Definition Benign gastric tumors are non-cancerous abnormal tissue growths that occur in the stomach. There are different types of benign stomach tumors, some of which arise from the inner stomach lining (mucosal) or others arising from the deeper stomach wall tissues and structures. Most stomach polyps are actually benign >> Read More ...
What is explosive diarrhea? Explosive diarrhea is a descriptive term to describe very frequent bowel movements that is expelled in an almost violent nature and is usually excessively loud. Although diarrhea is a common symptom from childhood to the senior years, explosive diarrhea can be very distressing. It is important >> Read More ...
Definition Lithium-induced goiter is a condition where the thyroid gland enlarges in patients using lithium. Due to the location of the thyroid gland, it causes a swelling in the neck. The condition is caused by the use of lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder. However, there are other more common causes of goiter >> Read More ...
What are Biliary Strictures? A biliary stricture is any narrowing of the bile duct, the tube that carries bile between the liver, gallbladder and duodenum of the small intestine. A minor narrowing does not significantly impede bile movement and a person may be asymptomatic. It is only with a severe degree of obstruction or >> Read More ...
Definition Superior vena cava syndrome is a condition where blood flow through one of the major veins to the right side of the heart is blocked. This vein is known as the superior vena cava (SVC). It carries low oxygen blood from the upper part of the body to the right atrium of the heart. The other major vein is the >> Read More ...
What is Fungal Keratitis? Fungal keratitis is an infection of the cornea caused by a fungus. Although keratitis (corneal inflammation) can occur for several reasons, a fungus is one of the more common causes of infectious keratitis. It can lead to severe damage of the eye and blindness if not diagnosed early or left >> Read More ...
Definition Ogilvie syndrome (not Oglivie) is a condition where there is a sudden blockage of the colon despite there being no mechanical reason for the obstruction. This means that there is no mass or narrowing causing the obstruction. In fact, the colon is actually widened (dilatation) abnormally. Ogilvie syndrome is also >> Read More ...
Definition A meningioma is an abnormal growth (tumor) that arises from the protective lining around the brain and spinal cord, the meninges. These tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) with some being atypical where it is neither cancerous nor non-cancerous. The vast majority of meningiomas are >> Read More ...
What is Silo Filler’s Disease? Silo filler’s disease is a condition caused by inhaling toxic levels of oxides of nitrogen gas. It is primarily an occupational disease associated with working in farm silos where crops are stored. It should not be confused with farmer’s lung, another occupational disease >> Read More ...
Definition Hyperoxaluria is the term for high levels of oxalate in the urine. It is normal to pass oxalate in the urine but these levels are lower than 40mg (milligrams) per day. In hyperoxaluria the urinary oxalate levels exceed 40mg within a 24 hour period. The oxalate is produced within the body and/or sourced from >> Read More ...
