Medical science, drawn into focus.

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…

Cerebral Aneurysm

Overview Cerebral (Intracranial) aneurysm is a focal dilation of an intracranial artery due to weakness of the arterial wall. It occurs in roughly 1-5% of adults and can lead to permanent disability. The most common type is a saccular “berry” aneurysm. Most common location is anterior communicating artery.  Cerebral aneurysms are typically asymptomatic until rupture,…

Common Variable Immunodeficiency

Overview Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most frequent clinically significant primary antibody deficiency, characterised by hypogammaglobulinaemia and impaired antibody responses. It typically presents with recurrent bacterial infections, autoimmunity, granulomatous disease, and an increased risk of malignancy. CVID affects both sexes equally, with a prevalence of ~1 in 25,000–50,000 individuals. Diagnosis is often delayed, with…

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…

Alzheimer's Disease

Overview Alzheimer disease is characterised by an insidious onset of symptoms with initial forgetfulness progressing over time to profound memory impairment with accompanying dysphasia, dyspraxia and personality change. Dementia: Clinical syndrome that is characterised by a progressive deterioration in cognition with resulting decline in function. Alzheimer disease:  Characterised by an insidious onset of symptoms with initial…

Inguinal Hernia

Overview Higher incidence among men 40 to 59 years of age. Although there are many different types of hernias, they are usually related to the abdomen, with approximately 75% of all hernias occurring in the inguinal region. Hernia contains omentum (90% of cases) or intestine (10% of cases). Inguinal hernias are at risk of irreducibility or incarceration, which…

Multiple Sclerosis

"Each patient ought to feel somewhat the better after the physician's visit irrespective of the nature of the illness." -Warfield Theobald Longcope Overview Multiple sclerosis (MS) is defined as an inflammatory demyelinating disease characterised by the presence of episodic neurological dysfunction in at least 2 areas of the CNS (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves)…

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