September 20th 2024
FluMist is the first influenza vaccine that does not have to be given by a health care professional.
Behavioral Symptoms in Alzheimer Dementia:A Guide to Evaluation and Management
January 1st 2007An 81-year-old man presents with severe Alzheimer dementia. Hishistory includes benign prostatic hypertrophy with 2 transurethralresections. He has a remote history of tobacco use and has not used alcohol excessively. He isotherwise in good health. At the time of his original diagnosis, a cholinesterase inhibitor was notprescribed.
Young Man With a History of Vague Headaches Ascribed to Sinusitis
January 1st 2007A 37-year-old man found unresponsiveat home with erratic respiration andurinary incontinence was brought tothe emergency department (ED). Accordingto his family, the patient hadbeen complaining of headaches, vertigo,and mild neck pain for 2 months.During that time, a CT scan of thesinuses revealed chronic sinusitis; thepatient had completed a course ofprednisone, naproxen, and meclizinewithout symptomatic improvement.The day before he was brought to theED, he had presented to a differenthospital with the same complaints andwas given a prescription for antibioticsfor a presumed sinus infection. He haddiet-controlled hypercholesterolemiaand did not smoke.
Oral Rehydration Therapy for Acute Gastroenteritis in Children: Updated Recommendations From the CDC
January 1st 2007Acute gastroenteritisremains amajor cause ofmorbidity andhospitalizationamong infants and childrenin this country. Every yearin the United States, acutediarrheal illness accountsfor more than 1.5 millionpediatric outpatient visits,200,000 hospitalizations-and approximately 300deaths.
Acute Dx: What Cause of Sudden Illness?
January 1st 2007A 45-year-old womanpresents with redness in the righteye, which she noticed that morning.She has not sustained trauma to theeye and reports no discomfort or lossof visual acuity. Recently, the patienthad a bout of bronchitis with a numberof severe coughing episodes. Herhistory is significant for asthma andcigarette smoking.
Extremely Elevated Liver Enzyme
January 1st 2007A 27-year-old woman is hospitalized after laboratory studies revealed extremelyelevated liver enzyme levels. The studies were ordered after the patient soughtmedical attention for severe headaches that began 3 weeks earlier and for thepast several days had been accompanied by malaise, nausea, and vomiting.
Woman With Exertional Dyspnea, Weakness, and Dizziness
January 1st 2007A 66-year-old woman presents tothe emergency department(ED) with exertional dyspnea, generalizedweakness, and orthostaticdizziness; the symptoms startedabout 1 week earlier and have progressedinsidiously. The patient alsoreports diaphoresis and nausea withoutvomiting. She has no chest pain,palpitations, cough, or hemoptysis;she has not had a recent respiratorytract infection. While she is waitingto be admitted, she has an episode ofsyncope.
Acute Dx: What Cause of Sudden Illness?
January 1st 2007A 13-year-old girl reportsthat her right eye has beendraining and uncomfortable for thepast several days. She is also concernedabout several "bumps" on theupper lid of her left eye. She has hadthese bumps in the past, but theyhave always resolved spontaneously.
First Drug in New Class of Antibiotics Approved
January 1st 2007The FDA has approved Ketek (telithromycin) fromAventis Pharmaceuticals to treat acute exacerbationof chronic bronchitis, acute bacterial sinusitis, and mild tomoderate community-acquired pneumonia. This is thefirst agent in a new class of antibiotics known as ketolides.Ketek has already been released in European, Latin American,and Asian markets.
A Photo Quiz to Hone Dermatologic Skills
January 1st 2007For 15 years, a 33-year-old man hashad scale on the soles of his feet;the condition has failed to respondto various topical antifungal agents.He has no other rashes. He ishealthy except for a history of seasonalallergies controlled by overthe-counter medications.
An Unusual Cause of Pleural Effusion
December 31st 2006A 36-year-old man presents with a 10-day history of progressive dyspnea anddiscomfort on the left side of his chest.Three weeks earlier, he was dischargedfrom the hospital after a 2-week stayfor acute pancreatitis. He has a historyof long-term alcohol abuse and recurrentpancreatitis.
Ischemia of the Liver Secondary to Portal Vein Thrombosis
December 31st 2006A 59-year-old woman complainsof progressively worsening bloatingand right upper quadrant pain thatbegan 1 day earlier. She denies feverand trauma. Her medical history includescholecystectomy for cholelithiasisand several emergency departmentvisits for treatment of woundssustained in falls. She has a history ofalcohol abuse, for which she now receivescounseling. However, she admitsthat she occasionally has boutsof heavy drinking.