This Month’s IMJ
February 2019, Vol 112, No. 2
Commentary
Telephone Medical Advice
JFA Murphy
Editor
IMJ
Editorials
Combination Inhaled Corticosteroid/Long Acting Beta Agonist Therapy- An Evolving Role in Asthma Care
J. Walsh, D.M. Murphy
Lifetime Housing, Urban Design and Health
O. Monaghan, D. O’Neill
Original Papers
The Management of Incidental Prostate Cancer Following TURP
D.M. Matanhelia, S. Croghan, G.J. Nason, C. O’Connell, D.J. Galvin
Matanhelia et al report that among 826 men who underwent a TURP operation, 72 (10.3%) were found to have prostate cancer. Of these 72 patients, 46 (63.9%) were managed expectantly and the other 26 (36.1%) were actively treated. The overall mortality was 29.2%, and the cancer specific mortality was 6.9%. The authors conclude that expectant management is satisfactory in low risk disease.
Table 3. Pathological characteristics and survival by treatment group
Appraisal of International Guidelines on Smoking Cessation Using The AGREE II Assessment Tool
K.I. Quintyne, P. Kavanagh
Quintyne and Kavanagh have reviewed clinical practice guidelines for smoking cessation. Nine guidelines were assessed using the Agree 11 assessment tool. The quality of the guidelines varied across the 6 domains. The authors recommend that Ireland should adapt rather than simply adopt existing guidelines.
Early Onset Neonatal E.Coli Sepsis
M. O’Rahelly, A. Smith, R. Drew, N. McCallion
O’Rahelly et al addressed the issue of E. Coli sepsis in newborn infants. There were 21 cases of E. Coli sepsis and 38 control cases where mothers had E. Coli on the high vaginal swabs but their babies were healthy. There were significant differences between the infected and non-infected babies. The infected babies were more preterm, lower birth weight, and a longer duration of preterm, pre-labour rupture of membranes (pPROM). The authors recommend a re-evaluation of antibiotics in newborns with a maternal pPROM.
Counselling in Primary Care – A General Practitioner’s Perspective
M. Rafferty, C. Bradley
Rafferty et al report on Counselling in Primary care (CIPC), a new service introduced by the HSE in 2013, providing short-term counselling for medical-card holders, suffering from mild to moderate mental health problems.
A Survey of Colorectal Cancer Surveillance Practices In Ireland, And Implementation of A Survivorship Care Plan Pilot Programme
M. Greally, F. Keane, D.G. Power, G.D. Leonard
Greally et al point out that survivor care plans (SCPs) are important in the care of patients with colorectal cancer. It includes surveillance for recurrence, and interventions for late effects of cancer. SCPs are practiced in 77% of designated cancer centres. It is perceived as beneficial by the patients.
Are we Over-Imaging the Obese Patient with Suspected Pulmonary Embolus in Ireland
M.L. Gargan, M. O’Sullivan, K. Hunter, O. Buckley, W.C. Torreggiani
Gargan et al have addressed the issue of CT pulmonary angiograms (CTPAs) in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. The frequency of positive scans was 16% in obese patients and 15% in non-obese patients. The authors conclude that there is over-imaging of patients.
Occasional Pieces
The Hidden Curriculum in Anaesthesia
P.J. Moran, J.J. Bates
Case Reports
A Case of Paget-Schroetters Syndrome in a Young Male After Lifting Weights
E. Umana, M. Elsherif, J. Binchy
Umana et al describe a young man who developed upper limb pain and swelling after weight lifting. Imaging showed a non-occlusive thrombus of the left subclavian and axillary veins. The diagnosis was Paget-Schroetters Syndrome-effort thrombosis.
Severe Rhinitis Medicamentosa Successfully Treated with Rhinolight® Endonasal UV Phototherapy
P. Carson, M. Lyons
Carson and Lyons describe the use of Rhinolight, endonasal phototherapy, for rhinitis medicamentosa. He was treated with 8 sessions of Rhinolight with a good response.
An Unusual case of a Facial Guard Causing Penetrating Soft Tissue Injury in the Game of Hurling
T. Farrell, C. McDonald, E. Sheehan
Farrell et al describe a penetrating injury to the ring and little finger. The player was injured when his fingers came in contact with the helmet of another played.
Short Reports
Recession, Austerity and Life Expectancy
D. Dorling, J Rigby
Letters to the Editor
Incidental Finding of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Metastasised to Cervical Nodes in a Neck Dissection Specimen
G. Thong, J. Doody, C. Barry, C. Timon, P. Lennon
A Lump in the Tongue
B. Carey, S. I. Chaudhry
A Review of Out-of-hours Outpatient Neonatal Presentations to a Standalone Tertiary Neonatal Centre
S. Coyne, L. Flynn, M. McGovern, J. Miletin
A Case of Tubulointerstitial Nephritis with Uveitis
E. Houlihan, J. Holian
Continual Professional Development
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