Table of Contents
From the Editor
- The blade, the flea, and the colon
Ischemic colitis often gives the internist and surgeon a chance to commiserate on the power of informed watchful waiting.
1-Minute Consult
- What is the role of probiotics in the treatment of acute Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea?
Overall, the evidence does not support using probiotics to treat Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. More studies are needed to determine if they are helpful and, if so, which ones and at what dosages.
Review
- Back pain made simple: An approach based on principles and evidence
Low back pain is a common and costly medical condition with only a weak correlation between symptoms and pathologic changes. The authors offer a simple, evidence-based approach.
The Clinical Picture
- Black esophagus
A 60-year-old man with gastrointestinal bleeding due to alcoholic cirrhosis has necrosis of the distal esophagus.
Review
Clinical approach to colonic ischemiaIschemic colitis is one of the diagnoses that should be considered when patients present with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and intestinal bleeding.
The Clinical Picture
- Painful eye with a facial rash
Six days ago, the patient had an intense headache; 4 days ago, painful herpetiform lesions appeared on his face. What is the diagnosis?
Im Board Review
- A 48-year-old man with uncontrolled diabetes
His type 2 diabetes has been well controlled for 6 years. Now, his blood sugar levels have been rising for the past week, and he has large amounts of glucose and ketones in the urine. What has happened?
Review
- Alternative modes of mechanical ventilation: A review for the hospitalist
Newer ventilators can be set to modes other than the pressure-control and volume-control modes of older machines. We review how they work and contrast their theoretical benefits and actual evidence of benefit.
Departments
- Radiologic workup of a palpable breast mass (March 2009)
A reader comments about an article on the radiologic workup of a palpable breast mass (March 2009).
