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Artificial Nutrition and Hydration (ANH): Is it Really What you Want?

Artificial Nutrition and Hydration (ANH): Is it Really What you Want?

Teaser: 

Dr.Michael Gordon Michael Gordon, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Medical Program Director, Palliative Care, Baycrest Geriatric Health Care System, Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.

Abstract
The use of artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) has become relatively commonplace. With the development of the PEG years ago, the difficulties that surrounded the use of naso-gastric feeding tubes have all but disappeared. However, the clinical, ethical and legal aspects of ANH have replaced issues of procedural techniques and the discomfort experienced by older patients when the nasogastric tubes were used for prolonged periods. Many in the field of aging and long-term care in particular are particularly sensitive to the long-term implications for the patient and family once ANH is implemented. The issues of starting such intervention when its discontinuation may cause moral conflict, legal challenges and for many who are believers religious conundrums must be considered especially when such decisions are being made during a period of crises and clinical uncertainty.
Key Words: artificial nutrition, hydration, long-term care, implications.

Prescribing Antibiotics to Patients with Acne

Prescribing Antibiotics to Patients with Acne

Members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada may claim one non-certified credit per hour for this non-certified educational program.

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Teaser: 

Shannon Humphrey, MD, FRCPC, FAAD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of Continuing Medical Education, Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Abstract
The pathogenesis of acne is tied to Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), an anaerobic bacteria. There has been a dramatic rise in resistance to antibiotics that are usually prescribed to treat acne. Given resistance to antibiotic therapy can occur in more pathogenic bacteria than P. acnes, and the fact that a rise in pathogenic P. acnes has been reported, the development of antibiotic resistance in acne is a public health matter globally. Clinical practice guidelines are aiming to curb the further development of antibiotic resistance without detracting from effective management of both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne.
Key Words: acne vulgaris, antibiotic resistance, benzoyl peroxide, anti-inflammatory, sub-antimicrobial dosing.

A Case of Large Nasal Vestibular Mass presenting with Nasal Obstruction and Epistaxis

A Case of Large Nasal Vestibular Mass presenting with Nasal Obstruction and Epistaxis

Members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada may claim one non-certified credit per hour for this non-certified educational program.

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Teaser: 

P.K. Shenoy, MD, FRCS, DLO, FACS, ENT Service Chief, Campbellton Regional Hospital, Campbellton, NB, Canada.

Dr. Lyew Warren, MD, FRCSC, Consultant Pathologist, Campbellton Regional Hospital, Campbellton, New Brunswick, Canada.

Abstract
Nasal vestibular mass are not commonly seen in ENT practice. We are presenting a patient with a large right nasal vestibular mass, who complained of nasal obstruction and epistaxis. Differential diagnosis of the similar growths in the nasal vestibule with their pathology and the treatment options, have been reviewed from the literature.
Key Words: Nasal vestibular mass, papilloma, 0 and 30 degree endoscopes, lateral rhinotomy.

Beyond Rasouli: What has the Supreme Court said about Late-Stage Dementia and Continued Life-maintaining Treatment?

Beyond Rasouli: What has the Supreme Court said about Late-Stage Dementia and Continued Life-maintaining Treatment?

Teaser: 

Dr.Michael Gordon Michael Gordon, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Medical Program Director, Palliative Care, Baycrest Geriatric Health Care System, Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.

Abstract
With the rapidly increasing numbers of elders in North American Society, the prevalence of those living with dementia is clearly on the increase. According to the most recent document provided by the Alzheimer Society of Canada, The Rising Tide the growth in the numbers of those living with dementia will increase from 480,600 in 2008 (1.5% of Canada's population) to in the year 2038—1,125,200 people with dementia (2.8% of Canada's population).1 All the challenges that Canadian society faces with this growing population merely mirror the enormous complexities that those living with dementia, their families and health care professional providers must increasingly contend with. Government policy makers must find ways to address this increasing population in which Dementia plays a prominent role. The result of the Supreme Court ruling on the Rasouli case has major potential implication for those facing the later stages of dementia and those under whose care members of this population will be entrusted.
Key Words: dementia, aging population, substitute decision makers.

Discolouration of the Tongue

Discolouration of the Tongue

Members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada may claim one non-certified credit per hour for this non-certified educational program.

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Teaser: 

Francesca Cheung, MD CCFP, is a family physician with a special interest in dermatology. She received the Diploma in Practical Dermatology from the Department of Dermatology at Cardiff University in Wales, UK. She is practising at the Lynde Centre for Dermatology in Markham, Ontario and works closely with Dr. Charles Lynde, MD FRCPC, an experienced dermatologist. In addition to providing direct patient care, she acts as a sub-investigator in multiple clinical studies involving psoriasis, onychomycosis, and acne.

Abstract
Hairy tongue, or known as lingua villosa, is a result of hypertrophy, elongation, and defective desquamation of the filiform papillae of the tongue. This condition may present in a variety of colors depending on the specific etiology. Etiologies of hairy tongue include poor oral hygiene, lack of mechanical stimulation and debridement of the tongue, the use of medications (especially broad-spectrum antibiotics), and therapeutic radiation of the head and the neck. This condition is also commonly seen in people having high consumption in coffee and tea, heavy use of tobacco, individuals addicted to drugs, patients who are HIV positive, and intravenous drug users. In most cases, non-pharmacologic interventions are used for the management of hairy tongue. Treatment involves brushing the tongue with a toothbrush or using a commercially available tongue scraper to retard the growth or to remove elongated filiform papillae. If Candida albicans is present, topical antifungal medications are used for patients who are symptomatic.
Key Words:
Hairy tongue, Lingua villosa, Glossopyrosis, Halitosis.

Treatment of a Patient with HBeAg-negative Chronic Hepatitis B

Treatment of a Patient with HBeAg-negative Chronic Hepatitis B

Teaser: 

Ian PUN, MD, Family Physician, Scarborough, Ontario with help from Anthony Vu, 4th Year student, University of Toronto undergraduate life science, Rob Myers, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Hepatologist, and Director of the Viral Hepatitis Clinic at the University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.

Abstract
It is estimated that there are 350 million world wide carriers of the hepatitis B virus, mostly coming from Asia (Lai et al., 2005). With immigration of Chinese into Western countries, hepatitis B is now becoming established in countries where it was previously uncommon. Chronic hepatitis B infection is a prevalent disease especially in the Toronto and Vancouver areas where most Asians live. Fortunately, over the past decade effective anti-viral treatments have become available. Chronic hepatitis B is mostly an asymptomatic disease, therefore, serological and imaging tests should be used to identify, follow and treat those considered high risk.
Key Words: HBV DNA (hepatitis B DNA), cirrhosis, anti-viral tenofovir, FibroScan.

Clinico-Pathological Quiz

Clinico-Pathological Quiz

Members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada may claim one non-certified credit per hour for this non-certified educational program.

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Teaser: 

Dr. Pradeep Shenoy, MD, DLO, FRCS, FACS, is the ENT service chief, Campbellton Regional Hospital, Campbellton, New Brunswick, Canada.
Dr. Lyew Warren, MD, FRCSC, Consultant Pathologist, Campbellton Regional Hospital, Campbellton, New Brunswick, Canada.

Abstract
A case of a fleshy, granular, pedunculated growth from the oral cavity will be presented. A differential diagnosis of similar growths from the oral cavity and the treatment options will be discussed.
Key Words: congenital epulis, epulis fissuratum, granular cell tumour, immunohistochemistry S-100, vimentin, neurone specific enolase, CO2 laser excision.

A Strange Looking Toenail

A Strange Looking Toenail

Members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada may claim one non-certified credit per hour for this non-certified educational program.

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Teaser: 

Francesca Cheung, MD CCFP, is a family physician with a special interest in dermatology. She received the Diploma in Practical Dermatology from the Department of Dermatology at Cardiff University in Wales, UK. She is practising at the Lynde Centre for Dermatology in Markham, Ontario and works closely with Dr. Charles Lynde, MD FRCPC, an experienced dermatologist. In addition to providing direct patient care, she acts as a sub-investigator in multiple clinical studies involving psoriasis, onychomycosis, and acne.

Abstract
Green nail syndrome is a paronychia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The affected toenail may show discoloration that ranges from greenish-yellow, greenish-brown, and greenish-black. Differential diagnosis includes other conditions causing nail plate discolouration such as subungual hematoma, malignant melanoma or infections by other pathogens including Aspergillus, Candida, and Proteus. Gram stain and culture of the subungual scrapings confirm the diagnosis of suspected pseudomonas aeruginoa infection. Topical antibiotics, such as bacitracin, silver sulfadiazine, or gentamicin, applied 2 to 4 times daily will treat most patients within 1 to 4 months. Oral ciprofloxacin for 2 to 3 weeks has been successful in treating patents who fail topical therapies.

Identification of Potential or Preclinical Cognitive Impairment and the Implications of Sophisticated Screening with Biomarkers and Cognitive Testing

Identification of Potential or Preclinical Cognitive Impairment and the Implications of Sophisticated Screening with Biomarkers and Cognitive Testing

Teaser: 

Dr.Michael Gordon Michael Gordon, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Medical Program Director, Palliative Care, Baycrest Geriatric Health Care System, Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.

The last decade has seen an enormous growth in the interest in the recognition of and intervention in those diagnosed and living with the whole range of cognitive impairment and frank dementia. In the western world, the recognition of the impact on patients, families, health care systems, and societies that dementia poses has led to great efforts to help define the indicators for current and future dementia with the intention to treat those already afflicted even with the primarily symptomatic medications that exist and to recognize those at future risk with the hope of providing counselling to forestall its future development. The idea of "early diagnosis" appears at first glance to be attractive for the purposes of future planning and research studies, but it is not clear what the benefits and risks might be if screening processes define people at risk when beneficial interventions might not yet be determined. The ethical as well as financial implications must be explored and defined before implementation of such screening becomes a normal standard of practice.practice.
Key Words: cognitive impairment, dementia, screening, biomarkers, cognitive testing.

Cholesteatoma with Right Facial Paralysis A Case Report

Cholesteatoma with Right Facial Paralysis A Case Report

Members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada may claim one non-certified credit per hour for this non-certified educational program.

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Teaser: 

P.K. Shenoy, MD, FRCS, DLO, FACS, ENT Service Chief, Campbellton Regional Hospital, Campbellton, NB, Canada.

Dr.K.B.Bali, MBBS, MS, FACS, Senior ENT Specialist,
Al Ain Hospital, Al Ain, UAE.

Abstract
Cholesteatoma is a benign growth of skin in abnormal location such as the middle ear or the petrous apex which is located deep in the inner ear and is known to cause a variety of complications. We describe a patient with a cholesteatoma who had right facial paresis that improved after the removal of the cholesteatoma. Review of the literature regarding cholesteatoma is discussed.
Key Words: cholesteatoma, labrynthine fistula, facial paresis, attic defect, primary acquired, secondary acquired.