The post spinal surgery syndrome: A review.

Post spinal surgery syndrome(PSSS) has always been considered only for the pain it causes. However, many other neurological deficits do happen after lower back surgery. The aim of this review is to look into the various other neurological deficits that could happen after a spinal surgery.

Hospital Burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Hong Kong - The Trend from 2006 to 2014.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common cause for hospital admission. This study aims to review the hospital burden of COPD in Hong Kong (HK) and the trend from year 2006 to 2014.

Methods: A multi-center, retrospective study of the characteristics of COPD patients discharged from the public hospitals of HK from year 2006 to 2014.

Sarcopenia-defining parameters, but not sarcopenia, are associated with cognitive domains in middle-aged and older European men.

Background: Previous research suggests that sarcopenia is associated with lower cognitive functioning. Evidence on the longitudinal relationship between cognition and sarcopenia, according to the revised criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2), is scarce. This study aimed to investigate both cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between sarcopenia and its defining parameters (muscle strength, muscle mass and physical performance) and cognitive performance in middle-aged and older men.

Telangiectatic Capillaries in Retinal Vascular Occlusions: Multimodal Imaging in a Case Series.

To report a cases series of retinal vascular occlusions with telangiectatic capillaries (TelCaps) seen on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and multimodal imaging. In this case series, a new finding (TelCaps) was seen on clinical examination, fundus evaluation, fluorescein angiography, ICGA, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). This series comprised 3 patients with TelCaps findings on ICGA after retinal vascular occlusions.

Decreasing urgent repeat cesarean sections by offering complimentary ultrasounds and consultation in rural Burundi: The zigama mama project.

Objective: Repeat urgent cesarean sections (CS) carry an increased risk of severe maternal outcomes. As CS increase in sub-Saharan Africa, creative strategies are necessary to reduce the rate of urgent repeat CS. The Zigama-Mama Project in rural Burundi uses complimentary ultrasounds to create a clinical touchpoint to counsel women with a prior CS for a hospital-based delivery.

Wellens Syndrome: A Possible Precursor.

Wellens syndrome is a precursor of left anterior descending (LAD) coronary stenosis. It is characterized by biphasic T waves in V2-V3 (type A) or negative deep T waves in V2-V4 (type B). The ability of emergency physicians, hospitalists, or primary care providers to recognize these early ECG patterns is primordial because the definitive treatment is urgent cardiac catheterization with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Relevance of Geographical and Biochemical Factors in Causation of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: An Observational Analytical Study.

Objectives: There is a higher prevalence of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) in more recent times, owing to increased awareness, clinical diagnostic skills, and advancements in neuroimaging modalities. This study aimed to identify and characterize the geographical, clinical, and etiological profiles of patients with CVST that may be relevant to planning appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to improve functional recovery.

Methods And Results: A retrospective observational study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital between March 2014 and October 2018.

Age alone is not a barrier to efficacy of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for colorectal peritoneal metastases: analysis of 1138 patients from the UK and Ireland Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases Registry.

Background: The management of colorectal peritoneal metastases continues to be a challenge but recent evidence suggests cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) can improve survival. Uncertainty about the relationship between age and tumour biology makes patient selection challenging particularly when reported procedure related morbidity is high and impact on survival outcomes unknown. The UK and Ireland Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases Registry was reviewed to assess the influence of age on efficacy of CRS and HIPEC.

Population-level and individual-level explainers for propensity score matching in observational studies.

Precis: The exclusion of unmatched observations in propensity score matching has implications for the generalizability of causal effects. Machine learning methods can help to identify how the study population differs from the unmatched subpopulation.

Background: There has been widespread use of propensity scores in evaluating the effect of cancer treatments on survival, particularly in administrative databases and cancer registries.

Implementation of evidence on management of pleural diseases: insights from a territory-wide survey of clinicians in Hong Kong.

Background: Major advances in management of common pleural diseases have taken place in the past decade. However, pleural diseases are often managed by physicians of diverse training background and research on implementation of new knowledge is scanty. We aim to evaluate the practice pattern in pleural medicine among physicians in Hong Kong, for identification of possible gaps for clinical service improvement.

Pyelonephritis in Pregnancy From the Lens of an Underserved Community.

In pregnancy, early signs and symptoms of urinary tract infection, including cystitis or pyelonephritis, may overlap with pregnancy symptoms, making early detection challenging. Compounding this challenge is when it presents itself in resource-poor settings for several factors, including poverty, poor access to healthcare care, inadequate diagnostic facilities, low availability of insurance, education, and cultural limitations. In this case report, we present a case of a 33-year-old G3P2 with pyelonephritis in pregnancy that was compounded by issues related to access to care in resource-limited settings.

Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of COVID-19: The PAN-COVID study.

Objective: To assess perinatal outcomes for pregnancies affected by suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: Prospective, web-based registry. Pregnant women were invited to participate if they had suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between 1st January 2020 and 31st March 2021 to assess the impact of infection on maternal and perinatal outcomes including miscarriage, stillbirth, fetal growth restriction, pre-term birth and transmission to the infant.

Management of an incompetent mid-second (mid-2nd) trimester absent ecto-cervix: a case series. Cervical amplification pre-cerclage insertion.

Background: Cervical cerclage is a treatment for an incompetent cervix, the latter being a contributor to spontaneous preterm birth. There is significant difficulty with a transvaginal cerclage insertion for the absent vaginal or ecto-cervix in the mid-2nd trimester period resulting in a higher risk of late miscarriages, extremely preterm labour with increased neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Methods: A retrospective review of 5 consecutive cases managed by a surgical technique-modified high vaginal cerclage insertion at 18-20 weeks-and adjunct protocols which included vaginal progesterone use, serial infection screening and lifestyle advice, over a 12-month period ending in August 2021, is presented.

The role of viral infections in pulmonary exacerbations of patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: A systematic review.

Background: Bronchiectasis is a cause of increased morbidity of the respiratory system. Exacerbations among patients with non-CF (cystic fibrosis) bronchiectasis result in reduced pulmonary function and poor quality of life. While the role of bacteria in triggering exacerbations in patients with non- CF bronchiectasis has been well studied, little is known about viral infections in these patients.

Prevalence and Correlates of Caregiver Anxiety in Family Caregivers of Patients With Advanced Cancer: a Cross-Sectional Study in a Palliative Care Unit in Hong Kong.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of caregiver anxiety and to identify correlates of caregiver anxiety in family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer in a palliative care unit in Hong Kong.

Methods: Family caregivers of patients admitted to the palliative care ward for the first time between July 2019 and September 2019 were screened for recruitment. Caregiver demographics (age, sex, marital status, occupation, education level, housing condition, relationship with the patient, known diagnosis of anxiety or depression, and Charlson comorbidity index) were collected, as were caregiver understanding of patient's diagnosis and prognosis, perceived patient's distress, frequency of witnessing confusion or delirium of patients in past month, perceived adequacy of psychological support (other than general social support), and perceived anxiety towards patient's approaching death.

Infections in relapsed myeloma patients treated with isatuximab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone during the COVID-19 pandemic: Initial results of a UK-wide real-world study.

Objectives: There are no real-world data describing infection morbidity in relapsed/refractory myeloma (RRMM) patients treated with anti-CD38 isatuximab in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (IsaPomDex). In this UK-wide retrospective study, we set out to evaluate infections experienced by routine care patients who received this novel therapy across 24 cancer centres during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: The primary endpoint was infection morbidity (incidence, grading, hospitalization) as well as infection-related deaths.

Efficacy of Isatuximab With Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone in Relapsed Myeloma: Results of a UK-Wide Real-World Dataset.

Real-world data on the efficacy and tolerability of isatuximab with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (IsaPomDex) in relapsed/refractory myeloma patients have not been reported. In this UK-wide retrospective study, IsaPomDex outcomes were evaluated across 24 routine care cancer centers. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR).

Cost-Effectiveness of iGlarLixi Versus Premix BIAsp 30 in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Suboptimally Controlled by Basal Insulin in the UK.

Introduction: iGlarLixi is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise in addition to metformin (with or without sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors) to improve glycemic control in adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D). A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted to compare iGlarLixi with premix biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30) in people with T2D suboptimally controlled with basal insulin (BI).

Methods: The IQVIA CORE Diabetes Model was used to estimate lifetime costs and outcomes for people with T2D from a UK health care perspective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000.

Modified Velpeau Sling Application for the Treatment of Fractures Around Shoulder in Infants.

Background: Fractures around the shoulder region in infants are treated by arm-chest bandaging, adhesive strapping, or sling application. These conventional treatment methods are associated with issues like skin irritation, excoriation, movement of bone fragments causing muscle spasm, and difficulty in nursing care. We describe the technique of modified Velpeau sling application and reviewed its efficacy at a long-term follow-up.