Oxford Handbook of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation

Investigation of patients with suspected disease has become highly complex, with an ever-expanding plethora of investigative techniques available to clinicians in recent years. As hospitals worldwide become ever more cost conscious, doctors need guidance on which tests to perform and help with interpretation of the results. With major advances in technology there are now thousands of clinical and laboratory tests available forming a key part of the diagnostic process in modern medicine.

The Oxford Handbook of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation returns in its fully revised fifth edition. Every chapter has been extensively updated or rewritten, with many new contributors joining the author team. The book reflects major advances in diagnostic medicine and integrates the latest international guidelines and recommendations. With its patient-focused structure - beginning with symptoms and signs, then moving through specialty-based investigations - the handbook remains a unique and practical guide. Compact, accessible, and clinically relevant, it is an essential companion for medical students, resident doctors, specialist nurses, allied health professionals and general practitioners.

Drew Provan, Emeritus Reader in Autoimmune Haematology, London, UK,Priya Sriskandarajah, Consultant Haematologist, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK

Drew Provan is a haematologist and academic with a career in medical education and research. He trained in London and completed his MD at Harvard Medical School focusing on autoimmune haematological disorders. Dr Provan has held senior academic positions at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, contributing extensively to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. He has published widely on immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and other blood disorders and is co-author of the Oxford Handbook of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, Molecular Hematology and The ABC of Clinical Haematology. A respected speaker and editor, he has authored over 60 books spanning medicine, public speaking, and scientific art.

Priya Sriskandarajah achieved her medical degree at Kings College London in 2007. She then embarked on haematology training as a National Institute for Health and Care Research Academic Clinical Fellow in South West London with posts at the Royal Marsden Hospital as well as Epsom and St Helier. In 2019, she obtained her PhD at the Institute of Cancer Research, examining molecular targets in RAS-mutant multiple myeloma. During her PhD, she was also a Clinical Fellow at the Institute of Cancer Research involved in Phase I trials as well as a sub-investigator on Phase III studies. In 2020, she transferred her training to Guy's and St Thomas' trust as a Clinical Fellow in Systemic Mastocytosis. Following this she completed her haematology training in February 2023 and commenced her current role as a consultant haematologist in March 2023.

ForewordPreface to the Fifth Edition1. Symptoms and signs2. Endocrinology and metabolism, Colin Dayan3. Haematology, Priya Sriskandarajah Rebecca Taylor (SpR)4. Immunology and allergy, Gavin Spickett5. Infectious and tropical diseases, Brian Angus6. Cardiology, Andrew R Houghton7. Gastroenterology, Shaji Sebastian8. Respiratory medicine, Omar Usmani9. Neurology, Martyn Bracewell10. Renal medicine, Sarah McLoskey11. Poisoning and overdose, Alison Jones12. Rheumatology, Richard Watts13. Radiology, Tanya Chawla14. Nuclear medicine, Jim Ballinger and Gopinath Gnanasegaran