Australasian Medical Journal
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Pediatric nuclear medicine studies and administered radiopharmaceutical activities at a tertiary hospital: A contrast with activities based on European Association of Nuclear Medicine Dosage Card
No full textBackground Pediatric nuclear medicine studies provides information regarding the physiological and molecular processes hence may play a significant role in diagnosis of child ailments. However, quantification of appropriate pediatric activities may present challenges. Aims To investigated the types of pediatric studies and administered pediatric radiopharmaceuticals activities (ARAs) at tertiary hospital (TH) with the view of comparing ARAs with corresponding values calculated using the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) Dosage Card (version 5.7.2016). Methods Archived pediatric patients’ data (weight, age, type of nuclear medicine study and corresponding ARAs), were documented for all studies undertaken from 2012-2015. For each nuclear medicine study conducted, corresponding ARAs were calculated using the EANM Dosage card (version 5.7.2016). ARAs per kilogram were calculated for each patient using both dosing guidelines and then compared. Results The most commonly conducted pediatric nuclear medicine studies included bone scans, thyroid scans, renal scans, HIDA scans, MIBG scans and gastroesophageal reflux scans. The mean ARAs per kilogram were; bone scans (57.7 vs 9.6 MBq/kg), thyroid scans (7.0 vs 1.5 MBq/kg), renal scans (13.9 vs 3.2 MBq/kg), 99mT-HIDA scans (13.7 vs 5.8 MBq/kg), MIBG scans (15.5 vs 9.8 MBq/kg), gastroesophageal reflux scans (2.1 vs 1.1 MBq/kg), following the TH guidelines and the EANM Dosage card respectively. The EANM Dosage card guaranteed low variability of ARAs compared to the TH guidelines. Conclusion The EANM guidelines guarantees that children are administered with low radiopharmaceutical activities. Administering low activities to children is important because the risk of cancer induction becomes minimal
Unheard voices – Perceptions of African traditional health practitioners on their healing systems and the national regulatory framework
Get PDFBackgroundThe abolition of the Witchcraft Suppression Act of 1957 and the declaration of the Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) Act (No 22 of 2007) was key in efforts to recognise THPs. Concerns over the safety of products, practices and therapies used by THPs attracted calls for regulations, giving birth to the 2015 regulatory framework.AimsThis paper aims to describe THP perceptions on their healing systems and the regulatory framework.Methods The qualitative research approach used involved focus group discussions sampled from five Kwazulu-Natal district municipalities. 50 Participants were recruited using district THP councils and a snowballing technique. Data collection tools included case summaries and a focus group discussion guide. Data was analysed using Braun & Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis framework (2017).Results Themes identified included THPs’ recognition of traditional healing as an ancestral calling and this would complicate regulating them based on demographical requirements, that ancestors do not recognise. Most of the registration requirements were perceived as undermining African beliefs. THPs expressed that the registration requirements used colonization techniques to enforce registration and used registration as a tax collection instrument. Every participant acknowledged that registration would assist in their recognition and legitimization.ConclusionGenerally unhappy about the registration requirements, which will complicate their regulation. The issue of self-regulation would certainly warrant further research especially since obeying ancestors and ancestral spirits supersedes any law or order. For an appropriate THP regulation process, the perceptions, and recommendations of THPs would have to be catered for. If regulations fail to respect and recognise THPs, they could regulate them into oblivion. Therefore, further research to refine nuances from what has been shared from the studied FGDs is warranted
Coronary Artery Bypass grafting (CABG) versus Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) in the treatment of multivessel coronary disease
Get PDFBackgroundRevascularization for patients who suffer multivessel coronary artery disease is a common procedure around the world. Taking United about 700,000 patients have multivessel coronary revascularization per year ¼ of these patients are diagnosed with diabetes. AimsTo summarize the current evidence that compare CABG to PCI in multivessel coronary disease in form of cardiac death, stroke, MI and unplanned devascularization.Methods This is a systematic review was carried out, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and EBSCO that examining randomized trials of treatment of multivessel coronary disease to summarize the major RCT concerning this topic.Results The review included five randomized studies that compare coronary artery bypass grafting and percutaneous coronary intervention. The findings showed that CABG show better result with less mortality rate.ConclusionThis review concluded that there revascularization in treating coronary artery disease could be conducted either by CABG or PCI, CABG show better result as it cause less death, MI and revascularization rates, but the usage of new additions such as second generation DES, can also improve the safety and efficacy of PCI when added to it
Palliative radiotherapy for treating fungating breast cancer - A powerful treatment modality
Get PDFAlthough early detection of breast cancer has increased over many decades, locally advanced breast cancers still occur, and they present a difficult clinical condition to manage. They often have significant associated symptoms, such as bleeding, pain and malodour, which can impact on quality of life. Unfortunately, there are often few curative options for their management.We describe the case of a patient with a fungating breast cancer managed with high dose palliative radiotherapy, achieving good, durable local control and symptomatic relief. This case report highlights the effectiveness of a treatment often underutilised
Announcement of issue release
No full textWe are pleased to bring you the eigth issue of 2021. Along with few original papers and case studies, for this issue we decided to acknowledge the contributions during this COVID-19 pandemic
Editor’s Note
Get PDFWe would like to appreciate your interest and supports towards the AMJ. We understand the tough times that everyone is facing during this pandemic, but we assure you that we do our best to provide you the quality review process at a regular pace. With that in mind, we would like to express our sincere thanks to the AMJ editorial team who evaluate papers, manage the publication process and respond to authors
Impact of health education on knowledge and attitude of school teachers regarding cervical cancer, HPV vaccine and cervical cancer screening
Get PDFBackgroundCervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancer yet it is the third most common Gynaecological cancer worldwide due to lack of knowledge of the risk factors, screening methods and preventive measures.AimsAs teachers play a vital role in spreading awareness among community via educating the young minds. This study aims at assessing the knowledge of the school teachers regarding the risk factors, preventive measures, screening methods and HPV vaccination and the impact of health education on their attitude.MethodsAn interventional study where a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire was given to the participants and their knowledge and attitude pre and post health education session was assessed.ResultsIn the study 85.5% of the participants were postgraduate and above yet only 5.5% of their family members were vaccinated for HPV. Only 36.4% had heard about HPV infection and 22.7% were aware of HPV Vaccine. Around 60.9% had heard about cervical cancer. Out of all 34.5% had heard about the screening for cervical cancer. 61.8% had never got the health checkups done and 85.5% had never got the Paps smear done. It was seen that the number of participants who scored more than 75% both knowledge (10% to 82.7%) as well as attitude (54.5% to 66.4%) increased significantly after health education session.ConclusionIncreasing knowledge about the risk factors, early screening and adherence to preventive strategies can significantly minimize burden of morbidity and mortalities associated with cervical cancer
A Case Of Dengue Fever Associated With Acute Scrotal Oedema
Get PDFIn Southeast Asia, dengue fever (DF) is endemic. Dengue fever is caused by the flaviviridae virus, that is spread due to the bite of an mosquito which is infected, Aedes aegypti. Dengue fever can aggravated by dengue haemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. Encephalitis, meningitis, hepatitis, acalculous cholecystitis, appendicitis, pancreatitis, parotitis, myocarditis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, pleural effusion, ascites, and scrotal and penile oedema are some of the conditions that can cause it. Dengue has spread over Africa, Americas,Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia,Western Pacific, with disease being endemic in over hundred countries. Most adversely suffered regions are Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. Dengue fever is estimated to affect fifty million people all over the world annually, by the data provided by world health organization. A significant increase in urban populations is exposing an increasing number of individuals to this vector, particularly in locations where mosquito breeding is frequent, like domestic water storage common & other waste disposal systems are insufficient. Reasons behind etiopathological consequences of dengue fever and severe dengue illness is unknown. In an endemic location, it has been observed that sequential manifestation by any 2 of the 4 serotypes of dengue virus causes DHF/DSS. Antibodies generated during the initial infection are thought to be capable of neutralizing a second viral infection of the same serotype. Symptomatic treatment is used. Because of the danger of bleeding, aspirin should be avoided. In individuals with shock, volume replacement and blood transfusions may be necessary. Mortality rates are less than 1% with intensive care support. Corticosteroids have yet to be demonstrated to be useful. This is a case report of 18 year old male with dengue hemorrhagic fever & thrombocytopenia with right sided hydrocele
