Colonoscopy and colonography: back to the roots.

"Colonoscopy" and "colonography" refer to the endoscopic and radiological examination of the colon respectively. Medical terminology constructs words using original roots from the source languages, which are often Greek or Latin. The word root is the fundamental portion of the term. Multiplication of modern tests and procedures has led to confusion in the application of word roots in medical terminology. This short review (1) analyzes, (2) challenges the established terms "colonoscopy" and "colonography", and (3) proposes a wording adherent to the rules of terminology in order to avoid confusion.

[Multiresistant bacteria colonisation in rehabilitation units]. / Colonisation à bactéries multirésistantes en service de médecine physique et réadaptation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the management of multiresistant bacteria infection in French rehabilitation units. We e-mailed a questionnaire to French rehabilitation practitioners asking them what they did and what they knew about multiresistant bacteria colonisation. Their answers are described and analysed. We received 60 answers representing most of the country's rehabilitation centers. Routine screening was rare, but multiresistant bacteria were often looked for when certain risk factors were present. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and multiresistant enterobacteria were the usual target germs. In general, respondents asked for evidence-based recommendations that are also applicable without too great a prejudice (for the rehabilitation as well as for the psychological state) for a patient hospitalised in a rehabilitation unit. The legal risks and the costs involved are also to be tested. Many questions lay unanswered, although the literature is rich in descriptions of this area. The opposition between the medical advice of isolation and the readaptation objectives of a rehabilitation unit are strong. This study aims to highlight the most important uncertainties so as to promote prospective studies and enlighten the legal authorities.

Cardiac hypertrophy and how it may break an athlete's heart--the Cypriot case.

AIMS: This is a case report of an athlete whose professional football career was transiently terminated because of the presumed diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS: The diagnosis was based on electrocardiographic repolarisation changes. The ECGs, treadmill exercise tests (Bruce protocol) and echo examinations at the time of his active training and several years after termination of his professional career are discussed. No hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was documented by ultrasound examination. CONCLUSIONS: The distinction between physiological athlete's heart and pathological conditions has critical implications for professional athletes. Criteria and guidelines for screening of athletes in competitive sports are recommended.