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Bone marrow examination refers to the pathologic analysis of samples of bone marrow obtained by bone marrow biopsy (often called a trephine biopsy) and bone marrow aspiration. Bone marrow examination is used in the diagnosis of a number of conditions, including leukemia, multiple myeloma, anemia, and pancytopenia. The bone marrow produces the cellular elements of the blood, including platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells. While much information can be gleaned by testing the blood itself (drawn from a vein by phlebotomy), it is sometimes necessary to examine the source of the blood cells in the bone marrow to obtain more information on hematopoiesis; this is the role of bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.
One of a series of films we produced to help patients, their families and carers learn more about some of the most common tests and procedures used to diagnose and treat blood diseases. Patients who have previously undergone these tests helped us to design the videos. Each film clearly explains what the procedure involves and addresses common issues and concerns including: Why your doctor recommended this procedure What you need to do to prepare What you can expect during the procedure What you need to do afterwards Not every patient will be referred for all of these tests and practice may differ slightly depending on where you are treated.
Ejaculating into a partner’s mouth is a common practice during oral sex/fellatio. In a safe situation (where there is no danger of catching an STD), the semen-receiving partner may choose to spit the semen out, or to swallow it. Before you engage in fellatio, I’d recommend that you and your partner both get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If not, please use barriers for oral sex and abstaining from making contact with ejaculate. Semen is mostly water, but also contains amino acids and protein, sugars such as fructose and glucose, minerals such as zinc and calcium, vitamin C, and a few other nutrients. Sperm cells themselves make up less than one percent of semen. Semen is edible, and if swallowed, will travel down the esophagus and into the stomach, where it will be digested in the same way that food is. You can never get pregnant by swallowing semen. Some people accept the taste of semen, but others complain that swallowing semen can give them an upset stomach. In rare cases, you may have an allergy to the proteins found in semen. What does It Taste Like? The taste of semen varies. Bitter, sweet, metallic. So, one may expect to find the taste of semen anywhere from enjoyable to tasteless to disgusting. But there is a way of controlling the taste of semen, which is through diet. Keep track of the diet, and communicate with the partner about when it tastes better or worse.
What is a Whipple procedure?
Also called a pancreaticoduodenectomy, the Whipple procedure is performed to address chronic pancreatitis and cancer of the pancreas, ampulla of Vater, duodenum, and the distal bile duct. The Whipple procedure involves removing the cancerous parts of the pancreas, duodenum, common bile duct, and if required, part of the stomach.
A distal radius fracture almost always occurs about 1 inch from the end of the bone. The break can occur in many different ways, however. One of the most common distal radius fractures is a Colles fracture, in which the broken fragment of the radius tilts upward. This fracture was first described in 1814 by an Irish surgeon and anatomist, Abraham Colles -- hence the name "Colles" fracture.
Cluster headaches, which occur in cyclical patterns or clusters, are one of the most painful types of headache. A cluster headache commonly awakens you in the middle of the night with intense pain in or around one eye on one side of your head. Bouts of frequent attacks, known as cluster periods, can last from weeks to months, usually followed by remission periods when the headaches stop. During remission, no headaches occur for months and sometimes even years. Fortunately, cluster headache is rare and not life-threatening. Treatments can make cluster headache attacks shorter and less severe. In addition, medications can reduce the number of cluster headaches.
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.