RT Book, Section
A1 Nelson, Lewis S.
A1 Gold, Jeffrey A.
A2 Nelson, Lewis S.
A2 Lewin, Neal A.
A2 Howland, Mary Ann
A2 Hoffman, Robert S.
A2 Goldfrank, Lewis R.
A2 Flomenbaum, Neal E.
SR Print(0)
ID 6521734
T1 Chapter 78. Ethanol Withdrawal
T2 Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies, 9e
YR 2011
FD 2011
PB The McGraw-Hill Companies
PP New York, NY
SN 978-0-07-160593-9
LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=6521734
RD 2021/01/16
AB Alcohol  withdrawal  represents  a  major  cause  of  morbidity  in  the  alcoholic  population  and  a  substantial  resource  burden  on  certain  medical  centers  and  communities.  Complicating  management  is  that  there  is  no  diagnostic  test  for  this  clinical  syndrome,  and  the  diagnosis  is  established  on  the  basis  of  the  patient  history  and  clinical  findings.  The  impact  on  patient  outcome  and  resource  utilization  can  be  enhanced  through  early  recognition  of  risk  factors  and  insight  into  the  expected  clinical  course  of  these  patients.  This  will  allow  for  empiric  initiation  of  therapy  and  targeted  management.  The  underlying  pathophysiology  provides  insight  into  the  potential  complications  associated  with  alcohol  withdrawal  and  the  choice  of  therapy.  It  is  important  to  seek  alternative  diagnoses  and  inciting  factors  for  withdrawal,  which  may  indeed  be  the  same  entity.