Chapter 1 – General Approach to Traumatic Injuries
Abstract Trauma is the fourth leading cause of death overall in the United States and the number one cause of death for ages 1 to 44 – second only to…
Chapter 9 – Eye Trauma
Abstract According to the United States Eye Injury Registry, eye injury is the leading cause of monocular blindness, and there are approximately 2.4 million eye injuries occurring annually in the…
Chapter 2 – Trauma Airway
Abstract Airway management is of paramount importance in trauma resuscitations; in fact, virtually all management algorithms begin with the assessment and protection of the airway. Trauma airways are often compromised…
Chapter 6 – Geriatric Trauma
Abstract While elderly patients comprise a small percentage of total major trauma patients (8–12%), they represent a disproportionate percentage of trauma mortalities and costs (15–30%, Figures 6.1 and 6.2). Chapter…
Chapter 5 – Pediatric Trauma
Abstract Trauma evaluation and management often focuses on protocols, especially in adults. In children, however, special considerations are made based on epidemiology, physiology, and mechanisms of injury on the location…
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Introduction Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as a “condition which develops when the reflux of gastric contents causes troublesome symptoms or complications.” The estimated prevalence of GERD in North America is…
Esophagitis
Introduction Abdominal pain and chest pain represent the two most prevalent pain complaints to the US emergency departments each year at 8.6% and 5.2%, respectively. Of those presenting with chest…
Atypical Chest Wall Pain
Introduction The initial evaluation for chest pain must rule out potentially life-threatening cardiac and pulmonary causes. However, the majority of chest pain cases are actually noncardiac in origin and typically…
Postherpetic Neuralgia
Introduction Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a neuropathic pain syndrome that occurs following an acute episode of herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles . As with other manifestations of neuropathic pain,…
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Introduction IBS has a worldwide prevalence rate of 5%–20% , and makes up ~25% of “functional gastrointestinal disorders” diagnoses. Functional abdominal pain is difficult to define, diffuse (not localized), and…
