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Purpose: To present the results of occupational radiation doses investigated through a national survey promoted by the National Society of Interventional Radiology in Spain., Materials and Methods: The monthly dosimetric records of 28 interventional radiologists from 10 hospitals were analyzed and filtered to remove inconsistent dosimeter readings. The evaluation of the results includes different workloads as well as different radiation protection habits., Results: Poor use of personal dosimetry by some interventional radiologists was brought to light. Most professionals do not use an over-apron dosimeter as recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Ceiling-suspended protective screens are used irregularly in many cases. All interventionalists perform digital subtraction angiographic imaging from a control room in more than 80% of procedures. The maximum monthly doses recorded were 3.8 mSv under the apron, 20.2 mSv over the apron, and 63.1 mSv to the hands., Conclusions: For under-apron and hand readings, extrapolated median values were below 30% of annual dose limits, but in the case of over-apron readings, the extrapolated median dose was higher than the newly recommended limit for the eye lens of 20 mSv per year. This study mainly highlights the need to use radiation protection tools and personal dosimeters to protect staff and monitor eye lens doses., (Copyright © 2012 SIR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The measurement of the intellectual capacity (IC) in schizophrenic patients has been found to be of clinical relevance. A user-friendly tool such as the Cattell's intelligence test might facilitate this measurement in daily clinical practice., Method: In this study, we measured the intelligence quotient (IQ) using Cattell's test in 35 schizophrenic patients before and after treatment with risperidone., Results: At baseline, the sample showed an average intelligence of 78.3 points (standard deviation [SD]: 14.3), in the low-medium range. After 1 year on risperidone, the IQ significantly improved (mean: 84.8; SD: 17.0; p = 0.028). This IQ elevation was positively correlated with the improvement in the psychotic symptoms rated with the PANSS., Conclusions: Cattell's intelligence test could be a valid instrument to measure cognitive performance in schizophrenic patients. Antipsychotic therapy with risperidone could be effective to improve cognitive functioning in these subjects.

The design of a national dose protocol for interventional radiology has been one of the tasks during the European SENTINEL Coordination Action. The present paper describes the pilot experience carried out in cooperation with the Spanish Society on Vascular and Interventional Radiology (SERVEI). A prospective sample of procedures was initially agreed. A common quality control of the X-ray systems was carried out, including calibration of the air kerma area product (KAP) meters. Occupational doses of the radiologists involved in the survey were also included in the survey. A total of 10 Spanish hospitals with interventional X-ray units were involved. Six hundred and sixty-four patient dose data were collected from 397 diagnostic and 267 therapeutic procedures. Occupational doses were evaluated in a sample of 635 values. The obtained KAP median/mean values (Gy.cm2) for the gathered procedures were: biliary drainage (30.6/68.9), fistulography (4.5/9.8), lower limb arteriography (52.2/60.7), hepatic chemoembolisation (175.8/218.3), iliac stent (45.9/73.2) and renal arteriography (39.1/59.8). Occupational doses (mean monthly values, in mSv) were 1.9 (over apron); 0.3 (under apron) and 4.5 (on hands). With this National experience, a protocol was agreed among the SENTINEL partners to conduct future similar surveys in other European countries.

Objective: To determine the incidence of streptococcal pharyngitis in patients younger than 2 years of age, and to evaluate the role of group C streptococci as a pathogenic agent in acute pharyngitis through throat culture in symptomatic patients., Material and Methods: We performed a retrospective descriptive study of patients with clinical symptoms of acute pharyngitis and fast detection of streptococcal antigen and/or exudate culture who attended the emergency department between February 2004 and February 2005., Results: Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GAS) was isolated by pharyngeal culture in 85 patients aged less than 2 years (12.6%). In these patients the fast test displayed lower sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) (sensitivity: 78%; PPV: 69%, p < 0.01). Patients aged less than 2 years had a greater frequency fever, exanthema and catarrhal symptoms than older children (p < 0.01). In the younger age group, erythromycin resistance rates increased to 24.7% (p = 0.08). Group C streptococcus was isolated in 5.2% (43 patients). The most frequent reason for consultation was fever (74.4%) and the most common findings on examination were abnormal pharynx in 90.7%, odynophagia and adenopathies in 55.8%. Two incidence peaks (in May and September) were observed, with sporadic cases throughout the year., Conclusions: In our sample, the percentage of GAS in patients aged less than 2 years was higher than that reported in other series. In this age group, the sensitivity of the fast test is lower than in other age groups and there is a higher rate of erythromycin resistance. The percentage of tonsillitis due to serotype C was also slightly higher than expected. Two peaks of incidence were observed, similar to those occurring with SGA, with sporadic cases throughout the year.

We analyze which drugs of those administered through an enteral nutrition tube, present problems which are inherent to the pharmaceutical forms. The study is conducted with a sample of 40 patients who have a feeding tube, who received a total of 48 different medications. 38 (78.3%) were in a solid pharmaceutical form, and 10 (21.7%) were liquid. Among the most used medications, ranitidine stands out in 12 patients, paracetamol in 8, and phenytoin in 7. We note the use of the solid forms of phenytoin, nifedipine, and controlled release morphine, as having the greatest interest due to their contraindication. For all the studied cases, we propose alternatives and we note those drugs for which we did not find any. The hospitalary pharmaceutical guides should include liquid pharmaceutical forms of those drugs which should not be ground up. There is little information on the wards about the administration of drugs through feeding tubes.