Mayo Clinic proceedings
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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is generally defined as a progressive, fibrosing inflammatory disease of the lung parenchyma of unknown cause. It is characterized by slowly increasing dyspnea, diffuse interstitial lung infiltrates, restrictive lung dysfunction, and impaired gas exchange. Ultimately, it is fatal in most patients, and treatment options remain unsatisfactory. ⋯ The most common histologic pattern in cases previously defined as IPF is usual interstitial pneumonia, which is associated with a median survival of less than 3 years. For accurate prognosis and optimal management of patients, the clinician should attempt to be as precise as possible in distinguishing various clinicopathologic entities that have been included under the clinical heading of IPF. In the future, we recommend that the use of the term "idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis" be restricted to patients with usual interstitial pneumonia and that clinicians recognize the fact that other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias do not have the same prognostic effect traditionally ascribed to IPF.
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Viral croup, a common illness in children, manifests with noisy, labored breathing. Parainfluenza viruses are the most common cause of croup; however, other causes including epiglottitis and bacterial tracheitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis. ⋯ Although most children recover from this self-limited illness with only minimal medical intervention, some are severely affected by laryngeal swelling and require respiratory support with analgesics, cool mist, corticosteroids, nebulized epinephrine, heliox, and, rarely, intubation. In this article, the current diagnostic and management strategies for viral croup are summarized.
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To evaluate the clinical utility of posteroanterior chest roentgenograms after thoracentesis in the outpatient setting. ⋯ Routine performance of chest roentgenography after outpatient thoracentesis can incur substantial cost. A more selective approach to this practice is needed, both to optimize patient care and to manage limited medical resources efficiently. Postthoracentesis chest roentgenograms should be limited to patients with symptoms indicative of thoracentesis-induced pneumothorax.
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · Sep 1998
Middle cerebral artery territory infarction and early brain swelling: progression and effect of age on outcome.
To determine the clinical course and outcome in patients with a middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion and early computed tomographic (CT) scan findings of infarction, particularly relative to age of the patient. ⋯ Deterioration from further brain swelling is common in patients with MCA occlusion and sulci effacement on early CT scan. The outcome is fatal in most patients who deteriorate. Mortality was significantly higher in deteriorating older patients than in younger patients. Clearly defined criteria for decompressive hemicraniotomy in young patients with complete MCA occlusion are needed, preferably derived from a randomized clinical trial.
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · Aug 1998
Outcomes of noncardiac surgical procedures in children and adults with congenital heart disease. Mayo Perioperative Outcomes Group.
To assess the outcomes and risk factors for morbidity associated with anesthesia and noncardiac surgical procedures in children and adults with congenital heart disease. ⋯ The frequency of perioperative complications in children and adults who have congenital heart disease and undergo noncardiac surgical procedures and anesthesia is low. Patients who have pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, or cyanosis and children with congenital heart disease who are younger than 2 years of age have an increased frequency of perioperative morbidity.