Management of wedge vertebra: a case report

Article Abstract:

The condition known as 'wedge vertebra' is a congenital defect that develops between the third and fifth weeks of embryo development. It is caused by the failure of the vertebrae to grow and reunite in a proper manner. This results in partially developed and deformed vertebrae. This article describes the case report of a 28-year-old woman with wedge vertebra and scoliosis. The woman had an accident that caused trauma to her right shoulder and lower back. The initial symptoms were shoulder and lower back pain that was aggravated by sitting, standing, walking, bending, twisting, lifting, and coughing. She had headaches, blurred vision, muscle stiffness and spasms in her neck, restricted movement of the right shoulder, and numbness in her right arm, hand, leg and foot; symptoms of fatigue, depression, irritability, insomnia and tension also developed. X-rays of the spine showed no signs of fracture or trauma-related injury, and normal bone density. However, a moderate scoliosis (curvature of the spine) was detected in the upper back, and a severe scoliosis and wedge vertebra were seen in the lower (lumbar) region of the spine. The patient was treated by a chiropractor with daily adjustments until the pain was gone. Ice was used during the first 48 hours of treatment, and high voltage stimulation was used to treat the muscle spasms. Follow-up adjustments were performed three times a week for four weeks, and then once a month for the next four months. This case report demonstrates that when two or more different defects in the spine occur together, they can cause compensatory changes that may lead to further complications. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Abnormalities, Complications and side effects, Vertebrae, Spine, Scoliosis

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Report of the Council on Scientific Affairs: ultrasonic imaging of the heart: report of the Ultrasonography Task Force

Article Abstract:

A report is presented from the Council on Scientific Affairs of the American Medical Association concerning the diagnostic use of ultrasonography in cardiology. The kinds of ultrasound applied to cardiology include M-mode echocardiography (which studies moving structures), Doppler methods (to evaluate blood flow in the heart's chambers and the large vessels attached to the heart), and Doppler methods combined with two-dimensional anatomic imaging. Evaluations are presented of cardiac ultrasound to evaluate coronary artery disease (disease of the arteries that supply blood to the heart); disease of the heart valves (which separate the chambers from each other, and the great vessels from the chambers); congenital heart disease; disease of the pericardium (the sac that surrounds the heart) and myocardium (the heart muscle); masses, such as those associated with infections or malignancy, around and in the heart; and abnormalities of the aorta and aortic arch (blood flows through the aorta as it is pumped from the heart). Specialized uses of cardiac ultrasonography are also discussed: some of these are echocardiography during surgery; imaging of the coronary arteries; and fetal echocardiography. This noninvasive approach can dramatically reduce the number of patients with congenital defects or valve disorders who must undergo cardiac catheterization (insertion of a thin tube into the heart, through which dye is injected to visualize structures). More invasive techniques are often used, however, in cases where coronary artery disease is suspected. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Reports, Heart diseases, Echocardiography, Ultrasonics in medicine, Medical ultrasonics, Doppler echocardiography, Diagnosis, Ultrasonic, Diagnostic ultrasonography, American Medical Association. Council on Scientific Affairs

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OH Lead Body report 'inaccurate and entirely misleading'

Article Abstract:

Concern has been expressed over the publication of the Occupational Health and Safety Lead Body's (OHSLB) preliminary report on OH nursing and occupational medicine. Its listing of medical schools and colleges as training centres for OH nurses, instead of polytechnics and the Royal College of Nursing, is said to be erroneous. The English National Board for Nursiing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (ENB), is also concerned that the contents could lead to the end of OH nursing as a career specialty.

Training, Industrial nursing, Occupational health nursing

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