James G. Ramsay, MD
In spina bifida the neural arch erectile dysfunction education cheap levitra soft online visa, usually in the lumbosacral region erectile dysfunction surgical treatment options purchase levitra soft american express, is incomplete with secondary damage to the exposed nerves buy erectile dysfunction drugs uk buy cheap levitra soft 20mg line. Anencephaly and spina bifida impotence effects on marriage discount generic levitra soft uk, with an approximately equal prevalence, account for 95% of the cases and encephalocele for the remaining 5%. Etiology Chromosomal abnormalities, single mutant genes, and maternal diabetes mellitus or ingestion of teratogens, such as antiepileptic drugs, are implicated in about 10% of the cases. When a parent or previous sibling has had a neural tube defect, the risk of recurrence is 5-10%. Periconceptual supplementation of the maternal diet with folate reduces by about half the risk of developing these defects. Diagnosis the diagnosis of anencephaly during the second trimester of pregnancy is based on the demonstration of absent cranial vault and cerebral hemispheres. However, the facial bones, brain stem and portions of the occipital bones and mid-brain are usually present. In the first trimester the diagnosis can be made after 11 weeks, when ossification of the skull normally occurs. Ultrasound reports have demonstrated that there is progression from acrania to exencephaly and finally anencephaly. Not everyone agrees however, since acrania are defects of the mesenchymal layer and there is no evidence in the literature of recurrence rate. In the first trimester the pathognomonic feature is acrania, the brain being either entirely normal or at varying degrees of distortion and disruption. Anencephaly (3D view) Diagnosis of spina bifida requires the systematic examination of each neural arch from the cervical to the sacral region both transversely and longitudinally. The extent of the defect and any associated kyphoscoliosis are best assessed in the longitudinal scan. The diagnosis of spina bifida has been greatly enhanced by the recognition of associated abnormalities in the skull and brain. These abnormalities are secondary to the Arnold-Chiari malformation and include frontal bone scalloping (lemon sign), and obliteration of the cisterna magna with either an "absent" cerebellum or abnormal anterior curvature of the cerebellar hemispheres (banana sign). These easily recognizable alterations in skull and brain morphology are often more readily attainable than detailed spinal views. A variable degree of ventricular enlargement is present in virtually all cases of open spina bifida at birth, but in only about 70% of cases in the mid-trimester. Encephaloceles are recognized as cranial defects with herniated fluid-filled or brain-filled cysts. They are most commonly found in an occipital location (75% of the cases) but alternative sites include the frontoethmoidal and parietal regions. In encephalocele the prognosis is inversely related to the amount of herniated cerebral tissue; overall the neonatal mortality is about 40% and more that 80% of survivors are intellectually and neurologically handicapped. In spina bifida the surviving infants are often severely handicapped, with paralysis in the lower limbs and double incontinence; despite the associated hydrocephalus requiring surgery, intelligence may be normal. Fetal therapy There is some experimental evidence that in utero closure of spina bifida may reduce the risk of handicap because the amniotic fluid in the third trimester is thought to be neurotoxic. Ventriculomegaly (lateral ventricle diameter of 10 mm or more) is found in 1% of pregnancies at the 18-23 week scan. Therefore the majority of fetuses with ventriculomegaly do not develop hydrocephalus. Etiology this may result from chromosomal and genetic abnormalities, intrauterine hemorrhage or congenital infection, although many cases have as yet no clear-cut etiology. Diagnosis Fetal hydrocephalus is diagnosed sonographically, by the demonstration of abnormally dilated lateral cerebral ventricles. Certainly before 24 weeks and particularly in cases of associated spina bifida, the head circumference may be small rather than large for gestation. A transverse scan of the fetal head at the level of the cavum septum pellucidum will demonstrate the dilated lateral ventricles, defined by a diameter of 10 mm or more. The choroid plexuses, which normally fill the lateral ventricles are surrounded by fluid. A distinction is usually made between mild, or borderline, ventriculomegaly (diameter of the posterior horn 10-15 mm) and overt ventriculomegaly or hydrocephalus (diameter greater than 15 mm). Prognosis Fetal or perinatal death and neurodevelopment in survivors are strongly related to the presence of other malformations and chromosomal defects. Although mild, also referred to as borderline, ventriculomegaly is generally associated with a good prognosis, affected fetuses form the group with the highest incidence of chromosomal abnormalities (often trisomy 21). In addition in a few cases with apparently isolated mild ventriculomegaly there may be an underlying cerebral maldevelopment (such as lissencephaly) or destructive lesion (such as periventricular leukomalacia). Recent evidence suggests that in about 10% of cases there is mild to moderate neurodevelopmental delay. Fetal therapy There is some experimental evidence that in utero cerebrospinal fluid diversion may be beneficial. It is possible that intrauterine drainage may be beneficial if all intra and extra cerebral malformations and chromosomal defects are excluded, and if serial ultrasound scans demonstrate progressive ventriculomegaly. The alobar type, which is the most severe, is characterized by a monoventricular cavity and fusion of the thalami. In the semilobar type there is partial segmentation of the ventricles and cerebral hemispheres posteriorly with incomplete fusion of the thalami. In lobar holoprosencephaly there is normal separation of the ventricles and thalami but absence of the septum pellucidum. The first two types are often accompanied by microcephaly and facial abnormalities. Etiology Although in many cases the cause is a chromosomal abnormality (usually trisomy 13) or a genetic disorder with an autosomal dominant or recessive mode of transmission, in many cases the etiology is unknown. For sporadic, non chromosomal holoprosencephaly, the empirical recurrence risk is 6%. Diagnosis In the standard transverse view of the fetal head for measurement of the biparietal diameter there is a single dilated midline ventricle replacing the two lateral ventricles or partial segmentation of the ventricles. The alobar and semilobar types are often associated with facial defects, such as hypotelorism or cyclopia, facial cleft and nasal hypoplasia or proboscis Prognosis Alobar and semilobar holoprosencephaly are lethal. Agenesis of the corpus callosum may be either complete or partial (usually affecting the posterior part). Etiology Agenesis of the corpus callosum may be due to maldevelopment or secondary to a destructive lesion. It is commonly associated with chromosomal abnormalities (usually trisomies 18, 13 and 8) and more than 100 genetic syndromes. Agenesis of the corpus callosum is demonstrated in the mid-coronal and mid-sagittal views, which may require vaginal sonography. In about 90% of those with apparently isolated agenesis of the corpus callosum development is normal. The condition is classified into (a) Dandy-Walker malformation (complete or partial agenesis of the cerebellar vermis and enlarged posterior fossa), (b) Dandy-Walker variant (partial agenesis of the cerebellar vermis without enlargement of the posterior fossa), and (c) mega-cisterna magna (normal vermis and fourth ventricle). Etiology the Dandy-Walker complex is a non-specific end-point of chromosomal abnormalities (usually trisomy 18 or 13 and triploidy), more than 50 genetic syndromes, congenital infection or teratogens such as warfarin, but it can also be an isolated finding. Diagnosis Ultrasonographically, the contents of the posterior fossa are visualized through a transverse suboccipito-bregmatic section of the fetal head. In the Dandy-Walker malformation there is cystic dilatation of the fourth ventricle with partial or complete agenesis of the vermis; in more than 50% of the cases there is associated hydrocephalus and other extracranial defects. Enlarged cisterna magna is diagnosed if the vertical distance from the vermis to the inner border of the skull is more than 10 mm. Prenatal diagnosis of isolated partial agenesis of the vermis is difficult and a false diagnosis can be made prior to 18 weeks gestation, when the formation of the vermis is incomplete and anytime in gestation if the angle of insonation is too steep. Prognosis Dandy-Walker malformation is associated with a high postnatal mortality (about 20%) and a high incidence (more than 50%) of impaired intellectual and neurological development. Experience with apparently isolated partial agenesis of the vermis or enlarged cisterna magna is limited and the prognosis for these conditions is uncertain. Etiology this may result from chromosomal and genetic abnormalities, fetal hypoxia, congenital infection, and exposure to radiation or other teratogens, such maternal anticoagulation with warfarin. It is commonly found in the presence of other brain abnormalities, such as encephalocele or holoprosencephaly. The rare malunion after internal fixation is caused by technical errors icd 9 code erectile dysfunction 2011 buy cheap levitra soft, such as fixation of the shaft in a malalignment (Bucholz and Brumback 1996) producing a simple type of malunion (Bostman et al erectile dysfunction or gay cheap levitra soft 20 mg amex. The rate of malunion has varied from 5% with closed intramedullary nailing (Winquist erectile dysfunction yeast infection cheap levitra soft online, Hansen erectile dysfunction vs impotence cheap levitra soft 20 mg without prescription, Clawson 1984) to 11% of the nailed and 6. Malunion of a femoral shaft fracture can lead to abnormal gait, limb length discrepancy, and posttraumatic ar thritis of the knee (Bucholz and Brumback 1996). Angulatory and longitudinal malunions have been documented more often (Winquist and Hansen 1978; Winquist and Hansen 1980; Rothwell 1982; Winquist, Hansen, Clawson 1984; Harper 1985; Kempf, Gross, Beck 1985; Huckstep 1986; Tscherne, Haas, Krettek 1986; Wiss et al. Previously, femoral shortening often followed from conservative treatment (Kootstra 1973), and later, more infrequently, dynamic or simple nailing of an unstable fracture pattern in oblique or comminuted femoral shaft fractures (Rokkanen et al. An anterior bow is well compensated for by hip and knee motion, and better tolerated than a posterior bow or a lateral angulation (Bucholz and Brumback 1996). Torsional malunion usually results from conservative treatment, but can be related to operative treatment independent of the method used, and also to simple as well as commi nuted fractures (Ecke, Neubert, Neeb 1980; Mockwitz 1982; Wolf, Schauwecker, Tittel 1984; Wissing and Spira 1986; Sennerich et al. More torsional deformity has been described after intramedullary nailing than after plate fixation (Svenningsen, Nesse, Finsen 1986). In unlocked (Winquist, Hansen, Clawson 1984; Hooper and Lyon 1988) or dynamically locked nailings, malrotation can occur several times during the treatment course (Tornetta, Ritz, Kantor 1995) due in unlocked nails to the pull of the iliopsoas on the proximal fragment, operative malpositioning (Sen nerich et al. The rate of rotational malunion seems to be extremely low after locked intramedullary nailing (Wissing and Spira 1984; Kempf, Grosse, Beck 1985; Wissing and Spira 1986; Johnson and Greenberg 1987; Dugdale, Degnan, Turen 1992; Wiss, Brien, Stetson 1990; Alho, Stromsoe, Ekeland 1991; Tornetta, Ritz, Kantor 1995), the only exception being the fractures that are dynamically inappropriately locked (Brum back et al. Malrotation of the femur is accommodated to during gait (Tornetta, Ritz, Kantor 1995). An anteversion difference of 15 or more after femoral fracture can be regarded as a true torsional deformity (Braten, Terjesen, Rossvoll 1992), although torsional deformity of less than 20 will not usually be a handicap (Sudmann 1973; Sennerich et al. Side differences exceeding 30 will cause serious problems (Braten, Terjesen, Rossvoll 1993). Depending on the diagnostic method, which can be clinical (Kempf, Grosse, Beck 1985; Thoresen et al 1985; Wiss et al 1986; Johnson and Greenberg 1987; Alho, Stromsoe, Ekeland 1991), biplanar method on radiographs (Dun lap et al. Studied with computed tomography, the average malrotation of the fractured femur has been 16 (4-61) and the median malrotation 14 in patients fully ambulatory for at least 6 months (Tornetta, Ritz, Kantor 1995). Furthermore, it has been observed that no significant relationship exists between a true torsional deformity (> 15) and age or gender of the patient, fracture type or comminution, nail dimension, fracture level or length of follow-up (Braten, Terjesen, Rossvoll 1993). Acute postoperative loss of rotational alignment has been reported (Winquist, Hansen, Clawson 1984; Harper 1985). A relatively high incidence has been noted with the use of unlocked intramedullary nails to stabilize comminuted fractures (Hooper and Lyon 1988). Postoperatively, better tolerated external rotational deformity can follow intramedullary fixation with small-diameter, unlocked nails (Bu cholz and Brumback 1996), and on average has been more common than internal malro 63 tation (Mockwitz 1982; Wolf, Schauwecker, Tittel 1984), although also opposite results have been published (Sennerich et al. Once the amount of malrotation is known, simple derotation can be performed with unlocked nails (Harper 1985; Winquist, Hansen, Clawson 1984), whereas statically locked nails (Brumback et al. After bony union, the need for corrective osteotomy must be estimated early (Winquist, Hansen, Clawson 1984), particularly in patients with associated head injuries who have been shown to heal more rapidly and with more exuberant callus (Perkins and Skirving 1987). Traction of femoral shaft fractures has resulted in knee stiffness in up to 53% of cases (Dencker 1963; Buxton 1981; Schatzker 1996). Residual knee motion after cast bracing has been at follow-up of less than 100 (Mooney et al. According to literature, plate fixation of femoral shaft fractures has resulted in 20%-30% of patients a major residual loss of knee motion, generally attributed to excessive scarring of the quadriceps muscle (Thompson et al. In external fixation, loss of knee joint motion has been due to tethering of the quadriceps muscle and related to the severity of the injuries (Jackson, Jacobs, Neff 1978; DeBastiani, Aldegheri, Renzi Brivio 1984). Other complications with traction of femoral shaft fractures have included prolonged hospitalization, decubitus ulcers, osteoporosis, and muscle wasting (Dencker 1963; Geist and Laros 1979; Moulton, Agunwa, Hopkins 1981; Schatzker 1996). What are the age and gender-specific incidence rates and morphologic fracture characteristics related to femoral shaft fractures of different etiology including trau matic high energy and low energy injuries, and displaced fatigue fractures in adults What are the predisposing factors to femoral shaft fractures caused by low energy injury in adults What is the nature of the actual cause of the problem especially in association with the treatment of femoral shaft fractures due to low energy injury in adults What kind of symptomatology is related to displaced femoral shaft fractures in mil itary conscripts What is the clinical course of treatment of displaced fatigue frac tures of the femoral shaft in military conscripts Which preventive methods against femoral shaft fractures of different etiology should be focused on What are the factors predisposing to and the exact clinical course of patients seen with failed femoral shaft fracture union after initial treatment with an intramedullary nail in adults What is the effectiveness of different surgical options in the treatment of failed union of intramedullary nailed femoral shaft fractures in adults and how should they be assessed Bone stress injuries included fatigue fractures, which occur after abnormal, repetitive stress to normal bone with normal elastic resistance, and insufficiency fractures, which result when normal stress is exerted on abnormal bone with deficient elastic resistance (Pentecost et al. A fatigue fracture was considered if a history of localized pain of insidious onset, worsened with progressive activity and relieved by rest (Worthen and Yanklowitz 1978; Greaney et al. The exact site of the center of the main fracture line was localized into proximal, middle, or distal thirds of the femo ral diaphysis. For true segmental fractures extending over more than 1/3 of the diaphysis, the site was determined according to the most proximal fracture line. The fracture angle was estimated between a line perpendicu lar to the long axis of the femur and the main fracture line. Fractures with an angle of less than 30 degrees were considered transverse (Muller et al. Solid union was defined as painlessness on weightbearing, with mature bone crossing the fracture site on both anteroposterior and lateral radiographs (Bostman et al. Delayed union was considered to be present if bony union of the fracture had not occurred within 24 weeks of the injury (Bostman et al. Nonunion was regarded as a condition of a 67 fracture that on three consecutive radiographs, taken at one month intervals, did not show any progression of solid healing, and would obviously not unite without active measures (Bostman et al. Malunion was defined to exist unless varus or valgus angulation was less than 7, anterior or posterior bowing less than 10, shortening less than 15 mm, and rotational malposition not more than 10 (Bostman et al. Of the total number, 236 patients with 246 femoral shaft fractures were more precisely analyzed. The median age of the patients, including 70 women (36%) and 122 men (64%), was 27 years (range, 15-92 years). The median age for women was 50 years (range, 15-92 years), and for men 23 years (range, 15-75 years). The mean population at risk during the 10-year period consisted of the 202 592 residents 15 years of age or older of a catchment area that is a semiurban, semirural county. During the observation period, 50% of this population lived in towns and cities, whereas the corresponding figure in the whole country was 62% (Statistical Yearbook of Finland 1994). The median age of the 50 patients with 50 femoral shaft fractures at the time of the injury was 71 years, 79 years (range, 17-92 years) for 32 women (64%) and 60 years (range, 17-75 years) for 18 men (36%). The mean population at risk per year during the 20-year period consisted of 33 000 conscripts, 18 to 29 years of age, completing their military service (Public Information Division of the Defence Staff 2004). Among all fatigue fractures treated at the Central Military Hospital during the 20-year period, there were 10 displaced diaphyseal femoral fractures in 10 previously healthy male conscripts with a median age of 19 years (range, 18-20 years). The median age of the 34 patients with 35 fractures at the time of the injury was 31 years (range, 15 to 72 years), 34 years (range, 15-72 years) for 17 women (50%) and 30 years (range, 20-54 years) for 17 men (50%). Nationwide data on the need for hospital stay owing to a femoral shaft fracture were retrieved for the corresponding 10-year period from the National Hospital Dis charge Register, kept by the National Research and Development Center for Welfare and Health and covering all hospitals in Finland (I). Traumatic fractures attributable to generalized osteopenia were 69 not considered pathologic in this context. Five patients with five pathologic femoral shaft fractures, and 39 patients with periprosthetic fractures after total hip or knee arthroplasty were excluded from the morphologic analysis of the epidemiologic study (I). Although the fracture treatment policies varied from time to time, the main primary treatment method was intramedullary nailing. Three patients were managed nonoperatively: two patients using plaster cast and one with skeletal traction. The reasons for refraining from operative procedures for these three patients were 1) tetraplegia caused by poliomyelitis, 2) numerous extremity deformities resulting from rheumatoid arthritis, and 3) severe heart disease. The intramedullary nail types used were Kuntscher nail for 10 fractures, Grosse-Kempf interlocking nail for 21 fractures (since 1987), Vari-Wall interlocking nail for 2 fractures (since 1994), and Ender nailing for 2 fractures. Examination shows a distended tympanitic abdomen with diffuse tenderness and no rebound erectile dysfunction medication reviews discount 20mg levitra soft amex. A 4-year-old boy is brought to the physician by his parents because of a 4-month history of difficulty running and frequent falls erectile dysfunction psychological order levitra soft 20 mg with mastercard. Ten days after admission to the hospital because of acute pancreatitis erectile dysfunction treatment centers in bangalore order 20mg levitra soft overnight delivery, a 56-year-old man with alcoholism develops chills and temperatures to 39 erectile dysfunction zinc buy generic levitra soft line. A 24-year-old nulligravid woman is brought to the emergency department after a syncopal episode at work. Examination of the left knee shows mild crepitus with flexion and extension; there is no effusion or warmth. X-rays of the knees show narrowing of the joint space in the left knee compared with the right knee. Two weeks ago, he injured his right knee during a touch football game and has had swelling and bruising for 5 days. A previously healthy 72-year-old man comes to the physician because of decreased urinary output during the past 2 days; he has had no urinary output for 8 hours. A 3-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department because of a 2-week history of persistent cough and wheezing. An expiratory chest x-ray shows hyperinflation of the right lung; there is no mediastinal or tracheal shift. Two hours after undergoing a right hepatic lobectomy, a 59-year-old woman has a distended abdomen. She was treated for deep venous thrombosis 3 years ago but was not taking any medications at the time of this admission. Prior to the operation, she received heparin and underwent application of compression stockings. A previously healthy 62-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 2-month history of cough. Fasting serum studies show a total cholesterol concentration of 240 mg/dL and glucose concentration of 182 mg/dL. She has consistently been at the 10th percentile for height and weight since birth. An x-ray shows a new fracture of the left femur and evidence of previous fracturing. An 83-year-old man who is hospitalized following transtibial amputation for treatment of infected diabetic foot ulcers develops pneumonia and sepsis. Prior to discharge from the hospital, patients admitted for exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receive smoking cessation counseling. On discharge, the pharmacist educates and provides patients with written materials regarding the use of their medications. Which of the following interventions will have the greatest impact on readmission rates A senior medical student is working on a quality improvement project with her advisor. The medical student treated a patient with diabetes mellitus who required foot amputation due to advanced infection. The patient had documented neuropathy and was evaluated as an outpatient four times in one year; no foot examinations were documented during these visits. She conducted a structured chart review of patients with diabetes mellitus in the internal medicine resident continuity clinic as a baseline. A 32-year-old woman comes to the emergency department 3 hours after the sudden onset of a severe headache. She has had spotty vaginal bleeding for 2 days; her last menstrual period began 7 weeks ago. Examination shows blood in the vaginal vault and diffuse abdominal tenderness; there is pain with cervical motion. Her parents state that yesterday she had a mild runny nose but otherwise has been well. A previously healthy 67-year-old man is admitted to the hospital because of lethargy, confusion, muscle cramps, and decreased appetite for 7 days. A 67-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department because of severe chest pain 4 hours after undergoing outpatient endoscopy and dilatation of an esophageal stricture caused by reflux. Rectal examination shows no masses; test of the stool for occult blood is positive. A 72-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department 1 hour after the sudden onset of right facial droop and weakness of the right arm and leg. One day after undergoing cholecystectomy, a 37-year-old man becomes increasingly tremulous and anxious. A 16-month-old boy is brought to the physician by his mother for a well-child examination. An increase in the serum concentration or activity of which of the following provides the strongest indication that the patient is dehydrated A 28-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 1, comes to the physician because of progressive fatigue since delivering a male newborn 6 months ago. Pregnancy was complicated during the third trimester by severe bleeding from placenta previa. She required multiple blood transfusions during the cesarean delivery, but she did well after the delivery. Physical examination shows a nontender, flesh-colored swelling of the right earlobe. When getting up from a sitting position, he uses his hands to walk up his thighs and push his body into a standing position. This patient most likely has a mutation in the gene coding for which of the following proteins His blood pressure is increased in the upper extremities and decreased in the lower extremities. Which of the following parental blood types is most likely to cause this condition A previously healthy 42-year-old woman comes to the emergency department because of progressive shortness of breath and intermittent cough productive of blood-tinged sputum for 10 days. His mother informs the physician that the family members belong to a religious denomination that does not consume meat. Her son refuses to eat dark green vegetables or to take vitamin pills, stating that they make him feel nauseated. It is most appropriate for the physician to ask the mother which of the following questions next A 64-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 3-day history of painful rash over his right flank. Physical examination shows clustered lesions in a band-like area over the right flank. A health inspector confiscates chickens smuggled into Taiwan from mainland China after she discovers them in the hold of a ship. Fasting serum studies show: Glucose 105 mg/dL Cholesterol, total 210 mg/dL Triglycerides 185 mg/dL C-reactive protein 0. There is a risk for short-term minor gastric discomfort but essentially no risk for long-term adverse effects. The investigator concludes that disclosure of the risks may discourage participation in the trial. A 27-year-old man is brought to the emergency department 20 minutes after his roommate found him unconscious on their bathroom floor. The high school trainer has been treating him with heat and ultrasound, without significant improvement. Testing of scrapings from the tarsal conjunctivae is positive for Chlamydia trachomatis. Abstinence from which of the following is most likely to have prevented this condition Nevertheless erectile dysfunction medications injection purchase levitra soft with mastercard, the inherent drawbacks of surgery include surgical trauma erectile dysfunction over 75 buy discount levitra soft 20 mg on line, intra and postoperative complications 4 erectile dysfunction caused by prostate removal purchase levitra soft once a day. Complications erectile dysfunction nervous generic 20mg levitra soft otc, pregnancy and the duration of infertility, symptomatology and endometriosis recurrence in a prospective series of 500 patients operated on by staging. Surgical treatment before assisted uterine insemination, is considered as frst-line therapy. Endometriosis and Infertility: A in the treatment of infertility associated with minimal or mild Committee Opinion. Treatment of infertility surgery versus ablative surgery for ovarian endometriomata. Fertility and clinical outcome after bowel resection suppression for endometriosis. Successful treatment of asymptomatic endometriosis: does it beneft infertile women Randomized controlled trial of superovulation and insemination for infertility 16. Laparoscopic surgery estimate of reproductive success after surgery for rectovaginal in infertile women with minimal or mild endometriosis. Ablation of lesions or no treatment in minimal-mild endometriosis before assisted reproduction treatment improves endometriosis in infertile women: a randomized trial. All these effects have these diagnostic problems stem mainly from a lack of a profound negative impact not only on clinical status but knowledge about the etiopathogenesis and mechanisms also on the broader human and economic toll taken by the 25, 38 of pain generation in endometriosis. The main is a signifcant delay between symptom onset and the time of area of predilection for endometriosis is the pelvis. Many patients have to visit more than 10 affecting the pelvic organs (uterus, bladder, bowel) usually different doctors until an eventual diagnosis of endometriosis 41 present with visceral pain, whereas lesions on the pelvic wall is established. The characteristics of these two between symptom onset and defnitive diagnosis ranges from 30 types of pain are quite different and are linked to a wide range 7 to 11 years. On the other hand, most patients present with a of many other nonspecifc features such as bowel and bladder combined pattern of endometriotic lesions that are capable of complaints, pain radiating to the legs, concomitant autonomic inducing various types of pain. The complex and multifactorial nature of More than 70 % of endometriosis patients are affected by disease may give rise to misconceptions that often lead to a dyspareunia, and up to 50 % suffer from dyschezia. Endometriosis is an infammatory disease in which endometrium-like tissue grows outside the uterine cavity. On the other hand, the presence of Corresponding author: epithelial and stromal cells in the myometrium and fallopian Prof. Sylvia Mechsner tubes is termed adenomyosis, known also as endometriosis Leiterin Endometriose und Myomzentrum Charite interna. Endometriotic lesions exhibit a superfcial Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany and/or deep infltrating growth pattern and may cause the E-mail: sylvia. The most common form of deep infltrating pelvic wall, muscles, or joints can be identifed by its location endometriosis is rectovaginal endometriosis, which is typically and is typically described as sharp or stabbing. This type of pain is often poorly localized to be helpful in assessing the degree to which endometriotic and is described as dull and cramping. It may be spread tissue has infltrated adjacent organs or anatomic structures over several dermatomes. Pain, in most cases, is associated such as the sacrouterine ligaments, vagina, ureter, or bowel with nausea and vomiting. Destructive changes at different sites may lead to various interaction among the reproductive organs, urogenital tract, complaints such as severe pain and functional disorders, and and bowel so that differentiation is often diffcult, especially if bowel-wall infltration may even cause stenosis. This is a dual innervation system that involves both the progression of disease and to structural changes in internal sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons. The whole As a result, endometriosis is frequently associated with complex bowel wall and uterus are supplied by myelinated A-delta symptoms, although the severity of pain is disproportionate to fbers and nonmyelinated C fbers. Patients with adenomyosis, for example, usually where they can distribute collateral axons to autonomic ganglia have dysmenorrhea but may also suffer from cyclic pelvic pain. With afferent fbers arising from somatic structures, manifestations of endometriosis can lead to dysmenorrhea, on the other hand, the number of visceral afferent fbers is and intralesional microbleeds may be a contributing factor. This may explain why visceral pain tends to endometriosis externa, and in some patients with rectovaginal be poorly localized. It is interesting to note that visceral pain is endometriosis, whereas infltration of the bladder or bowel not a necessary consequence of tissue injury and can result tends to cause dyschezia or dysuria (Table 4. Thus, the parietal peritoneum It is very diffcult to explore and understand the various forms lining the anterior abdominal wall is supplied by the lower six of endometriosis-related pain (pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, thoracic and frst lumbar nerves. The sites of lesion involvement will usually that these are the same nerves that innervate the muscles determine the character of the pain. The central part of Endometriosis may be associated with both somatic and the diaphragmatic peritoneum is supplied by phrenic nerves, visceral pain. In most cases, somatic pain originating from the while the peripheral part is supplied by the lower six thoracic Symptoms Lesion sites Dysmenorrhea Adenomyosis. In the pelvic region, the parietal peritoneum is supplied Although dysmenorrhea is considered a major social chiefy by the obturator nerve, which is a branch of the lumbar and economic problem in patients with endometriosis plexus. Somatic nerves that innervate the parietal peritoneum and adenomyosis, 3, 38 there is still a lack of knowledge also supply the corresponding segmental areas of skin and and experience in understanding the pathophysiology of muscles. Irritation of the parietal peritoneum incites a refex adenomyosis and endometriosis-associated dysmenorrhea. Primary Dysmenorrhea An established phenomenon in women with primary Other complications result from adhesion-related pain, which dysmenorrhea is ischemic pain due to myometrial is often characterized by a transition from cyclic to acyclic hyperactivity and a consequent reduction of uterine blood pelvic pain. This pain may be acute or the therapeutic use of oral contraceptives in women with chronic. Moreover, pelvic pain may follow no cyclic pattern and is therefore unrelated to hormonal fuctuations. The frequency and severity as primary dysmenorrhea, while secondary dysmenorrhea of symptoms correlate with the extent17 and depth of stems from an underlying condition such as endometriosis. However, more than 80% of patients diagnosed with endometriosis report severe dysmenorrhea starting from their Hyper and Dysperistalsis frst menstrual bleed. Clinical surveillance has shown that the Researchers have found that a model of abnormal myometrial occurrence of primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation contractility in patients with adenomyosis and endometriosis starting from the frst menstrual period) appears to be typical is similar to that seen in the hyperperistalsis and dysperistalsis in patients with endometriosis, even though the lesions of myometrial cells. The myometrium consists of at least two functionally and Dysmenorrhea structurally distinct zones: the subendometrial or junctional zone and the outer myometrium. This may be Signifcant morphologic changes have been noted in the associated with a bearing-down sensation, backache, and myometrial architecture of adenomyosis patients. Pain radiating junctional zone in the uteri of patients with adenomyosis to the legs is not uncommon. Signifcant improvement of these symptoms was 24 related to the menstrual cycle, while the remaining half suffer reported after excision of the infltrated rectovaginal lesions. The source of the pain may be peritoneal lesions, psychosocial concept of chronic pain) may be the principal adhesions, and the uterus itself. The quality of chronic pain is often leads to functional disorders of the pelvic foor, with associated described as burning or stabbing. It could also be interpreted as neuropathic pain, and a neural invasion theory has been proposed. Most notably, especially the development of neuropathic pain and neurogenic the parietal peritoneum is a mediator of pain in diseases such infammation. The ovary, unlike the peritoneum, is the nervous system plays a key role in other chronic quite insensitive to pain. Order 20mg levitra soft mastercard. Stamlo Beta 5/50 mg Tablet Uses Dosage Side Effects in hindi. Noncom cal societies have made the elderly patient a medical pliance rates are estimated to be as high as 20% erectile dysfunction in diabetes buy 20 mg levitra soft amex. Since pain is frequent erectile dysfunction before 30 cheap levitra soft 20 mg overnight delivery, meaningful erectile dysfunction at 25 cheap levitra soft 20 mg fast delivery, underdi Apart from that erectile dysfunction statin drugs discount levitra soft 20 mg, intellectual, cognitive, and sim agnosed, and undertreated, and since research on this ple manual impairments may interfere with treat topic is scarce, pain in the elderly has to be declared a ment. Half of these had performance, thereby possibly reducing the ef daily pain, but less than one-fth were taking an anal fects of rehabilitation eorts. Also, due to reduced hepatic func What are the typical pain locations tion, plasma protein levels are generally lower in elderly patients Both altered mechanisms The number one cause of pain in elderly patients is may cause potential dangerous drug interac degenerative spine disease, followed by osteoarthro tions and unpredictable plasma levels. Other important pain etiolo fect may be most pronounced for drugs that are gies include polyneuropathy and postherpetic neural eliminated through the kidneys, since glomeru gia. Pain in Old Age and Dementia 271 With regard to the opioid-receptor population and Case report: Mr. Ramiz Shehu subjective sensitivity to painful stimuli, there is conict (prostate cancer) ing evidence. Terefore the conclusion has to be that pain perception and analgesic interactions are unpre Mr. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer 3 years ago when Do patients with impaired communication, he presented himself to the local doctor, Dr. Frasheri, such as those with Alzheimer disease, receive with diculties with urination. This has careful evaluation of the individual situation, espe been shown both for acute situations such as fractures cially regarding the comorbidity with hypertension and of the neck of the femur and for chronic pain. Frasheri concluded that there would not be that the pain perception of Alzheimer patients is undis an indication to send Mr. Shehu was still in relatively good general What is likely to be the most important reason condition, being an important and active member of St. But in the Much of the problem of inadequate pain management recent weeks he had developed increasing pain in his of the geriatric patient is the lack of appropriate assess left chest and left hip. Visitors from Italy had rst cause less than 3% of these patients will communicate suspected coronary disease and hip arthritis, since the that they need analgesics themselves. Conventional instruments may be used for pain assessment, such as analogue scales or verbal rat 2) The options in the capital, Tirana ing scales, if the patient is able to communicate prop At Mother Teresa Hospital, a tertiary care center, the erly. But rating and analogue scales will fail in the non options are: communicating patient. Several scoring systems stabilization, unfractioned radiation (single) for analge have been developed for this task. Some scores also include tivated phosphates (for patients with multiple painful the subjective impression of the therapist. In Filipoje, he found a used walking stick and an elastic bandage, which How did Dr. Shehu was opioid-naive, meaning he had Shehu to use paracetamol (acetaminophen) instead, no prior experience with opioids, of advanced age, and since he was not sure about kidney function and it was with unpredictable cancer pain intensity, the method of foreseeable that the need for analgesic therapy would be choice is titration by the patient. Shehu received piroxicam from careful explanation of the pros and cons of morphine, the Catholic mission, he also started taking it orally. Frasheri found out about the pa which could be locally produced by the pharmacist. He stopped this medication and Shehu was told, with the help of his oldest son Sali, to explained to Mr. Frasheri, and together duction from the paracetamol, since he needed to make they looked over the list. It came out that on average ev his way to and from the church daily, although when sit ery second hour a dose was required, more in the day ting or lying down the pain intensity was acceptable. Frasheri was reluctant to prescribe regularly every 4 hours, since no slow-release version opioids, because they are not easy available in Albania. Frasheri did The per-capita amount of morphine and pethidine has not forget to allow Mr. When he found out about the positive eects (es and side eects was to the benet of Mr. Activity, drinking an extra liter 1) General: of water, the healthy Mediterranean diet, and milk sug i) Patients should not be deprived of the benets ar helped against constipation, but nausea could not be of analgesia just because they are elderly. Pain in Old Age and Dementia 273 iii)Write down your orders in big letters for pa all dose increases should be done slowly and in small tients with impaired vision. One of the most relevant is the potential increase vii) Use nonpharmacological techniques where of gastrointestinal side eects with the comedication of applicable, such as positioning, counterirrita steroids. Also, blood sugar reduction is increased if the tion (using ice, external alcoholic herbal lo patient is taking oral antidiabetics. Other interactions with unexpected serum lev stead titrate doses individually from very low el changes might result from concomitant therapy with initial doses. Repetitive ulcer bleeding then may be the cause teilung von Schmerz bei Demenz [Assess for anemia. Although that on their nonexistence, medium presence, or medication is reasonable in normal instances, the di strong presence. The observations are: uretics might cause renal dysfunction and consequently a) Breathing rate (normal/high/hectic) renal failure! What are some considerations The indication for coanalgesics should be determined if opioids are chosen For example, the use of tricyclic antidepres all other drugs available, especially in the elderly pa sants, used often for constant burning pain such as in tient, since there is no known potential for organ diabetic polyneuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia, in toxicity, even with long-term use. Terefore, all ad creases the risk of falling down and the incidence of vanced destructive diseases that present with pain fractures of the neck of the femur. If they tramadol and pethidine (meperidine) are not the rst have lived through wartime, it is sometimes old age that choice in the older patient because of their specic brings back unpleasant memories. Although that symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder opioids are safe and eective analgesics, some points may surface in advanced age. Even if no adequate treat should be considered when starting an elderly patient ment for this problem is available, asking for such mem on opioids. Because of changes in plasma clearance ories and symptoms and an understanding approach and uid distribution, plasma concentrations of opi may relieve some of the hardships of your elderly pa oids may be higher than expected. Also, religious coping strategies should be used for term treatment, dose adjustments will be necessary. At times older patients do not general, opioid doses have an inverse correlation with dare to mention their beliefs, and the younger medical age, but the indication for an opioid has a positive (lin professional may have separated himself from spiritual ear) correlation with age, and men on the average need thinking. Elderly female patients tentionally, if these needs are not already present in the need opioids more often, but at a lower dose. |