Hypothermia is characterized by fall of at least 1 °C below normal core temperature. This becomes clinically relevant when the core temperature starts to fall below 36 °C. This usually occurs either with a decrease in heat production, an increase…
Physiologic monitors are tools that enable the “vigilance” described in the motto of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and guide the patient “safety” ( securitas ) in the motto of the Association of the Anesthetists of Great Britain and…
Definition The term “anaphylaxis” infuses a sense of dread irrespective of place or person but with proper information in place, it can be treated in time. The European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology defines anaphylaxis as “a severe, life-threatening,…
Definition Acute postoperative pain is defined as the pain occurring within first 24–48 h after a craniotomy. In a pilot study, De Benedittis et al. found that 60% of postcraniotomy patients suffered from moderate to severe postoperative pain. In two-thirds of…
After a spinal surgery, acute pain is mainly generated from the skin, muscle, vertebrae, intervertebral discs, and facet joints. Following a spine surgery, most of the patients may have moderate to severe pain for the initial 3–4 days. The intensity…
Definition Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is caused by excessive or inappropriate secretion or action of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), resulting in: Dilutional hyponatremia without clinically apparent hypervolemia (also known as euvolemic) Reduced plasma osmolality Impaired water excretion with…
Definition Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a heterogeneous condition characterized by polyuria and polydipsia caused either due to a lack of secretion of vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) from posterior pituitary, its physiological suppression following excessive water intake, kidney resistance to its action,…
Definition Cerebral salt wasting (CSW) is a condition characterized by renal loss of sodium leading to hyponatremia and concomitant decrease in extracellular fluid volume due to an intracranial disease. CSW was first described in 1950 by Peters et al. They reported…
Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) refers to demyelination of white matter tracts traversing the pons (central pontine myelinolysis (CPM)) or in the extrapontine regions (extrapontine myelinolysis (EPM)). CPM is a noninflammatory, symmetric, demyelinating condition involving the central pons. EPM refers to…
Introduction The term stridor is derived from the Latin word stridere , meaning a harsh creaking or grating sound. It is a manifestation of a disordered airway due to air flow changes within the larynx, trachea, and bronchus. The frequency…