Oral Contrast for Abdominal CT: How Important Is It and How Long Does It Take?
QuestionHow important is oral contrast material to the accuracy of an abdominal computed tomography (CT), and how long does it really take to reach its intended target? Response from Joseph R. Lex Jr., MDAssociate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Combination Low-Dose DFMO and Sulindac Reduce Recurrence of Colorectal Adenomas
Combining low-dose difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) sulindac lowers the risk for recurrent colorectal adenomas. The results of the phase 3 randomized trial, which were reported here at the American Association for Cancer Research 2008 Annual Meeting, showed that among patients who received the active drug combination, there was a 70% decrease […]
Cauterizing Arteries in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Can Be Both Unnecessary and Dangerous
Almost since the inception of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, surgeons have been employing devices that concentrate electrical or vibrational energy to heat and thereby cauterize arteries. However, for more than 7 years, Brij Agarwal, MD, MBBS, MS, and colleagues have been avoiding the use of these energy devices. Dr. Agarwal is a senior surgeon at Sir Ganga […]
Risks of Transfusion
Bruce D. Spiess, MD, FAHAIntroductionBlood transfusion has evolved into a mainstay medical therapy. It has never undergone efficacy and safety testing the way in which a drug would be tested for approval by the US Food and Drug Administration.[1,2] Today, some 107 years after Karl Landsteiner discovered the ABO histocompatibility antigens, we are still learning […]
Changing the Paradigm of Anticoagulation Management
Dr. AnsellInterview: Jack Ansell, MDProfessor of MedicineBoston University School of MedicineVice Chairman for Clinical AffairsDepartment of MedicineBoston University Medical CenterBoston, Massachusetts Medscape had the opportunity to discuss laboratory and office-based anticoagulation monitoring with Jack Ansell, MD, Professor of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, and Vice Chairman for Clinical Affairs, Department of Medicine, Boston University […]
How might acupuncture work?
Acupuncture is one of the key components of the system of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In the TCM system of medicine, the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces: yin and yang. Yin represents the cold, slow, or passive principle, while yang represents the hot, excited, or active principle. […]
Does acupuncture work?
According to the NIH Consensus Statement on Acupuncture, there have been many studies on acupuncture's potential usefulness, but results have been mixed because of complexities with study design and size, as well as difficulties with choosing and using placebos or sham acupuncture. However, promising results have emerged, showing efficacy of acupuncture, for example, in adult […]
