A snapshot of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management in general practice in Ireland.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death and disability. Its diagnosis, classification and management are complex. There is a paucity of data on the standard of COPD management in Irish general practice.

Developmental malformations in the area of the lumbosacral transitional vertebrae and sacrum: differences in gender and left/right distribution.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of congenital malformations of the lumbosacral transitional vertebrae in the general population, and the differences in their gender and left/right distributions.

Methods: The examined group comprised of all patients who underwent a pelvic X-ray during 2010 for any reason. The observed parameters included the following malformations: the presence of megatransversus at L5; sacralization of L5 or L6; a S1 lumbarization; the presence of six sacral vertebrae; or spina bifida at the level of L5, S1 or S2.