Improving Scale Equivalence by Increasing Access to Scale-Specific Information.

Measures of the same phenomenon should produce the same results; this principle is fundamental because it allows for replication-the basis of science. Unfortunately, measures of a psychological construct in one language can often measure something a bit different in another language (i.e.

Endovascular Hepatic Artery Stents in the Modern Management of Postpancreatectomy Hemorrhage.

Background: Postoperative hemorrhage is a potentially lethal complication of pancreatoduodenectomy. This study reports on the use of endovascular hepatic artery stents in the management of postpancreatectomy hemorrhage.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained, consecutive dataset of 440 patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy over 68 months.

Intestinal schistosomiasis presenting as large bowel perforation in an HIV-positive individual.

Endemic to over 70 countries and resulting in 200 million infected individuals and 500,000 deaths each year, the Schistosoma trematode worm can result in multisystem morbidity. Bowel obstruction secondary to this parasite has previously been described, but we report the first case of schistosomiasis affecting the sigmoid colon and resulting in perforation in a male positive for human immunodeficiency virus.

The role of ultrasound scan in the diagnosis of occult inguinal hernias.

Aims: The aim of this study is to examine the role of ultrasound in conjunction with clinical judgment in diagnosing occult inguinal hernias in patients with groin pain.

Methods: The study involved a retrospective analysis of 297 patients who presented over an 18 month period from January 2007 to August 2008. All the patients presented to outpatient clinic with groin pain but a normal or equivocal clinical examination.

Prospective audit of cross-sectional imaging and radiation exposure in general surgical patients.

Introduction: Most patients admitted with an acute surgical problem undergo some imaging during their in-patient stay. As computed tomography (CT) scanning becomes more readily available, it is becoming the mainstay of assessment. Recent studies have commented on the potential adverse effects of early cross-sectional imaging.