From acute respiratory diseases to chronic lung conditions, pulmonology is a vital area of clinical medicine. Due to a wide array of respiratory diseases, clinical presentation of pulmonary conditions can be complex and oftentimes challenging. In addition to recognizing common characteristics of lung diseases, identifying unusual clinical presentation of pulmonary conditions remains an important educational experience. This concise and easy-to-read title provides that experience in practical context, using a case-based system of learning where a unique case is presented and discussed and questions are provided to challenge the learner and reinforce the transmission of knowledge. Challenging Cases in Pulmonology is not an exhaustive review but rather focuses on common and important problems, with emphasis on evaluation and treatment. The book offers 16 chapters consisting of two or more cases followed by five to ten multiple choice questions. A valuable resource for pulmonologists, allergists, primary care physicians, internal medicine, fellows in allergy and pulmonology, and residents in training, this practical title will also be of interest to nurses, physician assistants, and medical students studying pulmonology. Challenging Cases in Pulmonology complements two previously published case-based titles edited by Dr. Mahmoudi: Challenging Cases in Allergy and Immunology (Humana Press, 2009) and Challenging Cases in Allergic and Immunologic Diseases of the Skin (Springer, 2010).

Rheumatology is a branch of medicine studying abnormalities and diseases of the musculoskeletal system: Joints, muscles, and connective tissues. Immunology is a branch of medicine studying abnormalities and diseases of our immune system. Immune diseases are either due to deficiency of the immune system leading to "immunodeficiency" or due to failure of recognizing the "self" from "non-se'f" and attacking the own system, leading to "autoimmune disease," or due to hypersensitivity diseases such as allergic rhinitis. Rheumatic and Immunologic diseases are closely related because the underlying etiology of certain rheumatic diseases is abnormality of the immune system. Understanding the immune system is the key factor in recognizing the abnormalities in rheumatic diseases. Therefore, clinical immunologists and rheumatologist may occasionally see and treat similar conditions. In fact some specialists are dually trained in Allergy/Immunology and Rheumatology. What makes these two branches of medicine different is their uniqueness. Rheumatologists for example evaluate and treat arthritis (diseases of the joints) such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia, to name a few. Allergists and clinical Immunologists treat hypersensitivities such as allergic rhinitis, bee sting allergy, and allergic asthma, and immunological diseases such as immunodeficiencies among others. Both specialists, however deal with autoimmune diseases. Why a Book in Immunology and Rheumatology? Our musculoskeletal structure holds and protects our internal organs. Any insult to such structure, excluding acute bone fractures, results in various conditions known as rheumatic diseases. Whether the involved area is a joint, a cartilage, or a muscle, the understanding of the immune system helps to elucidate the mechanisms of such diseases. As the population ages in the 21st century, the role of rheumatology and Immunology becomes more apparent and appreciated. Approaching a patient with multiple rheumatic diseases is not an easy task. In fact our immense system is perhaps the most complicated system of the human body; this is due to presence and interactions of myriad of cells and chemical mediators that participate in complex pathways such as the inflammatory response and others to defend the body and respond to pathogens. In addition, our immune system protects us against further exposure to harmful substances. Although there are several books on the subjects of immunology and rheumatology, this case-based study of these two subjects is a unique way of reviewing and discussing such complicated areas of medicine. The Book Format: This book will be divided into 6 parts and 16 chapters. The Estimated length: 300-350 manuscript pages. As with the previous titles I have edited (and which have received very favorable reviews), each chapter will consist of 2 or more cases with discussion, and 5 multiple choice questions per case. This title will be similar to Challenging Cases in Pulmonology (Springer 2011), and Challenging Cases in Allergic and Immunologic Diseases of the Skin (Springer, 2010), Challenging Cases in Allergy and Immunology (Humana Press, 2009).

Challenging Cases in Allergic and Immunologic Diseases of the Skin offers clinicians a wide range of challenging cases that are certain to provide hours of thoughtful and instructive review. Using a case study format and including excellent quality color images, Challenging Cases in Allergic and Immunologic Diseases of the Skin consists of five parts and 20 chapters. The chapters cover such areas as allergic rhinitis, allergic diseases of the eye, drug-induced urticaria, cosmetic allergy, drug allergy, latex allergy, atopic dermatitis, vasculitis, and a range of other commonly seen disorders of the skin. Each chapter comprises at least two cases that are followed by a differential diagnosis, discussion, and five multiple choice questions for thoughtful stimulation and excellent value as a teaching tool. Comprehensive, concise, and well-designed in presentation, Challenging Cases in Allergic and Immunologic Diseases of the Skin is a one-of-a-kind resource that will become a standard resource for all clinicians who care for patients with allergic and immunologic diseases of the skin.

Challenging Cases in Rheumatology and Diseases of the Immune System is the latest title in a growing collection of thought-provoking case-based titles from Massoud Mahmoudi, D.O., Ph.D. Like his three preceding titles, Challenging Cases in Allergy and Immunology (2009), Challenging Cases in Allergic and Immunologic Diseases of the Skin (2010), and Challenging Cases in Pulmonology (2011), this easy-to-read title presents the topic in a challenging and enjoyable case-based format. Developed by 30 distinguished contributors, the book consists of six parts and 16 chapters, with each chapter presenting two cases. The style of this title follows the previous books: each topic begins with an abstract, followed by a case presentation, working diagnosis, data, final diagnosis, and discussion. In addition, to enhance a review of the subject and stimulate critical thinking, there are 5 to 10 multiple choice questions and answers in each chapter. Challenging Cases in Rheumatology and Diseases of the Immune System is an indispensable resource for all clinicians who care for patients with rheumatic and immunologic disorders.

From acute respiratory diseases to chronic lung conditions, pulmonology is a vital area of clinical medicine. Due to a wide array of respiratory diseases, clinical presentation of pulmonary conditions can be complex and oftentimes challenging. In addition to recognizing common characteristics of lung diseases, identifying unusual clinical presentation of pulmonary conditions remains an important educational experience. This concise and easy-to-read title provides that experience in practical context, using a case-based system of learning where a unique case is presented and discussed and questions are provided to challenge the learner and reinforce the transmission of knowledge. Challenging Cases in Pulmonology is not an exhaustive review but rather focuses on common and important problems, with emphasis on evaluation and treatment. The book offers 16 chapters consisting of two or more cases followed by five to ten multiple choice questions. A valuable resource for pulmonologists, allergists, primary care physicians, internal medicine, fellows in allergy and pulmonology, and residents in training, this practical title will also be of interest to nurses, physician assistants, and medical students studying pulmonology. Challenging Cases in Pulmonology complements two previously published case-based titles edited by Dr. Mahmoudi: Challenging Cases in Allergy and Immunology (Humana Press, 2009) and Challenging Cases in Allergic and Immunologic Diseases of the Skin (Springer, 2010).

Challenging Cases in Allergic and Immunologic Diseases of the Skin offers clinicians a wide range of challenging cases that are certain to provide hours of thoughtful and instructive review. Using a case study format and including excellent quality color images, Challenging Cases in Allergic and Immunologic Diseases of the Skin consists of five parts and 20 chapters. The chapters cover such areas as allergic rhinitis, allergic diseases of the eye, drug-induced urticaria, cosmetic allergy, drug allergy, latex allergy, atopic dermatitis, vasculitis, and a range of other commonly seen disorders of the skin. Each chapter comprises at least two cases that are followed by a differential diagnosis, discussion, and five multiple choice questions for thoughtful stimulation and excellent value as a teaching tool. Comprehensive, concise, and well-designed in presentation, Challenging Cases in Allergic and Immunologic Diseases of the Skin is a one-of-a-kind resource that will become a standard resource for all clinicians who care for patients with allergic and immunologic diseases of the skin.

In medical practice there are often complex cases that make extraordinary demands on a clinician's knowledge and ingenuity. In Challenging Cases in Allergy and Immunology, the authors provide these types of fascinating, and informative cases to complement a basic knowledge of diagnosis and management in these fields. As such, this novel title will be of interest to a wide array of allergists and clinical immunologists, as well as all students of medicine and allied health. Written by a multidisciplinary group of national and international experts, the book covers in detail two or more challenging, real-life cases in each disorder discussed. Each case is followed by a work-up, treatment plan, and discussion that includes a differential diagnosis, up-to-date references, and up to ten thought-provoking, multiple-choice questions that enhance the book's value as a comprehensive reference and teaching text. The cases include not only the common allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, and food allergy, but also disorders in immune regulation, autoimmunity, and immunodeficiencies. There are chapters on subjects as wide-ranging as anaphylaxis, occupational asthma, and immune-mediated rheumatic diseases. State-of-the-art and evidence-based, Challenging Cases in Allergy and Immunology is an important resource for all clinicians searching for ways to improve their ability to diagnose and manage patients with allergic and immunologic problems.