Evaluation of a Child with Spells: A “Prefixed” Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (01) ◽  
pp. 007-012
Author(s):  
Jatinder S. Goraya
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Electrical Activity ◽  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Diagnostic Errors ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
Detailed Account ◽  
History Taking ◽  
Clinical Events ◽  
Common Clinical Problem

AbstractSpells are a common clinical problem in children and can be broadly classified into epileptic and nonepileptic spells. Epileptic spells are clinical events that result from abnormal, excessive, and synchronous electrical activity of the cortical neurons. All other spells are included under the category of nonepileptic events. Precise differentiation between epileptic and nonepileptic spells, and their final characterization depend chiefly on obtaining a detailed account of the episode from the patient and/or witness. Physical and neurological examinations are generally non-revealing. In clinical practice, however, misdiagnosis of nonepileptic spells as epilepsy is fairly common and often is a result of incomplete history-taking. Explicit guidelines to elicit a thorough history in children who present with spells are lacking. The purpose of this article is to describe an instinctive and easy-to-remember approach to clinical history-taking in children with spells so as to minimize diagnostic errors.

Incidence of diagnostic errors in unplanned hospitalized patients using an automated medical history-taking system with differential diagnosis generator: retrospective observational study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ren Kawamura ◽  
Yukinori Harada ◽  
Shu Sugimoto ◽  
Yuichiro Nagase ◽  
Shinichi Katsukura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internal Medicine ◽  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Medical History ◽  
Diagnostic Errors ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Outpatient Department ◽  
Medical History Taking ◽  
History Taking

BACKGROUND Automated medical history-taking systems that generate differential diagnosis lists have been suggested to contribute to improved diagnostic accuracy. However, the effect of this system on diagnostic errors in clinical practice remains unknown. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the incidence of diagnostic errors in an outpatient department, where an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven automated medical history-taking system that generates differential diagnosis lists was implemented in clinical practice. METHODS We conducted a retrospective observational study using data from a community hospital in Japan. We included patients aged 20 and older who used an AI-driven automated medical history-taking system that generates differential diagnosis lists in the outpatient department of internal medicine for whom the index visit was between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020, followed by unplanned hospitalization within 14 days. The primary endpoint was the incidence of diagnostic errors, which were detected using the Revised Safer Dx instrument by at least two independent reviewers. To evaluate the differential diagnosis list of AI on the incidence of diagnostic errors, we compared the incidence of diagnostic errors between the groups in which AI generated the final diagnosis in the differential diagnosis list and in which AI did not generate the final diagnosis in the differential diagnosis list; Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison between these groups. For cases with confirmed diagnostic errors, further review was conducted to identify the contributing factors of diagnostic errors via discussion among the three reviewers, using the Safer Dx Process Breakdown Supplement as a reference. RESULTS A total of 146 patients were analyzed. The final diagnosis was confirmed in 138 patients and the final diagnosis was observed in the differential diagnosis list of the AI in 69 patients. Diagnostic errors occurred in 16 of 146 patients (11.0%; 95% confidence interval, 6.4-17.2%). Although statistically insignificant, the incidence of diagnostic errors was lower in cases in which the final diagnosis was included in the differential diagnosis list of AI than in cases in which the final diagnosis was not included (7.2% vs. 15.9%, P=.18). Regarding the quality of clinical history taken by AI, the final diagnosis was easily assumed by reading only the clinical history taken by the system in 11 of 16 cases (68.8%). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of diagnostic errors in the internal medicine outpatients used an automated medical history-taking system that generates differential diagnosis lists seemed to be lower than the previously reported incidence of diagnostic errors. This result suggests that the implementation of an automated medical history-taking system that generates differential diagnosis lists could be beneficial for diagnostic safety in the outpatient department of internal medicine.

scholarly journals Medical and Surgical Management of Empyema

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (03) ◽  
pp. 361-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark S. Godfrey ◽  
Kyle T. Bramley ◽  
Frank Detterbeck
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Course ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
Pleural Space ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Multiple Factors ◽  
Imaging Characteristics ◽  
Initial Choice ◽  
Common Clinical Problem

AbstractInfection of the pleural space is an ancient and common clinical problem, the incidence which is on the rise. Advances in therapy now present clinicians of varying disciplines with an array of therapeutic options ranging from thoracentesis and chest tube drainage (with or without intrapleural fibrinolytic therapies) to video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) or thoracotomy. A framework is provided to guide decision making, which involves weighing multiple factors (clinical history and presentation, imaging characteristics, comorbidities); multidisciplinary collaboration and active management are needed as the clinical course over a few days determines subsequent refinement. The initial choice of antibiotics depends on whether the empyema is community-acquired or nosocomial, and clinicians must recognize that culture results often do not reflect the full disease process. Antibiotics alone are rarely successful and can be justified only in specific circumstances. Early drainage with or without intrapleural fibrinolytics is usually required. This is successful in most patients; however, when surgical decortication is needed, clear benefit and low physiologic impact are more likely with early intervention, expeditious escalation of interventions, and care at a center experienced with VATS.

Compression Neuropathies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd A. Theman ◽  
Kodi Azari
Keyword(s):  
Early Recognition ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
Detailed Examination ◽  
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Electrodiagnostic Testing ◽  
Pronator Syndrome ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Anatomic Locations ◽  
Common Clinical Problem

Compression neuropathies result from entrapment at specific anatomic locations. They are a common clinical problem, particularly in the upper extremity, where a patient’s underlying medical conditions can affect the likelihood of symptoms. Early recognition from the clinical history and a detailed examination, including provocative maneuvers, combined with electrodiagnostic testing or imaging modalities is imperative to guide treatment and prevent permanent dysfunction.   This review contains 7 figures, 2 tables, and 45 references. Keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, radial tunnel syndrome, ulnar tunnel syndrome, pronator syndrome, anterior interosseous syndrome, entrapment neuropathy, electrodiagnostic studies  

scholarly journals Erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease: Focus on

2015 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto F.E. Pedretti ◽  
Michele Gabriele ◽  
Sergio Masnaghetti ◽  
Pompilio Faggiano
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Erectile Dysfunction ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Cardiovascular Events ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
Major Cardiovascular Events ◽  
Predictive Role ◽  
Common Risk Factors ◽  
Common Clinical Problem ◽  
Disease Focus

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common clinical problem and its prevalence increases in frequency with age. ED is a risk marker for major cardiovascular events independently of other more common risk factors in men with and without known cardiovascular disease. On the basis of the “artery-size hypothesis” patients with cardiovascular disease often report ED before disease detection, in average 3 years. Thus, by an early identification of ED, the cardiologist is given a unique opportunity to better assess the cardiovascular risk of each patient. Although there is a general impression that ED has an important predictive role, its diagnosis in clinical practice is widely suboptimal owing to misconceptions from the side of the patient and a suboptimal management of the personal relationship from the side of the physician. This paper explores the critical connection between ED and cardiovascular disease and evaluates how this association may influence clinical practice.

scholarly journals Neuralgic amyotrophy: an underrecognized entity

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 030006052110065
Author(s):  
Tae Uk Kim ◽  
Min Cheol Chang
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Cervical Radiculopathy ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Neurography ◽  
Essential Information ◽  
Neuralgic Amyotrophy

Neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) is markedly underdiagnosed in clinical practice, and its actual incidence rate is about 1 per 1000 per year. In the current article, we provide an overview of essential information about NA, including the etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic investigations, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. The causes of NA are multifactorial and include immunological, mechanical, or genetic factors. Typical clinical findings are a sudden onset of pain in the shoulder region, followed by patchy flaccid paralysis of muscles in the shoulder and/or arm. A diagnosis of NA is based on a patient’s clinical history and physical examination. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and high-resolution magnetic resonance neurography are useful for confirming the diagnosis and choosing the appropriate treatment. However, before a diagnosis of NA is confirmed, other disorders with similar symptoms, such as cervical radiculopathy or rotator cuff tear, need to be ruled out. The prognosis of NA depends on the degree of axonal damage. In conclusion, many patients with motor weakness and pain are encountered in clinical practice, and some of these patients will exhibit NA. It is important that clinicians understand the key features of this disorder to avoid misdiagnosis.

The 6C model for accurately capturing the patient’s medical history

Diagnosis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Taro Shimizu
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Safety Concern ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Diagnostic Errors ◽  
Accurate Diagnosis ◽  
History Taking ◽  
Novel Approach

Abstract Diagnostic errors are an internationally recognized patient safety concern, and leading causes are faulty data gathering and faulty information processing. Obtaining a full and accurate history from the patient is the foundation for timely and accurate diagnosis. A key concept underlying ideal history acquisition is “history clarification,” meaning that the history is clarified to be depicted as clearly as a video, with the chronology being accurately reproduced. A novel approach is presented to improve history-taking, involving six dimensions: Courtesy, Control, Compassion, Curiosity, Clear mind, and Concentration, the ‘6 C’s’. We report a case that illustrates how the 6C approach can improve diagnosis, especially in relation to artificial intelligence tools that assist with differential diagnosis.

Chronic pain following elective inguinal hernia repair—is it a common clinical problem?

2007 ◽  
Vol 32 (Suppl. 1) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
Z. M. Kirkor ◽  
T. N. Evans ◽  
H. Mathew ◽  
C. Swart ◽  
C. Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Inguinal Hernia ◽  
Hernia Repair ◽  
Inguinal Hernia Repair ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
Common Clinical Problem

scholarly journals The risk of shoulder pain after laparoscopic surgery for infertility is higher in thin patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin You Li ◽  
Ming Tian ◽  
Ai Zhi Li ◽  
Chun Lei Han ◽  
Ke Zhong Li
Keyword(s):  
Laparoscopic Surgery ◽  
Shoulder Pain ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Conditional Logistic Regression ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
Pain Visual Analogue Scale ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Treatment Plans ◽  
Common Clinical Problem

AbstractPostlaparoscopic shoulder pain (PLSP) is a common clinical problem that needs to be addressed by medical professionals who are currently perform laparoscopic surgeries. The purpose of this study was to determine the perioperative clinical factors and demographic characteristics associated with PLSP. A prospective observational study was performed with 442 inpatients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for infertility. The pain visual analogue scale was used as the measuring instrument. To identify the predictors of PLSP, we performed multivariate conditional logistic regression. PLSP was correlated with body mass index (BMI, odds ratio = 0.815). The incidence of shoulder pain and more severe shoulder pain in patients with a lower BMI was significantly higher than it was in patients with a higher BMI, and BMI was significantly negatively correlated with PLSP. Most of the patients (95%) began to experience shoulder pain on the first postoperative day, and it rarely occurred on the day of surgery. Patients with lower BMI presented a higher risk of reporting shoulder pain on the first postoperative day. We should identify high-risk patients in advance and make specific treatment plans according to the characteristics of their symptoms.

Homeopathic Treatment of Subclinical Hypothyroidism—A Series of 19 Cases

Homeopathy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Carlos Esteves Grelle ◽  
Luiz Antonio Bastos Camacho
Keyword(s):  
Subclinical Hypothyroidism ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Common Clinical Problem ◽  
Prompt Diagnosis ◽  
Serum Tsh ◽  
Tsh Levels

Abstract Background Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a common clinical problem. Controversy surrounds the definition, clinical importance, and need for prompt diagnosis and treatment of the mild form of SCH. Aim The aim of the study was to analyze the evolution of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels after a therapeutic homeopathic intervention in women older than 40 years with SCH. Methods This study is a retrospective series of 19 cases of SCH, with serum TSH levels between 5 and 10 mIU/L, treated exclusively with homeopathic medicines prescribed on an individualized basis. Results Nineteen patients were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Their mean age was 56 years, they were followed for a mean duration of 69 months, the mean number of serum TSH level measurements was 18, and the intervention was successful for 13 patients. Conclusion The homeopathic therapeutic intervention was successful in 68% of the patients, with serum TSH levels back within the normal range (0.5–5.0 mIU/L).

scholarly journals Clinical history-taking and physical examination in medical practice in Africa: still relevant?

2016 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 605-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayo Oyedokun ◽  
Davies Adeloye ◽  
Olanrewaju Balogun
Keyword(s):  
Physical Examination ◽  
Medical Practice ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
History Taking
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