Sometimes, in my line of work as a dentist, I have to break the bad news to patients regarding the state of their teeth and gums. It can be challenging to inform patients that they have gum disease, an infection of the gums that keep our teeth in place when…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS
Osteochondroma : Mnemonics
Features of Osteochondroma Mnemonic: Six “C” Commonest benign bone tumor Continue to grow until Closure of physis Cartilage cap (appears larger clinically than in X-ray) Continuous with native bone (cortex and medullary canal) Cane (pedunculated/stalked points away from joint and sessile/broad based have higher risk of malignant degeneration) Change (mutation)…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS
Palmar Aponeurosis or Fascia
5 components a. Central aponeurosis It is triangular in shape with apex originating at the level of flexor retinaculum as a continuation of palmaris longus and thins and fans out distally. It has 3 dimensional fiber orientation: longitudinal, transverse and vertical 1. Longitudinal: Gives 4 pre-tendinous band (PTB) in the…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS
Rheumatoid hand
Ulnar drift or deviation of fingers Normal anatomical factors contributing to ulnar drift of fingers at MCP joint: Normal mechanical advantage of ulnar intrinsic muscles Asymmetry and ulnar slope of metacarpal heads of index and middle fingers Greater ulnar deviation permitted by radial collateral ligament when MCP joint is flexed…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS
Gout : Mnemonics
Urate Lowering Therapy (ULT) Mnemonic: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Start Urate Lowering Therapy if: ≥1 subcutaneous tophi ≥2 flares per year ≥3 stage CKD with Serum uric acid (SUA) ≥ 9 mg/dl Other indications: Urate renal stone, Evidence of joint destruction in X-ray 4. ≥4 weeks to be…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS
Edward Syndrome : Mnemonic
Mnemonic: EDWARDS 1. Eighteen trisomy, Elongated skull 2. Digit overlapping with clenched fist 3. Webbing of 2nd and 3rd toes 4. Absent radii, Arthrogryposis 5. Rocker-bottom feet 6. Dysplastic ears, Disability (intellectual), Diseased heart (VSD) 7. Small lower jaw
Clinical Skills and Approaches
Romberg test
Tests the function of: Posterior or Dorsal column which may be impaired in: Subacute combined degeneration (SCD) of spinal cord (Vitamin B12 deficiency) Posterior cord syndrome (Posterior spinal artery infarction) Hemisection of spinal cord (Brown Sequard syndrome) Pathophysiologic basis: When the patient is standing with the eyes open, visual, proprioceptive,…
Clinical Skills and Approaches
Deep tendon reflexes
Deep tendon reflexes are monosynaptic reflexes integrated at lamina IX of the spinal cord. Deep tendon reflexes may be interpreted as: Normal Diminished or absent (hyporeflexia): Lower motor neuron lesions Exaggerated or clonus (hyper-reflexia): Upper motor neuron lesions Inverted or paradoxical: Damaged afferent pathway Name Spinal level Peripheral nerve Location…