Few Etiology Mnemonics

YELLOW NAILS

N: Non pitting Lymphedema
A: Autoimmune disorders (thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis)
I: Infections (Pneumonia, AIDS)
L: Lung disorders (pleural effusions and bronchiectasis)
S: Serious: Malignancy (mycosis fungoides, laryngeal carcinoma, bronchial carcinoma, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, gallbladder cancer, NH Lymphoma)

DIASTEMA causes (see Terry Thomas “sign”)

D: Developmental cyst orofacial line
I: Inherited (genetic)
A: Anterior traumatic bite
S: Superior labial frenum
T: Tumor (odontomas occurring in the maxillary midline)
E: Excessive teeth (supernumerary)
M: Migration -pathologic migration of the teeth
A: Arch size discrepancy

ANGIOEDEMA causes

A: ACE inhibitor, ARBs
N: Nuts (peanuts allergy)
G: Gleich syndrome (angioedema episodic + hypereosinophilia, IgM, no end organ involvement or cardiac damage); Gland associated (hypothyroidism)
I: Insect bites (bees), idiopathic
O: Other: SLE, Lymphomas
E: Esterase inhibitor C1 deficiency, Everolimus
D: Drugs: NSAIDs (Brufen)
E: Egg & shellfish allergy
M: Morphine, codeine, Milk containing Penicillin
A: Aspirin

SPLINTER HEMORRHAGES

S: Septic emboli, Sunitinib & Sorafenib (TKI, Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors)
P: Psoriasis, & Psittacosis; Proximal & multiple in women look for systemic disease.
L: Lichen planus
I: Infections: Infective endocarditis & Meningococcus; Disseminated histoplasmosis
N: Neoplasia, Nitrofurantoin
T: Trauma, Terbinafine, Tetracyclines
E: Erythematosus (SLE, APS)
R: Rheumatic [Behcet’s, Raynaud’s, Cutaneous Vasculitis] & Renal disease (hemodialysis & post-transplant)

PALMAR ERYTHEMA

E: Endocrine [Diabetes Mellitus 4%]
R: RA [Rheumatoid Arthritis 60%]
Y: Infections [HBC, HCV]
T: Thyroid [TSH low – hyperthyroidism] Topiramate & salbutamol (w/normal liver functions]
H: Hepatic disease [Cirrhosis 23%, Wilson’s disease, Hemochromatosis] Hand Foot Syndrome (following chemotherapy – lots of drugs]; Hereditary
E: Exposure to smoking, & COPD
M: Mum – Pregnancy 30%
A: Atopic dermatitis, Amiodarone (with Gemfibrozil & Cholestyramine with liver abnormalities); Attention: breast cancer – primary & metastatic.

HYPERSALIVATION

H: Hg (Mercury) poisoning
Y: hYpoglossal palsy
P: Pellagra (B3 – niacin deficiency); Pregnancy; Parkinson’s disease; Pyridostigmine & Pilocarpine; Pancreatitis
E: Epiglottitis
R: Rabies; Risperdal
S: Serotonin syndrome
A: Arsenic & Thallium poisoning
L: Liver disease
I: IM Clozapine (nocturnal drooling)
V: VII facial bilateral nerve palsy
A: ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, MSA Multiple System Atrophy (Parkinson’s); Myasthenia Gravis
T: Tonsillitis
I: Infection (oral)
O: Organophosphates
N: Neurologic (bulbar palsy); Nicotine

FARTINGS

F: Fizzy drinks & Foods (Hard to digest), Fructose intolerance
A: Aerophagia; Alcohol (muscle relaxant)
R: Related to Asanas (Yoga positions) & Respiration: Snoring (OSA Obstructive Sleep Apnea); Regular farting Reduces bloating (keep doing it 5-15 xs/day)
T: Tolerance to milk decreased (Lactose intolerance)
I: IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome
N: Neoplasia (colon obstruction; NSAIDs & others (Statins, Varenicline – Champix)
G: Giardiasis
S: Sorbitol & Xylitol

Dr. Henrique Durão

MBChB (O’Porto Univ.), Dip HIV Man (CMSA), DTM&H (Wits), DipPEC (CMSA), Dip Internal Medicine
(CMSA), M. Med. Clinical Pharm [Cum Laude] (Univ. Pretoria), FCP (CMSA). Hard worker, Reliable, Team player, Family man.