Mayo Clinic proceedings
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · Feb 1995
Clinical and radiologic features of cerebral edema in fulminant hepatic failure.
To describe a series of consecutive patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) and to present a new classification system for brain edema, an important cause of mortality in such patients. ⋯ Stage 3 or 4 hepatic encephalopathy is associated with cerebral edema that can be detected on CT scans. The clinical and radiologic signs of cerebral edema in patients who have progression to stage 3 hepatic encephalopathy can be reversed with conventional treatment of increased intracranial pressure. Whether early recognition and treatment of cerebral edema result in increased survival of patients with FHF remains to be determined.
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Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous process of unknown cause. Pathologically, it is characterized by noncaseous granuloma, and in more than 90% of patients, the lung or intrathoracic lymph nodes are affected. ⋯ When indicated, treatment with alternate-day regimens of prednisone is highly effective. Serial chest roentgenography, pulmonary function studies, and the serum angiotensin-converting enzyme level are useful for monitoring the course of the disease.