Evidence-Based Evaluation And Management Of Patients With Pharyngitis In The Emergency Department.
Pharyngitis is a common presentation, but it can also be associated with life-threatening processes, including sepsis and airway compromise. Other conditions, such as thyroid disease and cardiac disease, may mimic pharyngitis. The emergency clinician must sort through the broad differential for this complaint using a systematic approach that protects against early closure of the diagnosis. This issue reviews the various international guidelines for pharyngitis and notes controversies in diagnostic and treatment strategies, specifically for management of suspected bacterial, viral, and fungal etiology. A management algorithm is presented, with recommendations based on a review of the best available evidence, taking into account patient comfort and outcomes, the need to reduce bacterial resistance, and costs.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.
Amy F
AF
Hildreth
Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Instructor of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Sukhjit
S
Takhar
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Program Director, Emergency Medicine Residency, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, Mount Sinai Roosevelt, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY.
Mark Andrew
MA
Clark
Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO.
Benjamin
B
Hatten
D019468:Disease Management; D004630:Emergencies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000628:therapy*