05.08.2021: Anterior shoulder dislocation can occur in connection with a traumatic event or as a result of an anatomical predisposition. A traumatic dislocation can damage stabilising structures, which can predispose an individual to recurrent dislocations. People under the age of 30 and those who participate in contact sports are particularly susceptible, and can consequently incur further damage to the stabilising structures. Patients in these categories should be considered for surgical treatment at an early stage. The shoulder joint is the body's most mobile joint and is therefore particularly prone...

02.06.2021: Spinal cord stimulation with weak electric current is a neuromodulatory treatment suitable for subgroups of patients with chronic neuropathic pain and certain other pain conditions. Neuropathic pain can reduce quality of life, and the effectiveness of pharmacological treatment is often limited. Studies of spinal cord stimulation have shown significant pain relief and improved functioning at group level, and recent years have seen the development of new stimulation methods which are currently under evaluation. Pain relief upon electrical stimulation of the spinal cord, first described in a case...

07.04.2021: Many medicines prescribed for older patients have an unintended anticholinergic effect in addition to the primary intended effect. This may lead to adverse reactions such as dizziness and memory loss, particularly in older people. Before prescribing new medicines, it is therefore important to assess the total anticholinergic burden by means of specific screening tools, such as AGS Beers Criteria® and the STOPP/START criteria. If the anticholinergic burden is high, drugs should be replaced or discontinued. Medicines with anticholinergic properties are regularly prescribed for older and often...

11.01.2021: Thrombocytopaenia is defined as a platelet count of < 150 · 109/L and occurs frequently in the critically ill. The condition arises as a result of the reduced production or increased destruction or consumption of platelets. Thrombocytopaenia in critically ill patients is often the result of multiple pathophysiological mechanisms, and these must be identified if the prognosis is to be determined and appropriate treatment provided. Thrombocytopaenia occurs frequently in the critically ill, and often has several underlying causes. This article provides an overview of thrombocytopaenia in...

03.09.2020: Thyroid nodules are common. As a result of increased use of diagnostic imaging, more nodules are detected as incidental findings. The great majority of them are benign and need no treatment. Systematic ultrasonography performed by a skilled doctor, possibly combined with cytology sampling, will to a large extent determine which nodules require follow-up. Thyroid nodules are common. As a result of increased use of diagnostic imaging, more nodules are detected as incidental findings. The great majority of them are benign and need no treatment. Systematic ultrasonography performed by a skilled...

23.06.2020: Excision of skin lesions takes place regularly in general practice. The procedure is simple, but correct execution depends on a knowledge of skin anatomy and basic surgical principles. This article presents indications for excision of skin lesions and a recommended method based on clinical experience and relevant literature. The method can be used on both pigmented and non-pigmented lesions. Seborrheic keratoses are not discussed (1). The contents of the article apply to the primary health service. Indication Skin lesions are excised with a view to obtaining a histological diagnosis. Pigmented...

17.06.2020: As the pandemic has been unfolding, reports have emerged of a relatively high incidence of coagulopathy and thromboembolic events in connection with COVID-19 infections. Raised awareness surrounding this issue, and appropriate antithrombotic prophylaxis and treatment, are therefore important for this group of patients. The COVID-19 pandemic has dominated the medical debate in recent months, and has impacted all aspects of society (1). SARS-CoV-2 is a virus of the Corona group which primarily attacks the respiratory epithelium and can result in acute respiratory distress syndrome. In extreme...

28.04.2020: Odontogenic infections are infections that originate in the teeth and/or their supporting tissues. Such infections are common, and a large proportion of infections of the head and neck region are of odontogenic origin. Most odontogenic infections cause mild signs and symptoms, but they can also develop into serious conditions. This article provides an overview of the most common pathogenic microbes in the oral cavity, the most frequently occurring odontogenic infections, and the treatment and potential complications of the latter. The article is based on a non-systematic search in PubMed, plus...

23.04.2020: Frail elderly patients with multimorbidity are at high risk of serious illness and death in cases of corona virus infection. Unlike 'normal deaths' in nursing homes with time to prepare, the condition can change rapidly and cause organ failure. In this article we describe palliative non-invasive and invasive interventions for frail elderly patients in nursing homes who are dying due to COVID-19. COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) is communicable and may cause infections in all age groups of the population, but frail, elderly and multimorbid patients are vulnerable and at high risk of serious illness and...

30.01.2020: Patients in intensive care have increased nutritional needs but are often incapable of eating independently. When should intravenous parenteral nutrition be started, and what is the optimal dose? Here we review the recently updated European guidelines on nutritional support in intensive care patients. During critical illness, the body is in a hypercatabolic state in which muscle mass and energy stores are depleted and nutrients are used at a high rate (1). This catabolic state manifests clinically as weight loss, sarcopenia and undernutrition. This has been shown to prolong stays in intensive...