Chronic pancreatitis occurs when there is irreversible and progressive destruction of the pancreas. While the etiology of the pain in chronic pancreatitis is not well understood, it is most likely due to: chronic inflammation, altered nociception and tissue ischemia
Splenomegaly is often a focus of short case examinations since many of its causes are chronic. Lymphadenopathy may be localized or generalized...
The pathophysiology of acalculous cholecystitis is thought to start with an acute or acute-on-chronic condition that leads to endothelial injury and gallbladder ischemia.
A patient is anemic when the hemoglobin concentration in the blood is less than 13 g/dL (or hematorcit [Hct] less than 39%) in men and 12 g/dL (or Hct less than 36%) in women. The size of the red blood cells gives important clues as to the likely underlying abnormality.
A classic “you’ll miss it if it’s not on your differential,” ascending cholangitis refers to a bacterial infection of the biliary system, requiring both obstruction and bacterial colonization of the biliary tract.
True vertigo is the false perception (illusion) of movement, usually rotational, of a patient of his or her surroundings. This is often accompanied by vomiting, sweating, and pallor...
Recognition of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is tricky, as many of the criteria, such as Ranson, Imrie-Glasgow, and APACHE II, are determined 24 to 48 hours after presentation. This renders them unhelpful in the emergency department (ED) time frame.
Bruising and bleeding arise when there is abnormal hemostasis. Hemostasis is dependent on normal platelet number and function, an intact coagulation pathway, and normal vessel walls.
In adults, by far and away the most common foreign body ingestion is a meat bolus impacting a preexisting anatomic structure. In children, the most common foreign body ingestion are coins.
Jaundice (icterus) is the yellow discoloration of the skin, sclera, and mucosae, which is detectable when serum bilirubin concentrations exceed approximately 2.5 mg/dL. Jaundice can arise as a result of increased red blood cell (RBC) breakdown, disordered bilirubin metabolism, or reduced bilirubin excretion.