LAC+USC Medical Center

About: LAC+USC Medical Center is a healthcare organization based out in Los Angeles, California, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 1348 authors who have published 886 publications receiving 21927 citations. The organization is also known as: County/USC & Los Angeles County General.

Myocardial sarcoidosis: a review.

Abstract: Although, the diagnosis of myocardial sarcoidosis is difficult to establish clinically, the heart may be involved at autopsy in upto a third of cases of sarcoidosis. Cardiac sarcoidosis may remain occult, may present with arrhythmia, or may even cause sudden death. In order to avoid a diagnostic oversight, sarcoid heart disease should be considered in any patient with unexplained heart block, cardiac arrhythmia, or heart failure.

Laparoscopic splenectomy for hairy cell leukemia in pregnancy.

Abstract: Objective. We present a successful case of laparoscopic splenectomy for a massively enlarged spleen at 25 weeks of gestation for hairy cell leukemia in pregnancy in a woman with initial hemoglobin of 4.3 gm/dl and platelet count of 18,000/mm3. Study Design. Case report. Results. This report provides an approach to management that may be applicable in those cases where thrombocytopenia or other clinical imperatives preclude delaying treatment till after pregnancy. Conclusion. Hairy cell leukemia is a clonal B-Cell malignancy, for which there is very limited experience worldwide for its management when it occurs during pregnancy. Laparoscopic splenectomy should be considered as a therapeutic option, even with a significantly enlarged spleen, in order to avoid the risks of fetal exposure to chemotherapeutic agents. Unique considerations relating to pregnancy are highlighted.

Reversible visual loss due to impacted lateral orbital wall fractures.

Abstract: Impaction of the sharp medial edge of the orbital plate of the greater sphenoid wing into the orbital apex is a unique type of lateral orbital wall fracture that can produce a potentially reversible optic neuropathy. Two patients in whom the lateral or temporal approach to the orbit was used to reduce this type of fracture will be presented. In both patients, improvement in vision appeared to be related to removal of a bone fragment compressing the optic nerve in the orbital apex.

Model for drug usage review in a hospital

Abstract: A five-component conceptual model for drug usage review is discussed as it applies to hospitals. The components of the model are: (1) authority, (2) operational and demographic characteristics of the delivery system and the population served, respectively, (3) the existing profile of drug usage, (4) standards of appropriateness and review of drug usage, and (5) scheme of evaluation to measure the impact of review. A drug usage review program in a hospital should: (1) improve the level of patient care and often reduce the cost of care, (2) improve the management and use of hospital resources, (3) clarify the drug component of patient care and better integrate pharmaceutical services with other hospital services, and (4) improve the fact-finding capacity that can help identify and solve hospital problems.