Sample Reviews (2007)

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Steroids for Acute Bacterial Meningitis

QUESTION: What does the recent Cochrane systematic review tell us about the efficacy and safety of adjuvant corticosteroid therapy in acute bacterial meningitis?

Reference: van de Beek D, de Gans J, Prasad K. Corticosteroids for acute bacterial meningitis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007 Jan 24;(1):CD004405.

Download it here:
Review: Steroids in Acute Meningitis.pdf

Agents for Acute Pain Relief in Children

QUESTION: Should pediatric patients with non-surgical musculoskeletal injuries receive ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or codeine for pain?

Reference: Clark E, Plint AC, Correll R, Gaboury I, Passi B. A randomized, controlled trial of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and codeine for acute pain relief in children with musculoskeletal trauma. Pediatrics. 2007 Mar;119(3):460-7.

Download it here:
Review: Pain Relief in Children.pdf

Prednisolone or Acyclovir for Early Bell's Palsy

QUESTION: Do either corticosteroids or anti-viral agents reduce the risk of long-term facial paresis in patients with new onset Bell's palsy?

Reference: Sullivan FM, Swan IR, Donnan PT, Morrison JM, Smith BH, McKinstry B, Davenport RJ, Vale LD, Clarkson JE, Hammersley V, Hayavi S, McAteer A, Stewart K, Daly F. Early treatment with prednisolone or acyclovir in Bell's palsy. N Engl J Med. 2007 Oct 18;357(16):1598-607.

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Review: Prednisolone or Acyclovir.pdf

Septic Arthritis and Gout

QUESTION: How frequently do gout or other crystalloid arthropathies occur concomitantly with septic arthritis? Can synovial WBC levels disntinguish septic arthritis?

Reference: Shah K, Spear J, Nathanson LA, McCauley J, Edlow JA. Does the presence of crystal arthritis rule out septic arthritis? J Emerg Med. 2007 Jan;32(1):23-6.

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Review: Septic Arthritis and Gout.pdf

CT Scanning in Blunt Chest Trauma

QUESTION: Can a clinical prediction rule identify which patients with blunt chest rauma do not require CT scanning to rule out a traumatic aortic injury?

Reference: Ungar TC, Wolf SJ, Haukoos JS, Dyer DS, Moore EE. Derivation of a clinical decision rule to exclude thoracic aortic imaging in patients with blunt chest trauma after motor vehicle collisions. J Trauma. 2006 Nov;61(5):1150-5.

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Review: CT Scans in Blunt Chest Trauma.pdf

Diagnosis of Pediatric Appendicitis

QUESTION: Does this child have appendicitis? How sure are you, exactly?

Reference: Bundy DG, Byerley JS, Liles EA, Perrin EM, Katznelson J, Rice HE. Does this child have appendicitis? JAMA. 2007 Jul 25;298(4):438-51.

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Review: Pediatric Appendicitis.pdf