Purpose of review: The studies, reviewed in this article suggest that a shorter duration of antibiotic therapy is comparable to standard therapy in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and promotes reduction of adverse events, microbial…
The significance of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has led to the publication of guidelines from numerous international organisations. Because the macrolide class of antimicrobials is active against most of the key pathogens associated with CAP,…
Empiric antimicrobial prescribing for community-acquired pneumonia remains a challenge, despite the availability of treatment guidelines. A number of key differences exist between North American and European guidelines, mainly in the outpatient…
If an infant 60 days old or younger who presents with unexplained fever (temperature 38 degrees C [100.4 degrees F] or greater) appears ill, evaluate for sepsis, hospitalize, and give parenteral antibiotics. For well-appearing infants whose…
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…
Practice guidelines are available for hospice and palliative medicine specialists and geriatricians. However, these guidelines do not adequately address the needs of patients who straddle the 2 specialties: homebound chronically ill patients. The…
In the United States and around the world, effective, efficient, and reliable strategies to provide emergency care to aging adults is challenging crowded emergency departments ( EDs) and strained healthcare systems. In response, geriatric emergency…
BACKGROUND: Adherence to guidelines for endotracheal tube (ETT) insertion depth may not be sufficient to prevent malposition or harm to the patient. To obtain an estimate of ETT malpositioning, we evaluated initial postintubation chest radiographs…
Accurate differentiation of focal thyroid nodules (FTL) and thyroid abnormalities is pivotal for proper diagnostic and therapeutic work-up. In these two part articles, the role of ultrasound techniques in the characterization of FTL and evaluation of…
BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection is the leading cause of nosocomial diarrhea in the United States; however, few patients will develop fulminant C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD), necessitating an urgent operative intervention.…
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this article is to give practicing physicians a practical approach to the treatment of latent and active tuberculosis and to review newer recommendations and common problems encountered in the treatment of patients with…
The World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB) has produced guidelines for the use of elastography techniques including basic science, breast and liver. Here we present elastography in thyroid diseases. For each available…
The World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB) has produced guidelines for the use of elastography techniques, including basic science, breast, liver and thyroid elastography. Here we present elastography in prostate diseases.…
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common and potentially serious illness with significant human and economic costs to society. The recent collaborative statement from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the American Thoracic…