Evaluation of Jaundice

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Causes of jaundice

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.

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Boerhaave Syndrome: Not all Life-threatening Chest Pain Involves the Heart and Lungs

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Boerhaave Syndrome - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Boerhaave syndrome is a spontaneous rupture of the esophagus. It usually results from barotrauma related to retching or any sudden increase in intraabdominal pressure against a closed glottis.

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Anticipate Bleeding and Reverse Coagulopathies in Liver Failure

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Balance of hemostasis in liver disease

Blood clotting in the setting of chronic liver disease is complex and may result in a net prothrombotic or antithrombotic state. Complicating this situation is the lack of accurate lab assays to measure the net thrombotic state in liver disease patients.

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When an Appendicitis Doesn’t Follow the Rules

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Appendicitis - Pathogenesis and Clinical Findings

Classic symptoms of appendicitis include pain that is initially vague and periumbilical followed by a more localized parietal pain in the right lower quadrant. Only 50% of people present with these classic symptoms; in the other 50%, appendicitis can be difficult to diagnosis.

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