People who are diagnosed with treatment resistant schizophrenia (TRS) are likely to have clozapine as a therapeutic management option. There is a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients receiving clozapine. To mitigate against this, monitoring of weight, waist circumference, lipid profile, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and blood pressure (BP) is recommended. The aims of this study were to examine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and whether any variables were correlated with its development, and to highlight any opportunities for the pharmacist to offer support. This study was conducted in an urban hospital and its associated Clozapine Clinic in Cork, Ireland. A retrospective audit assessed the prevalence of metabolic syndrome using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they were aged 18 years or more, registered with the Clozapine Clinic, and had the capacity to provide informed consent. All data were entered into Microsoft® Excel ® (Microsoft Corporation) and further statistical analysis was undertaken using R, t-tests, Fisher's Exact Test and Mann-Whitney U tests as appropriate, and p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of 145 patients (32% female; mean age (SD) 45.3 (±11.7) years; 86.2% living independently/in family home), nearly two thirds (n = 86, 59.3%) were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. The mean age of participants with metabolic syndrome was 44.4 years (SD = 10.8), similar to the 46.6 years (SD = 12.8) for those without. Variables that were identified to be statistically significantly associated with metabolic syndrome included waist circumference, weight, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), BP, FBG and HbA1c. The high incidence of metabolic syndrome in this patient population highlights the need for continued physical health monitoring of these patients to ameliorate the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound and fluoroscopic-guided aspiration and therapeutic injection of Baker's cysts in the relief of pain and pressure symptoms. Methods: A retrospective, observational, single-arm study of consecutive patients referred from the Orthopaedic service for image-guided aspiration followed by therapeutic injection of symptomatic Baker's cysts was performed with institutional approval in the context of a Quality Improvement project. Patients' pain was graded using a 10-point Likert scale. Under standard sterile conditions, a 10 cm 5 Fr Yueh centesis needle was advanced into the cyst under direct ultrasound guidance, septae disrupted as necessary, the contents of the cyst aspirated, and a sample sent for microbiological analysis. Bursography was performed in an attempt to identify the expected communication with the knee joint, the contrast was aspirated and 40 mg of DepoMedrone and 5 ml of Bupivacaine were injected. Results: Thirteen patients were referred, nine of whom satisfied the inclusion criteria (all female, average age 63.8 years). Over a 35-month period, 11 procedures were performed (bilateral in 1, repeated in another) yielding an average volume of 20.1 ml (range 10 - 50 mls). In 2/11 procedures the communication with the knee joint was outlined. The average follow up post-procedure was 8.3 months. The average patient's pain score reduced to zero from 5.7 for an average period of 5.96 months. After this period patients reported a gradual return of an ache, but none returned to the pre-procedure severity which, in some cases, had prevented them from sleeping. Conclusion: Aspiration of symptomatic Baker's cysts under Ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance followed by therapeutic injection of DepoMedrone and Bupivacaine leads to a durable reduction in pain symptoms in a majority of patients.

The role of secondary care providers in detecting melanoma has been poorly explored. Our recent study identified that patients with thick melanomas were seen in secondary care in the year prior to their melanoma diagnosis. In this era of reduced skin cancer referrals and heightened public anxiety, it is more important than ever that health professionals are equipped with the knowledge to identify atypical skin lesions to facilitate earlier detection and treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of awareness of skin cancer among health and social care professionals in secondary care and to facilitate education sessions on skin cancer awareness.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin condition in childhood. Most (50-60%) children with AD report sleep disturbance, which is secondary to itch, dry skin, inflammation, and abnormal circadian rhythm. Sleep is essential for brain development, learning, and growth. Sleep disruption in early life is associated with cognitive and psychological dysfunction in later life. The aim of this study is to describe in detail the sleep architecture of infants with early-onset atopic dermatitis (AD), compared to controls, by using EEG polysomnography, sleep actigraphy, and parental reporting. Methods: This observational study will recruit six- to eight-month old infants with moderate to severe AD and age-matched control infants who do not have AD. At six-eight months diurnal sleep electroencephalography and polysomnography will be performed in our research center. Nocturnal sleep actigraphy will be performed at home for five consecutive nights at six-eight months and 12 months. Between six and 12 months, monthly questionnaires will capture data on quantitative sleep and parental sleep. Skin barrier and immune profiles will be captured at six-eight and 12 months. AD will be assessed using standardized severity assessment tools and treated according to protocol. A neurodevelopmental assessment will be performed at 18 months to assess cognition and behaviour. An estimated sample size of 50 participants in each group is required to power the primary outcome of disturbed macrostructure of sleep and secondary outcomes of disturbed microstructure of sleep, and disturbed parental sleep, assuming an attrition rate of 60%. Potential confounding factors which will be controlled for in the data analysis will include parental educational level, parental depression, feeding practice, and number of siblings. Discussion: This study will provide a rich analysis of sleep in infants with AD in the first year of life using detailed electroencephalography, novel actigraphy techniques, and longitudinal parent-reported data. It may provide guidance on the optimal treatment of AD to prevent or reduce sleep disruption. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov NCT05031754 , retrospectively registered on September 2nd, 2021.

Porokeratotic adnexal ostial nevus (PAON) is a term encompassing porokeratotic eccrine ostial and dermal duct naevus (PEODDN) and porokeratotic eccrine and hair follicle naevus (PEHFN). We present the case of a 7‐year‐old girl who presented with hyperkeratotic verrucous papules in a blaschkolinear distribution on the sole of her left foot.

Background / Problem Identified: Chest pain is one of the most common reasons for people attending the emergency department (ED). As there are many causes of chest pain, the physician has the responsibility of ruling out serious and potentially life threatening conditions such as acute myocardial infarction (MI), aortic dissection or pulmonary embolism (PE). Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is one of the most common presentations in acute hospital settings. Cardiac troponin (TnI) is the preferred biomarker for the detection of myocardial injury. High sensitivity assays can detect elevated levels of TnI (above the 99th percentile of an apparently healthy reference population) within 3 hours after the onset of chest pain. It is particularly of value for the cohort of patients who have ACS, without typical features. For example diabetic patients, the very elderly or those with asymptomatic ACS. However if troponin is used incorrectly and without true clinical context then it can be elevated in a number of non cardiac conditions which can lead to a false clinical diagnosis, inappropriate workup and an increased patient stay in hospital. It was felt that an excessive amount of troponin tests were being requested especially in the ED so an audit was carried out to examine patterns of troponin requesting and to determine if troponin tests are requested appropriately from the ED in MUH and if the timings of the repeat requests were appropriate.

Background / Problem Identified: A high volume of patients with undifferentiated diagnoses attend the Emergency Department complicated by high acuity and risk of deterioration. This risk increased during the pandemic when the department was divided into single rooms for isolation reducing the level of visual observation. The challenge was keeping these patients safe behind the closed doors. We needed to enhance communication within the multidisciplinary team to create a safer environment for both staff and patients. The issue of unrecognised deterioration or failure to escalate is identified as a risk to patient safety.

Background / Problem Identified: What is a tracheostomy tube? A tracheostomy tube is an artificial airway inserted through the neck into the trachea to allow a more direct access for ventilation. What is a Passy Muir speaking valve? A Passy Muir speaking valve is a one-way valve which can be placed over the end of tracheostomy hub to redirect airflow into the upper airways when the tracheostomy cuff is deflated, allowing air to flow through vocal folds and facilitating verbal communication in patients with tracheostomy. What is mechanical ventilation? Mechanical ventilation is the technique through which gas is moved towards and from the lungs through an external device connected directly to a patient. What is involved in using a speaking valve in line with mechanical ventilation? Speaking valves can be used in line with ventilators but requires deflation of tracheostomy cuff to allow leaked expiratory air to travel through the vocal folds to facilitate speech. This has implications in measuring expired tidal volume and potential loss of lung volume. Project Background: Increased numbers of patients requiring tracheostomy in last 2 years in MUH. More complex cohort of patients requiring tracheostomy with prolonged length of weaning from mechanical ventilation and protracted ICU stay. Implications of protracted ICU admission: - significant impact to patient with increased risk of ICU delirium - psychological impacts to patient including frustration, anxiety, low mood, poor engagement with rehabilitation. - increased morbidity. - impacts negatively on patient flow and bed management. - high financial cost to MUH - impacts on staff morale. Current practice in MUH: Speaking valves are utilised in patients with tracheostomy who have weaned from mechanical ventilation but have not yet been decannulated (tracheostomy tube removal). This results in a period when patients are conscious, alert and unable to communicate verbally. Practices in larger critical care facilities have progressed to use of speaking valves in line with ventilators (SVILV). Benefits of speaking valve: Benefits of speaking valve (on ventilated/non-ventilated patients) are well recognised. These include restoration of speech, improved swallow function and reduced aspiration risk. Benefits of SVILV: Benefits include primarily earlier restoration of verbal communication. In addition, it can expedite weaning from mechanical ventilation by re-establishing physiological PEEP (Positive End Expiratory Pressure) which improves arterial oxygenation, improved secretion management by enabling a stronger, more effective cough and increased end expiratory lung impedance.

Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the liver are uncommon cystic lesions of the liver, most commonly seen in women in the fifth decade of life. We present a case of a 16-year-old girl with an incidentally discovered abdominal mass while undergoing a tonsillectomy. Investigation revealed a multiloculated, septated 17 × 17 × 11 cm cystic lesion arising from the left lobe of the liver, with displacement of the remaining upper abdominal viscera. Serum Ca19.9 was significantly elevated at 2256 U/ml (range 0–37), but other bloods including liver function tests, alphafoetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen were within normal limits. We proceeded to open formal left hemi-hepatectomy. Histology was consistent with a diagnosis of mucinous cystic neoplasm with low-grade intra-epithelial neoplasia.