Ultrasound in pregnancy or obstetric ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive and accurate means of evaluating the fetus. It has become an indispensable obstetric tool and plays an important role in the care of every pregnant woman. The fetal evaluation may be performed as either part of a basic exam … [Read More...] about Level I and Level II Ultrasound in Pregnancy
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Penis Disorders, Anatomical and Developmental Variations
The penis can be affected by a variety of conditions. Some are due to pathologies in the structures constituting penis. Many conditions are due to congenital anatomical variations of the Penis. Infection, tumors and psychological conditions are other causes. Conditions affecting the penis … [Read More...] about Penis Disorders, Anatomical and Developmental Variations
Endometriosis – Causes, Symptoms, Tests and Treatment
Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis most commonly involves the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining the pelvis. Rarely, it may spread beyond pelvic organs. This abnormally … [Read More...] about Endometriosis – Causes, Symptoms, Tests and Treatment
Karnofsky Performance Scale
The Karnofsky Performance Scale Index is an assessment tool for functional impairment. Karfnofsky performance scale can be used to compare effectiveness of different therapies and to assess the prognosis in individual patients. Lower the the Karnofsky score, the worse the likelihood of survival. Lower Karnofsky score indicates a severe disease. The scale is frequently used in hospice and … [Read More...] about Karnofsky Performance Scale
Brain Tumors Grading and Prognostic Factors
Tumor grading refers to its aggression. A staging system describes the location of the tumor and its spread to other parts of the body. There is no recommended systemic staging system for adult brain tumors because most primary tumors do not usually spread beyond the central nervous system. Grading of Brain Tumors [WHO] The histologic classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors, … [Read More...] about Brain Tumors Grading and Prognostic Factors
Penile Biopsy – Indications and Procedure
Penile biopsy is a procedure where tissue is removed surgically to study for histopathological diagnosis. Penile biopsy is used to diagnose cancers of the penis and other benign lesions as well. The technique used may vary with the size and location of the lesion [ for example punch biopsy or incisional/excisional biopsy.] [Read more on types of biopsies] Indications for Penile Biopsy … [Read More...] about Penile Biopsy – Indications and Procedure
Dorsal Penile Nerve Block – Indications and Procedure
Dorsal penile nerve block is used for providing local anesthesia to penis. Penile local anesthesia is used in various procedures like release of paraphimosis, dorsal slit of the foreskin, circumcision and repair of penile lacerations. Just to mention, the ring penile block is different and usesse a 27-gauge needle to circumferentially infiltrate local anesthetic around the penis. Relevant … [Read More...] about Dorsal Penile Nerve Block – Indications and Procedure
Home Pregnancy Test – Principle, Procedure, Accuracy and Interpretation
Home pregnancy test kit is a commercially available kit that women can use to test the signs suggestive of pregnancy. Home pregnancy test kit measures the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) present in the urine of the pregnant woman. There are many types of commercially available kits under different brand names but all work on similar principle. What is HCG? HCG is a hormone … [Read More...] about Home Pregnancy Test – Principle, Procedure, Accuracy and Interpretation
Acrodynia or Pink Disease Symptoms and Treatment
Acrodynia is a condition that primarily affects young children and is characterized by pink discoloration of the hands and feet, irritability, photophobia (sensitivity to light) and polyneuritis (inflamed nerves). The symptoms are often caused by chronic mercury exposure. Acrodynia was common in the past when the use of mercury-containing preparations was common. It is rarely seen now. The … [Read More...] about Acrodynia or Pink Disease Symptoms and Treatment
Anatomy of Arterial Supply of Human Body
Arteries are the large vessels that carry blood away from the heart. Human body circulation is divided into two types - pulmonary and systemic. Arteries of pulmonary system carry deoxygenated from the right ventricle to the lungs to get it oxygenated by lungs. This blood is then returned to the left atrium of the heart by pulmonary vein and then passed to the left ventricle and from thereon … [Read More...] about Anatomy of Arterial Supply of Human Body
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin – Structure, Function, Test and Uses
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced during pregnancy by the placenta. It provides nourishment to the egg after it has been fertilized and attached to the uterine wall. HCG is used to detect pregnancy as well as to monitor it. It is also elevated in certain cancers, hence is used as a tumor marker for their diagnosis. HCG receptors have been found in sperm and fallopian … [Read More...] about Human Chorionic Gonadotropin – Structure, Function, Test and Uses
Pronunciation of Important Medical Terms
Following is a list of important medical terms that you would often come across on the various medical sites, including this. I thought it would be helpful to have a reference page so that doubts could be cleared when required. The bold letters are the actual terms and the non-bold letters try to denote the pronunciation. The list is not complete yet and more would be added on regular … [Read More...] about Pronunciation of Important Medical Terms
Intravenous Cannulation – Indications and Procedure
Intravenous cannulation is a technique in which a cannula is placed inside a vein to provide venous access for the sampling of blood, as well as administration of fluids and other things. Intravenous is most commonly used venous access device. Indications of Intravenous Cannulation Indications for intravenous cannulation include the following – Repeated blood sampling IV … [Read More...] about Intravenous Cannulation – Indications and Procedure
What is CAM or Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapy
CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. Typically conventional medicine is also called standard healthcare and is provided by qualified professionals. Complementary means treatments that are used along with conventional medicine. Alternative means treatments used in place of … [Read More...] about What is CAM or Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapy
Umbilical Vein Catheter – Indications and Procedure
Umbilical vein Catheter is used for vascular access and resuscitation in neonates. After birth, umbilical vein remains patent and can be cannulated up to 1 week. Umbilical vein catheter is used when it is not possible to use peripheral access or intraosseous access, which may be preferred. Indications of Umbilical Vein Catheter Vascular access during emergency resuscitation … [Read More...] about Umbilical Vein Catheter – Indications and Procedure
Umbilical Artery Catheter – Indications and Procedure
Umbilical artery catheter insertion is a common procedure used in intensive care of neonates. It is considered the standard of care for arterial access in neonates. The umbilical artery can be used for arterial access during the first 5-7 days of life [rarely beyond 7-10 days.] It allows direct access to the arterial blood supply and allows accurate measurement of arterial blood pressure, … [Read More...] about Umbilical Artery Catheter – Indications and Procedure
Hypodermoclysis or Subcutaenous Infusion – Indications, Method and Uses
Subcutaneous infusion, or hypodermoclysis, is a method in which fluids are infused into the subcutaneous space via small-gauge needles. Clysis means the introduction of large amounts of fluid into the body usually by parenteral injection to replace that lost. So hypodermoclysis means via subcutaneous tissue and phleboclysis means via the vein. After the fluid is infused subcutaneously, it is … [Read More...] about Hypodermoclysis or Subcutaenous Infusion – Indications, Method and Uses
Venous Access Devices – Types and Uses
Venous access devices are the group devices ranging from peripheral iv cannula to central catheter used to access the venous circulation. Vascular access devices are inserted into veins via peripheral or central vessels for the purpose of diagnosis making or therapeutic reasons. These are Blood sampling Central venous pressure measurement Administration of medication and/or fluids … [Read More...] about Venous Access Devices – Types and Uses