October 15, 2009

Although venomous snakebites in the United States are rarely fatal, most require antivenom therapy. Early intubation and ventilation may be required after bites from pit vipers whose venoms contain presynaptic neurotoxins. There is little evidence to support any specific…

Although physicians cannot routinely perform a comprehensive mental status examination in a short office visit, these components can assist in the diagnosis of psychiatric problems and guide further evaluation and referral.

The initial detection and evaluation of adnexal masses requires a high index of suspicion, a thorough history and physical examination, and careful attention to subtle historic clues. Timely, appropriate laboratory and radiographic studies are also required. The goal of…

Because there are a number of possible causes of solitary pulmonary nodules, the initial clinical step must be to determine whether the lesion is benign or malignant. Further evaluation should be based primarily on the size of the nodule and patient risk factors for cancer.

Vitamin D deficiency causes bone demineralization, which can lead to back pain, bone discomfort, and muscle weakness. Treatment with vitamin D supplementation can relieve symptoms and decrease patients' risk of falls and bone fractures.

Four H1N1 Vaccines Demonstrate Safety and Effectiveness, Receive FDA Approval | CDC and IOM Update Recommendations for Influenza Treatment and Protection | Study Shows Retail Clinics Provide Care Comparable with Other Settings | Physician Groups Call on Congress to Replace…

Cannabis sativa, or marijuana, has been used medicinally for millennia. In the United States, it was part of the published pharmacopeia until 1942, and was still legally available for medical use until 1970, when the Controlled Substances Act was passed. Thereafter, marijuana…

What are the effects of interventions to prevent foot ulcers and amputations in persons with diabetes? What are the effects of treatments in persons with diabetes with foot ulceration?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against screening adults for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using spirometry.

A 50-year-old woman presents for a routine check-up and medication refills. She has smoked a pack of cigarettes daily for more than 30 years but does not report chest pain or breathing problems. She asks whether she should be checked for emphysema, which her father developed in…

There is no evidence from comparative trials to suggest a single best treatment method for anogenital molluscum contagiosum. Randomized controlled trials suggest self-administered topical imiquimod or podophyllotoxin cream is effective for resolving lesions.

Title VII, Section 747 is a source of federal funding intended to strengthen the primary care workforce. Despite evidence that Title VII has been successful, its funding has declined over the past three decades, threatening the production of primary care physicians.

Photo Quiz presents readers with a clinical challenge based on a photograph or other image.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Panel has produced a report on the management of hepatitis B virus (HBV) created by independent panels of health professionals and public representatives using a systematic literature review.

During your period each month, you usually get a small cyst on your ovaries. These cysts are a normal part of your period. Sometimes they cause pain, but usually they do not cause any symptoms. Your doctor may find these cysts during an exam or ultrasound. Most cysts go away…

A lung nodule is a small, ball-shaped mass that can grow in the lung. Your doctor can see it on a chest x-ray or CT scan. Nodules can be smaller than a pea, the size of a golf ball, or even larger. They are often found when patients have tests for other reasons (such as x-rays…