Table of Contents

VOL 111 / NO 2 / FEBRUARY 2002 / POSTGRADUATE MEDICINE

SYMPOSIUM ON CRITICAL CARE

INTRODUCTION TO THE SYMPOSIUM
W. Bruce Davis, MD

EVALUATING THE COMATOSE PATIENT
Rapid neurologic assessment is key to appropriate management
Coma is a medical emergency that calls for prompt action. Awareness of possible causes and steps in neurologic evaluation can guide appropriate therapy.
Khalid Malik, MBBS, David C. Hess, MD

SEDATION AND ANALGESIA IN INTENSIVE CARE
Medications attenuate stress response in critical illness
Indications for sedatives, analgesics, and neuromuscular blocking agents, as well as techniques to monitor drug efficacy and adverse effects.
Amy R. Blanchard, MD

CLINICAL UPDATES

WHO'S LIABLE FOR BREAST CANCER PREVENTION?
Your patient can sue--and win--if preventive options aren't made clear
Delayed diagnosis of breast cancer has become one of the most common and expensive medical-legal claims against physicians. This article reviews some principles crucial to reducing exposure to such liability.
John V. Knaus, DO

MANAGEMENT OF COMMON STRESS FRACTURES
When to apply conservative therapy, when to take an aggressive approach
Certain features of stress fractures can help discern between fractures that will heal with rest and those that require intervention.
Andrew D. Perron, MD, William J. Brady, MD, Theodore A. Keats, MD

CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE SERIES
SYSTEMIC COMPLICATIONS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Pinpointing clinical manifestations and best management
Chronic kidney disease can seriously affect nearly every organ system. This article highlights the most frequent systemic complications and their management.
Gregorio T. Obrador, MD, MPH, Brian J. G. Pereira, MD, MBA

WEB EXCLUSIVES

DIGITAL DOC
Memory matters
Boosting memory without draining batteries
Bryon P. Bergeron, MD

CONTINUING FEATURES

GUEST EDITORIAL
Mad cow disease risk in the United States
Does perceived threat overshadow true likelihood of occurrence?
George Gray, PhD, Silvia Kreindel, DVM, MPH, David Ropeik, MS

PUZZLES IN PRACTICE
Progressive, painful hardening of the legs
Vivek Iyengar, MD, Sylvia Hsu, MD, Josie Pielop, MD

PRACTICE PEARLS
Laughter's therapeutic effect
Sphygmomanometer helps determine pulses
Alleviate pruritus with ice

CURBSIDE CONSULTS
How to taper tramadol dose

PATIENT NOTES
Nocturnal leg cramps

READER SERVICES

Editorial Board, Staff

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Index issues are published in June and December of each year. Articles published are peer-reviewed and are regularly indexed by Index Medicus and by the MEDLARS service of the National Library of Medicine.

In an effort to provide information that is scientifically accurate and consistent with accepted standards of medical practice, the editors and publisher of Postgraduate Medicine routinely consult sources believed to be reliable. However, readers are encouraged to confirm this information with other sources. For example and in particular, physicians are advised to consult the prescribing information in the manufacturer's package insert before prescribing any drug mentioned.

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