[In-hospital withdrawal of benzodiazepines in long term users : a bad idea with good intentions].

Benzodiazepines are among the most frequently prescribed medications in Switzerland, particularly in the elderly. Due to their unfavourable side effect profile, especially in the elderly population, this class of medication should not be prescribed for the treatment of insomnia or non-refractory anxiety disorders. A gradual withdrawal procedure, which is safe and effective according to the literature, should be offered to the patient taking such medication, with adequate monitoring of withdrawal symptoms.

[A pleural puncture gone wrong].

A patient with a paraneoplastic effusion presented with respiratory distress one hour after a 2 500 ml pleural aspiration performed at noon. A chest X-ray shows signs of unilateral pulmonary oedema. Re-expansion pulmonary oedema is a rare complication.

Binocular Diplopia: A Possible Adverse Effect of Fluoroquinolone Therapy.

The adverse effects of fluoroquinolones are yet to be fully elucidated. We present an interesting case of a 41-year-old male with binocular diplopia most likely induced by the use of a fluoroquinolone antibiotic.

Psychotic traits in comedians.

Background: The popular belief that creativity is associated with madness has increasingly become the focus of research for many psychologists and psychiatrists. However, despite being prime examples of creative thinking, comedy and humour have been largely neglected.

Aims: To test the hypothesis that comedians would resemble other creative individuals in showing a higher level of psychotic characteristics related to both schizophrenia and manic depression.