X-ray vs. CT in identifying significant C-spine injuries in the pediatric population.

Purpose: Evaluation of cervical spine injury (CSI) in children requires rapid, yet accurate assessment of damage. Given concerns of radiation exposure, expert consensus advises that computed tomography (CT) should be used sparingly. However, CT can provide superior image resolution and detection of pathology.

Racial disparities in health care access among pediatric patients with craniosynostosis.

OBJECTIVE Disparities in surgical access and timing to care result from a combination of complex patient, social, and institutional factors. Due to the perception of delayed presentation for overall health care services and treatment in African American patients on the part of the senior author, this study was designed to identify and quantify these differences in access and care between African American and Caucasian children with craniosynostosis. In addition, hypotheses regarding reasons for this difference are discussed.

Factors associated with delayed initiation of HIV medical care among infected persons attending a southern HIV/AIDS clinic.

Background: Despite the proven benefits conferred by early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis and presentation to care, delays in HIV medical care are common; these delays are not fully understood, especially in the southern United States.

Methods: We evaluated the extent of, and characteristics associated with, delayed presentation to HIV care among 1,209 patients at an HIV/AIDS Outpatient Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama between 1996 and 2005.

Results: Two out of five (41.