Clinical Conditions Flashcards
What is Meniere’s disease?
Meniere’s disease is a condition of the inner ear which causes vertigo (dizziness with spinning sensation), hearing loss and tinnitus (ear ringing)
What is a subconjuctival haemorrhage?
A subconjunctival haemorrhage (aka hyposphagma) is bleeding underneath the conjunctiva due to the rupture of one of the blood vessels in this mucosal layer
What is a saddle nose deformity?
A saddle nose deformity is a condition due to an untreated septal haematoma which leads to avascular necrosis of cartilaginous septum
What is periorbital cellulitis?
Periorbital cellulitis is the cellulitis of orbital structures which occurs secondary to infection from bites, periorbital trauma, sinuses (fronto-ethmoidal sinuses)
What is anosmia and what is its commonest cause?
Anosmia is a loss of sense of smell (commonest cause is a cold)
What is a basilar skull fracture?
A basilar skull fracture is a fracture involving the cranial base, associated with cranial nerve injuries
What is Bell’s palsy?
- Bell’s palsy is the inflammation of the facial nerve causing oedema and compression of the nerve as it runs through its bony canal within the temporal bone
- This causes facial paralysis on the ipsilateral side of the injury
What is an intracerebral haemorrhage?
An intracerebral haemorrhage is bleeding in the brain tissue due to contusions or the tearing of white matter
What is a stye?
A stye is a small painful lump in the inside of the eyelid due to the blockage of eyelash follicles
What is croup?
- Croup is a common childhood illness caused by the inflammation of the upper respiratory tract (larynx & trachea, ± bronchi) as a result of a viral infection
- It presents with a harsh barking cough, hoarse voice and inspiratory stridor
What is lymphoedema?
Lymphoedema is the abnormal collection of protein‐rich fluid causing tissue swelling due to compromised lymphatic system
What is epistaxis?
Epistaxis is the common occurrence of bleeding from the nose
What is a cephalohaematoma?
A cephalohaematoma is a traumatic subperiosteal haematoma that occurs underneath the skin, in the periosteum of an infant’s skull bone
What are nasal polyps?
- Nasal polyps are fleshy, benign swellings of nasal mucosa which are usually pale/yellow and reddened
- They are usually bilateral and are common >40 years
What are cataracts?
Cataracts are progressive opacities (clouding) occurring within lens leading to decreased vision
What is CHARGE Syndrome?
- CHARGE Syndrome is a condition caused by a heterozygous mutation of the CHD7 protein which is essential for the production of multipotent neural crest
- It presents with coloboma, heart defects, choanal atresia, growth & developmental retardation, genital hypoplasia and ear defects
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition where there is a tendency towards the spontaneous firing of neurons (activation of action potentials) within a specific region of the cortex
What is an acoustic neuroma?
An acoustic neuroma (aka vestibular schwannoma) is a benign brain tumour of the Schwann cells developing on the vestibulocochlear nerve, impairing hearing and balance
What is Sialolithiasis?
Sialolithiasis (salivary gland stones) is a condition where a calcified mass / sialolith forms within a salivary gland, usually in the duct of the submandibular gland
What is presbyopia?
Presbyopia is the age-related inability to focus near-object as the lens becomes stiffer and less able to change shape
What is blepharitis?
Blepharitis is a common eye condition wherein the eyelids become red and inflamed often due to bacterial infection
What is acute sinusitis?
Acute sinusitis is the acute inflammation of the lining of the sinus which is commonly infective and often secondary to the viral infection of nasal cavity (common cold)
What is a cavernous sinus thrombosis?
A cavernous sinus thrombosis is a blood clot in the cavernous sinus
What is a cholesteatoma?
Cholesteatoma is a rare abnormal skin growth (sac or cyst of skin cells) growing into into middle ear, behind the tympanic membrane
What is an orbital blowout fracture?
An orbital blowout fracture is a fracture leading to the partial herniation of the orbital contents through the the orbital wall due to blunt force trauma to the eye
What is presbyacusis?
Presbyacusis is old‐age related hearing loss
What is an intracranial haemorrhage?
An intracranial haemorrhage is bleeding in ‘spaces’ between meningeal layers due to head trauma or the rupture of a blood vessel (aneurysm)
What is papilloedema?
Papilloedema is a condition in which increased pressure in or around the brain causes the part of the optic nerve inside the eye to swell
What is rhinitis?
Rhinitis is the inflammation of the nasal mucosal lining
What is a glaucoma?
- Glaucoma is an eye condition due to the obstruction of the drainage of aqueous humour, leading to a rise in intra-ocular pressure
- If left untreated glaucoma leads to irreversible damage and death of the optic nerve, causing impairment of vision or even blindness
What is adenoiditis?
Adenoiditis is the chronic inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils which may obstruct the passage of air from the nasal cavities into the nasopharynx, adding a nasal tone to speech
What is a pharyngeal pouch?
- A pharyngeal pouch represents a posteromedial (false) diverticulum through Killian’s dehiscence
- The herniation occurs between the thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeus muscles
What is generalised tonic-clonic epilepsy?
- Generalised tonic-clonic epilepsy is a severe form of epilepsy where the abnormal firing of action potentials spreads to both hemispheres of the brain
- The person loses consciousness before involuntary jerking involving all four limbs begin
What is epiglottitis?
- Acute epiglottitis is a condition in which there is inflammation of the epiglottis (± soft tissues surrounding the epiglottis)
- It is potentially life-threatening if complete obstruction of the airway occurs
What is labyrinthitis?
Vestibular neuritis is and inner ear infection wherein the labyrinth becomes inflamed causing vertigo, hearing loss, nystagmus (involuntary eye movement), tinnitus and the feeling of pressure in the ear
What is Treacher-Collins Syndrome?
- Treacher Collins Syndrome is an inherited, autosomal dominant condition characterised by hypoplasia of mandible & facial bones
- It is thought to result from the failure of colonisation of Ph Arch 1 with neural crest cells
What is Di-George Syndrome?
- Di-George Syndrome is a condition characterised by congenital thymic aplasia & absence of parathyroid glands due to a deletion on chromosome 22
- It is caused by the disrupted development of the 3rd and 4th pharyngeal pouches and the abnormal development of neural crest
What is tonsilitis?
Tonsilitis is the recurrent inflammation of the tonsils (especially palatine tonsils) due to a virus or bacteria, often requiring a tonsillectomy (less common)
What is mediastinitis?
Mediastinitis is the inflammation of the tissues in the mid-chest, or mediastinum
What is a TMJ dislocation?
- TMJ dislocation is a dislocation where the head of the mandible slips out the mandibular fossa, is pulled anteriorly, and the patient is unable to close their mouth
- It can occur due to a blow to the side of the face, yawning, or taking a large bite
What is conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis (aka pink eye) is an eye condition that causes redness and inflammation of the conjuctiva due to infection or allergy
What is a meibomian cyst?
A Meibomian cyst (aka chalazion) is a lump in the eyelid caused by the blockage and resulant inflammation of the Meibomian gland
What is a peritonsillar abscess?
- A peritonsillar abscess is a bacterial infection that usually begins as a complication of untreated strep throat or tonsillitis
- It generally involves a pus-filled pocket that forms near one of your tonsils
What are head & neck cancers?
HNC are a broad category of different tumour types which affect the upper aerodigestive structures, anywhere within the oral cavity, nose, nasal cavity and sinuses, pharynx and larynx
