Benefit-finding among people with rheumatoid arthritis in Japan.

The realization of positive life influences resulting from the experience of chronic illness has been conceptualized as "benefit-finding". This study of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis in Japan aimed to describe the nature of benefit finding; examine its predictive social factors and evaluate its impact on mental health. A web-based questionnaire was conducted, with valid responses obtained from 364 persons aged 20-59 years. The results indicated that a majority of the participants reported engaging in some type of benefit-finding. "Developing compassion towards others" and "an appreciation of things not previously important" were the most commonly reported. The patients reporting larger emotional support networks and those performing more self-care activities reported achieving higher levels of benefit-finding. Of all the factors examined, benefit-finding was the most significant predictor of mental health. These results expand the base of knowledge regarding living with rheumatoid arthritis and offer practical suggestions for the promotion of well-being.

Pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type lymphoma with increased accumulation of fluorine 18-fluorodeoxyglucose on positron emission tomography.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type lymphoma has generally been thought not to show increased fluorine 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) accumulation on positron emission tomography (PET), based on previous research. Only a limited numbers of articles have been published on this topic, however, involving a small number of cases. Although positive FDG PET results might be uncommon in this entity, a case of increased FDG accumulation in a case of MALT type lymphoma of the lung is presented.

CT signs of hepatofugal portal venous flow in patients with cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether CT signs can be used to predict hepatofugal flow in the main portal vein in patients with cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified 36 patients with cirrhosis, 18 with hepatopetal and 18 with hepatofugal flow in the main portal vein, who underwent contemporaneous abdominal sonography and CT. Two independent observers evaluated the following features on the randomized CT studies: diameter of the portal, splenic, and superior mesenteric veins; spleen size; and the presence of ascites, varices, or arterial phase portal venous enhancement. These data were correlated with the flow direction seen on sonography. RESULTS: A small main portal vein was the only sign significantly (p

Are chest radiographs routinely necessary following thoracostomy tube removal?

OBJECTIVE: Chest radiographs (CXRs) are routinely obtained at many institutions in all pediatric patients following thoracostomy tube removal to search for pneumothorax (PTX). To aid in evaluating the necessity of this practice, this study investigates whether clinical signs and symptoms may be a sensitive predictor of PTX in such patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reports from CXRs obtained following chest tube removal in all pediatric patients (374 patients) who underwent cardiac surgery with chest tube placement over 1 year were reviewed. For cases with reported PTX, the PTX was quantified and chart review was performed to assess whether signs and symptoms of PTX preceded the CXR result. RESULTS: Fifty-one of 374 children (13.6%) had a radiographically defined PTX within 6 h after thoracostomy tube removal. The PTX was large (>40%) in 2 children, moderate (20-40%) in 5 children, and small (<20%) in 44 children. Symptoms (dyspnea, tachypnea, respiratory distress) or signs (increased oxygen requirement, worsening arterial blood gas and/or hypotension) of respiratory distress were present at the time of the initial CXR in six of seven patients, who later underwent a major clinical intervention, and in one patient who did not. Major clinical interventions were performed in all patients with a large PTX, four of five patients with a moderate PTX, and one patient with a small PTX that later enlarged. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical signs and symptoms identified nearly all patients with significant pneumothoraces. Future prospective investigations may examine reserving chest radiography following chest tube removal for select groups, such as symptomatic patients or those with tenuous cardiovascular status.