This Month’s IMJ

June 2019, Vol 112, No. 6

Commentary

Measles Outbreaks Continue to Cause Concern

J.F.A. Murphy

Editorials

Challenges of Cancer Screening

D. Kelly, M. O’Connor

Original Papers

The Prevalence of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infection Over a Ten-Year Period in Children with Cystic Fibrosis

K. Al Shidhani, R. O’Reilly, S. Javadpour, N. O’Sullivan, P. McNally, D.W. Cox

Shidhani et al found that the overall Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) prevalence was 28.1% in ’04 and 21.3% in ’14.  In 2014, 49% of CF children were never infected with PA.  PA infection is declining.

Awareness and Preventative Behaviours Regarding Toxoplasma, Listeria and Cytomegalovirus Among Pregnant Women

I. Basit, D. Crowley, M. Geary, C. Kirkham, R. Mc Dermott, M. Cafferkey, G. Sayers

Key Performance Indicators in Paediatric Anaesthesia

K. Doody, D. Barry, C. Holmes

Doody et al studied the post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and post-operative pain rates in children after anaesthesia.  12% had a pain score greater than 4/10.  1.2% had PONV.

Hip Fracture and the Weekend Effect in an Irish Trauma Hospital

C. Downey , S. Flannery , A. Izydorczyk, J.F. Quinlan

Downey et al report that among 646 hip fractures, 178 (27.5%) were admitted at weekends.  183 (28.4%) underwent surgery at the week-end.  93 (14.4%) were admitted during the NCHD changeover months in Jan and July.  There was no difference in outcomes.

Caring for Caregivers: An Evaluation of Schwartz Rounds in a Paediatric Setting

A. Silke, H. Rushe, K. Keating, R. Thurstan E. Barrett

Schwartz rounds (SR) are a multi-disciplinary intervention to support healthcare professionals in their work.  Participants share their experience around a pre-selected theme.  In a survey of 189 staff, the majority (95%) found the SRs beneficial.

Impact of Introduction of a Clinical Pathway for the Management of Pyelonephritis on Obstetric Patients: a Quality Improvement Project

L. Clooney, A. Ronayne, K. Glennon, M. Brennan, N. Hickey, C. Magee, S. Cooley, M. Eogan, R.J. Drew

Clooney et al studied 23 patients pre-intervention and 19 patients post-introduction of a clinical pathway.  The proportion receiving antibiotics for 10 or more days reduced from 48% to 21%.  The proportion who received Gentamicin increased from 13% to 52.6%.  The proportion who had a renal ultrasound increased from 17.3% to 47.3%.

Research Correspondence

Solitary Plasmacytoma Management and Outcomes

C. Comerford, S. McKey, N. Wallace, O. McArdle, C. Faul, S. Glavey, J. Sargent, P. Thornton, P.T. Murphy, J. Quinn

Comerford et report on 17 cases of solitary plasmacytoma (SP) over a 17 year period.  The condition is related to multiple myeloma which in contrast is characterized by widespread involvement.

Case Reports

Hypercalcaemia due to Hypervitaminosis D in a Self-Supplementing Multiple Sclerosis Patient: A Case Report

E. Duffy, M.J. Brassill

Duffy and Brassill describe a patient with MS who presented with hypercalcaemia following vitamin D self-medication.  The initial serum Ca 3.69 umol/L was extremely high and the vitamin D was 1617 nmol/L.  He was treated with IV fluids, prednisolone and calcitonin.

Metastatic Solitary Fibrous Tumour of the Kidney Presenting more than a Decade Later with Pulmonary Disease

A. Daly, A.M. Dorman, J. Hinchion

Daly et al describe a case of a renal fibrous solitary tumour (SFT) that was removed. 11 years later the patient re-presented with an SFT in the right upper lobe of the lung.  The tumour was successfully removed.

Bilateral Neonatal Suppurative Sialadenitis Progressing to Abscess Formation in a Preterm Neonate

N. Shaughnessy, T. McGrath, M. Moore, B.H. Walsh

Shaughnessy et al report a 27 weeks gestation infant who developed bilateral submandibular masses at age 18 days.  Bilateral sialadenitis was diagnosed on ultrasound.  She was treated with antibiotics and needle drainage of the abscess.

Commotio Cordis Caused During Hurling Game


C. Connellan, S. Kelleher (co-authors)
Islam, D. Kenny, A. James, T. Prendiville, K. Walsh

Connellan, Kelleher et al report the case of a 14 year old boy who had a cardiac arrest following a blow to the chest by a hurling ball.  His mother, a nurse, commenced CPR on the pitch.  An AED was applied and one shock achieved return of spontaneous circulation.  The down time was less than 4 mins and there were no neurological sequelae.  After admission to hospital he had further shorter runs of ventricular tachycardia that responded to medication.

Letters to the Editor

Parental Support Experience Following Late Miscarriage, Stillbirth or Neonatal Loss at a Regional Hospital
R. Mc Govern, M. Pentony, L. Dempsey, P. Gaffney, A. Finan

Is the Current Consent Process Appropriate for Patients and Fair to Newly Qualified Doctors?
P. Rohan, G.D. Keane, C. O’Connell, M.K. O’Reilly, G.J. Nason

Continual Professional Development

Please take our quiz (link below), at the Irish Medical Organisation to earn extra CPD/CME points. 

CPD QUIZ