Case Studies

Author(s):  
George J. Armelagos ◽  
Dennis P. Van Gerven

Chapter 6 presents case studies of diseases that afflict individuals rather than their communities at large. The conditions are presented in these categories: neoplastic diseases (cancers), congenital defects, infectious diseases, and diseases of unknown etiology. A differential diagnosis is made for each disease using a combination of the skeletal and medical evidence. The diseases are then discussed in terms of their likely impact on the lives of the afflicted individual.

1986 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 204-211
Author(s):  
Mary L. Williams

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition of infancy of unknown etiology. The disorder is usually mild and responsive to therapy. In severe or atypical cases, a variety of other entities should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, psoriasiform-id reaction, fungal infections, and irritant contact dermatitis can be differentiated on clinical grounds. Less common but more serious disorders, such as histiocytosis X, immunodeficiency disorders, and nutritional and metabolic diseases, may be considered in the child whose disease does not spontaneously resolve or respond satisfactorily to local therapy. Laboratory studies including skin biopsy may be helfpul in these cases. Seborrheic dermatitis is uncommon in children after infancy and before puberty. In this age group, scalp scaling is likely to be due to other causes, such as tinea capitis, atopic dermatitis, or psoriasis.


1984 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Jack ◽  
Pauline L. Rabin ◽  
T. Dwight McKinney

Dialysis encephalopathy (DE) is a distinct neuropsychiatric syndrome typically occurring in patients undergoing longterm hemodialysis. It is characterized by electroencephalographic abnormalities in association with disturbances of speech, cognition, movement, affect, or behavior. Previously thought to be relentlessly progressive, recent evidence linking the illness to aluminum overload has led to advances in prevention and treatment. Early diagnosis aids in the reversal or amelioration of the syndrome and can be of immense value to the patient, the family and involved health personnel. The general features of the syndrome, etiologic considerations, differential diagnosis and treatment are discussed. Three case studies are included to illustrate salient features of the syndrome.


Author(s):  
Petros Bouras-Vallianatos

This chapter examines John’s Medical Epitome. The focus here is on the first four of its six books. In contrast to the established view that this work was intended for physicians, it is argued that it was primarily written for philiatroi, intellectuals who were deeply interested in medicine, but not practising physicians themselves. The Medical Epitome, unlike John’s other two works, mainly consisted of material from earlier sources. The analysis of the text starts with a close reading of John’s proem and a discussion of the background of his dedicatee, the Byzantine statesman Alexios Apokaukos. It then shifts to an examination of the work’s structure with the aim of emphasizing John’s intentions in putting together his material. The analysis proceeds by way of a number of case studies focusing on diagnosis and therapy, and goes on to show that John intentionally condensed his material, removing specialized advice, so as to make it appeal to non-expert readers. Thus it is shown, for example, that the absence of details on invasive operations is consistent with the character of his intended readers, who were only able to use non-invasive techniques, such as phlebotomy and arteriotomy. Finally, the particular attention John paid to differential diagnosis, especially as regards eye affections, which is often supplemented with his own advice, is highlighted.


2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Despoina Moumtzi ◽  
Marianna Kakoura

Behcet’s disease (BD) is a vasculitis of unknown etiology. It is often correlated with thrombophilic factors such as V Leiden. Pulmonary involvement is reported in 1-10% of patients. The most common manifestations are pulmonary aneurysms while pulmonary embolism is a rare complication. A 41-year old man with BD and V Leiden heterozygosity complained of pleurodynia and fever. Pleurodynia deteriorated in the following days and PE was confirmed by CT angiography, without the presence of aneurysms. After the exclusion of the antiphospholipid syndrome, a therapeutic dose of apixaban was initiated. Two weeks later, pleurodynia relapsed in combination with pleural effusion unilaterally. These findings were attributed to disease exacerbation. For this reason, we decided to enhance the immunosuppressive therapy. Six months later, CTPA showed complete remission of the clots. Vasculitis predisposes to thrombosis with or without coexisting thrombophilia. Clinicians should include them in their differential diagnosis and provide personalized treatment, based on immunosuppressants.


Blood ◽  
1952 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 765-793 ◽  
Author(s):  
STEVEN O. SCHWARTZ ◽  
JOAN CRITCHLOW

Abstract This article represents a critical attempt to survey the cumulative information of the rare syndrome ordinarily called Di Guglielmo’s disease. The historical background lies predominately in Europe, more particularly in Italy, where the recording of cases has been fairly extensive and where interpretation has been pioneered. The present study does not presume to be definitive. It attempts to trace the thinking that has gone before, and to define the terms of reference so as not to compound nosologic confusion. It presents examples of cases in the literature acceptable diagnostically by definition. Criteria for the differential diagnosis of acute and chronic erythremic myelosis and erythroleukemia are offered. These three conditions are regarded as variants of reticulo-endotheliosis. This conclusion is based on what is known of the pathogenesis, and on what has been observed clinically and hematologically. All evaluation is necessarily offered with the reservations that must be held regarding a rare disease of unknown etiology.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 174-178
Author(s):  
Asha Naik ◽  
Cristobal Rincon-Aznar

Abstract We report a case of delayed recovery from general anesthesia following a routine parathyroidectomy. Our objectives are to describe the process of establishing a differential diagnosis and subsequent management of a patient presenting with atypical neurological signs from an unknown etiology and to increase awareness about the potential for serotonin syndrome and neurotoxicity due to known interactions between methylene blue and selective serotoninnoradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors. ICU management of Serotonin Toxicity is briefly described.


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