ABSTRACT
This report presents an obstetric patient with no significant past medical history who underwent spinal anaesthesia for a category-three caesarean section. On examination, she had asymmetrical scapular alignment and a mild scoliosis of the lumbar spine with no functional limitation. Postoperatively the patient developed neuropathic pain symptoms in the right leg which failed to resolve with conventional analgesia. Cervical and lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging was performed resulting in a diagnosis of a low-lying tethered spinal cord terminating at the level of L5 and congenital fusion of the C7/T1 vertebrae. A tethered spinal cord is a rare condition, which in this case had been completely asymptomatic. However, we suggest that the patient displayed musculoskeletal signs not previously widely reported, which could have indicated the presence of a potential underlying neural tube defect. Based on the imaging findings and the presence of Sprengel's deformity, the patient was diagnosed with Klippel-Feil syndrome.
ABSTRACT
An improved synthesis of the molecule SR 48692 is presented and its use as a neurotensin antagonist biological probe for use in cancer research is described. The preparation includes an number of enhanced chemical conversions and strategies to overcome some of the limiting synthetic transformations in the original chemical route.
Subject(s)
Neurotensin/antagonists & inhibitors , Pyrazoles/chemical synthesis , Quinolines/chemical synthesis , Cell Line, Tumor , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Humans , Male , Molecular Structure , Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Pyrazoles/chemistry , Quinolines/chemistryABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To gain an insight into patients' perceptions and experiences of larval therapy. METHOD: A phenomenological approach was adopted in which six patients who recently had had larval therapy were interviewed using an open, unstructured approach in two hospital settings. Data analysis was loosely based on Colaizzi's structured analysis technique. RESULTS: Five themes emerged: past experiences of wounds leads to expectations of recurrence and a reduced quality of life; living with a chronic wound led to feelings of hopelessness; the skills and expertise of the nurse made patients feel hopeful; being informed helped patients to choose whether or not to have the therapy; the experience of larval therapy was not as scary as imagined. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that, although initially repellent, larval therapy is acceptable once treatment starts. The nurse-patient relationship was a significant factor in acceptance, along with autonomy and informed choice.
