Facet Arthropathy
Lumbar facet arthropathy is a common cause of lower back pain since the lumbar facet joints take a majority of force in rotational motion, as well as significant force in vertical compression and shear. Diagnosis is clinical.
Dr Jeffrey Kalei
Author and illustrator for Hyperexcision. Interested in emergency room medicine. I have a passion for medical education and drawing.
Disc Herniation
Disc herniation – aka bulging disc, slipped disc, or ruptured disc – occurs when a tear in the annulus allows the nucleus pulposus material to extrude through the annulus. It is a type of disc degeneration. The extruding material may compressing…
Discogenic Low Back Pain
Discogenic low back pain refers to low back pain that results from disc degeneration. It is common and occurs in 80% of the general population.
Spinal Degeneration (Spondylosis)
The spine and intervetebral discs undergo significant age-related degeneration. The nucleus pulposus becomes stiffer due to collagen deposition (beginning in the 20s). Changes to the spine cause decreased stability leading to osteophyte complex (bone spur formation) around the disk or elsewhere (in the laminar or articular…
Lumbar Puncture (LP)
A lumbar puncture is the insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space to measure intracranial (opening) pressure, drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and administer intrathecal medications. Classic CSF patterns Condition WBC / differential Protein Glucose Opening pressure Normal CSF 0–5/µL 15–45 mg/dL…
Thoracocentesis (Pleurocentesis)
Thoracocentesis is the insertion of a needle or catheter into the pleural space to remove fluid or air. Classification Classification Description Diagnostic thoracocentesis Performed to determine the cause of pleural effusion and exclude infection Therapeutic thoracocentesis Performed to relieve symptomatic effusions Common causes of pleural effusion Category Causes Transudative…
Paracentesis (Ascitic Tap)
A paracentesis is the insertion of a needle or catheter into the peritoneal cavity to remove ascitic fluid Classification Classification Description Diagnostic paracentesis Performed to determine the cause of ascites and exclude spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) Therapeutic paracentesis Performed to relieve tense or refractory ascites
Mycobacteria
Mycobacteria belong to the order Actinomycetales, family Mycobacteriaceae, and Genus Mycobacterium. There are more than 80 species of mycobacteria. The two major pathogens are: The rest are environmental organisms that are collectively known as Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). NTM are responsible for opportunistic infections especially in immunosuppressed…
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurs when the permeability of alveolar capillaries increases, leading to fluid (hyaline) accumulation in the alveoli. This type of fluid accumulation is known as non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. It peaks between 60 and 70 years of age and has…
Ventilator-Associated Lung Injury (VALI)
Overview Ventilator-associated Lung Injury (VALI) is acute lung injury caused or worsened by mechanical ventilation. ****It can be caused by both invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Mechanisms of VALI Mechanism Description Oxygen toxicity Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produces during prolonged…