Biomedical subjects

R Chitkara

Publications and source records attributed to R Chitkara.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Tuberculosis prevention project.

This article reports the findings from a clinical study that examined the impact of health education and counseling on the decision of a patient infected with tuberculosis (TB) to complete a regimen of isoniazid (INH) chemoprophylaxis for 6 months to prevent TB. Forty patients were divided into two groups; both groups were administered a questionnaire to collect demographic data and medical history. One group received additional health education and counseling independent of clinic staff, and the other group only received health education and counseling from clinic staff. The proportion of patients in the first group who completed INH for 6 months (63.6%) was significantly greater than the proportion of patients in the second group (11.1%). These findings suggest that health education and counseling did make an impact on the decision of a patient infected with TB to conform with a rational choice when provided with information and a supportive relationship about the consequences of TB infection.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Empyema due to ventriculopleural shunt.

Empyema developing seven weeks after craniotomy in a 62-year-old black woman with an ipsilateral ventriculopleural (V-PL) shunt is described. Infection of the pleural space presumably resulted from transfer of organisms from a proximal V-PL shunt infection to the thorax. Empyema resulting from V-PL shunt infection has not previously been reported. Pleural effusions in patients with V-PL shunts must be considered as a potential site of infection with possible development of empyema.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts↗

PubMed1978

Intravenous self-administration of metallic mercury in attempted suicide. Report of a case with serial roentgenographic and physiologic studies over an 18-month period.

This report describes a 23-year-old white man who injected metallic mercury from a thermometer into his antecubital vein in an attempt at suicide. Despite the persistence of mercury throughout both pulmonary fields on chest x-ray films over an 18-month period of observation, no clinical or physiologic derangement of pulmonary function has developed. In addition, no clinical or biochemical evidence of acute or chronic mercury poisoning in any other organ has appeared during these 18 months, even though metallic mercury is seen in the abdominal viscera on roentgenographic examination. The literature on suicidal and accidental poisoning with metallic mercury is reviewed.

Adult↗