Rectum Cancer are the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States and the second deadliest. Rectal cancer has distinct environmental associations and genetic risk factors different from colon cancer. The transformation of the normal rectal epithelium to a dysplastic lesion and eventually an invasive carcinoma requires a combination of genetic mutations either somatic (acquired) … [Read more…]
Liver Function Test is a misnomer as many of the tests do not comment on the function of the liver but rather pinpoint the source of the damage. Elevations in ALT and AST in out of proportion to ALP and bilirubin denotes a hepatocellular disease. Whereas, an elevation in ALP and bilirubin in disproportion to … [Read more…]
What Is Lung Cancer?/Lung cancer or bronchogenic carcinoma refers to tumors originating in the lung parenchyma or within bronchi. It is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Lung cancer is responsible for more deaths in women than breast cancer. It is interesting to note that at the beginning of … [Read more…]
Acute myocardial infarction is one of the leading causes of death in the developed world. The prevalence of the disease approaches three million people worldwide, with more than one million deaths in the United States annually. Acute myocardial infarction can be divided into two categories, non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI) and ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI). Unstable … [Read more…]
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease. It is the result of atheromatous changes in the vessels supplying the heart. CAD is used to describe a range of clinical disorders from asymptomatic atherosclerosis and stable angina to acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina, NSTEMI, STEMI). In the US, it is still one … [Read more…]
What Is Ischemic Cardiomyopathy?/Ischemic Cardiomyopathy (ICM) is a term that refers to the heart’s decreased ability to pump blood properly, due to myocardial damage brought upon by ischemia. When discussing the term ICM, coronary artery disease (CAD) has to be addressed. CAD is a condition characterized by the formation of plaques in the coronary blood … [Read more…]
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)/Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as the presence of kidney damage or an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 60 ml/min/1.73 mt2, persisting for 3 months or more, irrespective of the cause.[rx] It is a state of progressive loss of kidney function ultimately resulting in the need for renal replacement therapy (dialysis or … [Read more…]
Kidney failure, also known as end-stage kidney disease, is a medical condition in which the kidneys are functioning at less than 15% of normal. Kidney failure is classified as either acute kidney failure, which develops rapidly and may resolve; and chronic kidney failure, which develops slowly.[rx] Symptoms may include leg swelling, feeling tired, vomiting, loss of appetite, and confusion.[rx] Complications of acute and chronic failure include uremia, high … [Read more…]
Quadratus Lumborum Block approaches use a fascial plane through which the abdominal branches of the lumbar arteries course. The anterior quadratus lumborum block is a deep block, close to the lumbar plexus and risks retroperitoneal spread of hematoma. Anatomy and Physiology of Quadratus Lumborum Block The QLB differs from the TAP. It is a block of the posterior abdominal … [Read more…]
A plica is a band of thick, fibrotic tissue that extends from the synovial capsule of a joint. Plica can be present in multiple joints, but this article will review plica in the knee, the joints most commonly affected by plica tissue. As a result of overuse or injury, plica can become inflamed or irritated … [Read more…]
Achilles tendinopathy is one of the most frequently ankle and foot overuse injuries, which is a clinical syndrome characterized by the combination of pain, swelling, and impaired performance. The two main categories of Achilles tendinopathy are classified according to anatomical location and broadly include insertional and non insertional tendinopathy. The etiology of Achilles tendinopathy is … [Read more…]
Straight Leg Raising Test (SLRT) /The straight leg raise test also called the Lasegue test is a fundamental neurological maneuver during the physical examination of the patient with lower back pain aimed to assess the sciatic compromise due to lumbosacral nerve root irritation. This test which was first described by Dr. Lazarevic and wrongly attributed … [Read more…]