The American journal of medicine
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To evaluate a diagnostic strategy for pulmonary embolism that combined clinical assessment, plasma D-dimer measurement, lower limb venous ultrasonography, and helical computed tomography (CT). ⋯ A noninvasive diagnostic strategy combining clinical assessment, D-dimer measurement, ultrasonography, and helical CT yielded a diagnosis in 99% of outpatients suspected of pulmonary embolism, and appeared to be safe, provided that CT was combined with ultrasonography to rule out the disease.
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Cryofibrinogenemia is a rarely symptomatic disorder that is underrecognized due to the infrequency with which it causes symptoms. Although completely reversible, this disorder can be life threatening when untreated. ⋯ Diagnostic criteria are outlined, and therapies are assessed critically. This information should help clinicians in establishing a diagnosis of cryofibrinogenemia and initiating treatment.
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Other than age, the risk factors for postherpetic neuralgia are not well established. We studied whether the concentration of interleukin 8 in the cerebrospinal fluid is associated with the risk of postherpetic neuralgia. ⋯ Our results suggest that interleukin 8 concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid at full crusting of herpetic rash may be useful for identifying patients who are likely to develop intractable postherpetic neuralgia.