Splenic enlargement and Traube's space: how useful is percussion?
Article Abstract:
One of the more frequent diagnostic procedures used for detecting enlargement of the spleen is percussion of Traube's space, an area over the stomach air bubble. When the spleen is normal, the area is tympanic (produces a hollow sound) on percussion. However, when the spleen is enlarged, the sound is dull. Despite its widespread use, the procedure is not mentioned in medical textbooks and is considered to be unreliable by many physicians. To evaluate the effectiveness of this procedure, 43 patients with enlarged spleens and a control group of 75 people with normal spleens were examined. In the patient group, the enlargement of the spleen was confirmed by ultrasound examination. Three board-certified internists were asked to physically examine the patients and rate the size of their spleens on a scale of one to five, based on the sounds of percussion at Traube's space. The authors concluded that while percussion of Traube's space could not produce a definitive diagnosis of enlarged spleen, it was a useful clinical tool. When excluding obese patients and patients who had eaten within two hours of being examined, the percussion test sensitivity was 0.78, with a specificity of 0.82. (The test identified patients with an enlarged spleen in 78 percent of the cases and identified those without an enlarged spleen in 82 percent of the cases.) In obese patients, there were a significant number of false negative results (rated as not enlarged when it really was), and in those patients who had eaten within two hours of examination, there were significant false positive results (rated as enlarged when it was not).
Publication Name: American Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0002-9343
Year: 1989
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Laser Disc Suitable for Commercial Applications
Article Abstract:
Pioneer has released a Laser Disc Video Player, LD1100. The player can be interfaced with a home stereo or television. The player allows for active searching of individual frames and plays slow motion. The system is also being used for commercial applications in stores and agencies for presentations.
Publication Name: Industrial Management & Data Systems
Subject: Computers and office automation industries
ISSN: 0263-5577
Year: 1983
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Just what defines frailty?
Article Abstract:
An in-depth analysis on 'frailty,' which is synonymously used with elder persons, is presented. Research in this area, for the purpose of defining and understanding this concept from a better perspective, is also analyzed.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0002-8614
Year: 2005
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