The first part of this series reviews cervical spine immobilization, patient selection for imaging and clinical decision rules for cervical spine radiography. This two-part article is critical for any physician who manages patients with potential cervical spine trauma.
Part I of this two-part series on stroke covered the differential diagnosis, risk factors, and prevention of stroke. This second and final part in the series will focus on the physical examination, laboratory investigations, imaging, and treatment of stroke.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is an illness that frequently presents with nonspecific symptoms, that affects people of all ages and stages of life, and that is difficult to diagnose with available tests. The first article in this two-part series will cover the epidemiology of PE, the factors that increase a patients risk for the disease, and the pathophysiology and clinical features of PE. In addition, complicated issues regarding the diagnosis of PE and the controversies involved will be addressed.