Giant cell arteritis--an incidental finding.

Giant cell arteritis is a systemic, inflammatory, and vascular syndrome that requires early diagnosis and immediate management because of the risk of loss of vision. Local symptoms include headache, scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, visual disturbances, and scalp necrosis. Systemic symptoms include weight loss, fever, malaise, fatigue, and polymyalgia rheumatica.

Incidence of hypertrophic and keloid scars after N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive had been used to close parotidectomy wounds: a prospective study of 100 consecutive patients.

Suturing is the usual technique for cutaneous wound closure after parotidectomy and gives a satisfactory aesthetic appearance for most patients. Late complications include the development of hypertrophic and keloid scars, the incidence of which ranges from 5% to 16% in elective cases. We studied the use of N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate (Indermil) for closure of parotid wounds in 100 consecutive patients over a period of 7 years, our main aim being to establish the incidence of hypertrophic and keloid scars after the use of Indermil.

Modification of general practitioner prescribing of antibiotics by use of a therapeutics adviser (academic detailer).

Aims: This was a pilot study of the use of a clinical pharmacist as a therapeutics adviser (academic detailer) to modify antibiotic prescribing by general practitioners.

Methods: Following a visit by the adviser (March-May), 112 general practitioners were recruited and randomised to control or active groups. A panel of experts prepared a best practice chart of recommended drugs for upper and lower respiratory tract infections, otitis media and urinary tract infections.

Drug newsletters and quality assurance of drug usage.

The use of a drug newsletter publishing results of drug usage review studies, as a quality assurance measure aimed at improving drug prescribing in an Australian acute care hospital, is described. Drug usage review studies focus primarily on newly registered drugs, drugs with potential for misuse or adverse reactions, and expensive drugs. Data are collected on comprehensive data sheets by clinical pharmacists.