Medical science, drawn into focus.

Infective Endocarditis

Overview Infective endocarditis is a condition which occurs in the setting of bacteraemia whereby endothelial surfaces of the heart, such as valvular structures, become infected. It can present acutely or subacutely, and is often associated with fevers, new heart murmurs, constitutional symptoms and embolic phenomena. The classical organism associated is Staphylcoccus aureus, however there are…

ACL Tear

Overview Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is one of the most common knee injuries, particularly in young athletes involved in pivoting sports (soccer, basketball, skiing). ACL injuries account for ~50% of all knee ligament injuries, with an incidence of ~68 per 100,000 annually, more common in females due to anatomical and biomechanical risk factors. ACL…

Pneumonia

Overview Pneumonia is infection in the lower respiratory tract and is characterised by fevers, purulent sputum, leucocytosis, low oxygen levels and new lung infiltrates (consolidation) on radiographic imaging. The infection is identified by the site of consolidation. Consolidation is where the lung tissue is filled with fluid (ie. water, blood, pus, microbes). Types of pneumonia…

Nephrotic Syndrome

Overview Nephrotic syndrome is a relatively rare but important manifestation of kidney disease.Nephrotic syndrome classically presents with heavy proteinuria , minimal hematuria, hypoalbuminemia, hypercholesterolemia, edema , and hypertension. In general, all patients with hypercholesterolemia secondary to nephrotic syndrome should be treated with lipid-lowering agents because they are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Nephrotic syndrome…

Melanoma

Overview Melanoma accounts for 4 percent of all dermatological cancer. Melanoma has the highest mortality rate of all dermatological cancers, only 14 percent of patients with metastatic melanoma survive for five years. Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young adults. Melanoma Overview Anatomy and Physiology The skin consist of three layers, from superficial…

Amyloidosis (Overview)

Overview Amyloidosis is a disorder in which misfolded proteins aggregate into insoluble beta-pleated sheet fibrils and deposit extracellularly in tissues, leading to progressive organ dysfunction. It may be systemic or localized .  In current practice, the most clinically important systemic forms are AL (light-chain), AA (serum amyloid A), and ATTR (transthyretin; hereditary or wild-type) .…

Henoch–Schönlein Purpura (IgA Vasculitis)

Overview Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP), now termed IgA vasculitis, is the most common systemic vasculitis in children, characterised by IgA1-dominant immune complex deposition in small vessels, particularly affecting the skin, joints, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys. It predominantly occurs in children aged 3–10 years, with a slight male predominance, and often follows an upper respiratory tract infection.…

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