Medical science, drawn into focus.

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) 

Overview MCTD is a systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease characterized by overlapping clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), polymyositis, with rheumatoid arthritis with high titres of anti-U1 RNP antibodies. It typically affects women aged 20–40 years. Prevalence is estimated at 3.8 per 100,000; more common in females (F:M ~9:1). The disease course…

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…

Liver Cysts

Authors Dr. Armando Faigl Areej zeeshan Ahmed Overview Liver cysts are fluid filled cavities in the liver that are asymptomatic and usually found incidentally on abdominal imaging. Larger cysts are more commonly associated with symptoms and complications. Clinical Manifestations Differential diagnosis for all liver cysts Liver abscess Benign tumors Malignant tumors Regenerative nodules Cholelithiasis GERD…

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anaemia

Overview Vitamin B 12 (cobalamin) deficiency is a common cause of megaloblastic anemia, a variety of neuropsychiatric symptoms, and elevated serum homocysteine levels, especially in older persons. The recognition and treatment of vitamin B 12 deficiency is critical since it is a reversible cause of bone marrow failure and demyelinating nervous system disease. Anaemia (Anemia):  The…

Liver Mass I Tumour

Author Armando Faigl MBBS Areej zeeshan Overview Liver tumors are divided into Benign and Malignant. Most liver tumors are benign, asymptomatic and found incidentally on unrelated imaging. Malignant liver tumours are associated with risk factors (Hep C, Cirrhosis) and present with a spectrum of clinical signs and symptoms such as right upper quadrant pain and…

Aortic Regurgitation (incompetence)

Overview Aortic regurgitation (AR) is backward flow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole because the aortic valve does not close completely. AR may result from disease of the valve leaflets, dilatation of the aortic root or both. Chronic AR causes progressive left-ventricular volume overload and dilatation, whereas acute severe AR…

Adult onset Still's Disease

Overview Adult Onset Still’s Disease (AOSD) is a complex multisystemic autoinflammatory disease characterised by recurrent episodes of spiking fever (> 39–40°C), pink–salmon transient skin rash, and the presence of arthralgia or polyarthritis. First described by Eric Bywaters in 1971 it closely resembles systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (Still’s disease). retrospective observational study in Japan found…

Full resource library