Une renaissance de l’examen clinique : l’échostéthoscopie

Inventé en 1816 par Laennec pour introduire, dans l’auscultation, un écran pudique entre lui et sa patiente, le stéthoscope se révéla un véritable outil diagnostique constituant un tournant de l’examen clinique : des bruits renforcés et transmis à l’oreille du médecin deviennent signes de la maladie. Deux siècles plus tard, grâce aux progrès technologiques, c’est l’œil du clinicien qui se voit désormais autorisé, de façon immédiate, à pénétrer le corps, à y mener l’enquête. L’échostéthoscopie est le nom de cette échographie réalisée par le clinicien « au chevet du malade » à l’aide d’un outil ultra-portable.In 1816 Laennec invented the stethoscope which provided auscultation with a prudish screen to set up between patients and him. This device proved to be a true diagnostic tool that brought along a new swing in clinical examination: organic noises thus amplified and transmitted to the physician’s ear, can reveal an illness. Two centuries later, technological progress make it possible for the clinician’s eye to immediately investigate the body. Ecostethoscopy is the name of this new echography any physician can carry out “at the patient’s bedside”, using this ultra portable device

RELATION OF FAT AND NON-FAT BODY COMPOSITION IN WOMEN WITH X-LEG DEFORMITIES

Influence of x-leg deformity in relation to fat and non-fat body composition in women was the goal of the paper. In this regards, the research included 41 female students with x-leg deformity and 41 female students without the deformity, while the total number of participants of the research was 82 aged from 18 to 19 years. 6 anthropometric variables have been used; one form measuring the body volme, three variables regarding the dimension of the sub skin fat tissue, one variable for measurement of non-fat body composition and one variable for measurement of fat body mass. Anthropometric measurements were carried out according to International Biological Program (IBP). Data collected demonstrates that x-leg deformity in women have significant influence on relation of fat and non-fat body composition. This relation is manifested as a result of decreased capacity of muscle endurance of leg muscles as main parts responsible for the physical activities, then consumption of calories and insufficient burning of fat as result of decreased capacity of movement

Factors affecting the prognosis of Albanian adult patients with generalized tetanus

Background. Despite systematic vaccination of the population, tetanus continues to be a health problem in Albania, as in some other developing countries. In this study, our intent was to evaluate prognostic factors relating to death in adult patients with generalized tetanus. Methodology and patients. All the patients (60) included in the study were hospitalized at the regional hospitals of Shkodra and Korça, and the University Hospital Centre “Mother Theresa” of Tirana, Albania, during the period of 1984-2004. They had a mean age of 49.1+14.4 years, 43 (71.7%) were males and 40 (66.6%) of them lived in rural areas. The mean incubation period was 12 days and the case-fatality rate (CFR) was 38.3%. Results. The CFR in patients with an onset period ≥2 days was 21.7% and in those with 50 years old had a CFR=60.87% (OR=7, p 120 beats/min, and hypertension. Discussion. The main prognostic factor of those analyzed in our study appeared to be the onset period and the age of the patients. We didn’t find significant differences in CFR in patients with different incubation periods. Clinicians must take into account that wound complication and localization, tachycardia and hypertension, high fever, male gender and urban residency significantly influence the prognoses of adults with generalized tetanus