Murtagh Diagnoses Flashcards
angina + dyspnoea + blackouts
aortic stenosis
menstrual dysfunction + obesity + hirsutism
polycystic ovarian syndrome
dysmenorrhoea + heavy menstrual bleeding + dyspareunia (difficult/painful sexual intercourse) + abdominal/pelvic pain
endometriosis
abdominal pain + diarrhoea + fever
Crohn disease
ataxia + hearing loss + facial numbness
acoustic neuroma
fatigue + muscle weakness + cramps
Hypokalaemia
Flashcard:
Symptoms of fatigue, muscle weakness, and cramps can indicate:
- Hypokalemia: Low potassium levels, affecting muscle function.
- Hypocalcemia: Low calcium levels, causing muscle issues and other symptoms like tingling and abnormal heart rhythms.
ECG: peaked T waves, ↓ QT, ↑ PR interval → arrhythmias
Hyperkalaemia
fever + rigors + hypotension
septicaemia
pale child + severe ‘colic’ + vomiting + inactivity/lethargy
acute intussusception
fatigue + palpitations + exertional dyspnoea
anaemia
(<2 years): lethargy + irritability + pallor
iron deficiency anaemia
fatigue + dizziness + exertional dyspnoea
cardiomyopathy
Fatigue, dizziness, and exertional dyspnea can indeed be symptoms of anemia, which is a condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood. However, these symptoms can also indicate cardiomyopathy, as both conditions can result in decreased oxygen delivery to tissues and organs.
In anemia, the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood leads to symptoms such as fatigue (due to tissue hypoxia), dizziness (due to reduced blood flow to the brain), and exertional dyspnea (as the body tries to compensate for decreased oxygen availability by increasing respiratory rate and effort).
In cardiomyopathy, the heart’s inability to pump blood effectively can also lead to reduced oxygen delivery to tissues and organs, resulting in similar symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, and exertional dyspnea.
Therefore, while anemia is a potential cause of these symptoms, cardiomyopathy is another condition to consider, particularly if there are additional signs or risk factors suggestive of heart disease. Differentiating between the two conditions may require further evaluation, such as blood tests to assess for anemia or cardiac imaging studies to evaluate heart function.
Fever of unknown origin + cardiac murmur + embolic phenomena
infective endocarditis
intense abdominal pain + pale and ‘shocked’ ± back pain
ruptured AAA
localised RIF pain + a/n/v + guarding
acute appendicitis
abdominal pain + malar flush + fever ± URTI
mesenteric adenitis
In simple terms, when someone experiences abdominal pain, a flushed appearance in the cheeks (malar flush), and possibly a fever along with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), it could indicate mesenteric adenitis.
Mesenteric adenitis is the inflammation of lymph nodes in the abdomen, typically due to a viral or bacterial infection. The abdominal pain is usually in the lower right side and can mimic appendicitis. The malar flush refers to the redness or flushing of the cheeks, which can occur due to the body’s response to infection or inflammation. The fever and symptoms of URTI suggest an underlying viral or bacterial infection, which can trigger inflammation in the abdominal lymph nodes, leading to mesenteric adenitis.
acute abdominal pain + left-sided radiation + fever
acute diverticulitis
amenorrhoea (65–80%) + lower abdominal pain (95+%) + abnormal vaginal bleeding (65–85%)
ectopic pregnancy
intense pain (loin) → groin + microscopic haematuria
ureteric colic
severe RUQ abdominal pain + vomiting + pain radiation
biliary colic
Biliary colic is like a sharp pain in your upper belly or back that happens when your gallbladder squeezes too hard or your bile duct is blocked, often caused by gallstones. It can come and go, usually lasting a few hours at a time, and may be triggered by fatty or greasy foods.
fever (often with rigor) + upper abdominal pain + jaundice
acute cholangitis
fatigue + weight loss + iron deficency + diarrhoea
coeliac disease
anorexia/nausea + faecal leaking + abdominal bloating
faecal impaction
abdominal cramps + flatulence + profuse diarrhoea
Camp
giardiasis
lethargy + abdominal pains + irritability (in child)
lead poisoning
aching bones + waddling gait + deafness
Paget disease
fever + drooling + stridor (child)
epiglottitis
URTI + brassy cough + inspiratory stridor
croup
drowsiness + tachypnoea + chest wall recession
pneumonia
‘flu’ + headache + dry cough
atypical pneumonia
(<12 months): drowsiness + cough + wheezing (associated with viral infection)
bronchiolitis
coughing + wheezing + chest wall recession
asthma or aspirated foreign body if localized
fever + conjunctivitis + skin changes (cracked red lips, maculopapular rash, erythema of palms/soles,
desquamation of fingertips)
Kawasaki syndrome
malaise + cough + fever (± erythema nodosum)
sarcoidosis or TB (mantoux test to diferentiate them)
(history of travelling) + fever + chills + headache
malaria
fever + bradycardia + jaundice
yellow fever
Yellow fever is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes. It can cause fever, muscle pain, headache, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and sometimes death. It’s called “yellow fever” because it can make people’s skin and eyes turn yellow. Vaccination is available to prevent it.
fever + severe aching (especially headache) + rash
dengue fever
febrile illness + vomiting + stupor
Japanese B encephalitis
fever + pneumonia + myalgia
melioidosis
Melioidosis is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, found in soil and water in certain tropical regions. It can cause a range of symptoms, from mild fever and muscle aches to severe pneumonia and bloodstream infections. It’s often called the “great mimicker” because it can mimic other diseases, making it challenging to diagnose. Treatment usually involves antibiotics, but severe cases can be life-threatening.
painful bite + paraesthesia + hydrophobia (pain with drinking)
rabies
‘stepladder’ fever + abdominal pain + relative bradycardia
typhoid (early)
fever + vomiting + abrupt onset ‘rice water’ diarrhoea
cholera
malaise + cough + weight loss ± fever/night sweats + haemoptysis
pulmonary TB
malaise + cough + weight loss (+ smoking)
lung carcinoma
(male child) snorting, blinking + oral noises (e.g. grunts) ± loud expletives
Tourette syndrome
fever + severe malaise + generalized lymphadenopathy
acute HIV
thirst + polyuria + weight loss
type 1 diabetes
polyuria + polydipsia + skin/orifice infections
diabetes mellitus
weakness + polyuria + polydipsia
diabetes insipidus
Diabetes insipidus is a condition where your body can’t properly regulate water balance, leading to excessive urination and thirst. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough of a hormone called antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or when your kidneys don’t respond properly to it. This can result in frequent urination, even at night, and constant thirst.
fatigue + polyarthritis + fever or skin lesions
SLE
Flashcard:
Symptoms of fatigue, polyarthritis, fever, or skin lesions can be seen in both SLE and rheumatic fever.
- SLE: Autoimmune disease affecting multiple organs.
- Rheumatic fever: Complication of untreated strep throat, primarily affecting the heart and joints.
finger discomfort + arthralgia + GORD (± skin tightness)
scleroderma
dry eyes + dry mouth + arthritis
Sjögren syndrome
arthralgia + weight loss + fever (± skin lesions)
polyarteritis nodosa
Polyarteritis nodosa is a rare autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the arteries, causing inflammation and damage to blood vessels. This can lead to problems with blood flow to various organs and tissues, causing symptoms like muscle and joint pain, skin rashes, abdominal pain, and sometimes organ damage. Treatment usually involves medications to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation.
weakness + joint and muscle pain + violaceous facial rash + raised CK
dermatomyositis
malaise + painful shoulder girdle + morning stiffness (>50 years)
no raised CK
polymyalgia rheumatica
fatigue/malaise + headache + jaw claudication
temporal arteritis
urethritis + conjunctivitis ± iritis + arthritis
reactive arthritis
arthralgia (lower limbs) + rash (buttocks, legs) ± abdominal pain
Henoch–Schönlein purpura
Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a condition that mainly affects children and causes inflammation of small blood vessels in the skin, joints, intestines, and kidneys. It often starts with a rash of purple spots on the skin, usually on the buttocks and legs, along with joint pain and abdominal pain. It’s typically triggered by a viral or bacterial infection. Most cases of HSP resolve on their own without treatment, but some may require medication to manage symptoms or complications.
recurrent oral and genital ulcers + uveitis + arthritis
Behçet syndrome
genital pruritus + soreness + white wrinkled plaques
lichen sclerosus
genital pruritus + soreness + white wrinkled plaques
lichen sclerosus
bruising + oral bleeding + epistaxis
ITP
menorrhagia + bruising + increased bleeding
1. incisions 2. dental 3. mucosal
Von Willebrand disease
Von Willebrand disease is a genetic disorder that affects blood clotting. People with this condition have low levels of a protein called von Willebrand factor, which helps blood platelets stick together and form clots to stop bleeding. As a result, they may experience frequent nosebleeds, easy bruising, and prolonged bleeding after injuries or surgeries. Treatment often involves medications to increase clotting and prevent excessive bleeding.