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Homan’s sign test also called dorsiflexon sign test is a physical examination procedure that is used to test for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). A positive Homan’s sign in the presence of other clinical signs may be a quick indicator of DVT. Clinical evaluation alone cannot be relied on for patient management, but when carefully performed, it remains useful in determining the need for additional testing (like D-dimer test, ultrasonography, multidetector helical computed axial tomography (CT), and pulmonary angiography) [1][2].
Acute respiratory distress syndrome is characterised by rapid onset dyspnea, bilateral infiltrates on chest x-ray and respiratory failure. This may be due to conditions which directly affect the lung such as pneumonia, aspiration and near drowning. It may also be due to indirect lung injury, as in conditions like sepsis, pancreatitis, trauma and poisoning. The diagnostic criteria of ARDS, often described as the Berlin criteria is discussed in this presentation along with various management aspects of ARDS including ventilation strategies and use of antibiotics and diuretics. Finally prognostic features and alternative strategies are also discussed.
Hyponatremia is defined as a serum sodium of less than 135 Meq per litre and occurs in upto 22 % of hospitalised patients. The causes of hyponatremia may be understood based on the pre-existing volume status of the patient which may either be hypovolemic, euvolemic or hypervolemic hyponatremia. This presentation discusses in detail, the causes of these underlying conditions. Also mentioned are the clinical features and management options and therapeutic sodium targets in patients with hyponatremia. Drugs such as demeclocycline and vaptans (Tolvaptan, Conivaptan) are also mentioned as management options which may be used on a case to case basis. Finally, the all important targets of sodium correction over 24 hours are also mentioned, along with a practical formula for calculation of sodium deficit which is explained with an example.