HAPPY HOLIDAYS....

I wish all my loyal followers and readers a very Happy Holiday Season.

May the New Year bring you and your loved ones Health, Happiness,

Prosperity and the best life has to offer!


Sincerely,

Doctor Tibor



We'll return refreshed and ready to continue in January 2010.

CARCINOMA ASSOCIATED SYNDROMES

Often asked, will be questions related directly or indirectly to malignant
disorders. Of those, we'll list the most common ones...likely to show-up
on your boards...



Q: HYPONATREMIA is commonly associated with which malignancy?


A: SMALL CELL CARCINOMA of the LUNG. (An easy way to memorize this
is the remember the letter "S"......"S"mall cell carcinoma causes "S"IADH
which leads to a change in "S"odium. (Hyponatremia).
*****Also of importance, SIADH only causes Hyponatremia!!!



Q: What is the most common PARANEOPLASTIC SYNDROME?

A: HYPERCALCEMIA ....especially common in Multiple Myeloma, Metastatic
Breast cancer and Squamus Cell Carcinoma of the Lung.



Q: What is the most common cause of SUPERIOR VENA CAVA(SVC) SYNDROME?

A: SMALL CELL CARCINOMA of the LUNG. The CXR will show a widened mediastinum.



Q: H. PYLORI is a PRIMARY RISK FACTOR for which cancer?

A: GASTRIC CARCINOMA. It is also frequently the cause of MALT Lymphoma.



Q: Which CELL TYPE is the most common cause of TESTICULAR CANCER?

A: GERM CELL...will cause about 95% of the these cancers. They will ususally
cause elevated AFP and B-HCG levels.



We'll be back in a few days....study well!!!!

TIPS IN CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY....continued

More interesting information and tips in Clinical
Toxicology...not covered on the previous blog.


Q: What is a common CHIEF COMPLAINT in CARBON MONOXIDE poisoning?


A: FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS...It's a red herring. Typically it's winter, the entire
family can be ill with headache/nasal congestion/lightheadedness.
These symptoms tends to improve when patient goes outside.
100 % O2.... decreases half-life of CO from 5hrs. to 1 hr.



Q: What finding correlates most closely with the degree of TCA (Tricyclic antidepressant)
overdose?

A: QRS PROLONGATION on the EKG correlates most closely with the severity of
overdose. TCA's cause tachycardia, along with PR/QT prolongation and V. Tach
and V.Fib as well.



Q: Consumption of which ALCOHOL causes a SWEET ODOR of breath and KETONURIA?

A: METHANOL(Rubbing Alcohol)....is the second most common alcohol to cause OD.
It's chief metabolite is ACETONE, that causes the sweet odor/cns effects and ketonuria.




LIST OF COMMON POISONS AND THEIR ANTIDOTE(S)...


IRON---------------------------------DESFEROXAMINE

ORGANOPHOSPATES---------------ATROPINE, PRALIDOXIME

ETHYLENE GLYCOL----------------ALCOHOL(IV)

BENZODIAZEPINES-----------------FLUMAZENIL (Mazicon)

NITRATES---------------------------METHYLENE BLUE

ACETAMINOPHEN------------------N-ACETYLCYSTEINE



Thanks again for your time...we'll continue soon. STUDY HARD !!!