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MRCPCH Clinical Revision - more videos at http://mrcpch.paediatrics.co.uk
Revise for your MRCPCH Clinical exam, with videos and high quality content created by the London Paediatrics Trainees Committee.
Video Credits: Dr Caroline Fertleman, Dr Hermione Race, Dr Camilla Sen, Dr Chloe Macaulay, Dr Emma McLaren, Chris Knapp
Most women have vaginal discharge at many different times throughout their cycle. During ovulation, white and watery discharge is common and accepted as normal. But, discharge after ovulation is widely believed to be a sign of pregnancy.
What is Esophageal Dilation?
Esophageal dilation is a procedure that allows your doctor to dilate, or stretch, a narrowed area of your esophagus [swallowing tube]. Doctors can use various techniques for this procedure. Your doctor might perform the procedure as part of a sedated endoscopy. Alternatively, your doctor might apply a local anesthetic spray to the back of your throat and then pass a weighted dilator through your mouth and into your esophagus.
Why is it Done?
The most common cause of narrowing of the esophagus, or stricture, is scarring of the esophagus from reflux of acid occurring in patients with heartburn. Patients with a narrowed portion of the esophagus often have trouble swallowing; food feels like it is "stuck" in the chest region, causing discomfort or pain. Less common causes of esophageal narrowing are webs or rings (which are thin layers of excess tissue), cancer of the esophagus, scarring after radiation treatment or a disorder of the way the esophagus moves [motility disorder].
How Should I Prepare for the Procedure?
An empty stomach allows for the best and safest examination, so you should have nothing to drink, including water, for at least six hours before the examination. Your doctor will tell you when to start fasting.
Tell your doctor in advance about any medications you take, particularly aspirin products or anticoagulants (blood thinners). Most medications can be continued as usual, but you might need to adjust your usual dose before the examination. Your doctor will give you specific guidance. Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to medications as well as medical conditions such as heart or lung disease. Also, tell your doctor if you require antibiotics prior to dental procedures, because you might need antibiotics prior to esophageal dilation as well.
What Can I Expect during Esophageal Dilation?
Your doctor might perform esophageal dilation with sedation along with an upper endoscopy. Your doctor may spray your throat with a local anesthetic spray, and then give you sedatives to help you relax. Your doctor then will pass the endoscope through your mouth and into the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. The endoscope does not interfere with your breathing. At this point your doctor will determine whether to use a dilating balloon or plastic dilators over a guiding wire to stretch your esophagus. You might experience mild pressure in the back of your throat or in your chest during the procedure. Alternatively, your doctor might start by spraying your throat with a local anesthetic. Your doctor will then pass a tapered dilating instrument through your mouth and guide it into the esophagus.
What Can I Expect after Esophageal Dilation?
After the dilation is done, you will probably be observed for a short period of time and then allowed to return to your normal activities. You may resume drinking when the anesthetic no longer causes numbness to your throat, unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Most patients experience no symptoms after this procedure and can resume eating the next day, but you might experience a mild sore throat for the remainder of the day.
If you received sedatives, you probably will be monitored in a recovery area until you are ready to leave. You will not be allowed to drive after the procedure even though you might not feel tired. You should arrange for someone to accompany you home, because the sedatives might affect your judgment and reflexes for the rest of the day.
What are the Potential Complications of Esophageal Dilation?
Although complications can occur even when the procedure is performed correctly, they are rare when performed by doctors who are specially trained. A perforation, or hole, of the esophagus lining occurs in a small percentage of cases and may require surgery. A tear of the esophagus lining may occur and bleeding may result. Complications from heart or lung diseases are potential risks
Delayed puberty is defined as the absence of any signs suggestive of puberty by 14 years of age. In this case, the patient's pubertal delay appears to be constitutional because of his positive family history, absence of syndromic features or systemic illness, and bone age of 12 years. Puberty correlates more closely with bone age than chronological age. On follow-up, the patient will most likely demonstrate a similar onset of puberty as his father.
Multiple sclerosis causes many different symptoms, including vision loss, pain, fatigue, and impaired coordination. The symptoms, severity, and duration can vary from person to person. Some people may be symptom free most of their lives, while others can have severe chronic symptoms that never go away. Physical therapy and medications that suppress the immune system can help with symptoms and slow disease progression.
Absence seizures involve brief, sudden lapses of consciousness. They're more common in children than adults. Someone having an absence seizure may look like he or she is staring into space for a few seconds. This type of seizure usually doesn't lead to physical injury. Absence seizures usually can be controlled with anti-seizure medications. Some children who have them also develop other seizures. Many children outgrow absence seizures in their teens.
Ettore Vulcano, MD, Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Surgeon at Mount Sinai West, discusses a new minimally invasive bunion surgery that has patients walking immediately after surgery, and getting back to an active lifestyle much quicker than with the traditional surgery.
Heavy period blood can be especially alarming if it contains clots. In most cases, though, red, brown, or even black menstrual blood clots are normal—just bits of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) that are shed during menstruation.
UPDATE 1/30/15: Watch the updated version of this animation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVP6JngpgEE
This 3D medical animation shows how adhesions in the abdomen may cause complications. These problems may include obstruction, twisting, and dislocating areas of the small intestine. Adhesions can be separated with laparoscopic instruments.
ANH00037
Transurethral resection of the prostate (also known as TURP, plural TURPs and as a transurethral prostatic resection TUPR) is a urological operation. It is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). As the name indicates, it is performed by visualising the prostate through the urethra and removing tissue by electrocautery or sharp dissection. This is considered the most effective treatment for BPH. This procedure is done with spinal or general anesthetic. A large triple lumen catheter is inserted through the urethra to irrigate and drain the bladder after the surgical procedure is complete. Outcome is considered excellent for 80-90% of BPH patients. Because of bleeding risks associated with the surgery, TURP is not considered safe for many patients with cardiac problems. As with all invasive procedures, the patient should first discuss medications they are taking with their doctor, most especially blood thinners or anticoagulants, such as warfarin (Coumadin), or aspirin. These may need to be discontinued prior to surgery. Postop complications include bleeding (most common), clotting and hyponatremia (due to bladder irrigation).
Additionally, transurethral resection of the prostate is associated with low but important morbidity and mortality.