Articles related to CLINICAL ASSESSMENT

This review outlines a practical approach to headache imaging, emphasizing that MRI is preferred over CT in most nonemergent settings, while contrast-enhanced MRI should be reserved for specific red-flag scenarios such as malignancy, immunosuppression, focal neurologic deficits, intracranial pressure disorders, infection, and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias.

Developmental topographical disorientation (DTD) is a rare condition characterized by lifelong difficulty navigating familiar environments despite otherwise intact cognition. The article highlights how preserved landmark recognition can coexist with an inability to form accurate cognitive maps, creating significant functional impairment that may be mistaken for acquired neurologic disease.

In a prospective study of nearly 4,000 children evaluated for suspected pulmonary embolism, the PERC-Peds rule demonstrated 99.6% sensitivity and a 0.1% false-negative rate. The findings support diagnostic assessment performance in the study population without establishing broader implementation outcomes.

A malpractice lawsuit alleges a prosthetic heart valve was implanted upside down during pediatric cardiac surgery, resulting in prolonged postoperative shock and ECMO support before revision surgery at a second institution. The allegations remain unproven and litigation is ongoing.

Genetic testing identifies causative variants in approximately 65% to 70% of suspected inherited retinal disease cases and may shorten diagnostic delays. Advances in sequencing technologies and expanding testing access continue to shape retinal disease evaluation and counseling.

A medical ICU implemented risk-stratified nursing interventions to prevent unplanned extubation and reduced event rates from 1.307 to 0.344 per 100 ventilator days over five years. The quality improvement initiative focused on assessment, communication, and standardized prevention bundles.