Study protocol for a cross-sectional online survey investigating patient preferences and experiences of waiting for elective cardiac surgery.

Introduction: Being on a waiting list for elective (planned) cardiac surgery can be physically and psychologically challenging for patients. Research suggests that stress associated with waiting for surgery is dependent on different individual and contextual factors. However, most data on patients' experiences of waiting for surgery and preferences for waiting list management derives from non-cardiac clinical populations.

Identifying dimensions of empowerment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a qualitative study.

The role of patients' empowerment in enhancing the quality of life of chronic patients is undeniable and its importance in health policy making and health care is increasing day by day. However, no guidelines have been defined to empower people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The purpose of this study was to identify the dimensions of IBD patients' empowerment.

[Military aviation dentistry].

The aim of this article is to introduce the concepts of military aviation dentistry, including facial barotraumas (external otitic barotrauma, barosinusitis and barotitis- media), dental barotrauma, barodontalgia, and dental care for aircrews. Special considerations have to be made when planning restorative, endodontic, prosthodontic and surgical treatment to an aircrew patient. The article supplies the military dental officer with diagnostic and treatment guidelines, and the principles of prevention, periodic examination, and dental-related flight restriction.

Bullous mycosis fungoides: a case report.

Mycosis fungoides (MF) on extremely rare occasions is associated with vesiculobullous eruptions. We describe a 74-year-old man with previous documented histopathologic diagnosis of poikilodermic-type MF who recently developed flaccid acral bullae on erythematous MF plaques and on normal appearing skin. Histopathology and direct immunofluorescent studies revealed extensive lichenoid changes with intraepidermal bullae.

Evidence of chorda tympani dysfunction in patients with burning mouth syndrome.

Background: More than two-thirds of patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) have altered taste sensation. The authors conducted a study to assess chorda tympani and trigeminal nerve function in these patients.

Methods: The study was composed of 48 patients; 22 were diagnosed as having BMS, 14 had burning symptoms related to other diseases and were diagnosed as having secondary burning mouth syndrome (SBMS), and 12 were healthy volunteers.

'Otorrhagia'. A symptom of posterior auricular artery aneurysm.

There are many reports regarding aneurysms of the external carotid artery and its branches, but the case presented in this paper, of an aneurysm of the posterior auricular artery, is a unique one.