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BACKGROUND: Alpha-2-adrenergic agonists have peripheral analgesic effects. We have assessed the potential analgesic effect of dexmedetomidine after intra-articular administration in arthroscopic knee surgery. METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery were randomly assigned into three groups in a double-blind placebo controlled study. The control group received i.v. and intra-articular saline, the intra-articular group received i.v. saline and intra-articular dexmedetomidine, and the i.v. group received i.v. dexmedetomidine and intra-articular saline. Haemodynamic changes, pain visual analogue scale (VAS), sedation score, the time to first postoperative analgesic request, and the total postoperative analgesic use during the first 24 h were evaluated. RESULTS: Dexmedetomidine administration resulted in a significant reduction in pain scores for 6 h after operation in the intra-articular group but only for 1 h in the i.v. group. The time to first postoperative analgesic request was longer in the intra-articular group [312.0 (SD 120.7) min] compared with the control group [71.0 (50.1) min] and the i.v. group [102.1 (54.4) min] (P<0.001). Total diclofenac requirement was significantly lower in the intra-articular group [90.0 (46.2) mg] than in the control group [165.0 (52.2) mg] and in the i.v. group [129.3 (54.3) mg] (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular dexmedetomidine enhanced postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic knee surgery, with an increased time to first analgesic request and a decreased need for postoperative analgesia.

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BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread use of the continuity equation in the estimation of aortic valve area (AVA) in patients with aortic stenosis, it is subject to errors, time consuming, and can be technically demanding. As such, simpler methods of assessing aortic stenosis severity have been pursued. METHODS: The ejection fraction velocity ratio [EFVR = ejection fraction (%) / maximal aortic velocity (m/sec)] was compared to AVA determined with the continuity equation in 857 patients with aortic stenosis and varying degrees of LV systolic dysfunction. Severe aortic stenosis was defined as an AVA < 1.0 cm2. RESULTS: There was good to excellent correlation between our index and aortic valve area (P < 0.001 for each ejection fraction subgroup). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the EFVR functioned well with areas under the curve between 0.893 and 0.938. CONCLUSION: The EFVR is a simple noninvasive method for screening patients for an AVA of 1.0 cm2. It could be used as a screening test or in lieu of the continuity equation particularly when there is problematic measurement of either the LVOT diameter or velocity.

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There are currently 5706 patients receiving hemodialysis therapy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - a 15 fold increase when compared to 1983. The annual increase in the number of patients on dialysis for 1999 is 696 (10 fold increase when compared to 1983). Besides the massive increase in the number of patients in the last 20 years, we have noticed a marked increase in the mean age of patients (51.3 years in 1999 as compared to 37.9 years in the early 80s). Diabetes mellitus which was an insignificant contributory etiology (4%) in the early 80s is now a major cause (16-25%). Similarly mortality has increased from 4% annually to 11-14% annually. This is largely due to increasing age and prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Within the expired cohort the mean age was 62.3 years compared to 51.3 years of the total dialysis population, and diabetes mellitus was present in 60.5% in those who expired. Moreover, ischemic heart disease was diagnosed in 50% before death. Tuberculosis and Hepatitis C virus incidences, however, have not improved over the years but the degree of rehabilitation has, largely due to better hemoglobin level and due to the technological advances in dialysis delivery. This article describes these changes, their causes and implications.

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We present a case of pulmonary granular cell tumor (GCT). A 35-year-old man underwent pulmonary resection for metastatic testicular mixed germ cell tumor when two interlobar lymph nodes were found to be enlarged and abnormal. Intraoperative frozen section examination showed their involvement by GCT. Histologic examination of the lobectomy specimen showed a benign, predominantly hilar GCT as well as metastatic germ cell tumor. This location, with no endobronchial component and with extension into regional hilar lymph nodes, is unusual. The differential diagnosis and the association with the metastatic testicular cancer are discussed and the literature on pulmonary GCT is reviewed.

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BACKGROUND: Epithelial elements, such as trichoepithelioma, are occasionally associated with melanocytic nevi. OBJECTIVE: A case of trichoepithelioma in association with cellular blue nevus is reported. METHODS AND RESULTS: A solitary, pigmented nodule was removed from the scalp of a middle-aged woman. Histopathologic examination demonstrated a circumscribed cellular blue nevus within which were embedded epithelial strands and cystic structures consistent with trichoepithelioma. CONCLUSION: Trichoepitheliomas have been described in relation to common acquired nevi, but an association with a blue nevus is rare. The intimate admixture of trichoepithelioma within the nodule of a nevus supports the concept of epithelial induction by melanocytic nevi.

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