Internal medicine
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Among the various diagnostic strategies of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), physical diagnosis is the quickest and requires no extra cost. Rapid physical diagnosis of COPD in primary care practice can lead to earlier actions of preventive measures and counseling for patients. Further, rapid physical diagnosis of COPD in an emergency department is also crucial for timely use of potentially lifesaving therapy specific for COPD patients. In this review, we will present a broad scope of physical findings for rapid physical diagnosis of COPD.
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Comparative Study
Doctor-patient communication: a comparison between telemedicine consultation and face-to-face consultation.
The objective of this study was to compare doctor-patient communications in clinical consultations via telemedicine technology to doctor-patient communications in face-to-face clinical consultations. ⋯ This study suggests that new training programs are needed for doctors to develop improved communication skills and the ability to express empathy in telemedicine consultations.
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A primary cardiac malignant tumor is very rare; its prevalence is only 0.002-0.28%. Among most malignant tumors, angiosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and mesothelioma occupy the majority. A cardiac osteosarcoma is extremely rare: to our knowledge, only 36 cases have been reported worldwide. ⋯ Hemodynamically the tumor led to significant obstruction of the mitral valve. The patient underwent an emergency resection operation, but multiple metastases occurred. Though the characteristics still remain unclear because of the low prevalence, it is very important that these tumors be distinguished from benign tumors because of early resection operation.
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Electrolyte abnormalities are frequently observed in patients with hyponatremia. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of various electrolyte abnormalities encountered in hyponatremic patients admitted to an internal medicine clinic, as well as to investigate the possible pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for these abnormalities. ⋯ Additional electrolyte abnormalities are frequently encountered in patients with hyponatremia of any origin admitted to an internal medicine clinic.
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Systemic capillary leak syndrome is characterized by recurrent hypovolemic shock attributable to increased systemic capillary leakage. A 26-year-old woman was admitted because of recurrent episodes of hypovolemic shock. ⋯ Three years later, she again had an attack of systemic capillary leak syndrome complicated with pretibial compartment syndrome. This case emphasizes the importance of muscle compartment pressure monitoring during volume resuscitation in patients with systemic capillary leak syndrome.