Clinical signs Flashcards
Clubbing
Nails abnormally curved. Loss of hyponychial angle. Due to chronic hypoxia to the tissue.
Causes:
Lung disease - bronchiogenic carcinoma, pyogenic conditions, abscess, empyema
Heart disease - subacture bacterial endocarditis, cyanotic congential heart disease
Gastrointestinal disease - cirrhosis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease
Koilynychia
Spooning of the nail.
Causes: iron-deficiency anaemia, lupus, haemochromatosis
Pitting
Pitting on the surface of the nail
Causes: psoriasis, ezcema,
Splinter haemorrages
Dark lines under the nail, indicating the vessels under the nail are bleeding
Cause: subacute bacterial endocarditis, lupus, psoriasis , rheumatoid arthritis
Dupuytren’s contracture
Tightening of palmar fascia resulting in permanent flexion (usually ring finger)
Causes: Alchoholic liver disease
Coated candida (oral thrush)
Infection with candida albicans fungi
Causes: uncontrolled diabetes, HIV, cancer, corticosteroids, antibiotics
Palmar erythema
Redding of the palms at thenar and hypthenar eminences
Causes: Cirrhosis, chronic liver disease, pregnancy, portal hypertension, ezcema, psoriasis
Angular stomatitis
Cracking at the corners of the lips
Causes: iron deficiency anaemia, vitamin B deficiency, poor dental hygeine, poor nutrition
Mouth ulcer
Round oval sores that form inside the mouth on the cheek or lips
Causes: damage to the mouth, stress and anxiety, iron defiency anaemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, immunodefiency, Crohns disease
Gingivitis
Gum disease, red swollen gums (inflamed), abscesses can also be present
Causes: Poor oral hygeine, (diabetes, HIV more at risk)
Central cyanosis
Seen on the lips and tongue, caused by low oxygen saturation of arterial blood and poor perfusion of the tissue
Causes: Cardiac or respiratory disease, abnormal Hb
Nausea and vomiting
gastroenteritis
peptic ulcer disease
gastric obstruction
hepatitis
cholecystitis
pancreatitis
brain tumour
disseminated malignancy
sepsis
Addisons disease
Jaundice
discolouration of the sclera and skin due to deposition of excess bilirubin
Causes: biliary and liver disease
perioral pigmentation of the lips
Caused by Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, increased risk of gastric cancers
glossitis
Inflammation of the tongue
Causes: Bacterial/viral infections, poor hydration of the tongue, irritants (tobacco, alchohol, spicy food)
Spider naevi
dilated blood vessels near the surface of the skin, central red spot that radiates outwards
Causes: liver disease, pregnancy
Swollen parotid gland
Causes: mumps, infection
Xanthoma
firm, raised waxy-appearing papules (bumps) which may occur on the trunk, arms, and legs. May be skin-colored, pink or even yellow. Associated with hyperlipidemia (in blood)
