Medical science, drawn into focus.

Takayasu Arteritis 

Overview Takayasu arteritis is a rare, chronic large-vessel vasculitis primarily affecting the aorta and its major branches, leading to stenosis, occlusion, or aneurysm formation. It most commonly affects young women (<40 years), particularly of Asian descent. The global incidence is estimated at 1–2 per million per year, with a female predominance (F:M ~9:1). It is…

Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency

Overview Leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD) is a rare primary immunodeficiency characterised by recurrent bacterial and fungal infections, impaired wound healing, and absence of pus formation due to defective leukocyte adhesion and migration. It results from genetic defects in leukocyte integrins or signalling pathways, preventing neutrophil extravasation from blood vessels into tissues. LAD has an estimated…

Maternal infections

Overviews Maternal infections is a broad term for any infection that is acquired by a pregnant woman antepartum, intrapartum or postpartum. These infections may have detrimental impacts on the mother and the foetus/newborn. 1 Maternal infections covered in this page include TORCH infections as well as Group B Streptococcal infection and chorioamnionitis.  TORCH infections are…

Hydroxyapatite Deposition Disease 

Overview Hydroxyapatite Deposition Disease (HADD) is a crystal-induced tendinopathy caused by the deposition of hydroxyapatite (HA) crystals, typically in periarticular soft tissues, especially tendons and bursae. The shoulder (supraspinatus tendon) is most commonly affected. It often presents between ages 30–60, more frequently in women. While often asymptomatic, it can cause acute pain and functional limitation…

Liver Abscess

Author  Areej Zeeshan Ahmed Dr. Armando Faigl (editor) Overview Collection of pus forming a mass in the liver as a result of infection. Mainly divided into two types Pyogenic Amoebic Route of infection Biliary tract (most common) Gallstones Cholangitis Congenital anomaly causing to bile stasis Portal Vein Peritonitis Hepatic artery Trauma Penetrating Non-penetrating can cause…

Atrial Fibrillation

Overview Atrial fibrillation, AF is a chaotic, irregular atrial rhythm at 300-600bpm; the AV node responds intermittently, hence an irregular ventricular rate. AF is the most common sustained dysrhythmia; characterised by absent P waves, irregularly irregular heart rate, narrow QRS (typically). It is common in the elderly. The main risk of AF is embolic stroke…

Peptic Ulcer Disease

Overview Peptic ulcer refers to an ulcer in the lower oesophagus, stomach or duodenum. Incidence ↑ with age; both sexes are similarly affected. In the developed world, Helicobacter pylori incidence has been slowly ↓ over the past 50 yrs; Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drug (NSAID) use has ↑. Peptic ulcers remain common worldwide, especially in the developing world where H. pylori infection is prevalent.…

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