Der Internist
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Acute biliary pain represents the main symptom of gallbladder stones, less frequently of common bile duct stones or functional disorders of the biliary tract. The pain lasts at least 15 minutes, is typically localized to the epigastrium or the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and my radiate to the right shoulder. Diagnosis of biliary pain is primarily based on clinical criteria, ultrasound allows detection of causative gallstones with high sensitivity and specificity. Analgesics and laparoscopic cholecystectomy are widely accepted as standard therapy for the majority of patients.
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Multiple myeloma is one of the 20 most frequent malignancies in Germany. Initial symptoms are usually non-specific. Assessment of bone marrow and laboratory data as well as imaging techniques are essential for diagnosis and prognostic evaluation. ⋯ High-dose therapy followed by transplantation of autologous hematopoietic stem cells improves prognosis for patients up to the age of 70. Currently, modifications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, anti-angiogeneic and immunomodulatory drugs as well as proteasome inhibitors are evaluated in clinical trials. Supportive care has derived benefit from the introduction of new bisphosphonates.