Medical science, drawn into focus.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Overview Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies and the deposition of immune complexes in various tissues. It predominantly affects women of childbearing age, with a female-to-male ratio of approximately 9:1. The disease is more prevalent among individuals of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent, and its…

Paediatric Bacterial Cutaneous Infection

Overview Meningitis 5 year old presents with non-blanching rash, fever, headache, photophobia and neck stiffness. Aetiology Up to three months of age Group B streptococcus E-coli Listeria Three to 12 years of age Streptococcus pneumonia N. meningitidis Clinical presentation Fever Lethargy Irritability Anorexia Nausea/vomiting Photophobia Neck and back pain/rigidity Kernig sign Brudzinski sign Investigations FBC…

Hydatidiform Mole (Molar Pregnancy)

Overview Hydatidiform moles are part of a group of diseases falling under gestational trophoblastic disease. A hydatidiform mole refers to the abnormal growth of trophoblastic cells in the placenta, resulting in edematous placental villi that form hydatidiform structures. It is classified as either partial or complete, causing either abnormal foetal development (resulting in foetal demise)…

Umbilical and Epigastric Hernia

Overview Umbilical and Epigastric hernias are types of Primary Ventral abdominal wall hernias. Epigastric hernias are two to three times more common in men.  Umbilical hernias are three times more likely in females. Most epigastric hernias contain preperitoneal fat, while most umbilical hernias contain omentum or bowel. These hernias are usually asymptomatic unless incarcerated, obstructed…

Goodpasture Syndrome (Anti-GBM disease)

Overview Goodpasture syndrome, now more precisely termed anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease , is a rare autoimmune small-vessel vasculitis affecting lungs and kidneys, typically manifesting with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis.  Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) has an estimated incidence of approximately 0.5 to 1.8 cases per million per year. It demonstrates a bimodal age…

Asthma

Overview Asthma is a chronic airway inflammation disorder due to complex interactions between inflammatory cells, mediators and airway cells. In young children in whom lung function testing is not feasible, including most preschool children, asthma is defined by the presence of variable respiratory symptoms. Asthma is one of the most common causes of presentation to the Emergency…

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis 

Overview Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly Wegener’s granulomatosis) is a rare, chronic, systemic necrotising vasculitis affecting small-to-medium-sized vessels, characterised by granulomatous inflammation, necrotising vasculitis, and tissue destruction, primarily involving the upper and lower respiratory tracts and kidneys. It falls under the ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV). Peak incidence is in the 5th–6th decade, with slight male predominance and…

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