Postgraduate medicine
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Postgraduate medicine · Jun 1995
Review Case ReportsPhysiologic evaluation of bronchial asthma. Why objective testing is essential.
Physiologic evaluation of bronchial asthma is extremely valuable. Simple objective measurements of expiratory airflow and lung volume help physicians determine disease status and monitor patient response to therapy. More elaborate measurements of pulmonary function are not commonly needed in primary care practice. The three case studies described in this article show that objective assessment of lung function is critical in effective treatment of asthma.
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Postgraduate medicine · Jun 1995
ReviewVertebral osteomyelitis. How to differentiate it from other causes of back and neck pain.
Vertebral osteomyelitis, an uncommon infection, usually presents with the very common symptom of neck or back pain. Awareness of this disorder and its distinctive features aids physicians in prompt ordering of appropriate imaging studies, which usually lead to the diagnosis. Early diagnosis, identification of the infecting microbe, and appropriate antimicrobial therapy are the keys to preventing complications and reducing the need for surgical intervention.