What is Arthrogryposis? Arthrogryposis is a non progressive neuro-musculoskeletal, congenital disorder characterized by various joint contractures. It is also known as arthrogryposis multiplex congenital (AMC). Contractures, muscle weakness, stiffness, poor mobility or immobility and fibrosis are usually the presenting signs and symptoms of this condition. The term “arthrogryposis” is derived from the Greek terms “arthro,” which means joint and “gryp” meaning curved. Classification (Types) Arthrogryposis consists of various subgroups (types) depending on the signs and symptoms as well as the causes. The different classifications of arthrogryposis would also depend on the joints affected. Some of the most common classifications include but are not limited to: Arthrogryposis ectodermal dysplasia Arthrogryposis multiplex [...]

What is Corticobasal Degeneration Corticobasal degeneration, otherwise termed as, Corticobasal ganglionic degeneration or CBGD, is a kind of neurodegenerative disorder concerning a certain protein, called tau. In the disorder, there is an abnormal or unhealthy assembly of the tau protein in an individual’s brain. This phenomenon is medically referred to as tauopathy that ultimately leads to the deterioration or the degeneration of the individual’s brain. Generally, the main parts of the brain that are directly involved are the basal ganglia and the cerebral cortex. Moreover, corticobasal degeneration is also a progressive disorder; meaning, it worsens as time passes by. As an added information, a group of physicians led by doctor [...]

Trench Foot Definition Trench foot is a medical condition, which is caused by the infection of the foot brought about by prolonged exposure to wet, cold and unsanitary conditions. This was a common occurrence among soldiers during the First World War and the Vietnam War. Trench foot is one of the three immersion foot syndromes. The other two are warm water immersion foot and tropical immersion foot, which is also known as paddy foot. Warm water immersion foot differs from trench foot as exposure would be to wet but warm conditions for 48 hours or even longer. Tropical immersion foot, on the other hand, refers to the exposure of the [...]

Retroperitoneal fibrosis is a condition characterized by the proliferation of fibrosis in the retroperitoneum. It is also known as Ormond’s disease and usually presents with the presence of flank pain. The condition is named after John Kelso Ormond, a urologist who published information regarding retroperitoneal obstruction. Retroperitoneal fibrosis may either be benign or malignant and has the tendency to metastasize. It may lead to renal failure if the disease progresses towards the kidney and other surrounding structures. It is a collagen vascular disorder affecting urine flow from the kidneys to the urinary bladder by an obstruction in the ureters. Causes Of Retroperitoneal Fibrosis Retroperitoneal fibrosis may be classified as primary [...]

Pyuria is a condition in which the urine contains pus thereby indicating the presence of infection. Usually, there is around 6-10 neutrophil count upon microscopic examination of the urine. Pyuria is usually a clinical manifestation of an underlying medical condition. White blood cells would also be elevated in pyuria and is usually a clinical sign of bacterial urinary tract infection. How is Pyuria Identified? Pyuria is usually identified through urinalysis. A urine sample will be collected through the midstream clean catch technique in a sterile container or collecting device. Urine collection by midstream clean catch technique is done by discarding the first steady of stream of urine. Collection of the [...]

Ectopia Cordis Definition Ectopia cordis is a Latin word, which literally means “outside” and “heart”. It is a rather rare congenital malformation that concerns the heart’s abnormal location. Normally, the heart is located in the center of the chest cavity where it resides in the space between the lungs (inferior mediastinum) and lies on the diaphragm with its more pointed apex directed to the left side. Moreover, the heart is approximately located in the fifth intercostal space. However, in Ectopia cordis case, the heart is abnormally located either partially or completely outside of the chest cavity. The estimated prevalence rate of ectopia cordis is 0.079/10,000 births and is said to [...]

What is Craniopagus Parasiticus ? Craniopagus parasiticus is a rare medical condition characterized by the conjoining of twins in the head. This occurs when the skulls of the twins are fused together at the back, the front or on the side of the head. Usually, craniopagus would refer to the joining of two skulls but with separate bodies. Craniopagus parasiticus, on the other hand, would still be the conjoining of the skulls but with the absent of the second body hence the term “parasiticus.” Craniopagus parasiticus is such a rare occurrence that there have only been around 9 to 10 cases that were recorded in history. In addition, males were [...]

Akinesia Definition Akinesia is a compound word that comes from the prefix, “-a”, meaning without or lacking thereof and, the Greek word “kinesis”, meaning movement or in motion. Literally speaking, akinesia translates to “the lacking of movement” or “without movement”. It is also widely dubbed as “poverty in movement”. In the medical field, particularly in neurology however, a more specific definition of akinesia would be the inability or incapability to initiate a particular act of motion. Basically, akinesia is a motor disorder. Causes of Akinesia Generally speaking, akinesia occurs due to a problem in the nervous system, which concerns a particular trouble in picking and/or setting a particular motor program [...]

What is Ectrodactyly? The term, ectrodactyly comes from the Greek word “ektroma”, meaning abortion and “daktylos”, meaning finger. Essentially, ectrodactyly literally translates to the abortion of a finger. In the medical field however, ectrodactyly is otherwise known as split hand/split foot malformation or SHFM. It is a relatively rare congenital limb malformation wherein there is absence or deficiency of one or more central fingers or toes in the hand or foot. This central absence of fingers or toes is mainly because of the absence of the central rays. Moreover, the condition is also accompanied by fusion of the remaining peripheral digits. There may also be instances where metacarpals, metatarsals and [...]