Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Cot death

This article has some interesting local statistics and some helpful tips from the Malta Paediatric Association.

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-07-16/news/sharing-bed-with-babies-could-lead-to-cot-death-2086535169/

Malta Paediatric Association website - link here

Sunday, July 07, 2013

Interview with Dr Steve M. Cordina

Dr Steve Cordina is a gozitan doctor who was in the news recently for performing life saving brain surgery on an 8 month old baby in the United States, full story here. I asked him a few questions on his career and on this particular operation.
 
How long ago did you leave Malta? 9 years ago

What is your specialty and what attracted you to it? I am a stroke and interventional neurologist – which give me the ability to perform radiological procedures on patients with neurovascular disease. I was always attracted to interventional radiology as well as neurology and this was for me an ideal way to combine the two.

What made you choose the US for your studies? The US is at the forefront of medical research, and it made sense for me to go there.

Was it hard settling in a new country? Very. We had to start afresh.  The distances to family meant that we were physically isolated. Having young children, with no outside help makes you really appreciate the support families provide.

Can you describe the procedure you carried out on Carley and what difficulties it posed? It can be best described as transarterial embolization. The feeder arteries to the vein of Galen malformation were accessed individually by microcatheter using transfemoral access. Once each feeder was accessed, the flow was stopped using a combination of detachable platinum coils and liquid embolic material (Onyx).

How common is this condition? It is rare, comprising 30% of the paediatric vascular and 1% of all paediatric congenital anomalies.

Are there any signs one can look out for to detect the condition early? Usually it is diagnosed by foetal ultrasound before birth. Undetected, it leads to developmental disability and multiple organ dysfunction due to the high flow state that it creates.

Finally, what advice would you give to any of our readers who might want to choose a career path similar to yours? Do not be discouraged by the long training period that it involves. It is worth it in the end.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Mobile phones...any effects on health?

Mobile phones emit a form of radiation called radiofrequency energy. This energy can be absorbed by tissues close by, causing the cells to use up glucose more rapidly.

This phenomenon has raised concerns regarding the possibility this radiation might cause cancers. Several studies have been undertaken in this regard, most of which have failed to show an association between mobile phone use and the risk of getting cancer. Nonetheless studies about this potential risk are continuing.

Individuals concerned about exposure to this form of radiation can take steps to reduce exposure, namely using mobile phones for as short a time as possible and when a landline is not available, using an earpiece, and limiting the use of mobile phones by children.

Tuesday, June 04, 2013

Brain eating amoeba

A rare disease, to be kept in mind when swimming in fresh water bodies (e.g. swimming pools). Link below.

http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/

Monday, May 27, 2013

Stem cells and stroke

A recent study has given hope to stroke sufferers that stem cells might offer some benefits. However I have reservations on the source of the cells used in the study. See link below for full story.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22646103

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Q fever, the basics



Mode of transmission of the causative bacterium : Coxiella burnetii



Problems caused by Q fever