Giardiasis (aka beaver fever) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the protozoa Giardia lamblia (aka Giardia intestinalis, Giardia duodenalis). Pathophysiology The giardia organism inhabits the GI tract of a variety of...

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is neurosurgery involving the implantation of a brain pacemaker, which sends electrical impulses, through implanted electrodes, to specific parts of the brain, for the Tx of...

Jaundice (from French "jaun" meaning "yellow", aka icterus) is yellowish pigmentation of the skin, conjunctiva, and other mucous membranes. [faq]What does jaundice mean? It sounds like someone who's being a bit...

Postmenopausal bleeding is bleeding or spotting following menopause (i.e. confirmed 12 months after your last period). [faq]What is postmenopausal bleeding? It's bleeding after menopause. What's menopause? It's when vaginal bleeding stops for 1 year. That's...

Pancreatic cancer is cancer originating in the pancreas. Sx Asymptomatic, usually in the disease's early stages If a cancer in the head of the pancreas, obstructs the common bile duct, as it runs through...

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic [nonketotic] syndrome (HHS, aka hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma, HONK, nonketotic hyperosmolar coma) is a complication of diabetes mellitus (predominantly type 2), in which hyperglycemia (high blood sugars) cause severe...

Endometrial biopsy is a procedure that involves taking a tissue sampling of the endometrium (lining of the uterus). The tissue subsequently undergoes a histologic evaluation, which aids the Dr in...

CT scan (aka computer axial tomography, CAT scan, computer-aided tomography) uses multiple x-rays taken from different angles, to generate a tomographic image (i.e. virtual cross-sectional slice), or even 3D image using a...

Pleural effusion (aka water on the lung) is excess fluid accumulating between the 2 pleural layers that surround the lungs. Pathophysiology Although normally containing fluid, excessive amounts can impair breathing by limiting the...

Paget’s disease of the breast is a malignant condition that outwardly may have the appearance of eczema, with skin changes involving the nipple of the breast. Epidemiology It is an uncommon disease...