Plain abdominal radiographs and acute abdominal pain

In this study we audited one district general hospital's current practice of performing abdominal X-ray [AXR] in adult patients with acute abdominal pain. Data was collected from patients' notes one day post-admission and a total of 100 consecutive cases were reviewed in a two month period. AXR were deemed unnecessary in 53% of these in view of the patients' clinical presentation. Inappropriate use of AXR is a source of preventable radiation, patient discomfort and also an aspect of financial burden on the NHS. By educating staff, introducing an A and E poster and departmental protocol, the use of AXR can be restricted to necessary cases only

Spilled gall stone during lapchole; A novel method of percutaneous calculi removal from the abdominal cavity

aliassarian@yahoo.com Spillage of gallstones has been reported during 7% of laparoscopic cholecystectomies. When associated with infected bile, this can cause intra-abdominal abscess formation resistant to simple drainage. In these cases laparotomy is usually indicated. We found few previous reports of percutaneous gallstone removal from the abdominal cavity, one of which used lithotripsy for stone extraction. We describe another successful case of percutaneous intra-abdominal gallstone removal using lithotripsy

Prosthetic joint infection due to Haemophilus aphrophilus

A case of prosthetic joint infection due to Haemophilus aphrophilus is presented. A 76-year-old woman, with a long history of pain in her left hip and raised inflammatory markers, underwent prosthetic joint excision. Six samples of pus and tissue were taken from the joint and Haemophilus aphrophilus was cultured from 3 of these specimens. We review the clinical and microbiological findings. Treatment with ciprofloxacin after removal of the prosthesis resulted in clinical improvement