Latest Articles
- Sudden hair loss associated with trachyonychia
A 30-year-old woman has been having episodes of sudden hair loss in well-demarcated areas of her scalp for the past 6 months. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- Identifying serious causes of back pain: Cancer, infection, fracture
Most patients with back pain have a benign condition, but tumors, infections, and fractures must be considered during an initial evaluation because overlooking them can have serious consequences.
- Congenital long QT syndrome: Considerations for primary care physicians
We now know more about the genetic basis of different types of long QT syndrome and their clinical implications. In one type, patients can die suddenly during exercise, in another, during inactivity, and in a third, when startled, such as by an alarm clock. The right therapy can dramatically reduce the risk.
- Blood smear analysis in babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, relapsing fever, malaria, and Chagas disease
Blood smear analysis should be performed in patients with persistent or recurring fever, those who have traveled to the developing world, or those who have a history of tick exposure, especially if accompanied by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, or hepatosplenomegaly.
- Dyspnea, arthralgias, and muscle weakness
A computed tomographic scan shows ground-glass opacities in the lower lobes of both lungs. What is the most likely cause of this patient’s symptoms and radiographic findings?
- Given the ENHANCE trial results, ezetimibe is still unproven
We should beware of explaining away results that do not match our expectations.
- From the Children’s Oncology Group
Children who undergo radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or surgery for cancer face a risk of complications later in life, including pulmonary fibrosis and pneumonitis. They need systematic, lifelong surveillance.
- Generalized pruritus after a beach vacation
A 25-year-old man presents with a 2-month history of generalized itching that began 5 weeks after a trip to Brazil, during which he had sexual relations without protection. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- VTE prevention in major orthopedic surgery (Supplement 3 to Volume 75, April 2008)
Venous thromboembolism prevention in major orthopedic surgery.