Saturday, November 21, 2009

PHYSICAL SIGNS OF INTERNAL DISEASE...

Many times we'll observe a patient with a particular or peculiar physical finding
that can give us important insight...into an underlying pathology.
Needless to say....the boards also like you to know some of these clicinal clues.

I will highlight the MAIN association of a particular illness...the one the boards want you
to answer....as there may be multiple associations.


Q: What illness is associated with CAFE AU LAIT spots?

A: NEUROFIBROMATOSIS (Von Recklinghausen's Disease).



Q: What common disorder causes ALOPECIA AREATA?

A: HYPOTHYROIDISM/hyperthyroidism/pernicious anemia.



Q: What process causes BLUE TOE SYNDROME?

A: CHOLESTEROL/AtheroEMBOLI. (As in recent trauma patient or post angiography).



Q: What malignacy is associated with ACANTHOSIS NIGRICANS?

A: GASTRIC ADENOCARCINOMA.


Q: Which common cardiac medication causes GRAY-BLUEISH discoloration
of the sun exposed areas of the skin. (Light charcoal looking face).

A: AMIODARONE



Q: What condition causes KAYSER-FLEISCHER RINGS of the eyes?

A: WILSON'S DISEASE, especially in patients that have the neurologic complications
of the disease. E.g. personality changes/psychosis.



Q: Which genetic condition causes highly elastic skin(connective tissues)?

A: EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME. Patients have lax joints/fragile skin
and are prone to GI bleeding, due to lax vascular tissues.



Q: Which condition causes SADDLE NOSE DEFORMITY?

A: WEGENER'S GRANULOMATOSIS. The nasal bridge collapses due to destruction
of bony cartilage by the granuloma.



Q: Which tick borne illness causes ERYTHEMA MIGRANS rash?

A: LYME'S DISEASE...this finding can be absent in 25% of patients!



Thank you for you time...we'll be back soon.

No comments:

Post a Comment