ABSTRACT
Purpose: To describe a patient receiving maintenance hemodialysis complicated with calcific uremic arteriolopathy (calciphylaxis) in whom ulcer pain control was successfully achieved by buprenorphine. Case: A 75-year-old man was admitted due to intractable, extreme pain, which was accompanied by skin ulcers of the lower extremities. By a series of examinations including skin biopsy, the lesion was diagnosed to be calcific uremic arteriolopathy. The pain was not controllable with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and even by the nerve block. Buprenorphine, a partial agonist for the opioid receptor, markedly alleviated the mixed pain which was attenuated from Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) 10/10 to 0-2/10. Conclusion: Buprenorphine was very effective for the refractory pain control in a patient with skin ulcer due to calcific uremic arteriolopathy.
ABSTRACT
A decrease in swallowing function growth may lead to drooling and a diminished quality of life in patients with tongue cancer. Common ways to counteract drooling include a reduction of fluid intake, and the administration of anticholinergics. These actions, however, may not often suppress drooling sufficiently. Here we report how the application of the formulation of scopolamine ointment near the mastoid process behind the ear resulted in the alleviation of drooling in a tongue cancer patient, after continuous intravenous scopolamine butylbromide infusion was unsuccessful. Dry mouth was noted as an adverse event, which was not problematic. Also, the ointment could be used without local dermatitis. Scopolamine ointment is much more convenient to use than continuous injection, suggesting the improved treatment for drooling in patients with tongue cancer.
ABSTRACT
<b>Purpose</b>: Since malodor of a malignant fungating wound decreases quality of life of patients, its management is important. Metronidazol ointment, clindamycin ointment, and cadexomer iodine ointment have been used for treatment of malodor of a malignant fungating wound because they have antibacterial activity for anaerobic bacteria. Nevertheless, management of malodor of a malignant fungating wound has been unsatisfactory and it needs improvement. <b>Methods</b>: A mixture ointment of clindamycin and cadexomer iodine was employed in a case with malodor of a malignant fungating wound that had not been successfully controlled by cadexomer iodine ointment. <b>Results</b>: Malodor and exudate of a malignant fungating wound reduced. In addition, no adverse event such as skin troubles was observed and it was used safely. <b>Conclusions</b>: It was suggested that the clindamycin-cadexomer iodine ointment was more effective for treatment of refractory malodor of a malignant fungating wound than cadexomer iodine ointment.
ABSTRACT
The Saku Central Hospital classified muscular relaxants, potassium products and the like as “high-risk medicines”, but when it came to insulin, did not take any standardized measure against it to prevent accidents. Having organized a team of personnel from a wide variety of job, our hospital has recently carried out a campaign for improvements in medical care. With pharmacists playing a leading role, we grappled with measures for the prevention of errors in the administration of insulin using quality control (QC) methods. As a consequence, the campaign served to decrease the number of medical mistakes. As there still occur many incidents involving medication, the role played in risk management by pharmacists remains significant. In future, pharmacists will hopefully play a constructive role in risk management to prevent medical incidents involving medical supplies. That said, a campaign for improvements inmedical care through the practical use of QC methods seems likely to bring about favorable results.