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Achalasia is a neurogenic esophageal motility disorder characterized by impaired esophageal peristalsis and a lack of lower esophageal sphincter relaxation during swallowing. Symptoms are slowly progressive dysphagia, usually to both liquids and solids, and regurgitation of undigested food. Evaluation typically includes manometry, barium swallow, and endoscopy. Treatments include dilation, chemical denervation, surgical myotomy, and peroral endoscopic myotomy.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) uses shock waves to break a kidney stone into small pieces that can more easily travel through the urinary tract camera.gif and pass from the body. See a picture of ESWL camera.gif. You lie on a water-filled cushion, and the surgeon uses X-rays or ultrasound tests to precisely locate the stone. High-energy sound waves pass through your body without injuring it and break the stone into small pieces. These small pieces move through the urinary tract and out of the body more easily than a large stone. The process takes about an hour. You may receive sedatives or local anesthesia. Your surgeon may use a stent if you have a large stone. A stent is a small, short tube of flexible plastic mesh that holds the ureter open. This helps the small stone pieces to pass without blocking the ureter.
A patient who has a problem with proprioception can still maintain balance by using vestibular function and vision. In the Romberg test, the standing patient is asked to close his or her eyes. A loss of balance is interpreted as a positive Romberg's test.
Thoracentesis is a procedure used to obtain a sample of fluid from the space around the lungs. Normally, only a thin layer of fluid is present in the area between the lungs and chest wall. However, some conditions can cause a large amount of fluid to accumulate. This collection of fluid is called a pleural effusion.
Purpose: To evaluate the results of LASIK and IntraLASIK treatment in myopic patients with nystagmus. Methods: Eight patients with congenital nystagmus (16 eyes), from 23 to 49 years of age, underwent LASIK surgery. Corneal flaps were created using either the Hansatome microkeratome or the Intral...ase femtosecond laser. The ablations were performed with the Bausch & Lomb excimer laser with an active tracking system. In some patients, the eyes were fixated with forceps or a fixation ring during the laser ablation. Results: The refractive errors were corrected in all cases. There was no decentration or loss of best corrected visual acuity greater than 1 line. In 56% of the eyes, the post-operative uncorrected visual acuity was better than the best spectacle corrected-visual acuity (BSCVA). 62.5% of the eyes improved their BSCVA. The overall visual performance was improved in all the patients. One patient that did not not drive before become eligible to get a driver license after the surgery. Conclusions: Selected patients with myopia and congenital nystagmus may benefit from laser refractive surgery. Laser refractive surgery may be safely and accurately performed by using either the Hansatome microkeratome or the Intralase femtosecond laser and an active tracking system with or without mechanical fixation. Certain patients improve their BSCVA post-operatively.
ERCP is most commonly performed to diagnose conditions of the pancreas or bile ducts, and is also used to treat those conditions. It is used to evaluate symptoms suggestive of disease in these organs, or to further clarify abnormal results from blood tests or imaging tests such as ultrasound or CT scan. The most common reasons to do ERCP include abdominal pain, weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), or an ultrasound or CT scan that shows stones or a mass in these organs. ERCP may be used before or after gallbladder surgery to assist in the performance of that operation. Bile duct stones can be diagnosed and removed with an ERCP. Tumors, both cancerous and noncancerous, can be diagnosed and then treated with indwelling plastic tubes that are used to bypass a blockage of the bile duct. Complications from gallbladder surgery can also sometimes be diagnosed and treated with ERCP. In patients with suspected or known pancreatic disease, ERCP will help determine the need for surgery or the best type of surgical procedure to be performed. Occasionally, pancreatic stones can be removed by ERCP.
The primary functions of the liver are: Bile production and excretion. Excretion of bilirubin, cholesterol, hormones, and drugs. Metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Enzyme activation. Storage of glycogen, vitamins, and minerals. Synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin, and clotting factors.