clinical and radiological similarities to several other bone pathologies. A diagnostic delay may result in significant increase in morbidity. We report a case of a 37-year-old man with underlying hypogammaglobulinaemia presented with isolated cryptococcal osteomyelitis of the femur.

Noise influence on pole solutions of the Sivashinsky equation for planar and outward propagating flames.

The dynamics of planar and outward propagating cylindrical flames has been studied in terms of exact solutions of the Sivashinsky equation with a random force term. The force term models the computational roundoff errors or a variety of perturbations of physical origins. In contrast to noiseless conditions, the number of poles in the system does not conserve and new poles appear due to the external forcing. It was found that modification of the pole solutions taking into account the appearance of new poles captures the features typical for the hydrodynamically unstable flames, which cannot be detected by the pole solutions with a fixed number of poles. Investigations based on the pole solutions make it possible to exclude the uncontrolled numerical noise that is always present in direct computations of the Sivashinsky equation, and to examine the interplay between noises and hydrodynamic instability. The study clearly demonstrates that the presence of noises is a necessary condition for flame acceleration.

Delay in treatment of primary malignant and aggressive musculoskeletal tumours.

Patients with aggressive musculoskeletal tumours often arrive at specialised treatment centres late. Such a delay could mean disfavour for potentially curable or long-term disease-free outcome of limb preserving surgery. This study was undertaken to identify the underlying problem-related delay with a view to propose solution for solving it. We reviewed 30 patients to determine the periods of delay between onset of the first symptom and the definitive treatment. The delays were categorized as 'patient' delay, 'referral' delay and 'treatment' delay. There was 'patient' delay in 57% of patients (n=17), ranging from 1 to 18 months; 'referral' delay in 67% of patients (n=20) ranging from 1 to 19 months and 23% of patients (n=7) had treatment delay (average 23 days) at the treatment centre. The causes of late arrival are not solely patient-related but are multifactorial. Measures to minimize such delays include enhancing awareness only with high index of suspicion among primary care practitioners, creating a special lane specialized imaging studies and establishing a dedicated musculoskeletal tumour unit.

The pattern of femoral diaphyseal fractures in children admitted in Sarawak General Hospital.

Trend towards changing the face of management for pediatric femoral fractures tends to advocate operative treatment. This study was undertaken to review our current practice in the wake of recent progress in the management of pediatric femoral fractures. Fifty patients with femoral diaphyseal fracture treated in Sarawak General Hospital were reviewed retrospectively after an average follow-up of 2.6 years. There were 36 boys and 14 girls, with a mean age of 6.2 years (range five months to 14 years). Children under six years of age constituted the majority of the patients. Half of the fractures were caused by road traffic accident. Nine patients had associated injuries. The most common site of fracture was at the middle third (N=31). The treatment regimens were delayed hip spica (DHS) in 16, immediate hip spica (IHS) in 24, plate osteosynthesis (PO) in five, titanium elastic nailing (TEN) in five, and external fixation (EF) in one. The minimum hospital stay was two days, and the maximum 33 days (mean, 9.7 days). Malunion was the commonest complication. Conservative treatment is the preferred option for children under six years of age. It is cost-effective with minimal complication. The other treatment options are reserved for specific indication in older children. Diaphyseal fractures of the femur in children can be adequately managed non-operatively.

Moulded cement-prosthesis for osteosarcoma of the proximal humerus.

We report a case of an 11-year-old boy with osteosarcoma of the proximal humerus treated with wide excision and reconstruction with a cement spacer-prosthesis. After seven years of follow-up, the patient is now almost a young adult. We present his current physical and functional status, which seems to defray the initial doubts regarding long-term problems when we chose this method of reconstruction.

A modified method of traction for young children with congenital dislocation of the hip as a preliminary to reduction.

Many authors agree that preliminary traction prior to closed or open reduction for congenital dislocation of the hip is helpful. Different ways of traction have been used and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. One of the problems in the very young child is the difficulty in maintaining a suitable traction that is biomechanically effective. We found that using a rocker bed made the traction more "user friendly" for the child, the parent and the doctors.

Sleeve fracture of the patella in a child.

Sleeve fracture of the inferior pole of the patella is a rare and distinctive fracture in children with few published reports. These fractures are frequently misdiagnosed and neglected. We highlight a case of a neglected and misdiagnosed sleeve fracture of the patella in an eleven-year-old boy. This was initially diagnosed as an avulsion fracture of the tibial tubercle. A good outcome was achieved after open reduction and internal fixation.

Methods used for reconstruction in aggressive bone tumours: an early experience.

Improvements in the overall treatment of patients with aggressive, large tumours involving the bone have made it possible to preserve and salvage limbs instead of amputating them. Each patient is unique in his clinical presentation and social circumstance. The different reconstructive options available allow us to choose the most appropriate method suited to the particular patient and with minimal delay, even when resources are limited. The patient and the relatives actively participate in the choice. The early experience of the different techniques for reconstructing these bone defects at our hospital are presented in this paper.

Squamous cell carcinoma involving the tibia treated by reimplantation of autoclaved resected bone.

We present an elderly patient with a squamous cell carcinoma over the subcutaneous aspect of the leg involving the tibia. En bloc resection of the tumour together with a 10 centimetre segment of the tibia was done. The resected bone was autoclaved, replaced in its original position and stabilized with bone cement and a locked nail. This allowed early ambulation with minimal cost.

Intraarticular fractures of the distal radius in young adults--a review of the outcome of treatment.

A retrospective review of 30 intraarticular fractures of the distal radius in 27 patients was done. Only young adults aged between 18 and 40 were included. Road traffic accidents accounted for 25 of the cases (23 motorcyclists). Fourteen fractures were treated by closed reduction and a plaster cast. Sixteen fractures were treated by open reduction with internal fixation using a buttress plate or multiple Kirschner wires. At a mean follow-up of 17 months, 63% of the wrists had a satisfactory result and 37% unsatisfactory result. The main adverse factor was intraarticular congruity. The grip strength on the injured side averaged 56% of that of the uninjured side and the pinch strength averaged 73%. Most of the patients were able to return to their former occupation in an average of four months.

Late reconstruction of the patellar tendon.

A case of late reconstruction of the patellar tendon is reported. Besides partial loss of the tendon, the patient also had loss of the distal third of the patella. A rolled strip of fascia lata was used to reconstruct the tendon with tunnels through the patella. At the tenth month of follow-up, the result was deemed successful.

Tuberculosis of the distal end of the radius mimicking a giant-cell tumour.

We report a case of a lady presenting with a lesion in the distal radius with classical radiological features of a giant-cell tumour. These tumours are often resected without preliminary histological confirmation. A biopsy done in this patient showed it to be tuberculosis.

Osteopoikilosis--a case report.

Osteopoikilosis is a rare, inheritable, sclerosing bone dysplasia; sometimes mistaken for osteoblastic bone metastases. We report a case in a 25 year-old lady.

Delayed repair of rupture of the biceps femoris tendon--a case report.

A rare case of an isolated rupture of the biceps femoris tendon at its insertion to the femoral head is presented. Delayed surgical repair has not been previously reported. In this patient, a successful repair was carried out four months after the injury.