Medical science, drawn into focus.

Spermatocele

Overview  A spermatocele, or spermatic cyst, is a benign fluid-filled cyst arising from the epididymis, usually near the upper pole of the testis. It commonly contains clear or milky fluid with spermatozoa. Most spermatoceles are painless, discovered incidentally and do not require treatment. Epididymis: coiled structure behind the testis that stores and transports sperm. Spermatocele:…

Complement Deficiencies

Overview Complement deficiencies are rare primary immunodeficiencies resulting from inherited absence or dysfunction of complement proteins, regulators, or receptors. They predispose to recurrent bacterial infections, autoimmune disease (particularly systemic lupus erythematosus–like syndromes), and in some cases angioedema. Complement proteins play a central role in innate immunity by opsonisation, chemotaxis, and direct lysis of pathogens via…

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…

Osgood Schlatter

Overview In this common disorder of adolescence the tibial tubercle becomes painful and ‘swollen’. Although often called osteochondritis and apophysitis, it is nothing more than a traction injury of the apophysis into which part of the patellar tendon is attached. Osgood-Schaltter disease typically occurs during the early adolescent growth spurt between 10-15 years of age,…

Chronic Widespread Pain

Overview Chronic widespread pain (CWP) is a nociplastic pain phenotype defined by persistent (≥3 months) pain affecting multiple body regions, with high comorbidity with fatigue, sleep disturbance, mood symptoms and functional impairment. The pooled global prevalence is ~10% (women>men), with higher rates in lower-HDI settings. CWP is recognised in ICD-11 within the chronic primary pain…

Selective IgA Deficiency 

Overview Selective IgA deficiency is the most common primary immunodeficiency, defined by very low or absent serum IgA levels with normal levels of other immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM). Many patients are asymptomatic, but some develop recurrent mucosal infections, allergic disease, or autoimmune disorders. Prevalence is estimated at 1:300 to 1:700 in Caucasian populations. Diagnosis is often…

Endometriosis

A healthy 25-year-old woman presents with worsening dysmenorrhea, pain of recent onset in the left lower quadrant, and dyspareunia. She has regular menstrual cycles, and her last menstrual period was 3 weeks before presentation. She has been trying to fall pregnant over the past 10 months without success and she is becoming more concerned. Overview…

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