A Protocol-Driven Assessment Promotes a More Accurate Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

A diverse range of conditions share symptoms commonly identified with irritable bowel syndrome. The objective of this study was to examine the diagnostic process in identifying additional diagnoses in women who are attending a clinic for evaluation of symptoms suggestive of irritable bowel syndrome. A retrospective audit was conducted of anonymous data gathered on consecutive female patients presenting to a specialist nurse-led service in Christchurch, New Zealand, with a provisional diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.

Endometriosis in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: Specific symptomatic and demographic profile, and response to the low FODMAP diet.

Background: Women with endometriosis are frequently misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for some time before a correct diagnosis is made. Visceral hypersensitivity is a key feature in both conditions.

Aims: To determine if there are distinct symptom patterns in women with IBS and endometriosis, and to determine the response of these women to a low FODMAP diet in comparison to those with IBS alone.

The benefits of a nurse-led service in the identification and management of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, functional disorder, affecting up to 20% of the population in the Western world, becoming more prevalent in developing countries. Currently in New Zealand, patients are managed by their general practitioner but are not able to be seen in the public system as it is not a life-threatening disease. This means many have no access to help.

Acquiring surgical skills: the role of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Contemporary surgeons are expected to develop and maintain competence across a range of skills far broader than that demanded of last century's surgeons. This is increasingly difficult to achieve in a competitive clinical environment in which the effectiveness of the traditional apprenticeship model can be compromised. New training paradigms must be found to ensure that the quality of surgical training is maintained and enhanced.

Laying the foundation of surgical skills for trainees (residents).

The role of the surgical skills laboratory is becoming increasingly important as surgical service needs evolve and educational processes seek to become more robust. The skills laboratory offers an opportunity to better prepare residents for their clinical rotations and to accelerate their clinical effectiveness. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has developed and introduced a new standardised basic surgical skills curriculum that can be delivered sustainably in centres throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Triphasic MRI of pelvic organ descent: sources of measurement error.

Purpose: To identify sources of error when measuring pelvic organ displacement during straining using triphasic dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials And Methods: Ten healthy nulliparous woman underwent triphasic dynamic 1.5 T pelvic MRI twice with 1 week between studies.