1/4. Spontaneous hemothorax. Report of 6 cases and review of the literature.We present 6 cases of spontaneous hemothorax and comprehensively review the medical literature on this subject. We categorize the reported causes and offer a rational diagnostic approach to patients with nontraumatic hemothorax. We recommend specific treatments for specific etiologies, and emphasize the importance of well-established surgical principles for the treatment of hemothorax. Our suggestions should enable physicians to accurately diagnose and expeditiously treat patients with spontaneous hemothorax.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/4. The debate on elder abuse for undertreated pain.Presented is a review of the pain management provided to an elderly male patient dying of mesothelioma in an acute care hospital and, subsequently, in a nursing home. Discussed are the medico-legal aspects of the case, including the patient's survivors' efforts to hold the treating physicians, hospital, and nursing home accountable for inadequate pain management through complaints submitted to the state medical board, the state department of health services, and the Center for medicaid/medicare Services, and in state court.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/4. Tension hydrothorax and shock in a patient with a malignant pleural effusion.A patient presented to the emergency department with a malignant pleural effusion associated with shortness of breath, and radiographic evidence of mediastinal shift and hypotension. Tube thoracostomy yielded serosanguinous pleural fluid under pressure and after 1 liter of fluid was drained, the patient's hemodynamic status stabilized. The entity of tension hydrothorax is rare but may be life threatening. The treatment should consist of prompt drainage and efforts to prevent recurrence. As physicians become more adept at prolonging the lives of patients with cancer, tension hydrothorax may become more common.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/4. Sarcomatous tumor of the chest wall with osteochondroid differentiation. Evidence of mesothelial origin.We describe a case of sarcomatous tumor of the chest wall with differentiation toward bone and cartilage that was observed in an asbestos-exposed worker. Although the mesothelial nature of the tumor was at first considered, it was not proven. Later, the tumor was shown to be a mesothelioma using a panel of pertinent antibodies that included a recently described anti-mesothelial cell marker. In addition, asbestos bodies were found in association with the sarcoma cells. Our findings indicate that whenever physicians encounter any type of primary sarcomatoid tumor involving serous membranes, the possibility of malignant mesothelioma should be regarded a priori.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |