Pancreatitis Mnemonic : Causes, Severity

Most commen causes are Gallstones and alcohol.Severity may range from mild to very sever form of disease.

medicine OSPE

52 year old patient presented with cough and several bouts of haemoptysis of four month duration. 1. Describe two abnormalities on chest Xray 2. Give a likely diagnosis

Chest x-ray - mnemonic - Pulmonary oedema

Pulmonary oedema is a medical emergency. It is important to know how to identify it......

Snake Bite.....Prevention and First Aid

Prevention is better than cure.

Constipation - How to relieve - Easy Tips

Constipation is not an uncommon condition in population. It is two time common in female than male.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Trachiostomy




Indications

  1.     The long-term ventilation for more than 21 days
  2.     The airway obstruction; for example, by injury or tumors
  3.     The advantages over a trans laryngeal intubation.


Advantages

  1.     The avoidance of damage to the arytenoid cartilages
  2.     The avoidance of mucosal lesions on the vocal cords, trachea and mouth and nose
  3.     A lower airway resistance (decrease the work of breathing)
  4.     A smaller dead space
  5.     The possibility of better fixation
  6.     The better possible oral care
  7.     The reduced need for analgesics and sedatives
  8.     The higher patient comfort (speaking and oral feeding are possible, foreign body sensation is missing)
  9.     Weaning from the ventilator is made easier or even possible in the first


Contraindications
  1.     Infections of the incision site
  2.     Unstable cervical spine
  3.     Bleeding disorders
  4.     Severe gas exchange disorders


Intraoperative complications
  1.      Anesthesia
  2.      Surgery-related bleeding
  3.      Drug-induced bleeding (anticoagulant)
  4.      Endogenous bleeding (hemophilia, liver disease)
  5.      Pneumothorax / pneumomediastinum
  6.      Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve
  7.      Violation of the cricoid cartilage
  8.      Cardiac arrest by Vagusreiz


Postoperative Complications
  1.      Bleeding from the tracheostomy
  2.      subcutaneous emphysema
  3.      Erosion of major vessels

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Community based Screening programme in Primary HealthCare(PHC) institutions to tackle Non Communicable Disease(NCD)

Community based Screening programme in Primary HealthCare(PHC) institutions to tackle Non Communicable Disease(NCD) burden in Sri nLanka

Dr Thalatha Liyanage,M.B.B.S., D.F.M., MSc &M.D (Com.Med)

Director NCD, Ministry of Health

 

Background

In Sri Lanka71% of annual deaths are due to chronic NCDs.Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes, Cancers and Chronic Respiratory diseases are rapidly increasing over the last few decades accounted for 29.6%, 9.4%, 3.9% and 8.5% of mortalityrespectively. Risk factors; smoking, use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity are prevalent. These diseases are manageable by early detection, treatment and life style modification. In order to address the burdenMinistry of Health formulated NCD Policy with nine strategic objectives in 2009 in par with global action plan for NCD prevention.

WHO Package of Essential NCD (WHO PEN) for detection, prevention, treatment and care of NCDs including CVD and risk factors was a sustainable efficient intervention to achieve theNational policy objectives. PEN was introduced in one of the 26Districts(Badulla) in the country in 2009 and the concept was piloted in two Districts (Kurunagalla & Polonnaruwa) to identify the method of implementation by JICA(Japaneese InternationalCooporation Agency). Latter the concept was streamlinedthroughout the country through Healthy Life Style centers (HLCs) since August 2011.


Methodology

Country consists of 26 Districts and each District comprise of several Primary Health Care institutions (PHCs) with varying facilities to provide curative servicesHLCs were established inPHCs where infrastructure facilities are already available.Necessary equipment, health guidance tools and documents were provided. Screening for NCDs, risk factors, health guidance and referral where necessary are the main activities in the HLCs. Guideline was issued from Ministry of Health on recruitment, screening, follow up and information managementfor monitoring. People 40-65 years of age are screened for risk behaviours, BMI, fasting capillary blood sugar and Blood pressure and cardiovascular risk according to WHO/ISH risk prediction chart and managed according to the Managementprotocol. Circular was issued 16 essential drugs list to beavailable in all PHCs. Quarterly and annual reviews at District and Central levels are evaluating the programme.

 

Results

In 2011 there was 297, HLCs in 22 Districts and in 2013 the number expanded to 668 in all Districts. Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area is a designated area with a population of 100,000-150, 000.The target is to have two or more HLCs per MOH area. Out of 331 MOH areas, 265 (80 %) MOH areas have at least one HLC and 155 (48%) MOH areas have two or more HLCs.

Screening coverage among 40-65 population in 2011, 2012 and 2013 first quarter is  2.3%,3.95%and 5.29% respectivelyshowing increasing trend. Analysis of screened data indicates lower prevalence for smoking (4.98%) and alcoholism (5.8% )than national average but overweight (26.2%),obesity(6.40% ) and high Blood pressure  (13.04 %)were somewhat similar. Mean fasting blood glucose level was 14.2%, which is higher than the previous values (11.5%) (Risk factor surveillance- 2008). More than 30% risk of developing the CVD event within next 10 years is 1% among a sample.


Discussion

HLCs in PHC institutions which provide affordable accessible and acceptable services  in close proximity to the people is important to detect the risk factor s and NCDs earlier to make the productive quality lives through early detection, treatment  and life style modification. It facilitates risk factor surveillance and implement culturally and sector specific interventions. Sincethe male participation is poor, its necessary to use different approach as of work place screening for detection of NCDs and NCD risk factors early for better outcome.

Friday, June 6, 2014

Bladder outflow obstruction and Lower Urinary Track Symptoms

A 74 year old gentlemen who is diagnosed to have benign prostatic hyperplasia  presented with inability to pass urine and suprapubic pain.
On examination there is an abdominal lump arising from the pelvis up to the level of umbilicus.
X-ray KUB
Urinary stones bladder stones
He is having bladder outflow track obstruction caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia complicated by acute retention of urine and stone formation.

Bladder outflow tract obstruction

What are the causes for Bladder outflow tract obstruction?

Mechanical causes for Bladder outflow tract obstruction

  • Bladder neck
    • Bladder neck hypertrophy
    • Stenosis due to prostectomy
  •  Prostate
    • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
    • Prostatic carcinoma
    • Prostitis                                                                     
  • Urethra 
    • Urethral srictures
      • Post traumatic -
        • Accidental
        • Iatrogenic (Instrumentation, Catheterization )
      • Inflammatory - Gonocaccal urethritis
      • Neoplasms
      • Balanitis xerotica obliterans (a premalignant condition)
      • Congenital
    • External meatal stenosis
    • Tight phimosis
    • calculi
    • External compression by Pelvic tumors

Functional causes for Bladder outflow tract obstruction

  • Neurogenic causes
    • Spinal code injury
    • Cauda equina syndrome
    • Prolapsed intervertibral disc
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Diabetic autonomic neuropathy 

what are the features of Bladder outflow track obstruction?

These are called as Lower Urinary Track Symptoms

Lower Urinary Track Symptoms

There are two group of symptoms.

Voiding ( obstructive ) symptoms

  • Hesitancy (He want to pass urine, but there is difficulty in initiation. This worsened when bladder is full)
  • Poor flow ( unimproved by straining) 
  • Dribbling
  • Intermittent stream (Urine flow stops and starts on one or more occasions during voiding )
  • Feeling of incomplete emptying
  • Episodes of near reteintion

Storage ( irritative ) symptoms

  • Frequency
  • Urgency ( Want to pass urine where he can not hold it. This can be associated with or without of incontinence )
  • Urge incontinence ( Involuntary leakage of urine accompanied or immediately preceded by urgency)
  • Nocturnal incontinence (Recent onset Nocturnal enuresis )

What are the complication of bladder outflow track obstruction? 

Complication of bladder outflow track obstruction

  • Acute urine retention
  • Chronic urine retention
  • urinary stones formation
  • Urinary track infection
  • Obstructive uropathy (chronic renal failure)

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Vegetarian Diet - Good or Bad

In these days lot of people's try to be a vegetarian. But there are several facts towards it and against it.
This space is for your ideas.

Vegetarian diet - Good and Bad
Leave your thoughts on comments.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

TNM Classification for Breast Carcinoma

TNM Classification for Breast Carcinoma

TNM Classification is developed and maintain by UICC ( Union for International Cancer Control ) and it used to classify tumors by anatomical stage. This classification help to determine in management and prognosis.

Tumor

  • T1       Up to              2 cm Greatest dimension
  • T2       Between         2-5 cm Greatest dimension
  • T3       More than      5 cm Greatest dimension
  • T4       Any size tumor
    • T4 a        attached to the chest wall
    • T4 b        attached to the skin
    • T4 c        attached to the chest wall and skin
    • T4 d        mastitis carcinomatosis / inflammatory carcinoma

Nodes

  • N 0      No palpable axillary lymph nodes
  • N 1      Mobile axillary nodes
  • N 2      Fixed axillary nodes
  • N 3      Internal mammary chain nodes are palpable

Metastases

  • M 0     No radiological or clinical evidence of distant metastasis
  • M 1     Distant metastasis are present
  • M x     Distant metastasis can not be assessed 
          Breast carcinoma is a systemic disease. It has metastasis from the beginning. But it can not assess due to small size (<0.2mm )

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

SIRS, Sepsis, Sever Sepsis, Septic Shock, Septicaemia, Bactiraemia Definition with Mnemonics

SIRS Mnemonics

SIRS is a pro-inflammatory condition which does not include documented source of infection.
Any two or more of the following signs indicate Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). Features of SIRS can memorize as HRT (hormonal replacement therapy) for Women. 

H- Heart Rate                            >90 beats per minute
R- Respiratory Rate                   >20 beats per minute
T- Temperature                         >38 oc or <36 oc
W- White Blood Count             >12 *109 / L or <4* 109 / L

Sepsis

Sepsis is systemic response to infection. It manifest as SIRS in the presence of infection.

Severe sepsis 

Sepsis with evidence of organ hypoperfusion or altered cerebral function.

Septic shock

Severe sepsis with hypotension (systolic blood pressure less than 90mmHg) despite of adequate fluid resuscitation. 

Septicaemia

Presence of multiplying bacteria in blood steam.

Bactiraemia

Presence of bacteria in circulation.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Pancreatitis Mnemonics : Causes, Severity

Pancreatitis : Mnemonics

pancreatitis mnemonic causes, severity

Causes for pancreatitis : Mnemonics

Idiopathic
Gallstones (38%)
Ethanol (35%)
Tumours  (peri-ampullary tumour, pancreatic carcinoma)      
Scorpion venoms
Mumps
Autoimmune (SLE, Polyarteritis nodosa)
Surgery and trauma

  • Post surgical (cardiac surgery), Blunt trauma to abdomen, Penetrating peptic ulcer
Hyperlipidemia, Hypercalcemia. Hypothermia
ERCP or Emboli
Drugs

  • Azathioprine, Corticosteroids, Didanosine, Mercaptopurine, asparaginase, Estrogen, Methyldopa, Valproic acid, Acetaminophen.

Modified Glasgow criteria

Three or more positives within 48 hours indicates severe pancreatitis.

  • PaO2                                 < 8kPa (60mmhg)
  • Age                                   > 55 years
  • Neutrophils                      (WBC >15 x109/l
  • Calcium                            < 2mmol/l
  • Renal                                (Urea > 16mmol/l)
  • Enzymes                          (LDH > 600 iu/L or AST > 200 iu/L
  • Albumin(serum)              < 32g/l
  • Sugar                               (Blood Glucose >10mmol/L) 
 In the most severe form of pancreatitis the mortality rate is around 40% to 50%.