CJEM Articles: likelihood ratio

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  • Deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary embolism following minor trauma to the popliteal fossa: could this have been avoided?
    March 2011 13 2
    Jason Orlik, Jennifer McVey

    Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with subsequent pulmonary embolus (PE) is frequently fatal if untreated. Athletes may be susceptible to DVT following minor blunt trauma to the popliteal fossa. We report an adult male hockey player with no “classic” risk factors for DVT who presented with a DVT and bilateral PE following minor popliteal blunt trauma. This case report illustrates the utility of likelihood ratios when interpreting the results of diagnostic tests such as Doppler ultrasonography.

  • Diagnostic testing: an emergency medicine perspective
    September 2002 4 5
    Andrew Worster, Grant Innes, Riyad B. Abu-Laban

    Emergency physicians use diagnostic tests extensively, and the ability to order and interpret test results appropriately is a critical skill. An understanding of sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratios, as well as an awareness of the importance of pre-test probability, is essential. The purpose of this article is to explain, in a straightforward and clinically applicable manner, the core concepts related to diagnostic testing.