Subject(s)
Communication Barriers , Cultural Competency , Cultural Diversity , Hospitals, Urban , Language , Humans , London , TranslatingABSTRACT
This paper describes an experience with the Alphascope, a fibreoptic hysteroscopy system (Gynecare, Ethicon Women's Health and Urology). This prospective observational study was carried out at a tertiary hospital in Naples, Italy. The study population comprised patients undergoing outpatient hysteroscopy with the semi-rigid Versascope Hysteroscopy System using the Alphascope. 7-Fr gauge mechanical instruments and 5-Fr bipolar electrodes (Versapoint, Gynecare, Ethicon Inc., Somerville, NJ) were used for the operative procedures. Outpatient hysteroscopy was successful in 97% of cases. These were diagnostic in 41%, while operative hysteroscopy was performed in 59% of cases. The endoscopic view was subjectively defined by the operator as good/excellent in 95% of procedures. A total of 98% of patients expressed moderate/high degree of satisfaction and only 2% were dissatisfied. The system is successful in the outpatient setting in 95% of attempts.
Subject(s)
Hysteroscopes , Hysteroscopy/instrumentation , Ambulatory Care , Female , Humans , Hysteroscopy/adverse effects , Hysteroscopy/methods , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Pain/etiology , Pain Measurement , Patient Satisfaction/statistics & numerical data , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
Thyroiditis with hyperthyroidism is a recognized early complication of intrathyroidal irridiation by orally ingested radiolabeled iodine I 131, but has seldom been described following external delivery of radiotherapy to the thyroid bed. We treated a man who was initially seen with a clinical picture suggestive of hyperthyroidism after receiving a course of radiotherapy for tonsillar carcinoma. Laboratory studies and thyroidal radioiodine uptake confirmed the diagnosis of thyrotoxic thyroiditis, having onset within 2 weeks of completion of the course of radiotherapy. The literature concerning thyroiditis and thyroid function following external beam radiotherapy is reviewed. Because several of the clinical features of thyrotoxic thyroiditis may resemble those resulting from the cancer under treatment or complications of its therapy, we recommend evaluation of thyroid function at the conclusion of the course of radiotherapy and 2 weeks thereafter to exclude this self-limited and treatable cause of weight loss.
