Missouri medicine
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Acute and chronic pulmonary complications are a very important cause of morbidity and mortality in sickle cell disease. The Acute Chest Syndrome (ACS) is the most common form of acute pulmonary disease and will be reviewed in this article. ⋯ The development of pulmonary hypertension is a very important cause of chronic pulmonary disease and contributes to mortality. Because of the increased numbers of sickle cell patients living to adulthood, it is important for primary care providers to become familiar with these complications.
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Management of the solitary pulmonary nodule confronts physicians routinely. The key to management is to send patients with a malignant nodule for resection early, at the same time avoiding unnecessary surgery for patients with a benign nodule. After obtaining a thorough history and prior radiographs, the next best step is to obtain a chest CT. Depending on the probability of malignancy, the appropriate strategy can be determined and carried out.
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Community acquired pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The American Thoracic Society, Infectious Disease Society of America and the British Thoracic Society have furnished very comprehensive guidelines for the evaluation and management of this disease. This article reviews and summarizes the important issues in the etiology, diagnosis and community acquired pneumonia.