Where did good old clinical diagnosis go?
Article Abstract:
The case of a 65-year-old man illustrates that important clues about a patient's diagnosis can be missed. He was hospitalized for a heart attack three months after coronary bypass surgery. He was anemic and did not respond to iron supplements. A chest echocardiogram revealed mitral valve insufficiency but no valve abnormalities. Bone pain led to a work-up for multiple myeloma, which was negative. A transesophageal echocardiogram performed to evaluate him for valve replacement revealed that he had infective endocarditis, which could have caused many of his symptoms.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
The diagnosis of cystic fibrosis
Article Abstract:
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic abnormality caused by a defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). CFTR is a protein that transports chemical elements such as sodium and chloride across cell membranes. This typically causes an elevation in the concentration of these elements in the sweat. Thus testing sweat is a common diagnostic test. Testing for the gene mutation can clinch the diagnosis. Inflammation of the sinuses and pancreatic dysfunction are also typical signs of cystic fibrosis.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Diagnosis and management of Kawasaki Disease. Newer tests for the diagnosis of renovascular disease. The value of the forced expiratory time in the physical diagnosis of obstructive airways disease
- Abstracts: Trichomoniasis: trends in diagnosis and management. Trichomoniasis: under control or undercontrolled? Diagnosis and assessment of sigmoidoceles
- Abstracts: New options for diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy. Diagnosis of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies by polymerase chain reaction: a multicenter study
- Abstracts: Diagnosis and treatment of early melanoma. Pharmacodynamics of levofloxacin: a new paradigm for early clinical trials
- Abstracts: Improving the health of nomadic people -- the example of cystic hydatid disease. Caring for people with AIDS in rural Africa