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In recent years, the use of opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) during pregnancy has been a topic of much debate among clinicians. A frequent consequence of such therapy is neonatal abstinence syndrome in the newborn infant. This study aimed to investigate whether follow-up of these neonates was in line with national recommendations.

All maternity units in Norway were asked whether they treated neonates born to mothers in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT). 14 out of 42maternity units treated these patients in collaboration with neonatal units, while 28 units referred the patients onward. Altogether 13 of the 14 treatment units answered a questionnaire on the nature of the care received by neonates.

None of the hospitals treated more than ten neonates at risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome each year. All neonatal units used a standardised scoring form to assess the development of abstinence. When there was a need for pharmacological treatment, morphine was the first-line choice for all the units. All of them used non-pharmacological interventions. Observation time, procedures for dose reduction of pharmacological treatment and use of supplementary medication varied considerably between the units.

Key aspects of the management of neonates born to mothers in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) were practised in the same manner and in line with national recommendations. However, our study revealed differences between the hospitals, which overall represent a potential for improvement in the treatment of a vulnerable patient group.

Key aspects of the management of neonates born to mothers in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) were practised in the same manner and in line with national recommendations. However, our study revealed differences between the hospitals, which overall represent a potential for improvement in the treatment of a vulnerable patient group.

Neurosyphilis is a rare cause of vision loss that can mimic the presentation of other diseases, including giant cell arteritis.

A man in his sixties presented to the university hospital with a four-day history of right eye vision loss. He experienced a headache, myalgia and fatigue. Right eye vision was limited to finger counting at 2metres and a relative afferent pupillary defect was present. He was tender over the right temporal area and had a decreased pulse in the right temporal artery. A pink maculopapular rash was present on the trunk. Laboratory testing showed elevated inflammatory parameters with ESR 50. selleck inhibitor Ischaemic optic neuropathy caused by giant cell arteritis was suspected, and treatment with high dose steroids was initiated. Expanded history revealed travel to Thailand five months prior to presentation and unprotected sex with multiple female partners. A non-painful sore had developed on his penis that resolved after 14 days.

Neurosyphilis was suspected and the diagnosis was subsequently confirmed. The patient received appropriate antibiotic therapy, and four months later his vision had almost normalised.

Neurosyphilis was suspected and the diagnosis was subsequently confirmed. The patient received appropriate antibiotic therapy, and four months later his vision had almost normalised.

A BHR (Birmingham hip resurfacing) prosthesis was implanted in 445people in Norway. Adverse reactions can arise as a result of the release of metal ions from metal-on-metal joint surfaces made from cobalt-chromium alloy. The aim of the study was to analyse the release of metal ions during the first five years after surgery in patients with a BHR prosthesis and to investigate whether this was linked to clinical complications.

Forty-four male patients (median age 53 years) implanted with a BHR prosthesis at the Coastal Hospital at Hagevik in the period October 2009 to May 2013 were monitored by means of blood samples before implantation and three months, one year, three years and five years afterwards. Analyses of cobalt and chromium in whole blood were performed. Function scoring was used to clinically assess the prosthetic joint.

Metal ion concentrations increased between the surgery date and one year later (p < 0.001), and subsequently remained stable. After five years, the median concentrations (min.- max.) of cobalt and chromium were 1.1 µg/L (0.4-6.3 µg/L) and 1.4 µg/L (0.4-11.7 µg/L) respectively for unilateral prostheses (n = 36), and 2.3 µg/L (1.6-28.5 µg/L) and 2.6 µg/L (1.7-14.1 µg/L) respectively for bilateral prostheses (n = 8). Five patients underwent revision surgery, while other patients had good hip function.

Patients with a BHR prosthesis had a significant increase in cobalt and chromium in their blood one to five years after surgery, but the median levels were still well below the threshold value of 7 μg/L, which indicates an increased risk of complications.

Patients with a BHR prosthesis had a significant increase in cobalt and chromium in their blood one to five years after surgery, but the median levels were still well below the threshold value of 7 μg/L, which indicates an increased risk of complications.

Patients with atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter scheduled to undergo open heart surgery can receive ablation treatment of arrhythmogenic foci during the same intervention. Sinus rhythm is restored in the majority in the short term, but the long-term results are more uncertain. This study, which is part of the international CURE-AF trial, evaluates results after Cox-Maze IV surgery for atrial fibrillation in Norway at six-year follow-up.

Nineteen patients were included in this prospective cohort study. Atrial fibrillation had persisted for 40months in the group with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (n = 12) and 6months in the group with persistent atrial fibrillation (n = 7). Surgery for atrial fibrillation was performed according to the Cox-Maze IV procedure in the CURE-AF protocol. Follow-up in the first 12months was strictly according to the CURE-AF protocol, thereafter conducted by the primary health service.

Sinus rhythm was restored in 11patients at the time of discharge and in 14patients six months postoperatively. After 5-6 years of follow-up, all patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation had experienced recurrence. Two achieved sinus rhythm after electroconversion. Six of the seven in the group with persistent atrial fibrillation had sinus rhythm after 5-6 years.

The results were good initially, with restoration of sinus rhythm in more than two thirds of the patients after 6-9months. Five years later, a high recurrence rate was found in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. Several recurrences had not been detected by the public health service or treatment had not been attempted.

The results were good initially, with restoration of sinus rhythm in more than two thirds of the patients after 6-9 months. Five years later, a high recurrence rate was found in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. Several recurrences had not been detected by the public health service or treatment had not been attempted.