Renal (urinary) calculi
Definition Renal or urinary calculi are concretions formed by precipitation of various urinary solutes in the urinary tract. They contain calcium oxalate (60%), phosphate as a mixture of calcium, ammonium…
Postoperative pulmonary complications
Definitions Pulmonary collapse or atelectasis results from alveolar hypoventilation such that the alveolar walls collapse and become de-aerated. Pneumonia is an infection with consolidation of the pulmonary parenchyma. Key Points…
Extracranial arterial disease
Definition Extracranial arterial disease is a common disorder characterized by atherosclerosis of the carotid or vertebral arteries resulting in cerebral (stroke, TIA), ocular (amaurosis fugax) or cerebellar (vertigo, ataxia, drop…
The diabetic foot
Definition The term diabetic foot refers to a spectrum of foot disorders ranging from superficial cellulitis to ulceration and gangrene occurring in people with diabetes mellitus (DM) as a result…
Valvular heart disease
Definition Valvular heart disease comprises a group of congenital or acquired conditions characterized by damage to the heart valve(s), resulting in deranged blood flow through the heart chambers. Key Points…
Pituitary disorders
Definition Pituitary disorders are characterized either by a failure of secretion of pituitary hormones or by tumours, which cause local pressure effects or specific syndromes due to hormone overproduction. Key…
Parathyroid disease
Hyperparathyroidism Definition Hyperparathyroidism is a condition characterized by hypercalcaemia caused by excess production of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Key Points Hyperparathyroidism often presents with vague symptoms to many different specialists. Asymptomatic…
Pancreatic tumours
Definitions Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a malignant lesion of the head, body or tail of the pancreas. Periampullary carcinomas arise around the ampulla of Vater and include tumours arising from the…
Pancreatitis
Definition Pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the exocrine pancreas that results from injury to the acinar cells. It may be acute or chronic. A pancreatic pseudocyst is a persisting…
