Pyopneumopericarditis from a gastropericardial fistula: a case report.

Background: Pyopneumopericarditis is a very rare diagnosis that requires prompt recognition and urgent treatment. It denotes the presence of pus and air in the pericardium with associated inflammation of the fibrous pericardial sac.

Case Summary: A 49-year-old gentleman was admitted with pyopneumoperciarditis on a background of a previous uncomplicated Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery performed 7 years prior.

The Role of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Colon Cancer.

Neoadjuvant systemic therapy has many potential advantages over up-front surgery, including tumor downstaging, early treatment of micrometastatic disease, and providing an in vivo test of tumor biology. Due to these advantages, neoadjuvant therapy is becoming the standard of care for an increasing number of tumor types. Currently, colon cancer patients are still routinely treated with up-front surgery, and neoadjuvant systemic therapy is not yet standard.

Duration of dexamethasone administration for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is the most common non-haematological toxicity of chemotherapy.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing short course (1-2 days) with long course (3+ days) dexamethasone in preventing CINV was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement.

Results: 1535 articles were screened to identify the 11 studies included in the review.

Higher Mucosal Healing with Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors in Combination with Thiopurines Compared to Methotrexate in Crohn's Disease.

Background: The differential impact of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy with methotrexate versus thiopurine co-therapy on endoscopic remission remains uncertain.

Aims: To compare rates of endoscopic remission based on methotrexate or thiopurine co-therapy used with anti-TNF therapy in Crohn's disease.

Methods: A retrospective observational study at two tertiary centers between 2010 and 2016 compared endoscopic remission rates and persistence on anti-TNF therapy in combination with methotrexate versus thiopurines for at least 3 months.

Low-dose thiopurine with allopurinol co-therapy overcomes thiopurine intolerance and allows thiopurine continuation in inflammatory bowel disease.

Aims: To assess the utility and tolerability of thiopurine-allopurinol co-therapy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients with intolerance to thiopurine monotherapy.

Methods: A retrospective observational study assessed cases of thiopurine intolerance then switched to thiopurine allopurinol co-therapy between 2011 and 2015 at two centres. Indications for switch, dosing and subsequent clinical outcomes (including thiopurine persistence) were recorded.

Guideline-based intervention to reduce telemetry rates in a large tertiary centre.

Background: Inappropriate cardiac telemetry use is associated with reduced patient flow and increased healthcare costs.

Aim: To evaluate the outcomes of guideline-based application of cardiac telemetry.

Methods: Phase I involved a prospective audit (March to August 2011) of telemetry use at a tertiary hospital.

Statin Therapy: Review of Safety and Potential Side Effects.

Background: Hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, commonly called statins, are some of the most commonly prescribed medications worldwide. Evidence suggests that statin therapy has significant mortality and morbidity benefit for both primary and secondary prevention from cardiovascular disease. Nonetheless, concern has been expressed regarding the adverse effects of long term statin use.