The Journal of the Florida Medical Association
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Habit or psychogenic cough is a common problem of unknown etiology with a variety of suggested therapies. A postulated mechanism is a cough which causes vibration of the airway walls, irritation and more cough. Nebulized lidocaine breaks this cycle and allows control and resolution of the cough.
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To perform a cost analysis of the emerging technology of lymphatic mapping for patients with malignant melanoma. ⋯ With 38,300 new cases of melanoma diagnosed each year in the United States, a projected savings of $172 million per year (general anesthesia) and $350 million per year (local anesthesia) could be realized if this new mapping technology could be incorporated into the care of the melanoma patient. Patient morbidity is minimized, nodal staging is complete and patients return to work sooner. Recently approved adjuvant therapy can be applied in a selective fashion, treating only those patients in which a documented benefit has been obtained, saving the health care system more dollars. Initial investment in defining the technology was minimal.