Anesthesia Key

B Anemia Definition Anemia is a deficiency of erythrocytes caused by either too rapid a loss or too slow production of the cells. Therefore, numeric concentrations of hemoglobin are reduced,…

E Pancreatitis Acute pancreatitis Pathophysiology The cause of pancreatitis is multifactorial. Common causes include alcohol abuse, direct or indirect trauma to the pancreas, ulcerative penetration from adjacent structures (e.g., the…

F Splenic disorders Definition A palpable spleen is the major physical sign produced by diseases affecting the spleen and suggests enlargement of the organ. The normal spleen is said to…

D Inflammatory bowel disease Definition In the United States, between 200,000 and 300,000 individuals have inflammatory bowel disease, and approximately 30,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. The two major…

C Hiatal hernia and gastric reflux Definitions Hiatal hernia A hiatal hernia consists of a defect in the diaphragm that allows a portion of the stomach to migrate upward into…

A Carcinoid tumors and carcinoid syndrome Definition Carcinoid tumors consist of slow-growing malignancies composed of enterochromaffin cells usually found in the gastrointestinal tract. They may also occur in the lung,…

B Gallstones and gallbladder disease Cholecystitis Definition Obstruction of the cystic duct by gallstones results in acute, severe midepigastric pain, typically radiating to the right abdomen. Inspiratory effort usually accentuates…

K Hypothyroidism Definition and incidence Hypothyroidism is a state of thyroid gland hypofunction resulting in decreased circulating concentrations of thyroid hormones. Laboratory findings show decreased plasma T3 and T4 concentrations…

J Hyperthyroidism Definition Hyperthyroidism is defined as thyroid gland hyperactivity. Thyrotoxicosis is more specifically defined as a state of thyroid hormone excess. The most common cause of thyrotoxicosis in the…

H Hyperparathyroidism Definition and incidence Primary hyperparathyroidism is characterized and diagnosed by the presence of elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels despite high serum calcium levels. The incidence of primary…