Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) is a complete evaluation of the respiratory system including patient history, physical examinations, chest x-ray examinations, arterial blood gas analysis, and tests of pulmonary function. The primary purpose of pulmonary function testing is to identify the severity of pulmonary impairment. Pulmonary function testing has diagnostic and therapeutic roles and helps clinicians answer some general questions about patients with lung disease. PFT’s are normally performed by a specialist technician.
Soft-tissue rim sign – helpful in distinguishing a ureteric stone from a phlebolith on CT imaging. Ureteric stones appear as a calcific density with a surrounding rim of soft tissue representing the oedematous ureteric wall (red arrow). Phleboliths on the other hand usually have imperceptible walls and therefore they appear to be surrounded by fat (green arrow). Occasionally phleboliths have a tail of remnant parent vein associated with one edge known as the comet-tail sign.
Acid-base disorders are commonly encountered in medicine. It is therefore important for the practitioner to know how to accurately interpret acid-base information as obtained from arterial blood gases, serum chemistries, urine electrolytes, and other sources. The below table can be used to quickly evaluate acid-base disorders. Continue reading →
In patients with stable coronary artery disease or low-risk ACS treated with zotarolimus-eluting stents, 3 months of dual antiplatelet therapy was noninferior to 12 months for NACCE, without significantly increasing the risk of stent thrombosis.
The video below demonstrates the mobile interface for the Intern Survival Guide. Covered is how to get to the website, how to navigate, how to search, and how to add a quick link for future use.
The Voice of Reason 