A retrospective review of cutaneous vascular lesions referred to a teledermatology clinic.

INTRODUCTION Most cutaneous vascular lesions are benign and do not require treatment. Many are referred to specialist dermatologists from primary care. AIM This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of cutaneous vascular lesions and the reasons for their referral from primary care.

'Teaching Me to Parent Myself': The Feasibility of an In-Patient Group Schema Therapy Programme for Complex Trauma.

Background: Group schema therapy is an emerging treatment for personality and other psychiatric disorders. It may be particularly suited to individuals with complex trauma given that early abuse is likely to create maladaptive schemas.

Aims: This pilot study explored the feasibility and effectiveness of a 4-week in-patient group schema therapy programme for adults with complex trauma in a psychiatric hospital setting.

mRNA in exosomas as a liquid biopsy in non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: a multicentric study by the Spanish Lymphoma Oncology Group.

Purpose: To determine the feasibility of mRNAs ( and ) in exosomes of plasma as a liquid biopsy method for monitoring and prognostic evolution in B-cell lymphomas.

Patients And Methods: Exosomes were isolated from 98 patients with B-cell Lymphoma and 68 healthy controls. mRNAs were analyzed by quantitative PCR.

Investigating the experiences of New Zealand MRI technologists: Exploring intra-orbital metallic foreign body safety practices.

Introduction: Qualitative research is lacking regarding the experiences of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologists and their involvement in workplace safety practices. This article provides a gateway to explore, describe and document experiences of MRI technologists in New Zealand (NZ) pertaining to intra-orbital metallic foreign body (IMFB) safety practices.

Methods: This phenomenological study describes the experiences of seven MRI technologists all with a minimum of 5 years' NZ work experience in MRI.

OptionE: innovative model of HIV care increases satisfaction and reduces clinic visits.

OptionE incorporates nurse-led HIV clinics, review of blood results by doctors, patient contact by email and the option of home delivery of medication. Patient questionnaires showed increased satisfaction associated with fewer, shorter clinic visits. A retrospective case note review suggested clinical outcomes are as good as standard care.

A service to address the sexual health needs of the homeless population.

Between 1991 and 2001, the clinical workload of genitourinary medicine services increased by 155 per cent, and diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increased by 61 per cent in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Public Health Laboratory Service et al, 2002). However there is a paucity of data regarding the rate of sexually transmitted infections in the homeless population.

Emergency contraception given via a patient group direction.

The aim of this audit was to evaluate the effectiveness of a patient group direction (PGD) for nurses issuing the emergency contraceptive Levonelle-2 within a sexual health clinic. The PGD was designed to increase the accessibility of emergency contraception for women, not only minimising the time they needed to spend in the clinic, but also reducing the time at which the emergency contraception was taken after unprotected intercourse, which is an important factor in efficacy rates.

The delivery of hepatitis B vaccine.

Hepatitis B is a serious preventable infection that is common in men who have sex with men. Historically, uptake of the vaccine has been poor in this group. Leigh Chislett describes how the introduction of a nurse-led service significantly increased uptake of the vaccine at a London clinic.

Can targeted HIV testing campaigns alter health-seeking behaviour?

This paper describes the evaluation of 'gimme 5 minutes' a multimedia HIV testing campaign aimed at gay and bisexual men in London particularly targeting those of Black and South European Origin and those under the age of 25 years old using peer images. The text linked a summary of the key issues of a pre-test discussion with detailed information on how to access testing at a specified testing centre (campaign clinic). The number and demographics of men who reported sex with men (MSM) testing at the campaign clinic were monitored and compared with those testing at two other central London clinics.

Comparative costs of lung cancer management.

A method is outlined for comparative costing of different protocols of lung cancer management in a free-standing clinic. The costs of chemotherapy and radiation therapy are evaluated according to alternative regimens of treatment. The costs of new patient assessment, patient follow-up, and ancillary care (social work and nutrition assistance) are also included.

A method for calculating the spinal-cord depth from an oblique simulator radiograph.

An equation for calculating the spinal-cord depth from a simulator radiograph taken at an oblique angle has been derived. This equation is very useful when the cord cannot easily be identified on a horizontal lateral radiograph as in the case of the lower neck and upper thorax. To use this equation one needs to know the following parameters: the source-Axis-Distance, vertical source-skin-distance, the gantry angle at which the film was taken, and the target-film-distance.

Primary cutaneous malignant melanoma: experience of the British Columbia Cancer Agency from 1972 to 1981.

A retrospective review of 891 patients with newly diagnosed primary cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) registered at the British Columbia Cancer Agency from 1972 to 1981 is presented. Age-standardized incidence rates in British Columbia have increased markedly over that time. The female-to-male ratio was 1.

The role of prophylactic brain irradiation in limited stage small cell lung cancer: clinical, neuropsychologic, and CT sequelae.

Ninety-four patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer treated between 1981 and 1985 with a regimen including prophylactic brain irradiation (PBI) after combination chemotherapy were assessed for compliance with PBI, brain relapse, and neurologic morbidity. Seventy-seven percent of patients had PBI and of these, 22% developed brain metastases after a median time of 11 months post treatment. The brain was the apparent unique initial site of relapse in 10% of PBI cases but more commonly brain relapse was preceded or accompanied by failure at other sites, especially the chest.