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Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD)

Overview UCTD is a systemic autoimmune disease with features of connective tissue disease (CTD), but does not fulfill classification criteria for any specific CTD such as SLE, Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic sclerosis, or polymyositis. It is a diagnosis of exclusion used for patients with persistent autoimmune features who do not evolve into a defined CTD. Commonly…

Acute Appendicitis

Overview Acute appendicitis is an acute inflammation of the vermiform (worm-like) appendix. It is mainly caused by obstruction of the lumen of the appendix by stool, infective agents or lymphoid hyperplasia. Acute appendicits is the most common abdominal surgical emergency in the world, with a lifetime risk of 6.9% in females and 8.6% in males.…

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:…

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…

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…

Sickle Cell Anaemia

Overview Sickle cell anaemia is an autosomal recessive disorder causing production of abnormal ß-globin chains. A single amino acid is substituted in the ß-globin chain (Glu to Val at position 6). This results in the production of HbS (haemoglobin Sickle) rather than HbA. The common variants of sickle cell disease are: Sickle cell anaemia (SS…

Paediatric Orthopaedics Overview

Osteochondroses Osteochondroses is a condition that affects the epiphysis of bones. Pathology consists of localised area of ischaemic bone necrosis and oedema of adjacent soft tissue. Osteochondroses result in avascular necrosis of the epiphyseal bone, similar to Perthes disease, but less common. In general osteochondroses is more troublesome than serious. Age effects usually 10-15 +/-…

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