Cleveland Clinic journal of medicine
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Low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT) shows promise as a screening test for lung cancer, as it detects many more malignant pulmonary nodules than does standard plain radiography of the chest. Yet until more data are available we need to temper our enthusiasm. No studies have yet determined if using low-dose spiral CT as a screening test will lead to lower mortality rates. This paper reviews the issue of lung cancer screening and low-dose spiral CT.
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Obesity is epidemic and dangerous. Weight loss is difficult but worth the effort. Although new weight-loss drugs are available, there are no magic bullets: to lose weight and keep it off, people must eat less and exercise more. ⋯ Because obesity is a chronic disease, drug treatment should be continued indefinitely. The physician and patient must understand the intention to treat long-term. The weight loss plan devised should improve upon previous plans: for example, implementing a regular, convenient exercise program that had not been included in the past, or offering pharmacotherapy.
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In most patients with spinal cord compression due to epidural metastasis, the initial symptom is progressive back pain with an axial or radicular distribution, but early symptoms are often nonspecific. Since the key prognostic factor is the neurologic status at the time of presentation, and since early complaints are often nonspecific, a high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose this complication early.