Efficacy of taurolidine on the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections in patients on home parenteral nutrition.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of taurolidine (TauroLockTM) line locks on the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in patients on home parenteral nutrition (HPN).

Methods: In our unit, any patient with ≥2 CRBSIs in six months is considered for TauroLockTM (2% taurolidine and 4% citrate) line locks. All such patients from May 2007 until January 2012 were identified, along with associated CRBSI rates.

Use of arteriovenous fistulae for home parenteral nutrition--a review of the literature.

Purpose: Delivery of home parenteral nutrition (HPN), traditionally via tunneled central venous catheters (CVCs) is associated with several complications, the commonest being catheter related bloodstream infections. We have reviewed the literature to investigate the use of arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) as a viable alternative to traditional routes for long-term parenteral nutrition (PN).

Methods: A literature search was performed using the Medline database, PubMed and a Google Scholar search.

A multidisciplinary approach to management of autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED).

We present a case of an 18-year-old Caucasian man with a rare autosomal recessive disorder called autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED). This patient had manifestations of all clinical components of this multisystemic disease which included intestinal failure secondary to autoimmune enteropathy. We present a unique multidisciplinary management for this genetic condition.

Formalin dab for treatment of haemorrhagic radiation proctitis.

The authors present a case of a 75-year-old man who underwent 2 months of radiotherapy for prostate cancer. He developed rectal bleeding 6 months later. A colonoscopy showed radiation proctitis with no other abnormalities up to the caecum.