1 What is an anorectal malformation? Anorectal malformation is a term used to designate a series of congenital defects characterized by the absence of an anal opening. However, most of the time, the rectum is abnormally connected to the perineum…
1 What signs and symptoms suggest intestinal obstruction in the neonate? Signs and symptoms vary according to the location of the obstruction. Proximal intestinal obstruction leads to early bilious vomiting, typically with minimal distention. Neonates with distal intestinal obstruction often…
1 What is hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS)? HPS is the most common cause of gastric outlet obstruction in infants resulting in nonbilious vomiting. The pathogenesis of HPS is unknown; it is not thought to be a developmental defect. Hypotheses include…
1 Why is the term dissecting aortic aneurysm really incorrect? The correct term should be dissecting aortic hematoma because the lesion is not an aneurysm. Blood passes into the media, creating a hematoma that separates the intima from the media…
1 Does lung cancer screening save lives? The United States National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) reported a reduction in lung cancer mortality of 20%, and a 6.7% decrease in all-cause mortality. Low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans may prove beneficial in…
1 Is lung cancer a single disease? Traditionally, lung cancer has been stratified histologically as squamous/epidermoid, adenocarcinoma, and small/large cell lung cancers. Our current ability to profile cancers at the molecular level appears to have both prognostic and therapeutic value.…
Pleural Effusion 1 What is a pleural effusion? Pleural fluid is generated in normal adults at a rate of 5–10 L per 24 hours in the combined hemithoraces, but normal adults have only 20 mL of pleural fluid present at…
1 What does aortic valve disease mean? Aortic valve disease most often refers to obstruction of the aortic valve, aortic stenosis, or an aortic valve leak known as aortic regurgitation or aortic insufficiency. The vast majority of aortic valve disease…
1 What are the causes of mitral regurgitation? a. (Primary) degenerative mitral regurgitation is due to an abnormality of the mitral valve annulus, leaflets, or chordae tendineae. Principal causes include: Mitral valve prolapse Valvular degeneration Annular calcification Rheumatic fever Endocarditis…
1 What is the most common cause of mitral valve stenosis in adults? Rheumatic fever. This usually occurs in early childhood, and many patients do not recall their illness. 2 Which gender is most commonly affected? Women, by a ratio…