These criteria are applied by testing the median, ulnar (stimulated below the elbow), peroneal (stimulated below the fibular head), and tibial nerves on one side of the body. During testing, limb temperature should be no less than 33°C at the palm and no less than 30°C at the external malleolus.
Two criteria must be diagnose AIHA: serologic evidence of an autoantibody and clinical or laboratory evidence of hemolysis. Serologic evidence of an autoantibody is provided by positive autocontrol and direct antiglobulin test (DAT, direct Coombs´ test) results and subsequent identification of an autoantibody in the RBC eluate and possibly the serum. Serum reactivity with autologous RBCs generally indicates the presence of an autoantibody, but it does not exclude the presence of an autoantibody.
Continue reading “Diagnosis of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA)”
Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is characterized by dysregulation of the immune system due to an inability to regulate lymphocyte homeostasis through the process of lymphocyte apoptosis (a form of programmed cell death). The consequences of this include lymphoproliferative disease, manifested by lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and an increased risk of lymphoma, as well as autoimmune disease, typically involving blood cells.
Continue reading “Diagnostic Criteria for Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (ALPS)”
Burch and Wartofsky have delineated a point system assessing degrees of dysfunction in various systems (thermoregulatory, central nervous, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular).
Small fiber neuropathy manifests in a variety of different diseases and often results in symptoms of burning pain, shooting pain, allodynia, and hyperesthesia.
Continue reading “Diagnostic Criteria for Small Fibre Neuropathy (SFN)”
Bell’s palsy is a peripheral palsy of the facial nerve that results in muscle weakness on one side of the face.
Continue reading “Clinical Criteria for Bell’s Palsy (Idiopathic Facial Nerve Paralysis)”
Equianalgesic tables aid the clinician in making these conversions by providing a rough estimate for starting doses of the new opioid that may produce approximately the same amount of analgesia. Morphine (10 mg IM) is the gold standard to which all other opioids are compared.
Continue reading “Dose Equivalence Table for Opioid Analgesics”
Refractory ascites is defined as ascites that does not recede or that recurs shortly after therapeutic paracentesis, despite sodium restriction and diuretic treatment.
Continue reading “Diagnostic Criteria for Refractory Ascites”
Selective intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe practice when the ductal anatomy is clearly defined and there is no laboratory or clinical evidence of common bile duct abnormalities. Continue reading “Indications for Selective Operative Cholangiography”
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that develops in some people with the skin condition psoriasis. It typically causes affected joints to become inflamed (swollen), stiff and painful.
Continue reading “Diagnostic Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)”
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