Severe sepsis
Chapter 61 Severe sepsis A Raffaele De Gaudio The incidence of sepsis has increased steadily over the last three decades, at least in part because of ageing western populations.1 Nearly…
CRITICAL CARE
Management of acute poisoning
Chapter 80 Management of acute poisoning Duncan L.A. Wyncoll Acute poisoning remains one of the commonest medical emergencies, accounting for 5–10% of hospital medical admissions. Although in the majority of…
Paediatric poisoning
Chapter 105 Paediatric poisoning James Tibballs EPIDEMIOLOGY The peak incidence of poisoning in childhood is among 1–4 year olds. It usually occurs in the home when the child ingests a…
Spinal injuries
Chapter 70 Spinal injuries Geoff A. Gutteridge There are few injuries that have a more devastating impact on both the patient and their family than spinal cord injuries (SCI). The…
Airway management and acute upper-airway obstruction
Chapter 25 Airway management and acute upper-airway obstruction Gavin M. Joynt The primary objective of airway management is to secure unobstructed gas exchange and protect the lungs from soiling. Because…
Acute respiratory failure in children
Chapter 98 Acute respiratory failure in children Alan W. Duncan Established or imminent respiratory failure is the commonest reason for admission to neonatal and paediatric intensive care units (ICUs). A…
Paediatric trauma
Chapter 103 Paediatric trauma Neil T. Matthews The management of paediatric trauma is different from adults. Paediatric patients presenting with trauma have mechanisms of injury, clinical symptoms and examination findings…
Haematological malignancies
Chapter 92 Haematological malignancies James P. Isbister The treatment of haematological malignancy has been an evolving success story. In recent years, the prognosis for patients with acute leukaemia has changed…
Therapeutic plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin immunomodulatory therapy
Chapter 90 Therapeutic plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin immunomodulatory therapy James P. Isbister Bloodletting to remove ‘evil humours’ has a long history of over 2000 years. Although not based on…
