Corticosteroids in the treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma

✍ Scribed by John D. Patrick

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1981
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 145 KB
• Volume: 10
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1097-6760
• DOI: 10.1016/s0196-0644(81)80403-9

✦ Synopsis

gonococcal disease. ESR elevation is variably present. A negative cervical Gram's stain does not exclude gonococcal disease, but can be quite specific if vaginal flora is eliminated and a pure endocervical specimen obtained. When GC is seen, a presumptive diagnosis of GC salpingitis may be made. Culdocentesis recovers turbid fluid and leukocytes in 80% of those with moderate or severe symptoms, but may also be positive in other types of intra-abdominal pathology. When pelvic abscess is suspected, ultrasonography is a highly accurate means of diagnosis. (Editor's note: The high incidence of false positive diagnoses and their nature, namely missed appendicitis and ectopic pregnancy, is of great concern. While laparoscopy will reduce this, it is not practical to laparoscope all patients with non-classic presentations, negative cervical Gram's stains, and negative culdocenteses as indicated.