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Coffee Bean Sign
The coffee bean sign (also called the kidney bean sign, or bent inner tube sign) is a radiologic sign observed on Abdominal x-ray, abdominal radiographs that specified the presence of a Sigmoid colon volvulus, sigmoid volvulus, a form of bowel obstruction. It can be identified on both abdominal x-rays and abdominal CT scan, computed tomography scans. It is seen as an area of hyperlucency resembling a coffee bean and represents the torsion of the sigmoid colon around the mesentery. The opposed walls of adjacent bowel loops form the central cleft while the two sides of the bean represent gas‐filled segments of dilated bowel that form an inverted U‐shape. Physicians must be aware of this sign as it indicates the possible need for emergent medical intervention as sigmoid volvulus can be a life-threatening condition. Methods of detection Up to 80% of cases of sigmoid volvulus can be identified through plain abdominal radiographs of patients taken in the supine position. The pat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Thoracic Vertebrae
In vertebrates, thoracic vertebrae compose the middle segment of the vertebral column, between the cervical vertebrae and the lumbar vertebrae. In humans, there are twelve thoracic vertebra (anatomy), vertebrae of intermediate size between the cervical and lumbar vertebrae; they increase in size going towards the lumbar vertebrae. They are distinguished by the presence of Zygapophysial joint, facets on the sides of the bodies for Articulation (anatomy), articulation with the head of rib, heads of the ribs, as well as facets on the transverse processes of all, except the eleventh and twelfth, for articulation with the tubercle (rib), tubercles of the ribs. By convention, the human thoracic vertebrae are numbered T1–T12, with the first one (T1) located closest to the skull and the others going down the spine toward the lumbar region. General characteristics These are the general characteristics of the second through eighth thoracic vertebrae. The first and ninth through twelfth v ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fecal Impaction
A fecal impaction or an impacted bowel is a solid, immobile bulk of feces that can develop in the rectum as a result of chronic constipation (a related term is fecal loading which refers to a large volume of stool in the rectum of any consistency). Fecal impaction is a common result of neurogenic bowel dysfunction and causes immense discomfort and pain. Its treatment includes laxatives, enemas, and pulsed irrigation evacuation (PIE) as well as digital removal. It is not a condition that resolves without direct treatment. Signs and symptoms Symptoms of a fecal impaction include the following: * Chronic constipation * Fecal incontinence – paradoxical overflow diarrhea ( encopresis) as a result of liquid stool passing around the obstruction * Abdominal pain and bloating * Loss of appetite Complications may include necrosis and ulcers of the rectal tissue, which if untreated can cause death. Causes There are many possible causes; these include a long period of physical ina ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Toxic Megacolon
Toxic megacolon is an acute form of colonic distension. It is characterized by a very dilated Colon (anatomy), colon (megacolon), accompanied by abdominal distension (bloating), and sometimes fever, abdominal pain, or Shock (circulatory), shock. Toxic megacolon is usually a Complication (medicine), complication of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis and, more rarely, Crohn's disease, and of some infections of the colon, including ''Clostridioides difficile (bacteria), Clostridioides difficile'' infections, which have led to pseudomembranous colitis. Other forms of megacolon exist and can be congenital (present since birth, such as Hirschsprung's disease). It can also be caused by ''Entamoeba histolytica'' and ''Shigella''. It may also be caused by the use of loperamide. Signs and symptoms * Bloating, Abdominal bloating * Abdominal pain * Abdominal tenderness * Dehydration * Fever * Tachycardia (rapid heart rate) There may be signs of septic shock. A physical ex ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cecum
The cecum ( caecum, ; plural ceca or caeca, ) is a pouch within the peritoneum that is considered to be the beginning of the large intestine. It is typically located on the right side of the body (the same side of the body as the appendix (anatomy), appendix, to which it is joined). The term stems from the Latin ''wikt:caecus, caecus'', meaning "blindness, blind". It receives chyme from the ileum, and connects to the ascending colon of the large intestine. It is separated from the ileum by the ileocecal valve (ICV), also called Bauhin's valve. It is also separated from the Large intestine#Structure, colon by the cecocolic junction. While the cecum is usually intraperitoneal, the ascending colon is Retroperitoneal space, retroperitoneal. In herbivores, the cecum stores food material where bacteria are able to break down the cellulose. In humans, the cecum is involved in absorption of Salt (chemistry), salts and Electrolyte, electrolytes and lubricates the solid waste that pas ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Colectomy
Colectomy (''wikt:colo-#Prefix, col-'' + ''wikt:-ectomy#Suffix, -ectomy'') is the surgical removal of any extent of the Large intestine#Structure, colon, the longest portion of the large bowel. Colectomy may be performed for prophylactic, curative, or palliative reasons. Indications include cancer, infection, infarction, perforation, and impaired function of the colon. Colectomy may be performed Laparotomy, open, Laparoscopy, laparoscopically, or Robot-assisted surgery, robotically. Following removal of the bowel segment, the surgeon may restore continuity of the bowel or create a colostomy. Partial or subtotal colectomy refers to removing a portion of the colon, while total colectomy involves the removal of the entire colon. Complications of colectomy include anastomotic leak, bleeding, infection, and damage to surrounding structures. Indications Common indications for colectomy include: * Colon cancer, Colorectal cancer * Colorectal polyp, Colon polyps not amenable to removal b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Peritonitis
Peritonitis is inflammation of the localized or generalized peritoneum, the lining of the inner wall of the abdomen and covering of the abdominal organs. Symptoms may include severe pain, swelling of the abdomen, fever, or weight loss. One part or the entire abdomen may be tender. Complications may include shock and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Causes include perforation of the intestinal tract, pancreatitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, stomach ulcer, cirrhosis, a ruptured appendix or even a perforated gallbladder. Risk factors include ascites (the abnormal build-up of fluid in the abdomen) and peritoneal dialysis. Diagnosis is generally based on examination, blood tests, and medical imaging. Treatment often includes antibiotics, intravenous fluids, pain medication, and surgery. Other measures may include a nasogastric tube or blood transfusion. Without treatment death may occur within a few days. About 20% of people with cirrhosis who are hospitalized ha ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Proctoscopy
Proctoscopy, or rectoscopy, is a common medical procedure in which an instrument called a proctoscope (also known as a rectoscope, although the latter may be a bit longer) is used to examine the anal cavity, rectum, or sigmoid colon. A proctoscope is a short, straight, rigid, hollow metal tube, and usually has a small light bulb mounted at the end. It is approximately 15 cm (5 inches) long, while a rectoscope is approximately 25 cm (10 inches) long. During proctoscopy, the proctoscope is lubricated and inserted into the rectum, and then the obturator is removed, allowing an unobstructed view of the interior of the rectal cavity. This procedure is normally done to inspect for hemorrhoids or rectal polyps and might be mildly uncomfortable as the proctoscope is inserted further into the rectum. Modern fibre-optic proctoscopes allow more extensive observation with less discomfort. Proctoscopes A proctoscope is a hollow, tube-like speculum that is used for v ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy ("sigma", the Greek term for letter " s/ς" + "eidos" + "scopy": namely, to look inside an "s"/"ς"-like object) is the minimally invasive medical examination of the large intestine from the rectum through to the nearest part of the colon, the sigmoid colon. There are two types of sigmoidoscopy: flexible sigmoidoscopy, which uses a flexible endoscope, and rigid sigmoidoscopy, which uses a rigid device. Flexible sigmoidoscopy is generally the preferred procedure. A sigmoidoscopy is similar to, but not the same as, a colonoscopy. A sigmoidoscopy only examines up to the sigmoid, the most distal part of the colon, while colonoscopy examines the whole large bowel. Flexible sigmoidoscopy Flexible sigmoidoscopy enables the physician to look at the inside of the large intestine from the rectum to the left side of the colon, called the sigmoid. Physicians may use the procedure to find the cause of diarrhea, abdominal pain, or constipation. They also use it to look for ben ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Endoscopy
An endoscopy is a procedure used in medicine to look inside the body. The endoscopy procedure uses an endoscope to examine the interior of a hollow organ or cavity of the body. Unlike many other medical imaging techniques, endoscopes are inserted directly into the organ. There are many types of endoscopies. Depending on the site in the body and type of procedure, an endoscopy may be performed by a doctor or a surgeon. During the procedure, a patient may be fully conscious or anaesthesia, anaesthetised. Most often, the term ''endoscopy'' is used to refer to an examination of the upper part of the human gastrointestinal tract, gastrointestinal tract, known as an esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Similar instruments are called borescopes for nonmedical use. History Adolf Kussmaul was fascinated by sword swallowers who would insert a sword down their throat without gagging. This drew inspiration to insert a hollow tube for observation; the next problem to solve was how to shine light th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Blumberg's Sign
Blumberg's sign (also referred to as rebound tenderness or Shchetkin–Blumberg's sign) is a clinical sign in which there is pain upon removal of pressure rather than application of pressure to the abdomen. (The latter is referred to simply as ''abdominal tenderness''.) It is indicative of peritonitis. It was named after German surgeon Jacob Moritz Blumberg. Procedure The abdominal wall is compressed slowly and then rapidly released. A positive sign is indicated by presence of pain upon removal of pressure on the abdominal wall. Clinical significance The sign indicates aggravation of the parietal peritoneum by stretching or moving. Positive Blumberg's sign is indicative of peritonitis, which can occur in diseases like appendicitis, and may occur in ulcerative colitis Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the two types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with the other type being Crohn's disease. It is a long-term condition that results in inflammation and ulcers of the col ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Guarding Reflex
This glossary of medical terms is a list of definitions about medicine, its sub-disciplines, and related fields. A * Aarskog–Scott syndrome – (AAS) A rare, inherited (X-linked) disease characterized by short stature, facial abnormalities, skeletal and genital anomalies. *Abdomen – The part of the body between the chest and pelvis, which contains most of the tubelike organs of the digestive tract, as well as several solid organs. *Abdominal external oblique muscle – The largest, and outermost, of the three flat muscles of the lateral anterior abdominal wall. *Abdominal internal oblique muscle – A muscle of the abdominal wall, which lies below the external oblique and just above the transverse abdominal muscles. *Abductor pollicis brevis muscle – A muscle in the hand that abducts (straightens) the thumb. *Abductor pollicis longus muscle – One of the extrinsic muscles of the hand. Its major function is to abduct the thumb at the wrist. *Abscess – A collection of pu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
