The Medical Media Review
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The 25 Best Medical Books of All Time
Here is the Medical Media Review’s as-of-year-2015 list of the best medical books of all time: Dr. Gerald de Lacey, The Chest X-Ray: A Survival Guide by (2008, reviewed here). Igbaseimokumo, Usiakimi, MD, Brain CT Scans in Clinical Practice (2009, reviewed here) Herring, William, MD, Learning Radiology, Recognizing the Basics, 3e (2015, previous edit reviewed here) Kurtz, Ira, MD, Acid Base Case Studies (2004, reviewed here) Desai, Samir P., MD,…
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Central vs. Peripheral Vertigo Simplified
The first and most important step in evaluating a patient with vertigo is to attempt to distinguish vertigo of central origin from vertigo of peripheral origin because the management of central vertigo (brain imaging, hospital admission) is very different from the management of peripheral vertigo (symptomatic treatment, outpatient referral). Differences Between Central and Peripheral Vertigo Peripheral Vertigo…
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Stroke & TIA Mimics
Here are the important stroke and TIA mimics: Systemic and metabolic insults: especially hypoglycemia, but also a very wide variety of other systemic insults such as infections (urinary tract infections, pneumonia) and toxins, all of which can cause re-expression of symptoms of old strokes. Peripheral neuropathies such as idiopathic seventh cranial nerve (Bell’s) palsy, peripheral…
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Headache: The Ominous Causes
Introduction Most headaches are benign and do not require a specific workup. Here are the ominous ones that require a specific workup and management. From the Patient History Sudden, severe, and maximal at onset, especially in an older patient without a prior history of headaches → subarachnoid hemorrhage → get a head CT without contrast → CT angiogram or…
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Medical Question: Flank Pain
A 60-year-old female presents to the emergency department complaining of intense left sided-flank pain radiating to the groin. Urinalysis is positive for gross hematuria, while a non-contrast CT of the abdomen and pelvis is negative for stones. The patient is sent for a contrast CT of the abdomen and pelvic, from which the following image is…
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How to Remember the Causes of Arrhythmias (the H’s and T’s)
Causes of arrhythmias, including asystole, include: H‘s: think about what blood does: Volume (hypovolemia) Oxygen (hypoxemia) Glucose (hypoglycemia) Potassium (hypo- or hyperkalemia) Acid-base balance (H+ or acidosis) Temperature regulation (hypothermia) T‘s : imagine a (toxic) lead bullet piercing a chest. What can it cause? Trauma Toxins Tamponade Tension pneumothorax Thrombosis (PE or MI) Reference Dr. Christopher Gallagher’s…
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How to Protect Yourself in the Event of an Ebola Outbreak
Here is a leading expert’s advice on how to protect yourself in the event of an Ebola outbreak: Do not travel to endemic areas. Avoid crowds: To the extent possible, stay at home. Do not go to cinemas or shows. Do not attend community meetings. Avoid healthcare facilities: emergencies excepted, avoid all hospitals, medical clinics, and doctors…
Got any book recommendations?