Epehólyag-agenesia. Epekövességet utánzó ritka rendellenesség egy felnőtt nőben = Gallbladder agenesis – A rare congenital anomaly mimicking cholelithiasis in an adult woman

Absztrakt: Az epehólyag-agenesia ritka, a biliaris rendszer embriológiai hibája miatt kialakult veleszületett elváltozás. Az esetek többségében tünetmentes, más esetekben az epekólika tüneteit utánozza. Betegünk 72 éves kaukázusi nő. Anamnézisében magasvérnyomás-betegség, illetve magas koleszterinszint szerepelt, melyekre vérnyomáscsökkentő, illetve koleszterinszint-csökkentő kezelést kapott. Felvételére az epekólika tüneteinek megjelenése miatt került sor. Laparoszkópos műtéten esett át, mely alátámasztotta a végleges diagnózist. E ritka eset kapcsán bemutatjuk megközelítésünket, valamint az orvosi szakirodalom rövid áttekintését. A sebésznek intraoperatívan el kell döntenie, hogy egy lehetséges ectopiás epehólyagot keres, vagy tovább vizsgálja az esetet képalkotó eljárások segítségével. Az epehólyag-agenesia ritka állapot, mellyel a sebésznek számolnia kell. Azokban az esetekben, amikor az epekövesség tünetei nem meggyőzőek, a műtét elkerülése végett a legjobb kiegészítő képalkotó eljárás a mágnesesrezonancia-kolangiopankreatográfia. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(38): 1510–1513. | Abstract: Gallbladder agenesis is a rare congenital malformation due to an embryological defect of the biliary system. In most cases it is asymptomatic, but it can also mimic biliary colic. We report the case of a 72-year-old Caucasian woman with a medical history of cardiovascular disease and hypercholesterolemia, under cholesterol-lowering and hypotensive treatment, who presented symptoms suggesting biliary colic. She underwent laparoscopic surgery that confirmed the final diagnosis. We present our approach in this rare case as well as a brief review of medical literature. The surgeon should decide intraoperatively whether to continue and search for a possible ectopic gallbladder or investigate further with imaging studies. Gallbladder agenesis is a rare condition that the surgeon must be aware of. In the cases of inconclusive or indirect signs of cholelithiasis, the best approach is complementary imaging investigations such as magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in order to avoid surgery. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(38): 1510–1513

Perioperative Risk Stratification: A Need for an Improved Assessment in Surgery and Anesthesia—A Pilot Study

Background and Objectives: Numerous scoring systems have been introduced into modern medicine. None of the scoring systems assessed both anesthetic and surgical risk of the patient, predict the morbidity, mortality, or the need for postoperative intensive care unit admission. The aim of this study was to compare the anesthetic and surgical scores currently used, for a better evaluation of perioperative risks, morbidity, and mortality. Material and Methods: This is a pilot, prospective, observational study. We enrolled 50 patients scheduled for elective surgery. Anesthetic and surgery risk was assessed using American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scale, Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enumeration of Mortality and morbidity (P-POSSUM), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II), and Surgical APGAR Score (SAS) scores. The real and the estimated length of stay (LOS) were registered. Results: We obtained several statistically significant positive correlations: ASA score–P-POSSUM (p < 0.01, r = 0.465); ASA score–SAS, (p < 0.01, r = −0.446); ASA score–APACHE II, (p < 0.01 r = 0.519); predicted LOS and ASA score (p < 0.01, r = 0.676); predicted LOS and p-POSSUM (p < 0.01, r = 0.433); and predicted LOS and APACHE II (p < 0.01, r = 0.454). A significant negative correlation between predicted LOS, real LOS, ASA class, and SAS (p < 0.05) was observed. We found a statistically significant difference between the predicted and actual LOS (p < 001). Conclusions: Anesthetic, surgical, and severity scores, used together, provide clearer information about mortality, morbidity, and LOS. ASA scale, associated with surgical scores and severity scores, presents a better image of the patient’s progress in the perioperative period. In our study, APACHE II is the best predictor of mortality, followed by P-POSSUM and SAS. P-POSSUM score and ASA scale may be complementary in terms of preoperative physiological factors, providing valuable information for postoperative outcomes

Previously undiagnosed serotonin toxicity: from pre-anaesthetic assessment to postoperative management – a case report

Serotonin syndrome (SS), also known as serotonin toxicity, is a life-threatening condition induced by certain drugs that affect serotonin metabolism. We report a case of SS, induced by a combination of three drugs encountered in a patient with a previously suspected allergy to metoclopramide and pitofenone discovered as an "anaesthetic incident”. In the immediate postoperative period, following the administration of antiemetic and analgesic treatment, the patient presented generalized myoclonus and intense abdominal pain. The diagnosis of SS was established using the Hunter Criteria. After the discontinuation of potentially triggering medication and anticonvulsant therapy, the patient was discharged from the ICU with complete resolution within six days. Given the increased use in clinical practice of drugs that may interfere with serotonin metabolism, the rising prevalence of mental health and the increasing use of illicit drugs, it is essential for anaesthetists to be aware of the potential for SS occurrence. Continue..

Survey on Anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Intensive Care Personnel during the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Medically Under-Resourced Country

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for intensive care personnel. Romania has a low number of physicians per inhabitant. The stress of pandemics upon an already weak medical health system triggered some psychological effects upon burnt-out personnel. The main objective is to provide an insight into the psychological status of Romanian ICU personnel by evaluating their level of anxiety. The secondary objectives aim to identify the level of post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety in different groups and to identify the personnel most affected psychologically. This study enrolled adult responders from the ICU of Târgu Mureș Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Romania, participating voluntarily. The evaluation tests were the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Post-Traumatic Stress Test. Out of the 126 eligible participants, 87 adult employees were enrolled—with a 69% response rate. The study comprised three groups: doctors, nurses, and auxiliary personnel. All three groups scored for moderate anxiety symptoms. COVID-19-related anxiety was strongly correlated with age and number of working years in all groups. Increased PTSD scores were observed in doctors and nurses. All ICU personnel who dealt with COVID-19 patients presented with moderate anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. The years of ICU experience had a positive impact on anxiety symptoms

The Relevance of Coding Gene Polymorphysms of Cytokines and Cellular Receptors in Sepsis

Sepsis is an injurious systemic host response to infection, which can often lead to septic shock and death. Recently, the immune-pathogenesis and genomics of sepsis have become a research topic focusing on the establishment of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. As yet, none have been identified as having the necessary specificity to be used independently of other factors in this respect. However the accumulation of current evidence regarding genetic variations, especially the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of cytokines and other innate immunity determinants, partially explains the susceptibility and individual differences of patients with regard to the evolution of sepsis. This article outlines the role of genetic variation of some serum proteins which have the potential to be used as biomarker values in evaluating sepsis susceptibility and the progression of the condition

Smoking in Teenagers from the Social Protection System—What Do We Know about It?

Background and Objectives: The impact of smoking on the young population is an extremely important issue for the public health system. As the prevalence of smoking is considerably increasing amongst the pubescent and adolescent population, the prevention of smoking at this age should be considered of high priority. The primary aim of this observational study was to assess tobacco use in teenagers included in the social protection system. Materials and Methods: 275 foster care teenagers (155 from the Professional Maternal Assistance System (AMP) and 120 from the residential system) from two different counties were enrolled. After a brief interactive session focused on the main consequences of smoking, a self-administered questionnaire was anonymously completed. Results: The mean age of the study group was 14 years, with a significant difference between the residential system and AMP (p = 0.001). Smoking status was significantly higher in participants from family-type houses (36.7%) than in those from the AMP (11.7%) (p < 0.001). The presence of smokers in the family (78.3%) and passive smoking (64.7%) were significantly higher in children from the residential system than in those from the AMP (32.9% and 31.8%, respectively) (p < 0.001). The number of cigarettes consumed daily was associated with the age of the participants (p = 0.01, rho 0.42). In total, 82.3% were cigarette users and 19.4% were e-cigarette users. Smokers bought the majority of their cigarettes from the store (63.2%) or asked a friend (19.3%) or an adult to buy them on their behalf (12.3%). Conclusions: The null hypothesis, according to which children who are abandoned but raised and cared for by professional nursing assistants are predisposed to earlier tobacco activity compared to children raised in a normal familiar environment, is supported. Future education and prevention campaigns conveying the benefits of a healthy long-term lifestyle to this population category are needed