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…

Anal Fissure

Overview Anal fissure is a split in the skin of the distal anal canal. It presents with severe pain on defecation, like passing “glass shards”, and rectal bleeding. It is more frequently diagnosed in younger and middle-aged individuals. Anal fissures are mostly caused by passage of hard stool but can also be a result of…

Nephritic Syndrome

Overview Nephritic syndrome is one of two clinical patterns seen in glomerular disease. Nephritic Syndrome is characterised by haematuria, proteinuria, hypertension and oligouria. Nephritic syndrome can be further classified based on light microscopic features: Focal Diffuse Glomerular Disease: Disease effecting the glomerulus. Glomerular disease reduces the ability of the kidneys to maintain a balance of certain substances in…

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…

Myelofibrosis

Overview Myelofibrosis is a type of myeloproliferative diseasecharacterized by clonal myeloid expansion, followed by progressive fibrous connective tissue deposition in the bone marrow, resulting in bone marrow failure. Clonal evolution can also occur, with an increased risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia. In addition, disabling constitutional symptoms secondary to the high circulating levels of…

Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome (Exercise-induced Compartment Syndrome)

Overview Chronic compartment syndrome (also known as chronic exertional compartment syndrome or exercise induced compartment syndrome) is an exertional condition in which repetitive activity causes transiently elevated pressure within a closed myofascial compartment, leading to ischemic pain, tightness, and sometimes neurologic symptoms that predictably begin with exercise and abate with rest. It most often affects…

Osteomalacia / Rickets

Overview Osteomalacia (adults) and rickets (children) are disorders of impaired bone mineralisation leading to soft, poorly mineralised bone. It arises when there is insufficient calcium–phosphate supply to the mineralising matrix due to vitamin D deficiency, calcium deficiency, phosphate deficiency (often FGF23-mediated). Nutritional rickets still occurs worldwide, while hypophosphataemic forms (e.g., XLH, tumour-induced osteomalacia) are rarer…

Full resource library