Definition Morphea is a rare condition where patches of thick, hardened and discolored patches occur on the skin. Morphea also spelled as morphoea is a form of localized scleroderma, an autoimmune condition of the connective tissue of the body. In morphea, it is only the skin that is affected whereas in other forms the >> Read More ...
Definition Lateral epicondylitis, commonly referred to as tennis elbow, is a condition where the tendons that attach to the bony bump on the outer side of the upper arm bone are irritated. The muscles of the tendons involved are also strained and both structures undergo some degree of degeneration. Tennis elbow arises with >> 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 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Definition Perioral dermatitis is a reddish skin rash around the mouth that presents with small pimples, tiny blisters and sometimes dry scaly skin. It closely resembles rosacea but is primarily isolated to the area around the mouth. The pimples are not due to acne vulgaris despite the similarity in presentation. Perioral >> Read More ...
Definition Calcinosis cutis is a condition where there are deposits of calcium salts in the skin. It may also extend to the underlying tissue known as the subcutaneous tissue and calcinosis can occur even deeper in the body including within muscles or organs. In calcinosis cutis, the abnormal deposits are made up of >> Read More ...
Definition Dracunculiasis is a nematode (parasitic worm) infection caused by the guinea worm, Dracunculus medinensis. It is also known as guinea worm disease (GWD). It has become a very rare infection due to various eradication campaigns globally over the past quarter of a century. Dracunculiasis may be eradicated >> Read More ...
Definition Meigs syndrome is a triad of medical conditions where there is a benign ovarian tumor (specifically an ovarian fibroma) with ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity) and pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs in the pleural space). Once the tumor is removed, both ascites and pleural effusion >> Read More ...
