Southern Medical Journal back issues from January 2006:
The SMA celebrates its centennial anniversary.(Editorial)(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2006; ... The practice of medicine has witnessed tremendous progress and dramatic changes during the past 100 years. Although the main goals of medicine as spelled out by Hippocrates to first do no harm, and second to do good, have not changed for the past 3 millennia, the practice of medicine ...
The "tako-tsubo" phenomenon and myocardial infarction.(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Over the past 10 years there has been increasing evidence that acute emotional stress can induce myocardial infarction (MI) in individuals without overt coronary artery disease. (1,2) The lay population has recognized this phenomenon for centuries, and phrases like "scared to death" and ...
Cardiac tamponade: still being newly described.(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2006; ... <Pre> "Medicine, to produce health, has to examine disease" --Plutarch c.46-c.119 </Pre> As clinicians, we are intrigued by unusual cases and challenged by rapid management decisions required by difficult diagnoses. This case presented by Conley et al (1) proves no exception and is ...
Patent foramen ovale.(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Patent foramen ovale is common in the general population and even more common in patients with cryptogenic stroke or stroke of unknown cause. The most common causes of stroke in people over the age of 50 are atherosclerosis and atrial fibrillation. In patients under the age of 50 who ...
Hydralazine-induced lupus.(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Nearly 50 years after the first published case report of hydralazine-induced lupus was described, (1) scientists are still grappling with the mysteries of drug-induced autoimmunity. (2) A drug-induced lupus-like syndrome may present with arthralgias, myalgias, fever, and ...
The role of inflammation in diabetes and its complications.(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2006; ... The contribution of inflammation to morbidity in the closely related conditions of cardiovascular disease, obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes has been the focus of extensive research and intense speculation over the past decade. (1,2) Many inflammatory markers such as ...
Fluctuating blood glucose levels in an elderly diabetic patient.(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2006; ... I read with great interest the letter by Bobba et al, (1) entitled "Hyperglycemia in an elderly diabetic patient: Drug-drug or drug-disease interaction?" in which an elderly patient experienced loss of glycemic control potentially due to the use of gatifloxacin, a newer fluoroquinolone ...
What we know about ourselves: changing attitudes about treating patients with substance use disorders.(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Patients with substance use disorders (SUD) are prevalent in most schools, hospitals, emergency departments, and in the criminal justice system. (1) Society has come more and more to view substance abuse and dependence as an illness and to implement programs that help people recover and ...
Pathological gambling.(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Over the past several decades, access to and participation in gambling has increased dramatically in this country. In 1996, gross revenues from gambling venues, an estimated $48 billion, were more than box office, cruise, record, sports, and concert revenues combined. By 2001, gambling ...
Antisperm antibodies and varicocele.(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2006; ... A male factor alone is responsible for greater than 20% of infertile couples and contributes to another 30 to 40% of cases. (1) The aim of the male infertility evaluation is to identify correctable causes, note irreversible conditions that are amenable to assisted reproductive techniques ...
Is ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block an underused anesthetic technique for inguinal herniorrhaphy?(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2006; ... The common anesthetic techniques for inguinal hernia herniorrhaphy in adult patients are general anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, and occasionally epidural anesthesia. Ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block has rarely been used as an anesthetic technique for hernia repair in adult ...
Drug-induced QT prolongation.(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2006; ... What do the following drugs all have in common?--grepafloxacin (Raxar), terfenadine (Seldane), cisapride (Propulsid), and astemizole (Hismanal). Each of these were once commercially available products, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat a variety of ailments ....
Hiding in plain sight: a new paradigm for "opportunistic infections".(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Kosseifi et al (1) presented a case of Aspergillus esophageal ulceration occurring in a man treated with radiation and chemotherapy for tracheal carcinoma. Although the patient was recognized as immunocompromised, two diagnostic procedures were needed to make the diagnosis, and several ...
Hydralazine-induced lupus: maintaining vigilance with increased use in patients with heart failure.(Original Article)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Objective: To review data concerning the incidence and danger of hydralazine-induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and review how best to monitor patients placed on chronic hydralazine therapy. Data Sources: Literature was sought utilizing PUBMED (1960 to present) and ...
Correlation of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and plasma fibrinogen with individual complications in patients with type 2 diabetes.(Original Article)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Objective: We investigated the correlation between acute-phase reactants, ie, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) or fibrinogen and diabetic complications. Methods: In 73 patients with type 2 diabetes, we investigated associations between both markers and carotid artery ...
Physicians-in-training attitudes toward caring for and working with patients with alcohol and drug abuse diagnoses.(Original Article)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Introduction: Physicians in all specialties commonly encounter patients who abuse alcohol or illegal drugs. Working with these patient populations can be challenging and potentially engender negative attitudes. This study is designed to identify the progression of attitudinal shifts over ...
Neuropsychological performance, impulsivity, and comorbid psychiatric illness in patients with pathological gambling undergoing treatment at the CORE inpatient treatment center.(Original Article)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Introduction: Pathologic gambling is a disorder with features that implicate abnormal functioning in brain regions involved in addiction, mood, anxiety, and impulse control disorders. Our goal was to examine brain function with neurocognitive tasks that target these brain regions in ...
Varicocele and antisperm antibody: fact or fiction?(Original Article)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Objective: To study the level of antisperm antibodies (ASAB) in the serum and semen of infertile men with varicocele before and 6 months after varicocelectomy. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective study of 81 infertile men undergoing microsurgical inguinal ...
Comparison of ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block versus spinal anesthesia for inguinal herniorrhaphy.(Original Article)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Objective: This study was carried out to determine the optimal anesthetic technique for use in elective herniorrhaphy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 126 inguinal hernia repairs. The patients were allocated to one of two groups: an ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block ...
Effect of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin on the QT interval: is this a significant "clinical" event?(Original Article)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Background: The widespread use of the fluoroquinolones has raised the question of the cardiac safety of these medications. This widespread use of this class of antibiotics has displayed their safety profile, which is actually more favorable than many other drug classes. The cardiac ...
Southern Medical Journal CME Topic: sleep apnea and cardiovascular consequences.(CME Topic)
Jan 01, 2006 ... Need Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common medical condition that occurs in a considerable percentage of the population. Substantial data shows that cardiovascular complications, such as increased incidence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and cardiac ...
Inflammatory aspects of sleep apnea and their cardiovascular consequences.(CME Topic)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Abstract: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common medical condition that occurs in a considerable percentage of the population. Substantial evidence shows that patients with OSA have an increased incidence of hypertension compared with individuals without OSA, and that OSA is a risk ...
CME questions: inflammatory aspects of sleep apnea and their cardiovascular consequences.(CME Topic)
Jan 01, 2006 ... 1. What cardiovascular complication is associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? a. Aortic aneurysm b. Pericarditis c. Pericardial tamponade d. Hypertension e. Ventricular rupture 2. Mechanisms leading to the ...
CME credit--January 2006; CME topic: sleep apnea and cardiovascular consequences.(CME Credit Submission and Evaluation Form)
Jan 01, 2006 ... To request a CME certificate, complete all sections of this form and mail it with a check (payable to SMA) to: SMA, Attn: SMJ CME, PO Box 190088, Birmingham, AL 35219-0088. Deadline to ...
A rare case of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy complicated by a left ventricular thrombus.(Case Report)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Abstract: Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare stress-related cardiomyopathy usually seen in postmenopausal women after an emotional stressor. Patients generally present with angina-like substernal chest pain. The electrocardiogram (ECG) shows ST segment elevation or T wave inversions ...
Complete heart block and cardiac tamponade secondary to Merkel cell carcinoma cardiac metastases.(Case Report)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Abstract: This is a unique case of Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare neuroendocrine tumor, metastasizing to the heart and inducing a progression of cardiac complications such as new-onset atrial fibrillation, malignant pericardial effusion with tamponade physiology, first-degree heart block, ...
Refractory hypoxemia in right ventricular infarction: a case report.(Case Report)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Abstract: Right ventricular infarction has many clinical features. Although hypoxemia is a common presenting symptom with multiple causes in the setting of myocardial infarction, the authors present a case resulting from an acute right-to-left shunt secondary to a previously dormant patent ...
Acute pericarditis and renal failure complicating acute hepatitis A infection.(Case Report)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Abstract: Hepatitis A infection may result in acute hepatitis, and rarely, fulminant hepatitis may ensue. Extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis A are uncommon. The authors present the case of a 77-year-old male who had development of acute renal failure and pericarditis during the ...
Treatment of painful neuroma of amputated phalanx with distal toe transfer: a case report.(Case Report)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Abstract: A painful neuroma in the amputation stump of a finger can be psychologically and physically disabling. Numerous surgical procedures have been attempted to prevent and treat amputation neuromas of the finger, but the results are inconsistent. Microsurgical transfer of the distal ...
Multiple adverse effects of pyridium: a case report.(Case Report)
Jan 01, 2006; ... Abstract: Pyridium (phenazopyridine hydrochloride) is often prescribed as an analgesic in patients following trauma, surgery, or infections of the urinary tract. Pyridium toxicity has been previously reported, however, most cases result in a single adverse effect. Herein the authors ...
Breast cancer metastasis to the gasserian ganglion.(Letters to the Editor)
Jan 01, 2006; ... To the Editor: In an autopsy study of 309 patients with breast carcinoma metastases to the central nervous system, the brain was most frequently affected, followed by the meninges and the spinal cord. (1) In this letter, we describe a patient with breast cancer who had metastatic tumor in ...
Hyperglycemia in an elderly diabetic patient: drug-drug or drug-disease interaction?(Letters to the Editor)
Jan 01, 2006; ... To the Editor: The use of gatifloxacin is increasing as the result of convenient dosing and efficacy in a wide range of infectious diseases. Gatifloxacin is generally well tolerated; however, recently there have been several reports of alterations in glucose levels in patients receiving ...
Serum lipid profile in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia.(Letters to the Editor)
Jan 01, 2006; ... To the Editor: Clinical studies have suggested that atherosclerosis is also associated with reduced bone density. Data propose that lipid oxidation, which plays such a central role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, may also promote osteoporosis, thereby linking lipid metabolism and ...
Response to hypoglycemia--an enigmatic dilemma.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
Jan 01, 2006; ... I agree with Dr. Ranjodh Gill, author of the editorial published in the July 2005 issue of the Southern Medical Journal entitled "Hypoglycemia--An Enigmatic Dilemma," that "for best diagnostic yield, patients should undergo testing during an episode of spontaneous hypoglycemia." (1) In ...
Extreme hyperkalemia.(Letters to the Editor)
Jan 01, 2006; ... To the Editor: Hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism was one of the postulated mechanisms mediating hyperkalemia in the case report by Dr. H. A. Tran published in the July 2005 issue of the Southern Medical Journal. (1) I would add that emergency treatment of intractable hyperkalemia should ...
Primary sternal osteomyelitis caused by Actinomyces israelii.(Letters to the Editor)
Jan 01, 2006; ... To the Editor: Primary sternal osteomyelitis (PSO) is a rare entity. Diagnosis is usually difficult due to the nonspecific clinical picture and late radiological findings. We describe a case of PSO due to Actinomyces israelii and how ultrasonography (US). CT, and MRI helped to make the ...
Distribution of pleural effusion in congestive heart failure.(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2006; ... To the Editor: The recent article by Woodring questioned the classic statement of predominantly right-sided pleural effusions in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), on the basis of a study of 120 patients whose cardiac pleural effusions were equally distributed between the right ...
Localized amyloidosis of cardiac and skeletal muscle: investigate promptly where it manifests.(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2006; ... To the Editor: A negative biopsy may not rule out amyloidosis, as seen in the following case. We report the case of a patient with cardiac and muscular manifestations of amyloidosis, who had a normal rectal mucosal biopsy. The diagnosis of amyloidosis was only established at autopsy. ...
Pedometer-measured walking and risk factors for disease.(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2006; ... To the Editor: Research documenting the health benefits of exercise is convincing, but finding ways to encourage sedentary patients to become more active remains a challenge. Adherence to vigorous, structured exercise programs is particularly low. One generally inactive subgroup is older ...
Errata.(Correction Notice)
Jan 01, 2006 ... In the December 2005 issue two author's names were misspelled. In the Table of Contents, the first author under "Religious Awareness Training for Medical Students: Effect on the Clinical Behavior" should have read John T. Chibnall. The author of the "Selected Annotated Bibliography" (South ...
Medical webwatch.
Jan 01, 2006; ... It is well worth registering for a free subscription to the professional edition of Medcyclopaedia http://www.amershamhealth.com/medcyclopaedia/medical/index.asp from Amersham Health. This encyclopedia of medical imaging contains in excess of 18,000 key words that accompany more than ...
The patient's page.(Southern Medical Association)
Jan 01, 2006; ... One Hundred Years of the Southern Medical Association This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Southern Medical Association. In 1906, the SMA was founded, with the goal of providing quality continuing medical education for physicians, particularly in the South. A lot has ...