What is aortitis? Aortitis is a condition where the aorta is inflamed. It is a form of vasculitis – inflammation of a blood vessel. More correctly, it is known as arteritis because the inflammation affects an artery. While every type of vasculitis has clinical implications, aortitis may be very serious due to the >> Read More ...
What is a megacolon? Megacolon is a condition where the colon of the large intestine becomes wider than normal. This distension can also affect the cecum and extend to the rectum. The proper term for this widening is ‘dilatation’. It is not an increase in length but a dilated portion of the colon while other >> Read More ...
What is CSF rhinorrhea? CSF rhinorrhea is a condition where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks through the nose. Normally cerebrospinal fluid is confined to the space around the brain and spinal cord. Due to its close proximity to the sinus and nasal cavity, any opening will allow CSF to leak into it and then drain out >> Read More ...
What is gallbladder mucocele? A gallbladder mucocele is a condition where the gallbladder is stretched due to the accumulation of mucus or clear watery fluid in the hollow organ. It is also known as hydrops. This condition should not be confused with a gallbladder empyema where the gallbladder is filled with pus. In a >> Read More ...
What is a cold injury? A cold injury is any disruption of internal processes, damage or death to tissue and associated complications that results from exposure to cold. This includes cold weather, cold water, snow, ice and liquid gas. Although the body has various means to tolerate and cope with cold, minimize damage and >> Read More ...
What is a fat embolism? Fat embolism is where large globules of fat travel in the bloodstream. Since fat cannot dissolve in blood on its own, it remains in a solid form and there is a risk that it may block a smaller blood vessel. It is more likely to obstruct a blood vessel that is already narrowed (stenosis) with >> Read More ...
What is Zenker diverticulum? Zenker diverticulum is an outpouching of the wall of the upper esophagus (gullet). It is rare and almost only seen in the elderly. Outpouchings are protrusions of the wall of a hollow cavity. It can occur in any part of the gut and a more common type is seen in the large intestine. Zenker >> Read More ...
What is lower gastrointestinal bleeding? Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is loss of blood from the lower part of the gut, namely the large intestine and to a lesser extent the ileum of the short intestine. Although lower gastrointestinal bleeding is less common than upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it can lead to >> Read More ...
Pancreatic Trauma Definition The term pancreatic trauma refers to injury of the pancreas, the elongated gland that sits in the upper middle quadrant of the abdomen. This can occur with blunt force trauma or sharp penetrating injuries. The pancreas is among the more commonly injured organ as it has very limited protection >> Read More ...
What is viral arthritis? Viral arthritis is inflammation of the joint caused by the presence of a virus. While viral arthritis can occur with a viral infection, it is not always the virus itself that is attacking the joint tissue and causing inflammation. Instead it may be the immune system that targets the joint lining >> Read More ...
