Symptomatic arthritic involvement of the sternoclavicular joint is relatively uncommon and can be a result of distant trauma, infection, and sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis, post-menopausal arthritis, condensing osteitis of the proximal clavicle,…
Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and renal artery bypass surgery are the most effective means of treating renal vascular disease and the hypertension it causes. Selection of the most appropriate treatment depends on the nature of the underlying…
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most common inherited disorder in this country, is more than just a renal disease. Major extrarenal sites are the cardiovascular system, liver, and GI tract. The most devastating…
Hypomagnesemia may be caused by renal losses (often related to drugs or diabetes), inadequate intake or inadequate intestinal absorption. Manifestations may include arrhythmias, particularly during myocardial ischemia or with digitalis use, and such…
Four cases histories illustrate the process of defining the cause of hyponatremia: Categorize the patient's volume status; determine kidney function and kidney's response to volume stimulus; measure urine osmolality; consider other factors, including…
Precipitants of hyperkalemia include diabetes, certain medications (eg, NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors), tissue injury, and hormonal abnormalities. Hyperkalemia alters the extracellular to intracellular potassium gradient, which decreases the resting…
Superficial fungal infections are easily managed once the proper diagnosis is made. However, misdiagnosis is not uncommon, and many standard approaches to treatment popular just a few years ago are now out of date or in need of refinement. Through…
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and NSAIDs are among the drugs most commonly associated with acute renal failure (ARF). Patients at risk for ACE inhibitor-induced ARF include those with congestive heart failure (CHF) or compromised…
OBJECTIVES: To assess the specificity of dactylitis for the diagnosis of spondyloarthropathy, sarcoidosis, and gout; and to characterize dactylitis specifically associated with gout. METHODS: Dactylitis was prospectively assessed among all…
BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in trauma patients. Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) directed ICU management is recommended for patients with severe TBI. It, however, requires an invasive device…
The interpretation of acid-base data can be greatly facilitated by applying five rules: (1) use the blood gas to identify acidemia or alkalemia, (2) determine whether the underlying cause of acidemia or alkalemia is respiratory or metabolic, (3)…
Thorough investigation of complex cases of acid-base disturbances indudes verification of pH, determination of respiratory and metabolic components, calculation of the anion gap, assessment of the degree of compensation; and analysis of the…
Adults who exercise regularly have better health, but only 15% of U.S. adults engage in regular exercise, with some social groups, such as people with lower incomes and women, having even lower rates. This study investigates the rate at which…
The American Diabetes Association recommends routine screening for albuminuria to detect early nephropathy in all patients with diabetes mellitus. If nephropathy is identified, treatment with an antiangiotensin agent decreases progression and…
Objective: The outcomes of 61 patients who underwent a pharyngoplasty for velopharyngeal insufficiency were reviewed to determine potential risk factors for reoperation.Design: This was a retrospective chart review of 61 consecutive patients over…
Chronic neuropathic pain poses a treatment challenge, and is associated with significant psychologic distress, physical disability, and impaired functioning, which impact the activities of daily living. Efforts to provide relief are often inadequate…
Three cases have been presented for multidisciplinary consideration. This article analyzes them from the prospective of a practicing attorney. As such, it begins with a discussion of the ethical principles that govern legal practice, specifically in…
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing the treatment of large leiomyomas by laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) versus abdominal hysterectomy (AH). STUDY DESIGN: Twenty consecutive…
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the activity and toxicity of carboplatin and paclitaxel (taxol) in the treatment of advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective review of 18 consecutive…