Physician-informed medical book reviews and clinical education resources.
The main systemic causes of itching are: Cholestasis Uremia Pregnancy-related problems Lymphoproliferative (especially systemic mastocytosis) and hematopoietic disorders, including iron deficiency anemia Endocrinal problems such as hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus Drug side effects, such as opioids and drugs which cause cholestasis. Allergic reactions Therefore, in the absence of primary skin findings, a basic workup for itching might … Read more
I’ve been looking at Acid-Base Case Studies (2004) by Ira Kurtz MD for a long time now, at least since I’ve written several months ago, wrongly, that a solid book with a case-based approach to acid-base disorders does not exist. It does in fact exist, and this is it. The book presents the reader with dozens of clinical … Read more
Pocket Guide for Huszar’s Basic Dysrhythmias and Acute Coronary Syndromes: Interpretation and Management (2011) by Keith Wesley MD is a very good entry level electrocardiography book for medical students. (I previously recommended this book in Step 3 of Electrocardiography: A Curriculum for Self-Guided Learners.) The 200-page handbook contains good examples of most of the important … Read more
Differential Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases (1996) by David Schlossberg MD is one of those rare let-me-try-to-tell-you-in-350-pages-or-less-everything-I’ve-ever-learned-in-a-lifetime-of-clinical-practice types of medical books. Unlike most microbiology and infectious diseases books, which are organized on the basis of bugs or diseases, Differential Diagnosis is arranged on the basis of specific clinical problems or chief complaints (fever, pneumonitis, diarrhea, rash, arthritis or … Read more
“a well-developed knowledge of clinical microbiology is critical for the practicing physician in any medical field. Bacteria, viruses, and protozoans have no respect for the distinction between ophthalmology, pediatrics, trauma surgery, or geriatric medicine. Microbiology is one of the few courses where much of the ‘minutia’ is regularly used by the practicing physician.” Mark Gladwin … Read more
The following is an expanded differential diagnosis of shock. Please let me know if you’d consider adding anything to the list! Cardiogenic Arrhythmias Impaired contractility (volume overload, ischemia, drugs, toxins, electrolyte disorders) Structural problems (valvular abnormalities, etc.) Obstructive Endovascular: pulmonary embolus, atrial myxoma or thrombus Exo-vascular: cardiac tamponade, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, tension pneumothorax, tension mediastinum, breath … Read more
Etiology Traumatic: exercise, Foley catheterization, nephrolithiasis, coitus Infectious: urinary tract infections Malignant: bladder, kidney, prostate Vascular: renal infarct, renal vein thrombosis, sickle cell disease and trait Toxic: cyclophosphamide, antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, NSAIDS Spurious: menses Workup Step 1: discontinue offenders Anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents Hemorrhagic cystitis: isophosphamide, cyclophosphamide, radiation therapy, methotrexate stone forming agents: loop diuretics, anticonvulsants, … Read more