Harefuah
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Chest ultrasonography was considered hampered and deficient but it is now taking a prominent role as a bedside tool for the diagnosis of lung ailments. Technological development has made it accurate, fast and reliable to the extent that it is gradually replacing the traditional chest X-ray and sometimes also the computed tomography scan. In this article we review and display in a few images the diagnostic possibilities of the thoracic ultrasound examination in a diverse range of maladies such as pneumonia, pulmonary congestion, pleural effusion and other conditions.
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The number of surgical procedures performed in patients with significant ischemic heart disease is growing. The need for preoperative cardiology consultation in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery has been the subject of continuous debate. We evaLuated if the requests for preoperative cardiology consultation in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery were consistent with the 2009 ACC/AHA Guidelines. ⋯ Only in a minority of patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery, the preoperative cardiology consultation requests followed the ACC/AHA Guidelines. Preoperative cardiology consultations in the daily clinical practice are overused.
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In contrast to the position of the World Medical Association and the Ethics Council of the Israel Medical Association, the author argues for forced-feeding of hunger-striking prisoners when their condition reaches a stage of danger of death or permanent injury. This position is based on the priority of human life over autonomy, and of a communitarian ethic. This position is supported by a District Court decision ordering the feeding of a hunger-striking prisoner, by a Supreme Court decision imposing surgery on a non-consenting prisoner, and in line with Israel's Patient's Right Law.
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Case Reports
[Familial spam (streptococcal pharyngitis associated myocarditis): is it a new entity or a coincidence?].
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the myocardium. It is potentially life-threatening, with a wide range of clinical presentations and most often it is caused by various viral, bacterial or fungal infections. ⋯ The family history of myocarditis after a streptococcal infection, affecting two brothers a year apart from each other, raises the possibility that there is a genetic component responsible for an individuaLs susceptibility to develop myocarditis.
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Low back pain (LBP) is a well-known reason people worldwide seek medical help and it is a Leading cause of chronic pain and disability among people of working age. Recent research reveals that the female gender is not only a risk factor for developing LBP but it may also influence the management of this common condition. ⋯ This cross-sectional study reveals gender-related differences in management and health services utilization for treatment of LBP in the chronic pain clinic. If confirmed in other centers, these findings should inspire gender-sensitive resource management of the treatment of chronic pain patients. Moreover, the findings suggest that increased awareness of gender bias when seeking insurance compensation for LBP-related disability is warranted.