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  • Lohmann Lancaster posted an update 1 year, 4 months ago

    Occam’s Razor is a precept which invites one to consider the simplest and most unifying diagnosis as correct. In the modern era, clinical diagnosis remains critical in selecting appropriate therapies yet grows ever more complex with increased information from diagnostic technologies, but not always with sufficient granularity to answer the clinical question with certainty. We present an example of this dilemma in a patient with complex partial seizures on a background of pulmonary aspergillosis and historic clipping of a middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm.

    A 69-year-old female presented with progressive headaches, temporal lobe seizures, poor short-term memory and weight loss. She had suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage 22 years earlier requiring surgical repair of a right MCA aneurysm. She was treated for breast cancer in 2006 followed by pulmonary aspergilloma in 2014 for which systemic antifungals were discontinued due to toxicity. Imaging revealed a right temporal inflammatory lesion adjacent to th

    This case illustrates the importance of pathological diagnosis to guide therapy and reminds us that the occasional patient will encounter multiple, rare and unrelated diseases during their lifetime. A high index of suspicion is necessary in patients who have undergone surgical aneurysm repair involving muslin as it may be subject to secondary infection and or granuloma formation many years later.

    Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Programs (ICAPs) were first described in 2013 with an international survey documenting 12 unique programs. ICAPs involve high dose intervention delivered in both group and individual settings, targeting communication across impairment, functioning, participation, and contextual domains. 3-TYP concentration In this study, we aimed to investigate international growth in ICAPs.

    We developed a 43-item questionnaire expanding on the original 2013 version to investigate program modifications, activities, protocolised therapies, software and apps, and family involvement. The survey was disseminated to aphasia clinicians and researchers internationally (November 2019-February 2020).

    Thirty-nine unique respondents completed the survey from nine countries. Twenty-one met the criteria for an ICAP or modified ICAP (mICAP) 14 ICAPs; 7 mICAPs, and 13 of these were new programs. ICAPs differed from mICAPs with greater emphasis on group sessions, use of technology, total communication, advocacy, and art acts may face.

    The number and comprehensiveness of ICAPs has grown since 2013 with development of modified versions. Future research should focus on comparative efficacy of ICAPs/mICAPs and other forms of aphasia interventions and factors underpinning growth and sustainability.Implications for RehabilitationClinicians who coordinate or are considering commencing an ICAP in future can use these results to consider the design of their program.Coordinators should carefully consider the components of their ICAPs and advise consumers whether they meet the definition of an ICAP or a mICAP.With the increasing number of ICAPs across the globe, clinicians commencing an ICAP may wish to contact existing ICAPs within their country for advice.Program sustainability may be challenging and these results provide an indication of some of the key challenges coordinators may face.Sleep apnoea is common in patients with Basilar Invagination with Arnorld Chiari Malformation (ACM). Various studies have shown its incidence in the range of 60-70% among such patients. Most of the studies have shown improvement in sleep disturbances after decompressive surgeries for Chiari Malformations. There is no report of postoperative deterioration due to sleep apnoea in these patients. Authors report two cases of basilar invagination associated with ACM and Platybasia, who deteriorated probably due to worsening of pre-existing sleep disorders on 3rd and 7th postoperative days after their surgeries, despite clinico-radiological improvements during their early post-operative courses. Authors discuss literature related to sleep apnoea in basilar invagination associated with Chiari Malformations and share precautions, which are relevant and should be undertaken in such patients especially during early post-operative periods to avoid alarming complication which may occur even in experienced hands.

    Bronchiectasis is a growing global health problem.

    To evaluate the functional status of stable bronchiectasis patients recruited from a terciary hospital in Fortaleza, Brazil.The patients were submitted to spirometry, six minute walking test (6MWT), step test (6MST), measurement of fibrinogen,E-FACED scores(incorporates FEV1 ,age,colonisation by Pseudomonas,radiological extension, dyspnoea and exarcebation) and Duke Activity Status Index(DASI) test.Each item of DASI scored proportionally to the metabolic equivalentes(METs). The sum of DASI scores was applied for an estimation of oxygen consumption(VO2).

    The sample comprised 101 patients.Patients with post-tuberculosis bronchiectsis had the lowest level of functional parameters than those with others etiologies[DASI(19.9 ±10.9 vs 31.2±14.4 p<0.001); VO2 (18.1 ± 4.7 vs 23.1 ± 6.1 p< 0.001 respectively)]. DASI scores and estimated VO2 correlated with E-FACED(r= -0.44 p=0.001; and r= -0.44 p=0.001 respectively) and 6MST r= 0.37 p<0.001 and r=0.40 p<0.001 respectively).

    After multivariate analysis , bronchiectasis post-TB , E-FACED and 6MWT explained the impact on performance in bronchiectasis patients.

    After multivariate analysis , bronchiectasis post-TB , E-FACED and 6MWT explained the impact on performance in bronchiectasis patients.Poverty is a leading cause of numerous health and social inequities in the United States. Educators are increasingly searching for ways to create meaningful learning opportunities about poverty and its profound effect on individuals and communities. In this narrative, we explore our own perspectives as faculty who guide students through a simulated poverty experience. This essay unfolds primarily as a dialogue among us as we make sense of and clarify why we participate in the coordination and facilitation of poverty simulations on our campus and their anticipated benefits for future health care professionals and social service providers.