Praxis
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The knowledge of most oncologic emergencies is crucial in daily practice. Treatment options for the superior vena cava syndrome include chemotherapy, radiation, and intravenous stenting. ⋯ Febrile neutropenia is a hematologic emergency that usually requires inpatient therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Epidural spinal cord compression must be recognized early and can be treated with dexamethason, radiation, or surgery.
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Acute low back pain is one of the most frequent reason for an emergency or primary care physician visit. Up to 90% of all adults will experience an episode of back pain at some point during their lifetime. Although the majority of patients have uncomplicated benign presentation and 80-90% recover within 4 to 6 weeks, there is a small subset who has an underlying potential life-threatening etiology. ⋯ Therefore, early diagnosis and the initiation of the appropriate therapeutic steps are essential. A thourough anamnesis and physical examination are leading to the suspected diagosis. Below, clinical presentation, diagnosis and relevant treatment of the CES are discussed.